Is 2.0 a new game? a rebranding attempt? an update? an expansion? a fix? What Is It?

In the past week I have heard 2.0 called
"A Rebranding"
"An Update"
"An Expansion"
"A fix for earlier problems"
"A Redesign"
and "A new game"

SE needs to make it clear to the media what "A Realm Reborn" is, as anyone looking into it will be ultimately confused.

For example, IGN should probably not title their video "A Realm Rebranded" and then call this an "Update". An update is something that fixes 4 or 5 problems I've never experienced on my PS3, not a complete redesign of a game.

The website doesn't seem to state anything.
It titles it "A Realm Reborn" and then beneath it says "What is Final Fantasy XIV"

To anyone familiar with normal MMO's, it looks like an expansion, flat out.
To anyone following it on IGN, it's probably a "massive update"
To most people here, me included, it's a "new game"
To many people reading less-popular news sites it is a "complete redesign"

But what sounds more appealing to an individual that quit at launch?
An Update?
An Expansion?
A Redesign?
or A New Game?

And to people who may want to join FFXIV for the first time, what sounds more appealing?

From a marketing standpoint, calling this a new game or redesign is probably the best option.

So please SE, make it clear to the media what this is, and make it -very- clear on the website.

Just an aside, here are some quotes from random sites that demonstrate people's confusion.


"You know...
The new logo makes it look like an expansion of FFXIV rather than a remake of it. They should have made the FFXIV text bigger than the A Realm Reborn text.
TrueGalvanization 1 day ago"

"Everyone.. "Rebranded" is the Wrong term IGN used.. They aren't Rebranding FFXIV, The basically made a New game, with old maps Completely redone- They are taking that huge chunk of land and Separating them into Smaller "Unique zones" the World will be just as big as before, just everything is going to be different. They have the New Website up and running with the bulk of there information coming from Gamescom!. theres so much to tell you that I can't fit it all here so if you have Q's Ask :D.
Allforone246 1 hour ago"

"I enjoyed FF13, so when i heard about FF14 online i was trippen out. And the i saw what it was like and said HELL NO. So as for a rebranded version. Im gonna wait till it gets reviewed befor even thinking about setting a side my hard earned cash.
gingerbails 2 days ago"

"okay, I'm not a die hard FF fan but I just bought FFXIV and it keeps crashing but I'm trying to work past it. When this is released will I have to buy it again or a complete new version?
madspike1994 3 days ago "

"ryanlobrovich • 3 days ago
So I just want to be sure, if you already have 14 on PC, when 2.0 comes out it will just basically be a giant patch? Meaning the time to invest is now or atleast before 2.0 comes out? Cuz damn is it cheap on Amazon.

Response:

Anatoray • 3 days ago • parent
Yes, 2.0 will be offered as a massive patch to the original game, and include a new free month pass"

"skies10 • 3 days ago −
You Guys are idiots for saying oh you have to pay or something YOU DONT HAVE TO PAY FOR ONLINE AND CRAP FOR THE PS3 OKAY IDIOTS"

"IllregularHunterZero • 3 days ago −
I don't think the game can be fixed the way it was when I last played was a mess, they need to just forget ff14 and move on."

"abercrombiepat • 3 days ago −
They should have renamed it , "you might as well go back to ffxi since we are adding more content , new areas , jobs , upgrades to graphics". Still don't see a reason to leave ffxi for this."

"MatthewArdill
If that's the case we'll see when there's something more than a flashy trailer if it's worth while. This is not the first "relaunch" of this game. How many launches do you need? They claim it's been re-engineered from the ground up I'll believe it when I see it and can actually find out how game play is, they said they were going to revolutionize game play when they released FF XIV and in the end it was just a mess. The proof (after this many failures) is in the putting."

Oh dear god, make it stop.

Good points but honestly what is it really?
We don't know that much about it either so this is SE's problem to solve to all of us.
How is this update bigger than Cataclysm? I wouldn't hold it against the reporters for calling it a patch/update before SE even tries to set the record straight.

Goddamn he's worse than Rokien.

Jesus Christ.

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Originally Posted by Alerith

Goddamn he's worse than Rokien.

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Maybe it really is Rokien. Kinda like Gifthorse had some alts...

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Originally Posted by BeePee

Maybe it really is Rokien. Kinda like Gifthorse had some alts...

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Can I get that on a Conspiracy Keanu meme please?

Do you honestly think that people all treat an expansion, update, and new game the same way?
People who dislike the game for it's style will ignore an update because they will still think its the same FFXIV
People who don't want to start a 2 year old game with bad reviews will ignore the game if they think this is an expansion

But if people -know- it's a new game that is completely different from the original 14 they may actually take an interest in it.

It's not like I'm posting spam or useless comments, I backed up the argument with about 10 quotes from multiple sites, and it only took me 5 minutes to find those, meaning there are probably quite a few more like them.

"SQUARE ENIX ANNOUNCES REDESIGNED FINAL FANTASY XIV: A REALM REBORN
July 26, 2012
Massively Multiplayer Online Adventure Rebuilt from the Ground Up"

From the http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com on the front page.

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Originally Posted by Dawiichan

"SQUARE ENIX ANNOUNCES REDESIGNED FINAL FANTASY XIV: A REALM REBORN
July 26, 2012
Massively Multiplayer Online Adventure Rebuilt from the Ground Up"

From http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com

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But people visiting ign for their gaming news won't see that.

That's the point I'm making. SE's marketing department needs to be proactive in making sure the entire gaming community knows this isn't just a fix or an update, but a completely different game with borrowed aspects and transferred characters.

For example, I tried WoW and hated it. However, if WoW-2 came out with a new battle system, different way of leveling and different economy, I may try it. Just like a lot of people that quit FFXI after 1 month tried and still play FFXIV.

If SE can't make it clear this is a new game (and the word re-design doesn't really convey that, as a lot of people would call the changes to WoW in the last expansion a re-design), then a lot of people will ignore it and forget about it.

Sometimes I can't tell if I'm looking at a forum or an investigative report on 60 minutes with Dan Rather.

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Originally Posted by RudyFails

Sometimes I can't tell if I'm looking at a forum or an investigative report on 60 minutes with Dan Rather.

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You're looking at a topic made by someone who thinks they have more know how than the entire marketing department at SE.

Ok I'm going to have to ask you. How many times have you seen 2.0 been named as an expansion yet people still look at articles about the game? Since 2.0 was announced, people have been calling it an expansion, yet that many people still look at the news announced by gaming sites. Do you honestly think that once all this information is released, only because SE has given the same expression for an extra 1 or 2 months more than our current 7 months, it will make people not look at the 2.0 news?

You're acting as if this is something new that started only because of the website. It's always been labeled like this by many people, and there is only one way of taking away that label, and that is by showing concrete information about 2.0. Though do you think it's actually wise to show it all in one go, and game sites randomly make an article about 2.0? No. Look at the last couple articles about IGN about XIV. Other than the E3 one, there is almost nothing about XIV. It's better to bring up the brand so that people are used to seeing it, and then take out the information.

However, why do you think SE already planned a marketing campaign? The current spurt of news is just to bring up the topic of XIV to game sites. Every single site I know had an article about it, and every site shows that in some way they are intrigued. This is all that SE has to achieve to get people's attention. All they have to do now is correctly market their game when they plan to market it, which oddly enough, is in august.

Did you not know this game will fail if we dont get all info by tomorrow? its tomorrow or bust. To hell with pre-planned marketing campaign.

they said them selfs its a new game just some website maybe haven't got the right information just yet give it all time

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Originally Posted by Chardrizard

Did you not know this game will fail if we dont get all info by tomorrow? its tomorrow or bust. To hell with pre-planned marketing campaign.

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Are you saying every time you hear of a new game you make a point to go back and check it out week after week to see if there is new info?

Most games have a 1-off chance to create a first impression. FFXIV, considered one of the worst MMOs of all time, definitely needs to make that first impressions stick for their new version.

My point is, if people assume this is just an update or expansion now, they won't bother paying attention to it in the future. Just like I know WoW Mists of Pandaninjas is an expansion and won't ever read an article about it, because I have no interest in joining an old game with expansions.

First impressions always count the most.

I'm under the assumption that XIV lacks a marketing department as they have made nearly every possible marketing mistake that exists, both at launch and now.

I'm getting a very strong "The game is going to fail because they won't give me the info now" vibe from nearly every single post made by this idiot.

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Originally Posted by Azurymber

Are you saying every time you hear of a new game you make a point to go back and check it out week after week to see if there is new info?

Most games have a 1-off chance to create a first impression. FFXIV, considered one of the worst MMOs of all time, definitely needs to make that first impressions stick for their new version.

My point is, if people assume this is just an update or expansion now, they won't bother paying attention to it in the future. Just like I know WoW Mists of Pandaninjas is an expansion and won't ever read an article about it, because I have no interest in joining an old game with expansions.

First impressions always count the most.

I'm under the assumption that XIV lacks a marketing department as they have made nearly every possible marketing mistake that exists, both at launch and now.

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Ever thought we are not under marketing campaign period yet? That is why we have nothing but tease?

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Originally Posted by Azurymber

Do you honestly think that people all treat an expansion, update, and new game the same way?
People who dislike the game for it's style will ignore an update because they will still think its the same FFXIV
People who don't want to start a 2 year old game with bad reviews will ignore the game if they think this is an expansion

But if people -know- it's a new game that is completely different from the original 14 they may actually take an interest in it.

It's not like I'm posting spam or useless comments, I backed up the argument with about 10 quotes from multiple sites, and it only took me 5 minutes to find those, meaning there are probably quite a few more like them.

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You seriously are worse than Rokien. It feels like almost every other thread i've jumped in periodically today is yours, and a total waste of space..

It is common knowledge that the people with negative opinions are much more vocal than the positive. The information and (hopefully) real advertising hasn't even begun yet. You are making all these pointless threads, and worrying too much about this too early. Just hope that they will make it work this time, and once it seems that it isn't going well then go all doom and gloom. Your examples prove nothing.

You people are so repetitive..

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Originally Posted by Madrox

You seriously are worse than Rokien. It feels like almost every other thread i've jumped in periodically today is yours, and a total waste of space..

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Idk, today I screamed to myself for about 5 minutes after reading something Rokien posted...

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In the past week I have heard 2.0 called
"A Rebranding"
"An Update"
"An Expansion"
"A fix for earlier problems"
"A Redesign"
and "A new game"

SE needs to make it clear to the media what "A Realm Reborn" is, as anyone looking into it will be ultimately confused.

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Why does any of this matter?

For one, "a new game" is metaphorical/rhetorical. It's not literally a new game, not even by a longshot. Even if everything was changed, it sitll has the same title, just with a subtitle tacked on.

I think the most accurate terms would be the ones SE itself has used "Redesign" or "revamp."It's not new, but it's not old either. It's not strictly a fix-up, either.

I don't think they're trying to sell it as an expansion. That wouldn't be a good way to market it. Outside of that, I'll just let the people at SE that know marketing handle it.

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Originally Posted by Dawiichan

Idk, today I screamed to myself for about 5 minutes after reading something Rokien posted...

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Oh, that's just the tumor caused by Rokien pressing against your frontal lobe. We call it Rokienitis.

Love how posters devolve into attacking the poster instead of ignoring the threads in turn giving the poster no reason to stop making threads.

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Originally Posted by Jynx

Love how posters devolve into attacking the poster instead of ignoring the threads in turn giving the poster no reason to stop making threads.

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This is assuming the poster will stop posting threads if we stop replying to them. Judging from the OP, I would say that they won't be happy with any condition of the game or it's marketing strategy, and we'll continue to hear from him regardless.

In such a case, I would rather be vocal in presenting my opinion, especially because of the fact that his person does NOT speak for the entire community.

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But people visiting ign for their gaming news won't see that.

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it's not the games fault that IGN is terrible journalism

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Originally Posted by Dawiichan

Idk, today I screamed to myself for about 5 minutes after reading something Rokien posted...

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I think this one is just in my face more than Rokien, and I sometimes laugh at Rokien. lol

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Originally Posted by Alerith

You're looking at a topic made by someone who thinks they have more know how than the entire marketing department at SE.

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My left nut has better knowledge of marketing than SE. Seriously? They could have bled their FF fanbase dry if they would have thrown som money into TV advertising and spammed MMORPG.com etc. Even though 1.00 was a steaming pile they could have made a lot more money.

Likewise we will see a similar lukewarm approach to advertising with the rerelease.

SE isnt like Microsoft of Blizzard in terms of marketing, which I sometimes respect and sometimes abhor. Its cool to think they might want their game to speak for itself instead of shoving it down other peoples throats. But its an MMO the more people you get playing it, the more friends they will bring to it etc. its a good snowball strategy.

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Originally Posted by Alerith

I'm getting a very strong "The game is going to fail because they won't give me the info now" vibe from nearly every single post made by this idiot.

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Yikes thats so venomous.

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Originally Posted by Dawiichan

Idk, today I screamed to myself for about 5 minutes after reading something Rokien posted...

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He is great isnt he?

"Terrible but great" hehe

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Originally Posted by Alerith

Oh, that's just the tumor caused by Rokien pressing against your frontal lobe. We call it Rokienitis.

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Lol . I have it in my heart.

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Originally Posted by Jynx

Love how posters devolve into attacking the poster instead of ignoring the threads in turn giving the poster no reason to stop making threads.

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Lifes grand isnt it?

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Originally Posted by Alerith

This is assuming the poster will stop posting threads if we stop replying to them.

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You would be amazed at how fast someone stops making threads when they get no knee jerk responses.

That or the people who share concerns or can actually debate properly instead of LOL Poster. How qui#kly and civil the threads come and go.

yeah honestly if you disagree with me instead of attacking me make a logical counterpoint. There is no point in raging over a forum thread. Plus if no one responds they die.

re-designed from the guts out.

How is it exactly a new game if they are redoing old maps, keeping the same back story of the original FF14... Seems more like an expansion to me. If It was in fact a new game, there would be no link between the current FF14 and the new 2.0, it would be a completely fresh start for everyone within a new world not linked to the previous. I understand they will be adding more features as well, but isn't that what an expansion is about?

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Originally Posted by xXHalloweenTrixXx

How is it exactly a new game if they are redoing old maps, keeping the same back story of the original FF14... Seems more like an expansion to me. If It was in fact a new game, there would be no link between the current FF14 and the new 2.0, it would be a completely fresh start for everyone within a new world not linked to the previous. I understand they will be adding more features as well, but isn't that what an expansion is about?

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I would argue:
new world
new battle mechanics
new graphics
new stats
new story
and the inability to do any old content

would make it a new game, as opposed to just a redesign or an expansion.
But redesign would be much better suited.

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Originally Posted by Azurymber

I would argue:
new world
new battle mechanics
new graphics
new stats
new story
and the inability to do any old content

would make it a new game, as opposed to just a redesign or an expansion.
But redesign would be much better suited.

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Wrong. Same world, and same story. They already announced that they were continuing the old story in 2.0. Also, we don't know at all if it's new stats or not. All we know is that stacking stat materia won't be as potent in 2.0.

http://i.imgur.com/CvXSh.png
You're a pestilence and a key reason why this community is perceived in an ill light.

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Originally Posted by Vice

http://i.imgur.com/CvXSh.png
You're a pestilence and a key reason why this community is perceived in an ill light.

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Rokien 2.0?

Is it too hard to think that 2.0 is Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn?
Who cares if it's a new game or a shotgun that shoots sandwiches. It is Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, and that's all you need to know. Enjoy it along with your sandwiches! *shots~*

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Originally Posted by Vice

http://i.imgur.com/CvXSh.png
You're a pestilence and a key reason why this community is perceived in an ill light.

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How is it my fault people keep bumping my threads that have died to older pages. I rarely ever self-bump unless I'm responding to someone directing attacks or comments at me.

The final fight too hard thread was made when the fight came out, after i made the first strategy thread and posted the first basic info about the fight (since I watched blackmages fail to destroy meteors for hours on end). When i made the thread only a few groups had actually completed the fight. Not my fault 16000 people read it and 230 commented, and people keep bringing it up.

The website detrimental thread was created because the website really does suck from a marketing standpoint. As I run a very successful marketing business irl, it bothers me a bit when people make massive and easily avoidable marketing mistakes. I made this thread after roiken pointed out ign was calling the game rebranded (which is something you NEVER want to happen to your product. It makes you seem deceitful and diminishes your products reputation. Rebranding is essentially taking an existing product and changing the entire marketing strategy and brand. It's usually done if consumers lose confidence in a product or if the products brand is so old fashioned a facelift wont work).

Just because I have a few threads that bring up legitimate concerns (and garner a fair number of likes) doesn't make me bad or a troll.... If you bother to look at my history I've spent hours compling guides to help make this game more enjoyable for people because I genuinely want this game to be great and a huge success. Otherwise why would I have spent hours talking to every NPC in eorzea to complie a lore guide, exploring every nook and cranny not once but twice, writing 3 or 4 quite long solo guides, etc... I gain nothing from them. But they help people enjoy the game which is what i truly want.

If you don't like my threads, don't comment and bump them. But just because you disagree with me doesn't make me bad, and doesn't make my opinions wrong....

Be objective, people. Regardless of who the OP is or their post history, they do make one good point.

SE's message to the global gaming community, that is, EVERYONE who plays video games and could potentially play 2.0, is still unclear. A majority simply don't understand what 2.0 is. You can't just point fingers and say "Oh, it's not SE's fault, IGN got it wrong" or whatever other excuse. If 2.0 is to be a success, the message needs to come across loud and clear, to the point that no one could every botch its delivery.

Every gamer should be able to hear about A Realm Reborn and know exactly what it is. Whether or not they give it a chance is another story. But they should know that it's an all-new experience, not the same failed MMORPG that XIV once was.

It's too soon to cry doom and gloom, to say SE has failed in delivering that message, but they do indeed need to solidify that message as they put forth news. So far none of the info released this year drives the point home to the gamers that are completely ignorant about FFXIV's ongoing development.

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Originally Posted by Alhanelem

Why does any of this matter?

For one, "a new game" is metaphorical/rhetorical. It's not literally a new game, not even by a longshot. Even if everything was changed, it sitll has the same title, just with a subtitle tacked on.

I think the most accurate terms would be the ones SE itself has used "Redesign" or "revamp."It's not new, but it's not old either. It's not strictly a fix-up, either.

I don't think they're trying to sell it as an expansion. That wouldn't be a good way to market it. Outside of that, I'll just let the people at SE that know marketing handle it.

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Everything isn't even being changed. It's getting new zones, new quests, a new ui, some battle tweaks, new graphics engine, and the rest of the stuff is staying the same except for primal fights and gc/ main story quests. What new content will actually be there at release besides crystal tower as far as we know?

Is this person paranoid or what? You realize you may have bought the game, but that doesn't mean you OWN the game. Stop barking orders as if you're CEO or something. SE isn't a government branch, it doesn't need whistle blowers.

There's more ways that a game can succeed than by conforming you YOUR personal standards (which seem preposterously high).

Do you think people are so stupid that they'll just get SOOO confused about whether 2.0 is technically an 'update' or a 'fix' that they'll run the opposite way rather than look around and FIGURE IT OUT??

It's also sort of ALL OF THE ABOVE.

Now please stop making extremely condescending threads about crap no one cares about.