Tanaka or Yoshi?

[Shiyo]

Wow, I agree 100% with Shai's and darkpoets posts. I really think Tanaka would've made this game better ;_; Yoshi seems to be turning this game into something it was never meant to be...

[gifthorse]

Here is what Tanaka and crew said about their design-intentions

Goal-Oriented Content & Comprehensive Tutorials

Together with the aforementioned improvements to gameplay, the availability of "goal-oriented" content and items, and the need for comprehensive and clear tutorials are issues that will be immediately addressed.

Establishment of In-Game Communities

The first version update of 2011 will introduce what are known as "companies," a special type of linkshell with more group-oriented progression and goals.

Once estbalished, companies will be able to work towards acquiring their own communal assets, such as buildings that can serve as headquarters, or ships that can be used to access multiplayer content. The system will provide concrete benefits to players who align themselves with a company, as well as motivate already established companies to seek out new recruits. In essence, the focus will be on providing new, innovative content for all players to enjoy. The FINAL FANTASY XIV Lodestone will also offer a number of online services covering both companies and linkshells.

All of the additions and changes mentioned above are currently in the final stages of development, and we are optimistic that they will be implemented in the version updates of November, December, and early 2011. Beyond those listed here, there are still numerous other features being planned. More information on these will be released in the future as details become available.

Just think, we could have had an interesting game by now if Yoshi didn't come along.

[Shiyo]

In essence, the focus will be on providing new, innovative content for all players to enjoy. The FINAL FANTASY XIV Lodestone will also offer a number of online services covering both companies and linkshells.

This is my favorite part, instead of new innovative content we're getting copy/paste content from all MMOs 2004-present :/

[Shai]

Here is what Tanaka and crew said about their design-intentions

...

Just think, we could have had an interesting game by now if Yoshi didn't come along.

It sounds awesome. It sounds exactly like what should have been in the actual launch, but was just short of being ready. I had been saying (before this announcement even) that if Companies had been in launch there MIGHT have been enough content to keep us busy and entertained.

That also assumes that it actually worked correctly. You know, unlike the Wards and my inventory - which I couldn't sort and took 35 minutes to sell my junk to NPC due to 10 seconds of lag between each button click. ^^

I mean assuming everything was working as intended and this content was available - we would have seen a different Eorzea, I think. I lament the death of HQ Buildings and ships to access content.

[Shiyo]

It might not change a thing I personally love reading opinions of people I can agree with. It also creates some nice discussions to read imo.

[Corrderio]

[Removed by Moderator according to the FINAL FANTASY XIV FORUM Guidelines.]

So what do you expect to happen? Tanaka being put back in chage?

Even if he did do you really thing he can make this game for the better? After all this is the guy that made things like durability, fatigue, combat system, pretty much what everyone is complaining about they want fixed.

Yes Yoshida is being slow, but at the same time he's trying to revamp a lot of this. Since this game took 5 years to develop it's obviously not going to take a fort night to redo everything and making sure it works flawless.

Also, I remember throwing tantrums as a kid, I got dragged out of the store and got my ass beat. So they only work with someone that caves in.

[Shiyo]

Seriously, WHY WOULD WE GET INSTANCED DUNGEONS AND QUEST HUBS OVER SOMETHING SO AMAZING LIKE THAT.

I am ANGRY, very angry. Does ANYONE actually prefer quest hubs and instanced dungeons over something so cool, amazing, new, different, and awesome as what was planned? SERIOUSLY?

[Iron]

Seriously, WHY WOULD WE GET INSTANCED DUNGEONS AND QUEST HUBS OVER SOMETHING SO AMAZING LIKE THAT.

I am ANGRY, very angry. Does ANYONE actually prefer quest hubs and instanced dungeons over something so cool, amazing, new, different, and awesome as what was planned? SERIOUSLY?

You don't know what the dungeons and quest hubs are gonna be like. And you also don't know whatever that "something so cool, amazing, new, different, and awesome.." would have been like..

How are you comparing 2 things that you don't know anything about (except vague descriptions)?

[Shai]

Seriously, WHY WOULD WE GET INSTANCED DUNGEONS AND QUEST HUBS OVER SOMETHING SO AMAZING LIKE THAT.

I am ANGRY, very angry. Does ANYONE actually prefer quest hubs and instanced dungeons over something so cool, amazing, new, different, and awesome as what was planned? SERIOUSLY?

It makes me kind of depressed.

I did the final (R46) story quest (mission) last night. I'd been putting it off for a long time to milk one of the few things I enjoy out of the game as long as I could. This "Prophet" GM NPC thing had me kind of worked up so I decided I'd finish up that storyline. Honestly, it was epic. I thought to myself, "I can never do a Side-Quest again and not wonder - Why is this so lame when this game is capable of so much more?" I know they are "Side-Quests" but still.

Anyway, I'm so curious about the Echo, about my Path Companion, the nature of the NPCs you meet in your city-state, about what Ifrit said. I don't want an interpretation of this. I want what was intended. I want to know where this was leading and when it will lead there. I don't want it to be scrapped, re-written, modified for some new battle system (that has yet to prove if its better or worse since we know nothing about it other than auto-attack - which is potentially the most boring battle system ever invented). I just want that.

I had said for a long time, "Maybe messaging in-game on on Lodestone isn't active yet because it's tied to Companies. Maybe Chocobos are loaned to you by Companies. Maybe Airships are built by Companies. Maybe the integral core of this game that's missing is Companies." Everyone thought I was ... compensating. And as I've stated, I was first in line to dance a jig at Tanaka stepping down, so I feel so conflicted thinking so much of him, but 6 months later... I can only shake my head and hope.

I probably won't last much longer. I think I'll play XIV to the end of the year and if I still feel like I do now - after beating the storyline - I may just give up. Especially if after the Battle System is gutted, and if it's turned into something I'm not pleased with, they then turn their attention on the Armoury System. There's a couple big "ifs" in that statement, but I am very discouraged lately. Every new Producer's Letter is more discouraging than the last to me.

[Spellbinder]

Seriously, WHY WOULD WE GET INSTANCED DUNGEONS AND QUEST HUBS OVER SOMETHING SO AMAZING LIKE THAT.

I am ANGRY, very angry. Does ANYONE actually prefer quest hubs and instanced dungeons over something so cool, amazing, new, different, and awesome as what was planned? SERIOUSLY?

The player polls would at least indicate that people are willing to give them a try, as Iron said we don't know how they're going to function. All we can do is wait and see.