Tanaka or Yoshi?

[Shai]

So apparently what you're trying to say is that putting in quests, nms and stuff doesn't count as story-based content? News at 11.

Side-Quests do bring some story to the game. The first wave was pretty weak, but the last few waves have been foreshadowing Grand Companies and had more to do than fetch quests. "Winds of Change" and the others like it in Ul'dah and Gridania are three of my favorite quests so far.

I'm thinking, though, that when people said they wanted more story content, they meant the Main Storyline and Class Quests (which Tanaka said he'd bring 1Q 2011) and not these primarily bland little NPC quests, but that's open to interpretation, right?

The NMs, though, are content but not story content. Also, Tanaka said he'd be adding NMs in the 1st update 2011.

My real question, btw, was to compare Yoshida's list to Tanaka's list and tell me which sounded more exciting. Just FYI, but this is a pretty good post so I'll let it slide.

- Better communication.

True. I like that about Yoshida, too. Though his last Letter with content in it was February 17th. It's May 8th.

- Faster updates. Even if small.

I like this, too, and Yoshida's been good about this. Though his content has included "bigger monsters" and Tanaka's updates have included entirely new SP system (in response to fans) and Searchable Market Wards. So you win some you lose some, I think.

- He understands whats fundamentally wrong with the game and knows what to tackle.

I would need some proof of this, like an update with something Yoshida added to the game that Tanaka didn't have on his list already - because bigger monsters isn't cutting it. The battle system will be the true test of this statement, but we know nothing about the battle system, so seeing will be believing.

- The minute he stepped in - player poll.

Closer than Tanaka ever has, but I can't even begin to describe to you what's wrong with those 2 polls. The questions are loaded, the answers are too vague, you don't even know how your answers are going to be interpreted into game mechanics - but if all you want is to feel heard or closer to the Producer than before, then yes you got that warm feeling from the polls. I did, too. The polls are extremely flawed, though.

I could keep going but it doesn't matter...

Of course it matters. I was elated the day Yoshida took over. I wanted to have a party in the street (if anyone I knew played XIV in this state, I may have!) but 5 months down the line and I'm not so happy with what progress we've made. I am patient. I played XI for 8 years. Tanaka taught me about patience. ^^

I think someone who goes around saying he's going to whip this game into shape, "don't you worry, Shai, I got this one in the bag, rest assured" does owe me some kind of explanation at some point. Especially when half a year later it's not exactly clear what he intended or what he had in mind. I cannot rest assured without some assurance.

If people want to say it's the community's fault if the battle system flops and the game dies, then I think the community should at least know what the battle system is going to be and to give some feedback on it. Do you think that will happen? I don't think so.

Do you feel like you know more about the future of XIV because of Yoshida than you did about the future of XIV (or XI) because of Tanaka? ...because I feel very much in the dark. I feel like it's a grand secret that only the devs know and they "can't wait to tell us!" yet they never do until 2 days before patch release. How is that bringing Yoshida closer to the community? Please, let me know how you feel about it.