Square Enix Financial Loss report – Is FFXIV really at a risk? DEVS pls comment

[Meridian]

I'm going to say that FFXIV is not at risk. There are multiple reasons for this:

The majority of the cost has already been undertaken. The server architecture, the development for getting the game this far, and the various systems and tools they developed to make the game have been completed.

Ditching the game now would be like building a house, and then knocking it down because the interior was painted the wrong colour.

Yes, there are issues. No, these issues are not a major cause of money loss for SE at the current point in time. SE are well aware that once they are able to charge for the game, they will begin to get return on their investment over time. That is how MMOs work, massive upfront costs (which have already been outlayed) - followed by comparatively small costs.

The fact of the matter is, a lot of causes were involved for SE to lose money, and they made the decision to drop low profit/high risk projects which were in early development. That was the correct decision.

Hopefully that clears it up for people who don't really understand what is going on.

[Vahzl]

Not to burst your bubble about new server architecture or anything, but the amount of servers FFXIV has is the same amount that were removed from FFXI.... coincidence?

[Issachar]

FFXIV isnt at risk, and worrying that it is is silly.

The section of the company funding the game would have known well in advance what the budget sheet looked like. If FFXIV were to get "axed", it would have been done months ago. Reason: no budget, no updates. Budget for an axed game = waste of money. Companies exist to profit. "But they arent charging for FFXIV!" you say? They're still signing the budget permits and the devs' paychecks. They would NOT be doing this if the intent was to end the game's development. And you most certainly wouldn't be participating on these forums (they cost money too).

[Bigglesworth]

FFXIV isnt at risk, and worrying that it is is silly.

The section of the company funding the game would have known well in advance what the budget sheet looked like. If FFXIV were to get "axed", it would have been done months ago. Reason: no budget, no updates. Budget for an axed game = waste of money. Companies exist to profit. "But they arent charging for FFXIV!" you say? They're still signing the budget permits and the devs' paychecks. They would NOT be doing this if the intent was to end the game's development. And you most certainly wouldn't be participating on these forums (they cost money too).

perfectly stated. /endthread

[Dragon]

I'd have been willing to support it back then, but not for the past five months. Not that it matters either, I already had put in $80 for Crysta from back in September.

[kaboro]

i never understood why people act like this game is so bad and they cant play it. i mean sure theres a few little things wrong with balance but overall, its playable and fun. all i ever see is people talking about a huge lack of content, and i agree but that doesnt mean the whole game is bad.

Poeple dont "act" like this game is bad, this game is badly done, a confusing mess to say the least.
It has potential? Yes it has a great potential but unfortunately it was developed by people who have no idea how to make an mmo and it shows.
The other square enix mmo abomination called ffxl was successful only because the console players didnt know anything better at that time, unfortunately SE thought it was successful because they did a good job...big mistake that they are paying for now.
So here we are years later with a sequel that was totally botched by the lack of experience (and common sense) of a company that is too arrogant to learn from others and from its own mistakes.
Dont get me wrong, i think FFxiv is a game that has many great qualities and could be a lot of fun, but the way all the game elements are put together is just plain dumb, worse than any other mmo on the market today (including free ones).
Last but not least, SE showed that aside from being incompetent at creating an mmo, they are also greedy as always, pay a monthly fee for each character slot? are you serious? lol

Despite their very bad mistakes, i have to say i respect the way SE handled this epic fail. They admitted the problem and are taking serious money loss while working to correct the problems, other companies wouldnt have done that.

I just hope they will make the right changes to bring new players ( and keep them).

I wish them all the best.

[Synfrag]

I'm going to say that FFXIV is not at risk. There are multiple reasons for this:

The majority of the cost has already been undertaken. The server architecture, the development for getting the game this far, and the various systems and tools they developed to make the game have been completed.

Ditching the game now would be like building a house, and then knocking it down because the interior was painted the wrong colour.

Yes, there are issues. No, these issues are not a major cause of money loss for SE at the current point in time. SE are well aware that once they are able to charge for the game, they will begin to get return on their investment over time. That is how MMOs work, massive upfront costs (which have already been outlayed) - followed by comparatively small costs.

The fact of the matter is, a lot of causes were involved for SE to lose money, and they made the decision to drop low profit/high risk projects which were in early development. That was the correct decision.

Hopefully that clears it up for people who don't really understand what is going on.

Though Server Architecture is not a large one I believe you are correct. In my experience the majority of the expense in game developing outside of the core programming is generally the artistic elements. Character models, landscape, animations etc. It takes tremendous amounts of time to build up these assets. Class balancing and game mechanics can often be altered en masse. Issachar Also stated it very well, if it were to be axed it would have been done when they put the new team in place.

I'm not the slightest bit worried in it's development to come. For anyone who played XI you should realize how incredibly complex that game is/was. Still today the competitors cannot compare in complexity of actual mechanics. All other companies create difficulty by 1. Adding more/stronger "Elite" mobs or 2. Increasing the length of an instance.
(Having experience from WoW, LotRO & Aion). This and the depth of the story line are what make FF series compelling. If they echo only a little bit of that strategy things will be fine.

YoshiP himself said that that is the goal with the revised battle system in his latest letter.

"Think of the satisfaction you get when taking out an enemy solo by a stroke of brilliance. Or the supreme exhilaration you feel when pwning entire hoards of foes by playing out your party role to perfection. Now, in contrast, imagine a person who, with only half his heart in the battle, struggles to dispatch the enemy. This kind of range in experience is what we’re aiming for with the reformed battle system—a system that rewards effort and innovation."

FFXIV will see that future, the question is, when? Keep in mind XI launched in Japan a whole year and a half ahead of the US and did not include any of the advanced jobs. There were balance issues galore as well.

[Archadius]

We can only hold their hands for so long, and sooner or later we need to let go and hope they can walk on their own.

I suspect that by the time the 1-year mark hits (late Sept 2011), either we'll have a game that is unique, well-structured, and has a reasonable player-base.... Or FFXIV will be devoured by games like GW2 that have that flashy "I'm new and EXCITING!!" feel to them.

[Synfrag]

That is assuming there is a competitor. GW2 is still staying true to their "When it's Ready" answer for a release date. Some are speculating Holiday 2011 but it's not even in Closed Beta yet although should be soon. Beta schedules are usually 4-8 weeks for each phase so that is minimum of 2 months from closed beta launch and possibly as much as 4 months.

I can think of Tera, GW2 and maybe, just maybe The Secret World other than that there doesn't seem to be much on the horizon. I'm personally a little leery of GW2 with such a bad taste left in my mouth after Aion. Despite them only being the publisher, NC Soft has a way of really screwing with western customers.

[zaviermhigo]

That's the thing FFXI's japanese launch was sort of a failure also, which leaves less room for me to make excuses for this launch. I bought the CE, even after playing beta, and I would of gladly waited a year for this game if it meant it would of been 20% more successful.