This is going viral in the MMO community and everyone should read it

[Maqaqa]

Yeah its not the DEVs, its us.

Of course game desing can help, but the problem is in the community.

I have been guilty for a long time, trying to be the best and trading my integrity for achievements, and it wasnt game's fault.

[Millerna]

Eh, it's the developers who create this sort of situation.

I feel something like SWTOR did it right. Most things that needed to be done were weeklies, there was no rush. I didn't mind having people with relatively bad gear. If the job took a 5-10mins more, no skin off my back since I didn't have to grind the same thing endlessly.

In FFXIV, everything is just grind, so reducing the time spent doing it is incredibly important, which creates the "elitist" community.

..... Because the devs enforce everyone to be idiots right? It's quite possible to be nice even in DF groups you know. Of course there will be rude people as well, but then again, I've had just as many of those in server-only groups than I've had in DF groups ..

[Garnatian]

..... Because the devs enforce everyone to be idiots right? It's quite possible to be nice even in DF groups you know. Of course there will be rude people as well, but then again, I've had just as many of those in server-only groups than I've had in DF groups ..

The developers have created an environment where those who lack skill/gear massively hold back those who don't.

[TeganLaron]

Very sad story

I'd really like to think someone in our community would have helped him though if I'm honest. Sure, we have a lot of toxic elitists too, who would flat out refuse to play with or help him. However we also have those who are willing to help. Tension and in-game fighting normally tends to stem from no one wanting to take responsibility for their actions, but this guy seemed different. He was more than happy to take advice and was very up front and honest about his struggles with the game.

So yeah, I'd like to think someone out there would have helped him. Or at least I hope so. If not, it's a real sad sign for the current online gaming community.

[Griever_Zero]

Really good read, thank you very much OP

that's kinda how I feel when I play Lol (also one the reasons I don't really hang around that game anymore)
The problem is just even when you try to help players/gives them tips about how to play/gear, most of them flame back at you and call you bad things and stuff :O

[Maqaqa]

The developers create an environment where those who lack skill/gear massively hold back those who don't.

While horizontal progression on gear can help, theres nothing you can do about "skill" (experience, twitch skills, etc.)... unless you want to make a game so easy that is unrewarding.

Once veterans used to teach and newbies to learn; nowaday pros are holding back noobs. Same people, different behaviour. Not sure what changed but its not the games.

[Xenobius]

I dunno, really.
I tried to imagine how can you reach lvl cap, gear up and STILL have no idea how to play your class.
As in, completely NO idea.
I came up with only two possible explanations.

One, the rest of the game prior to raid content is way too easy, with 0 skill requirement and a flatline of a learning curve.
Two, the "outcast" never bothered to get better, and never considered the game as something worth putting effort into, up until it came back to bite him in the worst way possible.

In the first case, it's the dev's fault. You can't allow people to actually pilot a plane if all they have is passenger seat experience. You need to prepare them somehow.
In the second case... Well, guess what, MMOs aren't like your handheld games, where your failures mean nothing. If you expect to have fun with one, you first put some effort in. Do some research, get to know the game. Players unwilling to do so end up in the ugly corner very soon, as perfectly shown in this case.

[Maqaqa]

I dunno, really.
I tried to imagine how can you reach lvl cap, gear up and STILL have no idea how to play your class.
As in, completely NO idea.

Not everyone is as good as you, or me.

Its the same in real life, not everyone is as smart/clever/strong/rich/good looking as we are, but its not a good reason to be an ass to anyone, is it?

Did you ever play football? Try blaming your mates because they arent as good as you, point fingers, be a jerk, and see what happens.

[TenshiArakawa]

Nothing with dev, community have to be kind by itself. You can rage/be angry against some new comers who throw your party.
But do not leave, try too explain and carry them, after win/too much wipe, give them some advices. It take few minutes and later you may play again with those people and see their progress.
Don't be a cold examiner but a teacher who takes time.

I hope to see more "teachers" and a good community in this young MMO.

(sorry for my poor english)

[Alkimi]

Perhaps a lot of people are reluctant to give advice to less capable players, because they're sick of having it thrown back in their faces. I'll try and suggest ways that players can improve but a lot of the time all I get is crap like "stfu", "don't tell me how to do my job" or the always popular "it's my $9.99".

Nowadays I'll be happy to offer people advice as I know all the jobs pretty well and what their optimal rotations are, but only if they ask me directly for it.