what did u imagine what ff14 would be when u bought the game?

[RedAffinity]

I honestly in my head imagined FFXI with better graphics, and a more modern and less punishing take on the FFXI formula. Punishing not to be mistaken with difficulty.

[Seif]

1: XI
2: not immersive like the above
3: XI

[Daemion]

I imagined an expansive world similar to FFXI. One that had varied landscapes and big areas to explore for a purpose. An Epic adventure in an Epic land.

[LanikMueller]

I was hoping for a Improved version of XI. XI had a lot of hangups due to the PS2 limitations. I figured that this was a way to take everything that was great about XI and finally let some real developments be made to it. I didnt expect that they would completely shun away from such a popular game With many great aspects to do this very misguided attempt at a MMO. I mean they really thought we would not mind the lack of things like an Auction House... Bad call

[Spuffin]

FF11 but amazingly better

[Oscillate_Wildly]

Not an empty, boring, and lacking. In both content -and- NPC's.
The high fantasy setting is also getting old super fast.
The lack of imagination is killing my willingness to play.

[Rowyne]

I honestly expected a game where it learned from XI's mistakes and improved upon concepts that worked in XI while keeping it a unique experience.

That sums up exactly how I feel.

I found out about this game a few months before it went into beta testing. When I got the email saying I'd been accepted into closed beta, I literally squealed with excitement and joy. That feeling followed me into beta.

When I got logged into the game, that feeling quickly turned into shock and disappointment.

The graphics were all forced onto high settings, so my computer could barely handle playing it. The mouse was set up like FFXI's and made your character go spinning out of control, so I could barely control my character. When I tried to fight in combat, it was slow and buggy. When I tried to craft, I broke every synth. My frustration greatly outweighed my enjoyment. It just wasn't fun. I filled the beta forums with feedback, and spent more time there than in the game because I just couldn't bring myself to play.

All of us beta testers thought there was going to be the miracle patch before the end of beta. That they were quietly listening to our issues, and we'd see them hit all at once right before the end of testing. That never happened. So then, in the period between the end of testing and release, we thought they must be implementing the fixes. I mean, it just was not believable that a major company like SE would release their next Final Fantasy MMO, their magnum opus, in the condition it was in. Because it wasn't ready. I personally expected that the release version would be different, so I kept my CE on pre-order.

Needless to say, it wasn't that different. In fact, we almost didn't get a hardware mouse. It made it into the game at the last minute.

Despite me being upfront about the problems facing the game, my friends flocked to FFXIV and we all made a linkshell together. Within weeks, people were leaving.

There have been changes, yes. Additional graphics options so I can keep everything on low settings, I can control my character properly since the mouse actually works now (though it could still use some work), lag issues have been improved. But to be honest, the game still isn't even on par with FFXI. I expected that SE would have taken the 8 years of experience they had running that MMO and apply it to FFXIV. I'm not saying I want or expect FFXI-2. Certainly not. I want something different. Eorzea is a different world with different lore that I've grown fond of. I like that both solo and party play is supported. I expected a next-generation MMO, with pick-up-and-play quality, that felt finished. I expected they would have learned from FFXI's mistakes, and improved upon what worked, to give us a unique experience. I expected that SE would actually be listening to their players, for once. I expected a game that felt like it came from a seasoned developer, that felt modern, not like an archaic throwback.

I expected... better.

I stick around because I know there is incredible potential. But I don't think I've ever been so heartbroken by an MMO experience. I was really let down.

[Dreadnought]

it amazes me how many people thought FFXIV would be FFXi with updated graphics because right from the very start the developers and Tanaka himself did nothing but stress in interview after interview how they wanted the game to be completely different than FFXI.
all i heard for months was people asking them how similar FFXIV would be to XI and they kept saying its going to be almost nothing like XI, that they only wanted some visual influences so XI players could transition a bit easier.
i guess i read too much.

[Rowyne]

it amazes me how many people thought FFXIV would be FFXi with updated graphics because right from the very start the developers and Tanaka himself did nothing but stress in interview after interview how they wanted the game to be completely different than FFXI.
all i heard for months was people asking them how similar FFXIV would be to XI and they kept saying its going to be almost nothing like XI, that they only wanted some visual influences so XI players could transition a bit easier.
i guess i read too much.

Yeah, I definitely never expected FFXI-2. In fact, they said this game would be more influenced by FFVI (to which I was ecstatic, since 6 is my favorite of the series).

Where's the magitek armor?

[Arkine]

what did u imagine what ff14 would be when u bought the game?
I thought it'd be FFXI-2 with everything good about FFXI on acid.
what do u think it will become?
I don't know anymore.
what do u want?
FFXI-2 with everything good about FFXI on acid.


I'm giving the game a chance and waiting until the 1 year anniversary, before I decide on wither I'll stay or leave.