FFXIV: Different and Unique

[Nero]

I really need to vent about some of the posts I have read in these forums about changes people want made. Please bear with me as I might rant a little.

I think some people don't understand that FFXIV is not a cookie-cutter mmo. It is a different kind of game, plain and simple. Many of us like that it is different from the norm. If they completely change the game to the run-of-the-mill mmo, I don't think it can compete nearly as well as it can if advertised for what it is.

I've also read replies with people coming to the defense of FFXIV, and I like to see that. And of course constructive suggestions on improvements and innovations to the current system are welcome. I'm just talking about people who log on expecting to play a LoTRO, WOW, AoC, etc, not realizing what they are playing, and then logging onto the forums and making random assertions based on the fact that they are unaware of exactly the type of game FFXIV is.

I'm sure I just pissed off a lot of people, but FFXIV has a lot of charm, and although I am completely anticipating subsequent patches, I also don't want them to change what makes the game unique. FFXIV has a lot of growing to do, but I'd like to see it evolve and grow while retaining it's uniqueness: the things that make it's current fanbase loyal.

FFXIV has an opportunity to be something completely unlike anything else out there. It looks like it can eventually become a game that has a lot of elements of a sandbox mmo, but just enough of the theme park as well.

I like this post. Thumbs up.

[viion]

And them copy/pasting another game success would of had them around 1 mill subs for about 9 months then a massive drop out to where they are now anyways.

While what they tried did not work, copying other mmos has been proven time and time again that it does not work either.

Better them try something that could work, then something that has never worked before.

Maybe, maybe not.

[Draven]

I feel happier in FFXIV than I have in any other MMO I've tried. I want it to continue to be something unique, interesting, creative, and fun. I like that it is and does feel different, and I don't want it to lose that magic. I know we all feel a bit anemic for content, but I'm confident it is coming. I'm trying to be optimistic and hopeful that it will be way better than many people think it will be. And do it without resorting to being like every other MMO on the market.

+1 and very meaningful AFTER you've obtained that many Ranks. Seriously, can I reroll on your server and play with a happy player like you? :3

[Rinsui]

FFXIV: Different and... fail.

[Quanta]

I think some people don't understand that FFXIV is not a cookie-cutter mmo. It is a different kind of game, plain and simple. Many of us like that it is different from the norm. If they completely change the game to the run-of-the-mill mmo, I don't think it can compete nearly as well as it can if advertised for what it is.

It can't compete now. Mere mention of the game outside of the fansites and these forums generally generates mocking laughter because, for most, the game really is that horrible, even to the people who came from FFXI to play it.

I've also read replies with people coming to the defense of FFXIV, and I like to see that. And of course constructive suggestions on improvements and innovations to the current system are welcome. I'm just talking about people who log on expecting to play a LoTRO, WOW, AoC, etc, not realizing what they are playing, and then logging onto the forums and making random assertions based on the fact that they are unaware of exactly the type of game FFXIV is.

And what type of game is FFXIV? Do you know? I doubt it. I doubt even SE knows what type of game FFXIV is, and they're the ones who made the damned thing. I'd absolutely love to see a FFXIII-style post-mortem of the game's original development; I imagine that there'd be several parallels.

I'm sure I just pissed off a lot of people, but FFXIV has a lot of charm, and although I am completely anticipating subsequent patches, I also don't want them to change what makes the game unique. FFXIV has a lot of growing to do, but I'd like to see it evolve and grow while retaining it's uniqueness: the things that make it's current fanbase loyal.

I'll admit that there are certain aspects of the game that I like--just crafting and fishing, really, and the Armory is kinda neat. That doesn't mean that the rest of the game doesn't make me want to choke a bitch. The zones were seemingly built at a 1:1 scale, which would explain the copy-pasta terrain, but also kills any chance for the kind of visual variance that other games possess. The entire world seems to have a chronic marmot infestation. Leves are boring as shit. The Black Shroud. The only means of reasonably speedy travel is tied to a limited resource. No fucking horsebirds in this gigantic world. The Black Shroud. Trying to make a sword basically requires you to level every profession just to stand a chance at success. 2 of the 3 synthesis commands you start with are completely useless. The Black Shroud. Random aggressive mobs that are 20 levels higher than the players killing shit in that area. No LFG system. Story missions that look awesome and action-packed in the cutscene, but turn into absolute shit once you have a chance to actively participate (seriously, the game plays a cutscene where coblyns swarm everyone and everyone's trying to fight them off, then it goes back to player control and the coblyns stream in one at a time. <plinkett>What the FUCK?!</plinkett>). The combat system keeps track of every button press, so if you misclick and hit the wrong button, you'll have to wait for that action to execute. There's a delay on every button press, unless you queue several actions at once, in which case they all execute at pretty much the exact same time. Oh, and the Black Shroud.

BUT OTHER THAN ALL THAT, I REALLY LIKE THIS GAME AND HOPE IT STAYS THIS WAY FOREVERTY EVER. *derp*

[Ruri]

I'll admit that there are certain aspects of the game that I like--just crafting and fishing, really, and the Armory is kinda neat. That doesn't mean that the rest of the game doesn't make me want to choke a bitch. The zones were seemingly built at a 1:1 scale, which would explain the copy-pasta terrain, but also kills any chance for the kind of visual variance that other games possess. The entire world seems to have a chronic marmot infestation. Leves are boring as shit. The Black Shroud. The only means of reasonably speedy travel is tied to a limited resource. No fucking horsebirds in this gigantic world. The Black Shroud. Trying to make a sword basically requires you to level every profession just to stand a chance at success. 2 of the 3 synthesis commands you start with are completely useless. The Black Shroud. Random aggressive mobs that are 20 levels higher than the players killing shit in that area. No LFG system. Story missions that look awesome and action-packed in the cutscene, but turn into absolute shit once you have a chance to actively participate (seriously, the game plays a cutscene where coblyns swarm everyone and everyone's trying to fight them off, then it goes back to player control and the coblyns stream in one at a time. <plinkett>What the FUCK?!</plinkett>). The combat system keeps track of every button press, so if you misclick and hit the wrong button, you'll have to wait for that action to execute. There's a delay on every button press, unless you queue several actions at once, in which case they all execute at pretty much the exact same time. Oh, and the Black Shroud.

TL : DR most of it. But I do agree with the synths being ridiculous. I leveled Blacksmith so I could make weapons only to realize I needed to level 2 other crafts to get the mats to make a weapon. Same with armor, etc.

[Shyd]

It has alot of potential.

11 was the first MMO i religiously played because the world was so immense and full of life. Everyday was a new adventure (even though it was typically the same, que up for group and wait).
From the variety of mobs to the content of stuff to do. Given the quests in town where simple, not really worth it then just doing once. Genkais, Dynamis, Sky, HNMS, farming for gils. There was always an adventure waiting around the corner.

I quit 11 after a couple years and started playing WoW with roomates. WoW was different. It was easy. I did not have to find people to do stuff with. There where tons of quests that would raise my level. And tons of zones with life and battle.
Over the years of WoW. From vanilla-WoLK. IT got progessively easier and easier then it had already been. Recycled the same stupid black circles in the ground. Which from a casters standpoint was horrible for the dps. So after hundreds of the same encounters i had to move on to other things. Mainly not to play another mmo lol.

Final Fantasy 14 came out and I flipped out, i really really wanted the feel the 11 had. So i pickd up 14 on the day it came out and honestly even though it was all buggy and unfinished I dug it. The adventure was good at the start. There where tons of ppl in Gridania doing the same thing i was. Starting their adventure. With that in mind i have held onto this game through all its turmoil.

And I know SE will not let this game drop. It has a number behind it to start. And they have never failed me with an adventure yet. From FF 1 - FF 13. Being a unique and different adventure from the rest is what they excel in.

Give the kids some time.

[Ruri]

It has alot of potential.

11 was the first MMO i religiously played because the world was so immense and full of life. Everyday was a new adventure (even though it was typically the same, que up for group and wait).
From the variety of mobs to the content of stuff to do. Given the quests in town where simple, not really worth it then just doing once. Genkais, Dynamis, Sky, HNMS, farming for gils. There was always an adventure waiting around the corner.

I quit 11 after a couple years and started playing WoW with roomates. WoW was different. It was easy. I did not have to find people to do stuff with. There where tons of quests that would raise my level. And tons of zones with life and battle.
Over the years of WoW. From vanilla-WoLK. IT got progessively easier and easier then it had already been. Recycled the same stupid black circles in the ground. Which from a casters standpoint was horrible for the dps. So after hundreds of the same encounters i had to move on to other things. Mainly not to play another mmo lol.

Final Fantasy 14 came out and I flipped out, i really really wanted the feel the 11 had. So i pickd up 14 on the day it came out and honestly even though it was all buggy and unfinished I dug it. The adventure was good at the start. There where tons of ppl in Gridania doing the same thing i was. Starting their adventure. With that in mind i have held onto this game through all its turmoil.

And I know SE will not let this game drop. It has a number behind it to start. And they have never failed me with an adventure yet. From FF 1 - FF 13. Being a unique and different adventure from the rest is what they excel in.

Give the kids some time.

Thumbs up.

[Spitfire]

The entire world seems to have a chronic marmot infestation.

Help control the marmot population, please have your marmot spayed or neutered.

[Gundammeister]

That's a good point Shyd. I doubt SE will drop a FF with a number. I have never, in my entire gaming life, seen a company react as quickly, and in the way, that SE did a month after launch, when they sent out those letters and replaced the staff. It was only because of this that I kept an eye on the game and eventually came back after I saw the improvements being made (these forums for one).

On a slight tangent, let me ask you this: I'm a big Final Fantasy fan. I love everything FF, including the movie, BUT because of mere timing and RL, I never played FFXI. I always read positive things about it, but since playing this game, I constantly hear references to FFXI with the fondest of memories; from my LS as well as these forums. Was it really that good? Or is it just nostalgia talking?