My friend the "content locust" :(

[Imapooonu]

*Please post on topic at the request of the original poster. Thank you

DISCLAIMER

This is not a thread to insult one person’s play style preferences over another. The term “content locust” was used for the sake of symbolism only. It is a familiar term we can relate to that describes a particular demographic in a relatively non-derogatory way. My friend I’m about to describe knows he’s a content locust, and is VERY good at it….on with the story…

This particular friend of mine is one I’ve had a lot of fun playing with. Additionally, he is a very informed player concerning game play mechanics and always up to date with regards to the latest letters from the editor etcetera.

We used to have a BLAST fate grinding, farming rare mats in open world, helping other friends with their relics, amongst many many other things. To top it off, my friend was always group oriented or “hive minded”. Sure he would say “sorry I’m busy” at times, but for the most part he was the rare gamer we can all appreciate who sacrifices his personal gain for the benefit of others.

Without further digression, I’d like to share a conversation we had last night. I’d also like to preface that conversation with this statement: I play….A LOT. I have more free time than most who play this game, and have seen my friend logged on almost every single day for several hours at all hours of the night…like myself at times lol. Now without further adieu…

(friend=black/myself=blue)

“I’m only finding myself logging on Monday nights to cap myths and that’s about it”

“Geez man, that’s sad dude “

“There’s just absolutely nothing for me to do anymore”

“Except pvp you fraidy cat xD!”

“I refuse”

“Well, did you level your chocobo?”

“There’s no point.”

“Did you cap your seals at 50k?”

“Not interested, it’s meaningless.”

“Do you still have achievements to do?”

“Equally meaningless.”

“First off (insert name), there are 8 ranks available in the GC register that will be coming at a future date, probably soon.”

“Also, chocobos will be improved upon, there’s already talk of duty specific instances centralized around using them.”

“Also, pvp will only get better, and it’s pretty balanced atm. If you don’t want to get to rank 30 in the “boxing ring” I can understand, but getting started would be wise considering frontlines”

“What about jobs?”

“You know I only have WAR left Drain xD! And this stuff doesn’t interest me.”

“Well…there ya have it But there is still plenty for you to do…technically.”

.....DEAD SILENCE

I was also going to get into finishing macros, possibly discovering new ones, farming rare mats from enemies in open world and treasure maps, helping some friends get past the titan choke point, organizing inventory for vanity (cuz let’s face it, DF and PF will be dead for a couple days when vanity hits xD), actually finishing coil because he hasn’t (he does have 4 zeniths though and been to t4 I believe), but it seemed all moot at this point.

It then became clear to me that he wasn’t truly a “content locust”. In fact, I was. I am consuming every piece of content the game has to offer. I’m into my chocobo, vanities, mats from open world, achievements, my GC, ex primals, pvp…you name it.

I guess I just wanted to share a story about how this particular problem finally affected me personally. I feel bad for my friend. I have looked at my subscription and time in game as a future investment. I understand the game will be expanded, I understand there are small details implying future additions, I understand the “boxing ring” is far from the pinnacle of future pvp, I understand that achievements could very well be converted to “skill points/battle points” or what have you, I’m preparing for GC expansions…..I wish he understood this too. He was always a lot of fun to screw around with.

So, if you’re looking for me in game, I might be standing next to a bot mining earning my keep the old fashioned way, out in open world leveling my chocobo, level syncing to some random fate helping that poor adventurer who is about to die, murdering healers in pvp, or even in Ultima farming accessories.

Anyone who is in the same situation as my friend, I’d like to ask you this: Are you ready for the expansion? And by that, I don’t necessarily mean t6-10.

See you in Eorzea with tears for the fallen, poo

[Doo]

Your friend is how many players are feeling

[Crimen]

Many, many people I know are feeling the same way as your friend about the game =/

[Imapooonu]

Your friend is how many players are feeling

I understand that. We all understand this. But we should also understand it's a choice to feel this way. Whether they want to admit it or not, there is plenty of stuff to do. Some have been sucked into the coil trend and cannot find a way out.

The point of this isn't to tell anyone "there's stuff to do you're technically incorrect", but rather to point out there are options still available you once enjoyed that gave you a reason to play in the first place.

If coil and ex primals are your thing, then realize the problem is isolated within yourself and your own preferences. Hopefully, if they do this, they will be able to enjoy other aspects of the game.

[Doo]

I understand that. We all understand this. But we should also understand it's a choice to feel this way. Whether they want to admit it or not, there is plenty of stuff to do. Some have been sucked into the coil trend and cannot find a way out.

I understand that. We all understand this. But we should also understand that not everyone likes to do obsolete content, level classes they don't like to play, level chocobo when it doesn't even matter, etc. The choice are so limited that players are feeling this way faster.

[Zezlar]

Your friend would probably want to do those things if there was a purpose to doing them.

PVP: Not many in the FF MMO really care for it.
GC: They lost a significant purpose in ARR. They are nothing compared to what they were in 1.0. Just a pile of seals that can be used to purchase filler trash.
Chocobo: Outside of leveling your chocobo, or perhaps spiritbonding. What purpose does this have? It's not like it's required when leveling since everything is so easy.

They have content, but everything is bare bones to the point where it feels worthless doing it.

[Imapooonu]

I understand that. We all understand this. But we should also understand that not everyone likes to do obsolete content, level classes they don't like to play, level chocobo when it doesn't even matter, etc. The choice are so limited that players are feeling this way faster.

But that's relative. It's as subjective as my preferences. Many people I know make this complaint, haven't tried pvp, don't have 50k seals, etcetra...it's like you only read the first line and decided to comment to be honest.

I'm prepared...are you? And who says something has to have a personal gain in order to be fun? I help people in my linkshell all the time with something that nets me little reward. That is kinda what an mmo is all about, but yet many people treat mmos as an isolated experience.

Imo, it's just kind of sad is all.

Your friend would probably want to do those things if there was a purpose to doing them.

PVP: Not many in the FF MMO really care for it.
GC: They lost a significant purpose in ARR. They are nothing compared to what they were in 1.0. Just a pile of seals that can be used to purchase filler trash.
Chocobo: Outside of leveling your chocobo, or perhaps spiritbonding. What purpose does this have? It's not like it's required when leveling since everything is so easy.

They have content, but everything is bare bones to the point where it feels worthless doing it.

Addressed in the op.

[Parodine]

I do think there are a lot of people like you. 'Completionist' is probably a more positive term for it. There are some games that I'm like that with, but I can't bring myself to do it with this game, dunno why.

We're all burning time one way or another, I don't judge people for that playstyle. I just don't see it as appealing for my free-time.

[Zezlar]

Addressed in the op.

Not everyone can share your sense of hope for the future. Square-Enix needs to show us what they can do. I can hope all I want this game will change, doesn't mean it will.

[Imapooonu]

I do think there are a lot of people like you. 'Completionist' is probably a more positive term for it. There are some games that I'm like that with, but I can't bring myself to do it with this game, dunno why.

We're all burning time one way or another, I don't judge people for that playstyle. I just don't see it as appealing for my free-time.

I can respect this, thank you for your honesty

Not everyone can share your sense of hope for the future. Square-Enix needs to show us what they can do. I can hope all I want this game will change, doesn't mean it will.

8 additional ranks in the GC log for instance isn't hope or optimism per say, it's plain to see. Just one example.

But there is truth in what you say...there is also truth from the other perspective.

Yes, that's human nature. We mostly do things that benefit us. Some players can find enjoyment chatting with friends, helping out, etc. Those are the same type of players that can make their own fun and can do it in any game they play.

Just the fact that I clearly state my friend was of the "hive mind" mindset gives an example that it's not always human nature.

And most sociologists would disagree with you. It is human nature to give instead of take. Albeit gaming is a very different environment concerning these studies. I'll grant you that.