"Open Style" vs "Rigid Structure" what do you want for the future of FFXIV

[Betelgeuzah]

Rigid. "Open style" makes for homogeneous, boring classes.

In XIV's context, yes.

Not that they didn't have something designed to counter that, but theory != practice.

XIV can only become more rigid, and it'll be better off for it (and still not as rigid as some other MMO's- it doesn't need to be).

Limitations allow the developers to create much better designed content, since everything can be controlled. That doesn't always lead to favorable outcome, though. We are playing an MMO after all. Freedom is a part of the genre.

XIV's more open approach may result in less difficult, worse designed content. But the freedom can make up for it.

To be honest, those playing an MMO to be challenged to the max are rather silly. There are better games and genres for that.

I'm sure Matsui can design the raids better when they are restricted to 4 and 8 people, not anything in between. The variables are in his control. But I liked the freedom XI gave me as far as party setups were concerned, so we'll see whether the restriction can make up for it.