Solution to the Cutscene Skipping Dilemma

[Sadana]

I've stated in another thread that I'd like for the current DR to be replaced with the "I'm here to help!" DR with super bonuses for someone getting map completion and no cut scene skipping allowed. For anyone saying "Newbs should use the PF", I counter "the game tells them to use the Duty Finder, not the Party Finder." I know this has been argued here for months, but I believe the DF is for new players (expect cut scene watching and a learning party) while the PF is for folks who want speed runs.

[Foo01]

While we're at it, let's make require ilevel 90 minimum to use the Party Finder! Can't have any scrub casuals ruining one of the best features in the game!

Here's what the Party Finder should look like.

Isn't that what you find when you use the party finder to join some party, all these iLevel 90 party requirements are all over the place.

[KiriA500]

Isn't that what you find when you use the party finder to join some party, all these iLevel 90 party requirements are all over the place.

That's how some people use it. The system is set up so everyone can use it.

[Chiramu]

People who are not new to a dungeon watching the entire cutscene forcing tanks to not queue for Main Scenario Duty Roulette. Watching cutscenes is a form of harassment too, especially to those who just want to get it done!

[Obysuca]

People who are not new to a dungeon watching the entire cutscene forcing tanks to not queue for Main Scenario Duty Roulette. Watching cutscenes is a form of harassment too, especially to those who just want to get it done!

Watching CS is not harassment lol >.> You're the kind of people that's wrong with mmo gamers these days, always in a rush and forcing everyone to fit your needs. Learn to take a break, it's only a ~5 min CS, it's not the end of the world if you have to wait. Not everything needs to be done as fast as humanly possible.

[ForteXX]

What needs done is that boss rooms stay locked if someone's in a cutscene. If you get kicked for watching them, just report the party. GMs will have no problem handing out the warnings.

[Kuwagami]

I should add the solution should only apply to the duty finder. Party finder is for the experienced players and not the new player.

That's the american/european way of doing. It's a wonder really btw, as it's much easier to be a learner in PF than in DF. Much less flame.


On OP, no need to give a bonus for non skipping CS.. I can count the times it really is a pain to watch them all, from starting CS to boss ending CS.

=> castrum meridianum
=> praetorium.

These are the only dungeons a non speed running team (and not heavily overgearing ofc) would have troubles to clear in time.

[LineageRazor]

New players won't want to use the Party Finder to start their own party. Heck, most VETERAN players won't want to use Party Finder to start their own party. Starting a party gives you the stigma of responsibility; if the party fails, you feel like it's YOUR FAULT, however illogical that thought is in reality.

If there's one thing I've learned from FFXI, the vast majority of players would rather stand motionless in Jeuno for eight hours a day and the whine bitterly on the forums about how no one forms parties to do stuff anymore than dare risk trying to form their own party and failing (either failing at forming a complete party, or failing at the content once the party is formed).

Party Finder streamlines the process a bit compared to the situation in FFXI, but the stigma associated with being a leader is still there. It's a hard stigma for veteran players to overcome, and it's virtually impossible for most newbies.

Also, there's a WHOLE LOT of newbies that don't read the forums, and are not yet integrated into the community in-game. They DON'T KNOW that skipping cutscenes is an expected thing until they're ALREADY in the instance with other Duty Finder members. Even if they were comfortable with using Party Finder, they might not know they NEED to.

Speaking of pressure to skip cutscenes, I sympathize heavily with both sides. I really hate that new players are pressured to watch cutscenes after the fact. When I did CM and Praetorium the first time, I was woefully lost. I had no idea WHY I was doing the things we were doing at each step, why we were pressing whatever buttons in whatever order. Even afterwards, watching the cutscenes, a lot of it still wasn't clear. I feel like I missed out on an important narrative, and I'll never have a chance at that experience again.

In defense of the skippers, though, those are some LONG CUTSCENES. It's no surprise that folks would get impatient after the tenth time running the dungeon, or even less - watching the cutscenes in my inn took more than a half an hour! For each dungeon!

I don't think there's an easy solution. The ideal answers all require pretty high expectations: Run the missions with helpful FC members (many newbies don't have a FC), use Party Finder to find like-minded helpers (no tutorial to use PF, low numbers of people joining means a long, long wait), tolerant Duty Finder party members (even if by some miracle you get them, you feel guilty for making such generous folks stand around waiting).

[LadyZola]

The first time I ran the Praetorium I watched all the cutscenes. However, my party just ignored me and did all the bosses without me.

Every time I run the Praetorium I wait for the newcomers to watch the CS. My experience was ruined by a stupid party, but I'd like to believe that not everyone is like that.

[Kat_Manx]

I honestly don't understand why DF doesn't default to people assuming the slowest, most laid back playing unless otherwise agreed. Since in PF you can indeed set your preferences, while in DF you can not.