[Suggestion] A Commemorative Landmark in Ishgard

[Anonymoose]

HAPPY 50 LIKES, HYPOTHETICAL ISHGARDIAN LANDMARK!
/muteppo

Note (November 5th, 2011)
The announcement of FFXIV 2.0 has closed one door and opened another; the idea that this landmark could be a mark left on Eorzea that never would have been if not for the actions taken by the players and development team seems silly now that pretty much the entire in-game map will bear the scars of change. However, it encourages me even more to remember our roots in the design of such a celebratory landmark. I've updated the entire thread to reflect this change.


TL/DR VERSION

Do you remember the days when we looked upon FFXIV and couldn't even figure out if the game would stay open, never mind ever be any fun? How far we've come. The Development Team and the players who stuck by XIV in its darkest hour deserve respect, and I think it'd be fun to celebrate the achievement together.

My idea is to build something in Ishgard with the style and aesthetic of the very thing that got us excited for FFXIV in the first place - the tech demo of Project Rapture. When XIV goes 2.0, we'll have come full circle and I think this would be a nice little nod to that journey.

We've been over a lot of ideas of what could be inside this place - a true tavern? a lore library? a little shop that you'd never know was important if someone didn't tell you? What would you like to see!?

Just since it comes up every so often - In advance: I know,

• There are more important things to work on first.
• Ishgard is probably a long ways off.
• The tech demo was pre-XIV, conceptual, and unrelated to Eorzea

I just don't think those things are all that relevant to the idea put forth here in the long run.

The moment that Ishgard opens will be a milestone in FFXIV's evolution - as we'll no longer be backpedaling through Eorzea's unfinished and imbalanced past; we'll be taking our first step into Eorzea's future.

Two groups have made this possible:
A development team whose hard work and open minds have turned this into more than just a commercial Final Fantasy release, but an experience built with heart and soul.

and

A player base who have stayed true to a franchise they love through the initial disappointment and frustration.

I think we all deserve to give ourselves a little recognition for that, don't you? Something in the game to commemorate the achievement of turning it all around. Specifically? This:

As soon as SE's 'next big MMO', Project Rapture (the original codename of FFXIV), was announced back in 2005, I formed an instant attachment to this place and have been wanting to go there ever since. For what it's worth, the people I talk to about it do seem to agree with me. I do hope the comments here will reflect that as well.

My Personal Best Case Scenario

In an MMO, I love to see areas you'd never think to check, but when finally you do are more interesting than what you see every day. The Chateau Garden of San d'Oria, the Marble Bridge of Jeuno, and Spore Hollow of Jugner Forest come to mind, specifically. This could be an opportunity to add something like that.

Somewhere in Ishgard, a spiral staircase leads down to a serene little haven (suggestions below!) that looks something like the demo still; Walls of different colored stone bricks, potted fauna, dim lighting, and elaborate, decorative wrought iron all over the damn place.

Most who come would think it's a just another landmark - but an aesthetic one at that. Perhaps there's an NPC with dialogue that subtly references the commemoration. But from now until the end of the game, the legend of how it got there and what it really means could be a story told from player to player that helps link them a little closer to the Eorzea.

It's just a suggestion, but one that would make single-handedly make this game for me - bring it all full circle, you know?

Here it is again, if you went for the TL;DR version and missed it...

Would you like to see a nod to our past in the game's future?
Would you like to visit a place like in the demo?
What type of place would it be?
I'd like to hear from you! (But even a simple like would be enough.)

Great suggestions from Others:

• A Tavern - Nothing in here would be mandatory for everyday play, but it would be a fun place for players to hide away for a little while. There'd be tables and/or a bar to sit at, perhaps mini-games... you know, just a place to get away from the chatter, crafters, and just ... be.
• Lore Library - It's not hard to imagine books lining the walls in such a setting; it'd be a great place to put some lore for when people are bored or curious about Eorzea's past. SE could even sneak a new tome in every now and then.
• Mysterious Shop - A nice, quiet little shop like the ones in Jeuno no one ever went to unless they had to. It would add to that "hidden gem," thing quite a bit. Perhaps it could even have a name that served an of inside joke with those who'd been here since the beginning.
• Nothingness - Literally no use at all, just a gorgeous place to hang out, chatbox, afk, or whathave you that's off the beaten trail with a few NPCs just hanging around to be used as quest npcs, lore-spitters, or inside jokers.

Thanks for your time; See you in Eorzea!

[Jibe]

Sounds.. interesting. More important things to do first though.

[Anonymoose]

More important things to do first though.

I most definitely agree, lots of things - that would be reason #1 as to why I'm trying to get some support behind it this early; otherwise it'd never happen.

[Morticous]

cool pic, maybe it will be just as fail on launch as this game... or maybe SE has learned its lesson. anyway your idea sounded pretty cool too.

[Jibe]

Wasn't that pic from this game? Super early preview type pic?

[Anonymoose]

It was, yes. (I edited the OP to reflect this, as it wasn't clear enough before.)

FFXIV was originally code-named "Project Rapture." If you Google that term, you'll see all sorts of images from the tech demo of the game - one official video (which this image came from) and some CrystalTools tests that were (EDIT: a hoax by ZAM)

The video was a very early concept of Limsa with more advanced technology and raw elements from what seem to be all three city-states. Of all that was in that video, this room struck a very strong chord with me.

[Jibe]

It is a very nice pic. Too bad it's been shaved from the game.

[Soma]

although i know the devs have alot to do. i like this idea alot.

im hoping that SE has alot of stuff there not telling us.

secrets, eastereggs. im hoping for surprises.

i think your idea could fit in well. adding some personality. "yoshi's tavern"?

[Morticous]

why does all the concept art look better then the game, ha

[Cairdeas]

I would like this idea.