Swimming and underwater content?

[Preypacer]

I totally agree. It doesn't have to be like WoW, since that's what everyone seems to be complaining about. This could be done really well, and be a lot of fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Me9x9STwDiw <--- linky

This is a short video I made that shows how jumping/falling/swimming/underwater battle could be like in XIV. Taken from EQ2.
*edit* the slow falling is due to a Safe Fall character trait.

Heh, I was just thinking after seeing a couple posts in this thread, "You know, for all those folks who act outraged when people suggest they want SE to turn the game into WoW... there's an awful lot of people asking for things that are either specific to WoW, or otherwise use WoW as a direct reference".

I mean, the two quests linked in a previous post (the Katamari Damaci one, etc) above... I hope we never see anything like that in XIV. Blizzard abandoned any pretense of keeping the integrity of the world and setting of WoW and have gone crazy with cultural references, to other games, to actors, and so forth. That's one of the things that, to me, killed any sense of WoW's Azeroth being anything more than a game. It's all but completely undermined the sense of Azeroth being a unique alternate world, and has reduced it to a haven of never-ending cultural wink-nods.

Seeing references to Mr. T, or "Haris Pilton" or any of a number of other overt references just seems so, so horribly out of place to me. All it gets from me is a groan and an eye-roll. I don't even see it as creative. "Hey let's use a Paris Hilton reference! She's popular in the news right now! Woo-hoo! Free content!"

FFXIV already has some cultural references, but they're definitely downplayed and much more subtle. They don't call attention to themselves like they do in WoW. Some are pretty obscure and likely wouldn't even occur to a number of people. For example, I found one early on in FFXIV's beta that's a reference to a Radiohead video. It's not even a lyric from the song. It's based on a line of subtitled dialog that's on the screen at the very end of the video. Unless you've seen that video and recognize where it's from, it would just seem like random psychobabble.

SOE has delved into the cultural references as well. However, not as badly as Blizzard. One thing SOE has done a better job than Blizzard at is keeping Norrath's integrity as a virtual world mostly "intact". They respect the lore, the setting, the areas, etc and don't regularly break the fourth wall with cultural reference "wink-nods".

SE does a great job of this in their games, making each world feel internally consistent and maintaining a sense of integrity and believability. They feel like truly alternate worlds. I really hope they stick to that in XIV as well.

I'd really prefer to see them be creative by working in in-references and such that pertain to people, places or events in Eorzea itself. That would help give the world that much more sense of authenticity, than making cheesy references to some popular internet meme or something.

[Malakhim]

And I just want to ask, if being able to fight and breathe underwater, and *gasp* go AFK without dying is an immersion killer, why are you guys even playing a member of the Final Fantasy series?

http://youtu.be/hTc9sLmOR0A

Does that just make your head explode?

If you don't reply, I'll take that as a yes.

See the second point of my previous post.

Also, while you and Arcell are right about crazy shit going on, the problem with your example is that we're talking about pre-existing characters working within the physics and bounds of reality within their specific worlds. It doesn't have to make sense, because I'm not Cloud or Sephiroth or Vincent.

However in an MMO, it's slightly different, in that your avatar is(ostensibly) you and my avatar is me. I can't jump around all crazy like your typical Final Fantasy character. If I'm underwater, my armor isn't going to allow me to magically float as if it didn't weigh 40 lbs.(unless it can), etc. Obviously liberties can be taken BECAUSE it's a fantasy game and we just chalk it up to being badass looking, but I do believe there IS a limit before we just laugh and say "man, this looks dumb as shit."

[Nikita]

underwater gear allowing you to perform closely or equal to on land would work wonderfully and add immersion i do believe.

i thought about this but am dissapointed that no RPG (that i have come across) has made this step. for some reason only espionage games get it.

http://www.wowhead.com/item=10506/deepdive-helmet

In WoW, there are items and equipment that enhance your underwater abilities, there are even underwater mounts. Basically you want it more WoW-like. :P

See the second point of my previous post.

Also, while you and Arcell are right about crazy shit going on, the problem with your example is that we're talking about pre-existing characters working within the physics and bounds of reality within their specific worlds. It doesn't have to make sense, because I'm not Cloud or Sephiroth or Vincent.

However in an MMO, it's slightly different, in that your avatar is(ostensibly) you and my avatar is me. I can't jump around all crazy like your typical Final Fantasy character. If I'm underwater, my armor isn't going to allow me to magically float as if it didn't weigh 40 lbs.(unless it can), etc. Obviously liberties can be taken BECAUSE it's a fantasy game and we just chalk it up to being badass looking, but I do believe there IS a limit before we just laugh and say "man, this looks dumb as shit."

I really don't see how allowing a character to swim underwater is so.... radical to you. Making my character equip snorkels or scuba diving gear seems like more of a step away from Final Fantasy to me. I'm not saying there should be none, but I am saying you should have some faith in SE, because I am sure they can implement swimming and underwater content in a way that most (not all, because no matter what someone is going to cry and bitch and moan) people can enjoy.

I remember Nyzul Undersea Ruins and I remember looking out the giant glass windows, wishing I could be outside looking in, so I could see what they actually looked like. I want something like that in FFXIV, I think it would be awesome to swim down and see some massive ancient ruins or some giant creature.

[Nikita]

Also, not directly but partially related to underwater content... >_> I hope they add some areas like Purgonorgo Isle!

[Arcell]

Our characters are just as much FF characters as any other. The only difference is that we had a hand in their creation so we feel more attached. They are no more you or me than cloud or squall. I cannot jump into the air and strike the ground causing a shockwave but I accept it as the rules of the world. I don't think twice about my Pugilist striking an enemy creating a dazzling display which eventually explodes into flower petals. That is just how things are.

The rules of the world are governed by its lore. To my knowledge there is no lore or even suggestion that states anything about limitations of underwater exploration. Until there is anything goes.

[Malakhim]

http://www.wowhead.com/item=10506/deepdive-helmet

In WoW, there are items and equipment that enhance your underwater abilities, there are even underwater mounts. Basically you want it more WoW-like. :P



I really don't see how allowing a character to swim underwater is so.... radical to you. Making my character equip snorkels or scuba diving gear seems like more of a step away from Final Fantasy to me. I'm not saying there should be none, but I am saying you should have some faith in SE, because I am sure they can implement swimming and underwater content in a way that most (not all, because no matter what someone is going to cry and bitch and moan) people can enjoy.

I remember Nyzul Undersea Ruins and I remember looking out the giant glass windows, wishing I could be outside looking in, so I could see what they actually looked like. I want something like that in FFXIV, I think it would be awesome to swim down and see some massive ancient ruins or some giant creature.

I didn't say I was against swimming, hell I'm all about it. I'm just against things looking too crazy. Of course, like Arcell pointed out, a world is governed by its lore, so I guess it all depends on how they make it.

[Aramyth]

Also, not directly but partially related to underwater content... >_> I hope they add some areas like Purgonorgo Isle!

I loved Purgonorgo Isle. Just saying.

[Alyssa]

I am in favor of swimming and content underwater.

[Venat]

Why is Galka wearing a Bra...?

[Venat]

I loved Purgonorgo Isle. Just saying.

Hopefully the area has more content on it then just a useless island.