Cash shop confirmed

[Xairos]

To broaden my response slightly, the main issue here is that compromise is somewhat impossible. I think the core complaint of people opposed to the cash shop is that they don't want XIV to appeal to larger populations; they want it to be a more selective title, like FFXI was. The existence of a cash shop, no matter the form, no matter how restricted, is still a problem for these individuals - not because it directly affects them, but because it indirectly alters the composition of the community in ways they don't like.

I agree with you on this one. I can empathize with those who want FFXIV to remain small scale. I mean I kinda loved that about FFXI. But another part of me wants people to take this game as a proper MMO. and If (a big speculation as I dont know what SE will do with the extra funds) the extra money lends to higher quality books and cds or dvds or real life events, then thats the best I can hope for. If this is the dark-ish path SE needs to take to make a MMO that people will see, then *sigh* I can see how it pans out.

Frankly, I'd have actually rather seen them attach $5/mo more to the subscription price. As alluded to above, I explicitly do not want FFXIV catering to the masses to the extent that it is. A higher price range helps to make it more selective, and a corresponding lack of a cash shop (with preferably a wholesale shift away from the amount of vanity gear being released) would also help to improve the community, in my eyes. One of the best aspects of FFXI's development, in my eyes, is that the game was created under a consistent image, rather than catering to the most people possible. It's what gave it the unique feel and complex world that many of us treasure to this day. FFXIV has thus far tossed that philosophy out, which might make for more subscribers, but results in a weaker game, in my opinion.

They somewhat tried being different with FFXI, while it was profitable for what it was, it was a very small game and as such it took it a long time to be profitable.

[Vhailor]

They somewhat tried being different with FFXI, while it was profitable for what it was, it was a very small game and as such it took it a long time to be profitable.

Exactly and, from a business standpoint, I can certainly see why SE has taken the path they've chosen. The fact that it disappoints me personally, along with other players, doesn't change this fact.

To each their own, I suppose. I just regret that myself (and others) have been sacrificed in the name of larger profits - not in the least because I need to hunt down a new MMO in the sea of available titles if I want to continue to enjoy a modern-day version of FFXI