Party recruitment interface, done right [SUGGESTION]

[Nipa]

Well, since there are two threads going on this at the same time, I'll repost my mockup suggestion here:
http://b1.ge.tt/8b29NI6/2.%20LFG.png

It's basically a copy of EQ2 interface, adapted to FF14 armory system. It won't work with a gamepad and may lack of some precision as for the role choice (EQ2 had 8 roles, it would feel a bit cluttered here), but at least it would do the job way better that the joke of interface we have atm.

Again, most games LFG interfaces follow the same broad UI, so it's nothing really new or innovative.

[Maxi_Irving]

I was just going to propose this exact same thing, but it looks like I was beaten to the punch. I'm atleast glad to know someone shares the same ideas I have.

I'll likely try working up a mockup of what the party recruitment *should* be.

[Seirra_Lanzce]

yes this game need a more better redefine search party system. Current one is not good enough.

[Nipa]

I'll likely try working up a mockup of what the party recruitment *should* be.

Feel free to use mine as a basis.

For all of those who want to try making mokups, you may be interested in the current state of art:

EQ 2, probably the most complete LFG interface existing (being able to search by role instead of class):
http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/6...window1pr4.jpg
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/8...window2jn5.jpg
VG SoH shares the same system. Note the ability to set yourself to LFG for lower level groups with the mentoring check (mentoring is what FF11 players call synch).

The DDO interface is well worth mentioning too (but it's simpler since there is only one role per class):
http://www.mmocrunch.com/wp-content/...08/social1.jpg
Due to the grouping required nature of the game, the interface is always used and full of groups. I'm pretty sure LoTRO has a similar system.

Interestingly WoW interface is not really well done (at least last time I checked) and Rift doesn't have any interface at all. But those two balances the problem with automated instance finder (and/or zone/level specific channels used for LFG/LFM).

I have never played Aion and would be glad if someone could tell us a bit about its LFG system.

I'm pretty sure we can work out a nerly perfect tool for FF14, then it would only be a matter of spamming it until SE notices... as usual.

[SuzakuCMX]

Feel free to use mine as a basis.

For all of those who want to try making mokups, you may be interested in the current state of art:

EQ 2, probably the most complete LFG interface existing (being able to search by role instead of class):
http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/6...window1pr4.jpg
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/8...window2jn5.jpg
VG SoH shares the same system. Note the ability to set yourself to LFG for lower level groups with the mentoring check (mentoring is what FF11 players call synch).

The DDO interface is well worth mentioning too (but it's simpler since there is only one role per class):
http://www.mmocrunch.com/wp-content/...08/social1.jpg
Due to the grouping required nature of the game, the interface is always used and full of groups. I'm pretty sure LoTRO has a similar system.

Interestingly WoW interface is not really well done (at least last time I checked) and Rift doesn't have any interface at all. But those two balances the problem with automated instance finder (and/or zone/level specific channels used for LFG/LFM).

I have never played Aion and would be glad if someone could tell us a bit about its LFG system.

I'm pretty sure we can work out a nerly perfect tool for FF14, then it would only be a matter of spamming it until SE notices... as usual.

Why is there a bow by "Melee Damage" and a sword by "Crowd Control?"

Also I don't understand what the difference between a secondary tank and a main tank is, or a secondary tank and a melee damage character >.>

Largely inconsequential but I wanna know!

[Illusion]

A big vote from me, I don't understand how they did not work on the Group search function from FFXI in the first place.

[Nipa]

Why is there a bow by "Melee Damage" and a sword by "Crowd Control?"

Not sure about that, I may have posted a very old version of the interface. This one should be safe:
http://rift-wire.com/wp-content/uplo...LFG_Window.jpg

Also I don't understand what the difference between a secondary tank and a main tank is, or a secondary tank and a melee damage character >.>

A melee DPS is not supposed to be particularly able to take damage. Think of a rogue type of character (one that doesn't do evasion-tanking) for instance. Or course come melee DPS can take damage. In FF14, I imagine the lancer could be that kind of glass canon character.

A secondary tank is a character build to do damage (or something else) but that can still tank a bit when/if needed, for instance if there is a bit too much to do for the main tank, to save a stupid dps here and there or to handle an unfortunate add. Or equivalently, you can thing of a tank that can make decent damage (or something else). But more than beefy DPS, this could include a healing-tank type (heal to get aggro, share the damage to your team, steal life, do nasty things with your group hp pools) or a pet master which pet can take a few hit and who can taunt enemies to attack it. Those are called offtanks too, I guess.

But again, definitions may change depending of the game, the geographic region, the language or even the community. I'm pretty sure you can find hundred of pages arguing on the definition of offtank

[Rika]

This game needs truly a better PT Search System !

[LuxLex]

Great suggestions. I would really like to be able to search for people who even don't have their flag up though. Maybe when SE is less concerned about the optics of low server populations?

Cause I liked getting random tells when I was tooling around asking me to party... and I like being able to see who is on a specific job I want and asking them to party. I dunno, I know I would often be up for a party if someone sent me a tell but I don't always want my flag up.

Also I really like being able to set a comment. I think it can be useful for a lot of things (from showing party members what loot you intend to lot, to letting people in the area know what you are up to so they don't camp on top of you, etc)

[Loony_BoB]

If there was one thing I had to pick out of FFXI that I loved the most, it was the community. I played in 2008 and there perhaps weren't as many people as in other times in it's history, but it was still packed with people who would message me on the odd occasion asking if I'd like to party. I wasn't always actively seeking, but on some occasions I'd just say "You know what? Yeah, sure, I'll join in." and off I went. There is nothing to allow for this at the moment. Likewise, if I was actively seeking, I could go to a certain spot with a "Seeking party" flag next to my name and within minutes someone would be asking me to help them out. Bang! Party.

Implement an FFXI-styled search and a FFXI-styled flag, and I would be immensely happy.