Repetitive grind parties should NOT be the main source of leveling

[mysterytaru]

While it does mention 19.3% wanted to group for ranking up it still doesn't mean grind parties.

It also doesn't *not* mean grinding parties. Unless I missed something, wanting to group for leveling usually means grinding.

[MeowyWowie]

It also doesn't *not* mean grinding parties. Unless I missed something, wanting to group for leveling usually means grinding.

True, it doesn't really mean anything as far as this topic goes.

Even so, I still favor grind parties as a prime form of leveling. There can be other options that are effective as well. But anything that requires forming parties should be rewarded for the effort it takes to make them.

[Sonic_the_Hedgehog]

While it does mention 19.3% wanted to group for ranking up it still doesn't mean grind parties.

True, but I assume that's what most people were thinking when they selected it. Anyway I don't think ranking up should be centered around grind parties either. I would prefer it to be mostly a solo thing with option of partying and various content centered around partying.

[Ventus]

True, it doesn't really mean anything as far as this topic goes.

Even so, I still favor grind parties as a prime form of leveling. There can be other options that are effective as well. But anything that requires forming parties should be rewarded for the effort it takes to make them.

I'm a little confused by what you're trying to say =(. I understand you like grind parties, but you then proceed to state

There can be other options that are effective as well. But anything that requires forming parties should be rewarded for the effort it takes to make them

Which makes me think ok....so why not think of other more exciting ways for people to rank up =/?

[MeowyWowie]

The problem with this is that if they make Solo grinding the most effective way of progressing, then no one would party. Everyone wants to advance as quick as they can, within the time they have available to play. Make soloing the fastest way of leveling, and everyone who enjoys partying will get that taken away from them.

If partying (doesn't matter how; grind parties, dungeons, besieged type events, etc, etc) are the prime way of leveling, while solo content is STILL EFFECTIVE, then both sides win. People will want to party, and soloing will still be an effective means of progressing as well. This is how it should be.

[Neptune]

1 like? Sad. It's as simple as this: no one has figured out how to get people to pay for a game and support it. What we have is simply a relic from times past. For me it's the stupid part about online games that I wade through to get to the part that I enjoy. Unfortunately there's a lack of vision and this won't get alleviated until someone is brave enough to make a new kind of game. By the way, you would really enjoy Demon's Souls. It's the online gameplay you like without the stupid grind.

People that think they like grinds really only like the MMO experience - which they haven't clearly distinguished.

[Ventus]

The problem with this is that if they make Solo grinding the most effective way of progressing, then no one would party. Everyone wants to advance as quick as they can, within the time they have available to play. Make soloing the fastest way of leveling, and everyone who enjoys partying will get that taken away from them.

If partying (doesn't matter how; grind parties, dungeons, besieged type events, etc, etc) are the prime way of leveling, while solo content is STILL EFFECTIVE, then both sides win. People will want to party, and soloing will still be an effective means of progressing as well. This is how it should be.

I hope you don't think I was pushing for solo play to be more advantageous because I wasn't. I completely agree with what you just said =)!

I just want to figure out different ways of that whole partying/ranking up process you mentioned in your second paragraph. A very small player base of ex-FF11 people I feel will only be attracted to seeing this game as a "grind xp for hours to unlock content" type deal =/.

[Ventus]

1 like? Sad. It's as simple as this: no one has figured out how to get people to pay for a game and support it. What we have is simply a relic from times past. For me it's the stupid part about online games that I wade through to get to the part that I enjoy. Unfortunately there's a lack of vision and this won't get alleviated until someone is brave enough to make a new kind of game. By the way, you would really enjoy Demon's Souls. It's the online gameplay you like without the stupid grind.

People that think they like grinds really only like the MMO experience - which they haven't clearly distinguished.

I'm not sure what you meant to accomplish by mentioning the number of likes someone had (me? someone else? idk), but I think every pure RPG to this date requires some type of grind. It's about making the game so fun that the grind doesn't even cross the player's mind or seem monotonous.

What do you think would be a good alternative?

[MeowyWowie]

Oh, my mistake Ventus. I see a thread like this and I automatically think it's a solo vs party type of thing. Can't blame me though, I've been reading these forums since launch lol.

Personally, I enjoy "old school" grind parties. But I'd definitely welcome other ways to progress, whether in parties or while solo. However, I think it's difficult to think of something that hasn't been done in another game already, at least not something that is likely to be implemented in FFXIV.

Aside from dungeons, grind parties, quests, invasions and defense campaigns, what else is there?

[Ventus]

However, I think it's difficult to think of something that hasn't been done in another game already, at least not something that is likely to be implemented in FFXIV.

Aside from dungeons, grind parties, quests, invasions and defense campaigns, what else is there?

That's when we start putting on our thinking caps and do our job as a community ^_^.

Brainstorming is welcome here =).