Who is Optional – A Question of Consumer Value

[Jacost]

Past FF's were also all RPGs with a heavy focus on battle and story. I don't know what about them would fool someone into thinking that this is a social-focused game. Nor anything about the advertising, etc. All available clues already pointed to the conclusion you apparently needed word of Yoshi for, so I don't get why you're surprised.

[Meltzeiferion]

I don't know what about them would fool someone into thinking that this is a social-focused game.

It's an MMO, one of the big draws and factors behind an MMO is the social aspect. Even in regards to the raid content and etc, it involves parties because it's a social game. Dungeons, Raids and gear may be the primary 'goals' but those goals are meant to be achieved by coming together in groups, working together and finding common ground so that you can go on to defeat said challenges.

I'm not sure why or how you would miss that a major basis of it being an MMO in the first place is social interaction. :P

[Teryaani]

Oh hyperbole, how I love you.

Ah thank you, so the gospel has been written. If 'clearing end game content and beating monsters' is not the goal you personally have set for yourself, Square Enix considers you optional and not in keeping with the design of their game. Stay at your own risk but this particular MMO was not constructed for anyone outside that mentality and those who choose to remain do so with full knowledge that their concerns and needs are secondary and can be dismissed without notice.

I love the leap from "we consider selling gear for end game content PTW" to "Screw casuals". I'm genuinely curious how you got there. Because I'm certainly not able to make that leap of logic. Look a little further down and you'll see why I'm having such a hard time.

This is a matter of buyer beware. Always research a product or service to the best of your ability prior to purchasing. Should the details of the service alter at a later date and they are no longer to your satisfaction always feel comfortable enough to discontinue that service and seek out one better suited. It is unfortunate, in this particular case, that this will be the only service providing the Final Fantasy world that many have grown up enjoying but as time progresses and we see more and more of that world altered to be more 'mainstream' and clone friendly perhaps it is for the best.

Very true. If you aren't having fun, why pay for it? That said, lets look at the root complaint shall we?

SE added three companions (from 1.0), one mount (brand spanking new), and several 1.0 halloween items to the cash shop. During that time they also added (in game):

2 new mounts
8 new minions
Hordes of new glamour fashion items and furnishings.

This is why I can't make the leap you did above. SE, as of right now, is leaning toward publishing vanity items IN GAME. Should they start heavily pushing everything cash shop, I will join you in complaining, but right now they certainly aren't.

Like Lucas' last attempt to bring the magic of Star Wars to a new generation only to have it fail miserably and disappoint millions of fans this may not be the droids many were looking for. It may be time for many to choose to forget this incarnation exists and simply hold to the memories of Final Fantasies past.

You being disappointed doesn't mean everyone is.

[Shadex]

Oh hyperbole, how I love you.

I am sorry you feel that way. My statements were what they were and I make no excuses for them. Please don't forget that my take on the situation, like every else, is ours to hold how we see fit. Should you not agree, that is your right. If you wish to be hostile however and start tossing insults... it does nothing more than paint a picture of you as a person.

[Teryaani]

I am sorry you feel that way. My statements were what they were and I make no excuses for them. Please don't forget that my take on the situation, like every else, is ours to hold how we see fit. Should you not agree, that is your right. If you wish to be hostile however and start tossing insults... it does nothing more than paint a picture of you as a person.

I love passive aggression too Shadex. Which you mercifully provided here. My comments aren't hostile, they simply disagree with you and site why. You're getting defensive and attempting to paint me as hostile and insulting. At no point did I insult you (edit: or feel any hostility toward you, it should be said). I disagreed with you and you're taking it personally. That reflects on you, not me.

[Izsha]

We have a clear cut statement on what they consider pay to win.

"I would consider in terms of items, optional things that would change the aesthetics like your skin color or your race but not your stats. If it’s like the Ring of Yoshida, it’s cool but it can cross the line and help you clear end game content and help you beat certain monsters. That has the risk of people calling the game pay-to-win. That’s not something I want to do." - Naoki Yoshida

Thanks for pulling that. There it is. You don't have to like it or agree with it. But the guys that make the game make the rules and define what constitutes an advantage and it's there in black and white. The law of the land is stats are p2w. Aesthetics are secondary content. You can type till your fingers fall off but if it doesn't have stats it's not p2w. There are plenty of reasons to support or fight the cash shop, but one thing it unequivocally is not, is p2w.

[KodiHivaer]

Thanks for pulling that. There it is. You don't have to like it or agree with it. But the guys that make the game make the rules and define what constitutes an advantage and it's there in black and white. The law of the land is stats are p2w. Aesthetics are secondary content. You can type till your fingers fall off but if it doesn't have stats it's not p2w. There are plenty of reasons to support or fight the cash shop, but one thing it unequivocally is not, is p2w.

They even said that the cash shop isn't going to be P2W at the fan festival.
How much "proof" is needed?

[Riepah]

They even said that the cash shop isn't going to be P2W at the fan festival.
How much "proof" is needed?

What they said beforehand didn't really end up being "proof" back with the Personal Housing fiasco, now, did it? They just turned around and claimed that we "misinterpreted" what they said, even though their statement was quite clear.
You should take stuff that's said with a grain of salt, they don't always keep their word.

[M0xie]

What they said beforehand didn't really end up being "proof" back with the Personal Housing fiasco, now, did it? They just turned around and claimed that we "misinterpreted" what they said, even though their statement was quite clear.
You should take stuff that's said with a grain of salt, they don't always keep their word.

Most people trying to argue that statement about housing ALL read only part of the quote taking it out of context.

[Teryaani]

What they said beforehand didn't really end up being "proof" back with the Personal Housing fiasco, now, did it? They just turned around and claimed that we "misinterpreted" what they said, even though their statement was quite clear.
You should take stuff that's said with a grain of salt, they don't always keep their word.

Granted, and if they do something along these lines, I'll be more alarmed about it. Thus far though they've been firm on this one. Their actions seem to line up with their statement.

As a note, if they start dumping tons of content into the cash shop at the expense of in game content (as in, the balance shifts to cash shop), I'll be right there with the cash shop dislikers in complaining. If they stick to the same model that Blizzard did in wow (through Mists) of having a few select things, then I'm not seeing an issue with it.

Most people trying to argue that statement about housing ALL read only part of the quote taking it out of context.

(regarding housing) He made a pretty definite statement that they didn't clarify later. That was all on SE, not the fans. They tried some damage control after that was poorly done and then ultimately got things quieted down. Not their finest hour.