Current State of End-Game Contents - A Blog Post from A Japanese Player

[Sapphic]

The second point I think you've missed is that you're assuming people don't do Coil because they do not want to. There are a lot of people that want to do it, but they don't know enough people, they aren't in the "IT" crowd or they can't find enough people that're good at memorizing AND competent with their job.

I knew no-one when I started FFXIV 2.0 back in beta, and after launch I made an effort to reach out and find an FC. about 6 months and 3 FCs later I found one that I made the effort to help people out, showed I was a competent player and got invited to join a static that I'm still in to this day.

There are plenty of players in the situation that you bring up, but it's only themselves stopping from reaching out and activally finding other like minded players to start to form a team to run with. To be honest many don't want to make any type of effort to obtain their goals (aka the shinies) they just want them handed to them with the least amount of "effort". Don't bring up "Real life responsibilities" many Raid statics are able to organise around them on a week to week basis. As we do with members with families, full time employement, 2 are even full time teachers. We change the weekly schedule to fit members RL schedules. We aren't the only one that does that. Most of those with members in the same situation do also. So if we can do it, there is nothing stopping anyone else doing it, except themselves and there misconcieved notion that you can only raid succesfully if you are unemployed or a student.

Also you do realise SE has listened and is putting 2 versions of 8 person raid content in game going forwards? But you will still have some thinking they should be able to obtain the savage mode Alex gear without having to put in any effort to socialize or learn the fights.

[Darra]

Also you do realise SE has listened and is putting 2 versions of 8 person raid content in game going forwards? But you will still have some thinking they should be able to obtain the savage mode Alex gear without having to put in any effort to socialize or learn the fights.

Ah, thank you for informing me of my thinking, even though it's not what you're telling me it is. Just because you're successful with being sociable, doesn't mean everyone is. Just because you've got the confidence to make and lead a raid group when you can't find an existing one with a spot for you, doesn't mean everyone is. Your entire argument is that the game design is "fine because I can do it" and that "if players can't it's their own fault". My argument is that the game lacks options, it's repeating the same old crap and it wouldn't hurt to cater to more players and give players a little of something else other than a memory game. I'm also glad that there's going to be 2 modes of Alexander, and that we can challenge content with fewer than the recommended number or players, but it still doesn't encourage people to "socialize" in groups bigger than 8. 8 is a pretty small number for an MMO wouldn't you agree?

[Zumi]

Ah, thank you for informing me of my thinking, even though it's not what you're telling me it is. Just because you're successful with being sociable, doesn't mean everyone is. Just because you've got the confidence to make and lead a raid group when you can't find an existing one with a spot for you, doesn't mean everyone is. Your entire argument is that the game design is "fine because I can do it" and that "if players can't it's their own fault". My argument is that the game lacks options, it's repeating the same old crap and it wouldn't hurt to cater to more players and give players a little of something else other than a memory game. I'm also glad that there's going to be 2 modes of Alexander, and that we can challenge content with fewer than the recommended number or players, but it still doesn't encourage people to "socialize" in groups bigger than 8. 8 is a pretty small number for an MMO wouldn't you agree?

Yes they already said they putting in 2 Alexander raids. The normal mode they said is CT like lockout so you can keep queuing up to get the piece of gear you want. Savage on the other hand is like the same as coil lockout was.

[Teryaani]

Ah, thank you for informing me of my thinking, even though it's not what you're telling me it is.

In fairness, that sounded like a general statement. I can't be sure of intent, but my suspicion is that that wasn't meant to tell you how you think.

Just because you're successful with being sociable, doesn't mean everyone is. Just because you've got the confidence to make and lead a raid group when you can't find an existing one with a spot for you, doesn't mean everyone is. Your entire argument is that the game design is "fine because I can do it" and that "if players can't it's their own fault".

I feel you on this. I took it more as a 'you get back what you put in'. Endgame in pretty much every MMO requires you to pound the (virtual) pavement a bit (or a lot) and not every FC is as flexible as Sapphic's is, but they do exist. As she said, she went through three before finding it. Without a good FC or linkshell, you pretty much are out in the cold.

My argument is that the game lacks options, it's repeating the same old crap and it wouldn't hurt to cater to more players and give players a little of something else other than a memory game. I'm also glad that there's going to be 2 modes of Alexander, and that we can challenge content with fewer than the recommended number or players, but it still doesn't encourage people to "socialize" in groups bigger than 8. 8 is a pretty small number for an MMO wouldn't you agree?

It's around the sweet spot for endgame raiding. Organizing large groups of players is really really hard. My old FC had a hard time keeping its 8 person statics together, imagine having to fill a 24 person non alliance raid.

[Zohar_Lahar]

In fairness, that sounded like a general statement. I can't be sure of intent, but my suspicion is that that wasn't meant to tell you how you think.

I understand his concerns. Past experience with FFXI showed me that "raiding community" is often controlling and manipulative (while not actually caring about the storyline).

[Teryaani]

I understand his concerns. Past experience with FFXI showed me that "raiding community" is often controlling and manipulative (while not actually caring about the storyline).

Maybe, and I have no doubt that he's reading this through a different lens than I am, but I didn't see that in the post. I do this too when I'm too close to an argument. Everything is read with a tone that may not be there. I've had to retract or edit on a re-read because of it. He may be right and there's a tone there, but I'm not hearing it.

[Sapphic]

I understand his concerns. Past experience with FFXI showed me that "raiding community" is often controlling and manipulative (while not actually caring about the storyline).

My main drive for FCoB was to see the story, after clearing turn 12 the first time none of us cared about the loot until we had all watched the story unfold. Also, contrary to belief, most raiders are more patient than many who do not raid. As you have to be patient whilst running progression, it's a necessary talent XD Otherwise you would just explode from all the wipes from learning the fight.