Letter from the Producer, XVI (08/15/2011)

[Chione]

I was also hoping ... that the Beastman Strongholds would be open world leveling areas with Bosses, not instanced raids.

This right here is the only rain cloud on the parade of 1.19 for me - the addition of more instanced only dungeons. When they mentioned strongholds it brought back memories of exploring Davoi, Beadeaux and Castle Oztroja in XI. As it stands, I've wandered all across Eorzea. I like to explore and see what kind of danger I can get myself into (and out of!). So this is pretty disheartening. If all new world content is going to be instanced like this, what hope for us have-sword-will-travel folks to have new lands to explore?

Instead, couldn't these have been open world strongholds with instanced parts within? Say like a boss area on they very top or very bottom floor where only those teamed with others would dare enter? I would have loved to nose about in a beastmen stronghold, at my own peril of course, without needing to find a party and play by the team rules while under a time limit.