Why punish players who just want to play DoL DoH?

[LunaHoshino]

FFXIV is a story-driven game. That is what it has been from day one-- you can't access airships without the story, you can't get a mount without the story, you can't join a GC without the story, etc. It's hardly "unfair;" it's the way they designed the game because that's how they wanted the game to be played.

If you dislike being forced to play through the MSQs that much then FFXIV probably isn't the game for you. What you want is a sandbox MMO, not a story-driven one. It's clear that SE intends for FFXIV to remain a story-driven game, and I for one am glad they're sticking to their guns.

[DukeBurden]

Farmville.

[Gamer3427]

Ok then what do you propose? What is the incentive for people to do a crafting/gathering class only and no fighting at all? What's the story behind it all? What keeps the player coming back to craft and gather to extend their subscription? How does their story run along side the main story?

Again, as much as I love the main story, there are plenty of people who don't care about the story at all. Claiming that people aren't drawn to working more on DoL and DoH classes because there isn't a story to them is frankly just an ignorant argument. These classes only get a "story" segment every five levels to begin with, and honestly while I do get interested in them later on, the first three or four are just basic, "this is how you craft x". Players play these classes because they enjoy the reward of getting that HQ item, or because they want to be able to support their friends who do focus on fighting, or because they want to go out and gather that rare herb/fish/gem, or simply because they enjoy the monetary reward of selling their items on the market. There's plenty of reasons people keep playing these classes. If not, you'd never see anyone above a level 15 in any of them. Just because you have to have a story to keep you interested in the game, doesn't mean other people can't enjoy it for other reasons.....

[nuyu11]

I'm siding with OP, I love story and combat.
Raid is my souls, but without crafter we can't survive.
If crafting can make mounts, for sure more people will be interested with it.

SE need to find a way to balance these two.

[Foomerang]

Ok then what do you propose? What is the incentive for people to do a crafting/gathering class only and no fighting at all? What's the story behind it all? What keeps the player coming back to craft and gather to extend their subscription? How does their story run along side the main story?

Don't need one. Players like myself enjoy just being part of the community. The maintenance level is literally zero. They just keep doing what they are already doing and thats perfect. No need to force combat or make some special snowflake storyline.

[Sapphic]

As a side note, VSoH failed because of mismanagement on the part of the creator/leader and lack of funds. A whole slew of problems that killed the game - it was nothing do with the spheres. =P

Off topic but meh! :P

Vanguard, even with its problems (many broken quests even in starter areas, chunking (worst system of servers ever:P ) was awesome upto lvl 50. 50+ was just terrible, kiting parties if you could get in them. (Forget the name of the island). My first memory of Vanguard was after chatting with a GM,he turned me in toa chicken! XD

GMs were always active in game and awesome. Class diversity was great. It was more of a follow up to EQ than EQ2 was XD

[Rath]

In 1.0 this game was touted as allowing you to do the sotry and all as a DoH/DoL, and this aspect attracted people inclined to do this. 2.0 was clearly stated by Yoshi to not be following in those footsteps. He clearly said unlocking leve and other stuff would require a DOw/DoM. Pretty much all that needs to be said.

[Canadane]

I miss how 1.0 allowed you to talk your way out of most situations, meaning you could continue the main scenario as a DoL/DoH.
And in those sticky situations a quick Wrist Flick before running away! Haha!

But 2.0 has shifted focus and it's certainly combat based. Yes you can go about your days gathering or crafting and ruling the economy with your iron first. But at the end of the day you'll be left behind the adventurers who go on to seek further experiences in the world.

[Chihaya]

Punish is a strong word, you aren't being ask to do what other players don't have to do.

If this was a sandbox game where player makes the rules and have considerably more freedom then I would be with you.

But no, this is a game with a relative linear storyline with limited open world that pretty much guide you through the process.

[brighnasa]

rather than fighting Gaius in a Victor-Take-All battle between him and his Ultima Weapon versus you and seven total strangers (or any combination of total strangers and friends), you battle him in a three-stage COOKING COMPETITION!

The first stage is him with his lieutenants, then the second phase has Ultima Weapon join in, using the powers of its captured Primals to vastly speed up the cooking for the other side, then you'd use the Blessing of Light to strip the Primals and make the competiton more even, and then it all ends with Ultima Weapon unlocking its full power and using lasers and magitek bits and stuff to replace the defeated chefs.

Then Lahabrea comes in, makes a short speech, and gets smacked in the face with your Aether-infused skillet.

Best thing ever.