Did Yoshida went a bit too far by cloning WoW?

[Velhart]

The original version didn't have UI elements? I suppose that is pretty unique. Risky move though.

UI in both FFXI and FFXIV 1.xx were built optimally for the controller. It was viable to play on a keyboard (KB/M somewhat on FFXIV), but the design of it was built mostly around the controller in mind.

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Only thing the original FFXIV had going for it was it's graphical style, which was still another major flaw to the game. Using an engine that was not built to be optimized for an MMO (used the Crystal Tools engine from FFXIII). Yet they use it anyways, and even the nicest and highest spec PC's at the time could barely run the game it was so poorly programmed.

The seamless world was another major fault. It ended up creating repeated terrain that so obvious that even amateur developers would be embarrassed. Creating zones that also helped create a theme of the area was another brilliant idea by the 2.0 team.

If FFXIV was actually delayed and released when it was ready, it would of still been mediocre at best and not have the amount of numbers that FFXIV:ARR has today. Rebuilding the game from the ground up and its very approachable set up and system was one of the best decisions SE ever made and while I played 1.xx to the fullest, I would never choose to go back to it or it's archaic concepts. Just because you make something unique does not make it good.

[Aeyis]

UI in both FFXI and FFXIV 1.xx were built optimally for the controller. It was viable to play on a keyboard (KB/M somewhat on FFXIV), but the design of it was built mostly around the controller in mind.

2.x (and as such 3.0) Is no different. The UI is also optimally build for the controller.
UI is and always has been one of the games weak points. (for a PC user)

[Velhart]

2.x (and as such 3.0) Is no different. The UI is also optimally build for the controller.
UI is and always has been one of the games weak points. (for a PC user)

That is not the truth. I can do way more in this game on a KB/M than I could hope on a controller.

What I meant was 1.xx/FFXI had -one- set UI and it was built around the controller. 2.0 gave the option for two different UI's, one built specifically for KB/M and one for controller.