Too Weak To Be Worthwhile - Teleporting

[Estellios]

You are still bound by the limit on how many crafting leves you get, if that is the case, so in the end there's no real difference. I can't wait for chocobos just because it will make the traveling crafting leves much less of a chore.

[davysez]

I think what the QQ crowd (myself included) are lamenting is not the fact that other people have different play styles, its the fact that the developers have approached travel with the mindset that it is a time-sink. As a result, we have a game world so bland, devoid of mystery, danger, and variety, that instant teleporting is really the only palatable method of transportation. Sure, SE could force us to run a few more places, at least for the first time, but honestly, how much fun is running between Gridania and Uldah, even for a rank one noob? There are two sets of repeating scenery, virtually none, if any, aggroable mobs (which are clearly marked) along the path, and you are given a detailed map of both regions, from the start. It's 20 minutes of yawn-inducing auto-running.

We just want a few goals that require a little bit of effort, obtaining maps, getting a chocobo license, etc., and we want a world engaging enough to physically travel though, rather than magically appearing 50 yalms away from wherever you need to be, every time! If we demand that all travel be (or have the option to be) as instantaneous and easy as anima, we will end up with a game world that turns out to be as boring and repetitive as "menu>teleport>location" every single time you want to go somewhere. The idea that different forms of transportation, come at different speeds is not a crazy idea. Chocobo is faster than foot. Airship is faster than chocobo. Anima is faster than airship. Sure, every form of transport could be as fast as anima, if the developers wanted, but how can you not see that would diminish a fun aspect that some players want to enjoy?

Just as many people ask for strategic battles instead of button mashing, some of us want transport which requires planning and thought, and has trade-offs, in terms of time and cost. Your passion for insta-travel teleporting is just like someone else saying, "We want more button mashing battles! You can still play with strategy if you really want to, but it's just as easy to button mash. Don't crimp our playstyle, man!"

[Estellios]

That's a lot different than the general consensus of people that are arguing against instant travel, who simply sound as if they want other people to be forced to play how THEY want to play the game by removing options.

Like you have said, part of the issue is that there is really no point to taking your time to travel. I think the planned map redesigns are trying to alleviate that. I personally believe the philosophy of quick vs slow travel should not be penalize those that want an easier path, but reward those that go out of their way. Maybe random happenings along the field that will reward you in various ways, settlements with quests for you to do, or something along those lines. The treasure chests on the fields that they are adding seems like a way to make it more rewarding to go explore without stepping on others' toes.

Don't you take away my maps though! =P

[Rokien]

BUMPING because I agree!

[Nabiri]

I have never liked having everything handed to me. It's fun earning things and feels great when I finally get something I've been looking forward to after some hard work. It would be nice if we had to earn things like teleporting. (Even nicer if it was a mage spell instead, and something similar to outpost warps from an NPC in town rather than people popping in and out of anywhere from anywhere, anytime, magically. Garleans attack Gridania? Ok everyone, time to pop out of existence and end up somewhere else!)
I can honestly say nothing in this game has ever given me a sense of achievement. I would love something to achieve.

[Tombah]

This clearly shows how much time some people have and they don't know how to spend it.
/sigh

[PrettyPrincess]

LOL ^ .

[Darkvalkyr]

Sometimes, I feel this is hopeless.
*rolls eyes*

80% of the discussion completely ignored what the OP was asking for.

[PrettyPrincess]

I actually agree that you should have to touch an aether gate before anyone is able to teleport you to it.

[davysez]

That's a lot different than the general consensus of people that are arguing against instant travel, who simply sound as if they want other people to be forced to play how THEY want to play the game by removing options.

Like you have said, part of the issue is that there is really no point to taking your time to travel. I think the planned map redesigns are trying to alleviate that. I personally believe the philosophy of quick vs slow travel should not be penalize those that want an easier path, but reward those that go out of their way. Maybe random happenings along the field that will reward you in various ways, settlements with quests for you to do, or something along those lines. The treasure chests on the fields that they are adding seems like a way to make it more rewarding to go explore without stepping on others' toes.

Don't you take away my maps though! =P

I guess I can't really speak for everyone, only myself. I'm really pinning a lot of my hopes for this game on the impending zone redesign (mega-bonus points if they tie it into the lore of the world) and the eventual release of completely new zones. I think strategic gameplay is the key. I have no problem with having alternate gameplay methods designed for casual players, like leves and anima or an aggro indicator, for example. Although, if SE goes too far and puts in too many shortcuts around parts of the game requiring strategy and cooperation, or an investment of time and effort, then why should I play FFXIV when I can go play Angry Birds on my phone?

And I think we're just going to have to agree to disagree about the maps thing. Not having a map and not knowing where to go is what makes visiting new areas difficult. It also promotes cooperation between high-level mentors and new players. The difficulty of getting the map should mirror the difficulty of the zone, maybe with maps of the starter zones being given to new players. It gives players something to do, something to achieve, and a sense of character progression, other than ranking up, day after day. Same thing goes for a chocobo license or airship license. Fortunately for you, and unfortunately for me, Yoshi P. seems to be on your side.