November? really?

[Wizarus]

Actually, it works both ways. Any sort of enjoyment gets sniped at by some snide comment, any sort of criticism gets hotly defended and the person commenting put into question.

Both sides are responsible for the toxic environment, and it's a major contributor to why many people avoid the forums.

Yes, I will admit it does go both ways and it was rather rude to bring up personal life stuff over FFXIV.

[Hyrist]

Yes, I will admit it does go both ways and it was rather rude to bring up personal life stuff over FFXIV.

To do so in a derogatory fashion, certainly. But I don't think it is wrong to raise the question of a person's individual health when signs are being made that perhaps a healthy life is being traded away for more game time. Concern for someone's health should not be discouraged.

I can't speak as to the context of the conversation in question specifically as I confess I did not read it.

I'm pretty sure it was mentioned a long while back just what sort of things exploratory voyages would go over, such as using your FC ship, entering as a full alliance, it not being instanced, and hunting notorious monsters. Void Ark they'd go over drop rules, party compositions, all of which are givens since it's a Ct-styled content. From my end, it's retelling us what we already know because I already expected these sort of things based on the previous preview they have already given us or stray developer comments in the forums.

Nothing in indications of any of the records state that the zones are not instanced. In fact, IIRC this is last live letter was first mention of any sort of concept that there was other parties sharing the same area with you. And from the indications of such, it sounds like it won't be crowded. Again, this is all speculative. But the details I was referring to was the reward structure of Exploratory Missions, the possiblity of randomized loot that could equate to high-tier 210 gear, where before we had no idea whether or not these drops would even be relative to endgame. That changes things rather dramatically.

[RiceisNice]

Nothing in indications of any of the records state that the zones are not instanced. In fact, IIRC this is last live letter was first mention of any sort of concept that there was other parties sharing the same area with you. And from the indications of such, it sounds like it won't be crowded. Again, this is all speculative. But the details I was referring to was the reward structure of Exploratory Missions, the possiblity of randomized loot that could equate to high-tier 210 gear, where before we had no idea whether or not these drops would even be relative to endgame. That changes things rather dramatically.

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...=1#post3263938


It's not the first time they've mentioned that you'd be tackling this with other people aside from your party/alliance. The only thing that's new is that the type of rewards they give, but new content giving rewards is a given., whether or not its equal to tomestone gear or upgraded tomestone gear. Void Ark dropping ilvl 200 or 210 wouldn't make much of a meaningful impact because we're still going to do them anyway if the ilvl 200 pieces are better optimized stats than eso, or its ilvl210 and it serves as an alternate way of gearing toward savage. I just don't feel like it's a good use of their time to go through setting up a liveletter just to announce something like that.

Of course there's also the details they brought up on LoV, but hardly anyone is talking about that from what I see.

[Hyrist]

<snip>

Your source gives no indication that these parties are or are not of the same alliance. To which, last night, they confirmed both possibilities. Which, honestly, leaves more questions than answers.

We're going to have to just disagree on the rest. Which comes as no surprise based on my observation on your posting trends. You're entitled to your opinion that it felt like nothing new is posted. However I staunchly disagree on the matters of relevance of topics revealed.

They could easily hire more people, so they can take deserved breaks.

That may not be their decision, but of SE's. Regardless, you're welcome to go. They were aware of the possibility when they made the decision.

[RiceisNice]

Your source gives no indication that these parties are or are not of the same alliance. To which, last night, they confirmed both possibilities. Which, honestly, leaves more questions than answers.

We're going to have to just disagree on the rest. Which comes as no surprise based on my observation on your posting trends. You're entitled to your opinion that it felt like nothing new is posted. However I staunchly disagree on the matters of relevance of topics revealed.

Going into semantics territory when they say "multiple parties" because an alliance is only ever limited to 3 parties (which honestly can create just as much backlash as the whole housing fiasco back then if they really did instance explorations to one alliance per). But agree to disagree then; the fact that I can get a different inference from what we're already given than you is enough to give different expectations and perspectives.

[Hyrist]

Going into semantics territory when they say "multiple parties" because an alliance is only ever limited to 3 parties (which honestly can create just as much backlash as the whole housing fiasco back then if they really did instance explorations to one alliance per). But agree to disagree then; the fact that I can get a different inference from what we're already given than you is enough to give different expectations and perspectives.

I would concede that if it were not for the issue where semantics was a critical issue when it came to the discussions concerning housing. It's reasons such as these where I believe it's critically important that we pay attention to what is said concretely, and something that is not said concretely.

Much was clarified last night. Some of it completely new, and unexpected. There was not a hint of inference of having randomized loot (even to the point of randomized appearance) until last night. And there is still unanswered questions when it comes to participation. (Are FC trips restricted to ONLY FC or does a FC merely have to host it? Does a party or group need to consist of a preset 8 man group or full alliance or can the participation be jagged? Are the instances of these islands randomly assigned or can fellow friends/FC members join in as reinforcements?)

I can't guess as to your desires of what you specifially wanted to see out of the live letter, but it is apparent it was not met. My reaction to the matter, however, was somewhat different:

[Daralii]

I would concede that if it were not for the issue where semantics was a critical issue when it came to the discussions concerning housing. It's reasons such as these where I believe it's critically important that we pay attention to what is said concretely, and something that is not said concretely.

Much was clarified last night. Some of it completely new, and unexpected. There was not a hint of inference of having randomized loot (even to the point of randomized appearance) until last night. And there is still unanswered questions when it comes to participation. (Are FC trips restricted to ONLY FC or does a FC merely have to host it? Does a party or group need to consist of a preset 8 man group or full alliance or can the participation be jagged? Are the instances of these islands randomly assigned or can fellow friends/FC members join in as reinforcements?)

IIRC Yoshida said in a previous interview that they'll be open groups.

[Iromi]

That may not be their decision, but of SE's. Regardless, you're welcome to go. They were aware of the possibility when they made the decision.

I remember once they said they keep a small dev team because they prefer quality over quantity...how true that is, I have no idea. However I will refrain from posting anything else due to fear of getting banned on forums again ^^; All I can say is, hope the November update is good!

[Hyrist]

Kaurie, you've proven my argument for me as you begin to itemize while you maintain a stance that once you hit endgame, content ceases to be relevant. (Which brings to mind this image.)

This means you base relevancy only on the progression mechanic which is a major logical flaw.

All content for leveling is relevant for anyone who wants to level something. Beyond that, much of it is involved in currency grind for introductory equipment required to participate in much endgame content - this includes level 50 dungeons that are part of High level Roulette.

Rewards from content that contain items not tied to Progression mechanic (Glamours, Furniture pieces, Mounts, and Chocobo Baring) remain continually relevant for those who seek these rewards. Again, ignoring parts of the game because it does not interest you does not make it objectively irrelevant. This isn't even touching on Golden Saucer, which is effectively timeless and includes rewards from content you've deemed irrelevant.

There is a heavy bias in your opinion that is skewed intentionally towards a very narrow view surrounded completely on reliance of a progression-based endgame.

The target audience for this game, however, is that of a player who seeks to obtain a variety of goals not tied in its entirety to progression. This is clear in how distributed the content is across different aspects and walks of the game. One of the trade off for this intention, however, is that updates to any one particular vein of play-style tends to be thin and slow coming.

Even so, as have been spoken, content updates come at a rate that is above those of other MMOs. With it, of course, comes the further inflated expectations of the playerbase. A common customer service mantra I cite in this instance: "There's no pleasing anyone."

I remember once they said they keep a small dev team because they prefer quality over quantity...how true that is, I have no idea. However I will refrain from posting anything else due to fear of getting banned on forums again ^^; All I can say is, hope the November update is good!

I hope so to. But if you're aiming to leave the game, what's the harm in being banned?

[Kaurie]

Kaurie, you've proven my argument for me as you begin to itemize while you maintain a stance that once you hit endgame, content ceases to be relevant. (Which brings to mind this image.)
)

No, I stated them as separate issues. The amount of added content is less than the content lost from ARR.

Additionally, most of the content added has become irrelevant.

Further, I understand there are aspects of the game I do not enjoy, and I respect that it's been added and people enjoy it. It doesn't remove the fact that much of the added content has become irrelevant due to the core game design. I don't really wish to argue this, as I don't care if you agree or not.

I think i've added everything to the discussion that I need to / want to at this point.

Cheers,
Kaurie