It's almost impossible to level a new character now. What gives, SE?

[Zee]

I had played months ago when leveling was ridiculously fast and quit shortly after. I've now returned with the release of 1.9 having made a new character, and the leveling seems fine to me. Intact I prefer it much more at this pace. The only bone I've ever had to pick with this game is the ability to obtain low level armor. Everything else, I feel they have done splendidly on.

[Wolfie]

I had played months ago when leveling was ridiculously fast and quit shortly after. I've now returned with the release of 1.9 having made a new character, and the leveling seems fine to me. Intact I prefer it much more at this pace. The only bone I've ever had to pick with this game is the ability to obtain low level armor. Everything else, I feel they have done splendidly on.

I liked the fast leveling because it got me through the most boring part of the game quickly. Boring levels and slow leveling should never be put hand in hand.

There is no reason why a new player/character should have this much trouble playing the game early on.

[Cxplorer]

I liked the fast leveling because it got me through the most boring part of the game quickly. Boring levels and slow leveling should never be put hand in hand.

There is no reason why a new player/character should have this much trouble playing the game early on.

Amen! I really hope that they fix that. If they want to attract new players to the game,they must change this.

[Blarp]

I liked the fast leveling because it got me through the most boring part of the game quickly. Boring levels and slow leveling should never be put hand in hand.

There is no reason why a new player/character should have this much trouble playing the game early on.

I agree, but people on the forums want things to be "hardcore" and any admissions of wanting the game to be "easier"(particularly leveling and questing for some reason) will get the usual bullshit response: "It's good that the game is getting hard!"

Well, the game isn't getting hard. It's becoming tedious just like FFXI was. These are also probably the same people who solo leveled ever job to 50 on Coblyns, but now that others want to be able to solo efficiently it's a problem. The same people also equate time spent with challenging and rewarding content. Is it really hardcore if I level every craft to 50? No, it just takes forever. Is it hardcore if character power at low levels is completely out of whack? No, it's just annoying for new players.

This game will eventually need new players because all of you bittervets can't sustain it. Right now, being a new guy isn't much fun. I'm sure you'll say something stupid like, "It weeds out the noobs!"
It does, but not in a good way. EVE Online weeds out the noobs, FFXIV will just frustrate them to the point of quitting.

[Invalice_Vangaurd]

I agree, but people on the forums want things to be "hardcore" and any admissions of wanting the game to be "easier"(particularly leveling and questing for some reason) will get the usual bullshit response: "It's good that the game is getting hard!"

Well, the game isn't getting hard. It's becoming tedious just like FFXI was. These are also probably the same people who solo leveled ever job to 50 on Coblyns, but now that others want to be able to solo efficiently it's a problem. The same people also equate time spent with challenging and rewarding content. Is it really hardcore if I level every craft to 50? No, it just takes forever. Is it hardcore if character power at low levels is completely out of whack? No, it's just annoying for new players.

This game will eventually need new players because all of you bittervets can't sustain it. Right now, being a new guy isn't much fun. I'm sure you'll say something stupid like, "It weeds out the noobs!"
It does, but not in a good way. EVE Online weeds out the noobs, FFXIV will just frustrate them to the point of quitting.

Agreed. I'm really tired of challenge being about time spent. You can have challenge without having activities that are long and tedious, and you can also have long tedious activities that have no real challenge other than time. SE has a way of implementing the latter most often. However, I'm optimistic SE will do something about it, because if they don't the game will flop on PS3 release, and I'm pretty sure this game cannot sustain another poor release. If PS3 release fails, this game fails.

[Pyrix]

Agreed. I'm really tired of challenge being about time spent. You can have challenge without having activities that are long and tedious, and you can also have long tedious activities that have no real challenge other than time. SE has a way of implementing the latter most often. However, I'm optimistic SE will do something about it, because if they don't the game will flop on PS3 release, and I'm pretty sure this game cannot sustain another poor release. If PS3 release fails, this game fails.

This
/10char

[FestAkos]

Agreed. I'm really tired of challenge being about time spent. You can have challenge without having activities that are long and tedious, and you can also have long tedious activities that have no real challenge other than time. SE has a way of implementing the latter most often. However, I'm optimistic SE will do something about it, because if they don't the game will flop on PS3 release, and I'm pretty sure this game cannot sustain another poor release. If PS3 release fails, this game fails.

Agree with pretty much all of this. The current leveling system equals simulated content, whereas stuff like the new Ifrit instance is actual content. I don't know why so many people think leveling should be 90% of a game. It's asinine is what it is.

[Quanta]

Agree with pretty much all of this. The current leveling system equals simulated content, whereas stuff like the new Ifrit instance is actual content. I don't know why so many people think leveling should be 90% of a game. It's asinine is what it is.

They put up with levelling because they want the game to be around for years, and developers have convinced them that the only way to do that is to stretch things out for as long as possible. This way, the developer can divide its content up between different level ranges, rather than having it scale dynamically with the individual.

In reality, the levelling process should be a natural thing, to the point where you almost don't realize that it's happening. Instead, you sit in front of your screen with your eyes fixated on your experience bar, and the game makes every attempt to remind you that, yes, you are level 16, and no, you can't wear that bitchin' armor made from the body of a demon and shoots lasers from the pauldrons; that armor's for good little boys and girls who can endure 50 levels worth of the same repetitive tasks over and over again.

[Wolfie]

I agree, but people on the forums want things to be "hardcore" and any admissions of wanting the game to be "easier"(particularly leveling and questing for some reason) will get the usual bullshit response: "It's good that the game is getting hard!"

Well, the game isn't getting hard. It's becoming tedious just like FFXI was. These are also probably the same people who solo leveled ever job to 50 on Coblyns, but now that others want to be able to solo efficiently it's a problem. The same people also equate time spent with challenging and rewarding content. Is it really hardcore if I level every craft to 50? No, it just takes forever. Is it hardcore if the leveling curve at low levels is completely out of whack? No, it's just annoying for new players.

This game will eventually need new players because all of you bittervets can't sustain it. Right now, being a new guy isn't much fun. I'm sure you'll say something stupid like, "It weeds out the noobs!"
It does, but not in a good way. EVE Online weeds out the noobs, FFXIV will just frustrate them to the point of quitting.

Yep, sounds about right.

I love difficulty. What I don't love is tedium.

I can go out and grind mobs that are 1-5 levels below me and I will only have to rest every 10-20 mobs, and I won't have to reflexively stun any of their attacks, or chain my skills in any way, or put any effort into killing them. Or I can go fight monsters 0-3 levels above me and use a cure spell every time I get hit like clockwork, and sit down to rest half the time. I'm not challenged in any way beyond not wanting to toss my controller at the screen. This is the very definition of tedium.

The tedium would be alleviated somewhat if I had fun things to do while I was low level, but I don't. I have few boring quests that start at level 10 and 15, and three equally boring mission quests. No dungeons, no cutscenes, the same ~5 leves, and no parties because nobody wants any. FFXIV has, once again, taken MMOs a step back by putting it at early FFXI quality where you didn't have any fun until you were in late Valkurm or Qufim.

What's more insulting is that the game becomes EASIER and MORE FUN in the later levels. SE is one again catering exclusively to current high level players, than aiming to make the game fun for everyone. It's ridiculous.

[Akashi]

I agree, but people on the forums want things to be "hardcore" and any admissions of wanting the game to be "easier"(particularly leveling and questing for some reason) will get the usual bullshit response: "It's good that the game is getting hard!"

Well, the game isn't getting hard. It's becoming tedious just like FFXI was. These are also probably the same people who solo leveled ever job to 50 on Coblyns, but now that others want to be able to solo efficiently it's a problem. The same people also equate time spent with challenging and rewarding content. Is it really hardcore if I level every craft to 50? No, it just takes forever. Is it hardcore if character power at low levels is completely out of whack? No, it's just annoying for new players.

This game will eventually need new players because all of you bittervets can't sustain it. Right now, being a new guy isn't much fun. I'm sure you'll say something stupid like, "It weeds out the noobs!"
It does, but not in a good way. EVE Online weeds out the noobs, FFXIV will just frustrate them to the point of quitting.

Spot on. If I wanted to play FFXI, I would. Leave the tedium in the past.