Game needs to be more newcomer friendly, but NOT with level-boosts

[Terin]

I love me some Final Fantasy XIV. I've not played it much, for other reasons, but I definitely think super highly of the game. However, there are definitely very real issues with the game not being particularly welcoming to newcomers, and while it's not overwhelming *now*, I think the team is right to be concerned about 4.0 and beyond.

Still, I think a level-boost is simply the *wrong* approach. The story is absolutely one of the strongest points of the game, and while it's a little bit uneventful early on, it's important to have that understanding to provide context for later story developments.

So, I'd like to propose a couple of alternatives, which I think would make the game more welcoming and appealing to newcomers, without making a jarring shift of *skipping* content.

- Make all new Classes/Jobs playable from the start

Listen, I know there are players who don't like this idea, and there are merits to the current system, but frankly, it doesn't matter. New classes/jobs are a huge selling point for new players, and the current system completely undermines this. I bought Final Fantasy XI several years ago, along with several expansions, because I loved the idea of playing the Blue Mage. When I couldn't, I gave the game about three hours before getting bored, and never touched the game again. If someone is super excited to play a Dark Knight, or something else, I *guarantee* they don't want want to put in 60+ hours just to experience it.

Perhaps add low-level "Class" counterparts to new Jobs (ie. "Squire" as a precursor to Dark Knight). Either add trainers to the existing cities, or consider adding a new starting-area with access to the new Classes/Jobs (all the stories converge around level 15, anyways, so it would only be a new *starting* experience, perhaps having you interact with a different Scion initially).

- Speed up the Main Scenario

I think the Main Scenario is hugely important, not to mention *satisfying*. The issue is simply that it takes a lot time, and there's a *lot* of filler-content. I would remove as much filler as possible, and maybe incorporate some fast-travel mechanics (ie. when completing a MS [Main Scenario] quest, having an option to instantly travel to the turn-in NPC). No need to completely gut it or anything, but just speed things along a bit.

Anyways, these are just my personal suggestions, but I think they would both serve the game well in the long-run.

[Morningstar1337]

I feel that SE would be unwilling to ads new Classes for the following reasons

• The Cross-Class System. They seem to be trying to move away from this and adding new classes might undermine that (even ROG got skills other classes can use, just not Jobs). In addition Getting Jobs via a class requires one class at 30 and another at 15.
• Tedium: Which incidentally might be the reason they are considering this in the first place. Even if long quests aren't a factor people still need to do ugh, Toto-Rak at least once if they are to be Level 30 or else spend a lot of time Fate/leve grinding.

In addition, consider that the Starting areas are capitals, which make it a bit difficult to ad new cities without massive retcons (including add new Scions), or making Ishgard available from the start (which would still need retcons, as well as rebalancing the Central Highlands part of the North Shroud)



As far as story, they are already pruning out the fluff quests from the MSQ

[Khanscott]

There are some quests that could stand to be cut from the MSQ without screwing with the lore. Make them sidequests; problem solved. However, my gripe is simply all the walking from A to B to A to C to OVER 9000! Heck, simply having a insta-Chocoporter in West Thanalan to the Scion's clubhouse would be a God send as it would leave the lore intact while making the player's life easier.

[NaesakiAshwell]

Perhaps add low-level "Class" counterparts to new Jobs (ie. "Squire" as a precursor to Dark Knight). Either add trainers to the existing cities, or consider adding a new starting-area with access to the new Classes/Jobs (all the stories converge around level 15, anyways, so it would only be a new *starting* experience, perhaps having you interact with a different Scion initially).
.

Sadly they probably won't be adding any more base classes again as SE seem really dead set on moving as far away from the armoury system as possible in regards to the class system, even though its forever going to be the elephant in the room as they can't remove the system without completely redesigning a major facet of the game all over again.

They've even said time and time again Arcanist going into Summoner and Scholar was a mistake (as an example)

[Savagelf]

i for one would love see bst and well blue mage who wield dueling scimitars they can make fun of drizzt with the starting quest like i get scimatars where my magic panthers

i can get why summoner and scholar was a mistake because it one single jobs.

there are ways to doing the armory system correctly

[Bourne_Endeavor]

If I recall, the devs have outright said they will not add anymore classes due to the complications in doing so and the belief it's generally the more uneventful portion of content.

The issue with a condensing all the fetch quests comes with them now having to rewrite each section they do this with otherwise new players with end up with juxtaposition storyline. Originally, I wanted this approach myself, but I can certainly see the problems implementing it. Much as I don't love a love potion, it'll be far easier and cheaper for SE.

[Terin]

Well, consider this: what if they had made the new Jobs playable from level 1, and if chosen, you started out in Ishgard, as part of a caravan entering the city? The entire starter experience could have introduced you to Ishgard, but the quests could have taken place in the slums, or even the sewers. At level 15, you're accused of a crime, but are rescued by a nobleman who tells you to seek out the Scions of the Seventh Dawn.

It's too late now, but it's just one route they could have taken.

Another is to simply add new trainers to the other cities. I could see any of them working in any of the cities (ie. Dark Knight could start in Gridamia through some connection with Odin, in Limsa for their code of honor, or Ul'dah as rebels against the constraints' corruption). Not sure what new Jobs await us in the next expansion, but they could also just add a new City-State there (Ala Mhigo?), and shoehorn all the post-2.0 jobs there.

[Whocareswhatmynameis]

i agree. Making the lvl 1-60 experience better is one thing, but skipping players to the start of the next expansion each time is a disaster. If they implement this in 4.0 before they patch in 4.1-4.5, new players will be skipping roughly 85-90% of the game and only playing the last 10%.

[Kaurie]

I don't think level boosts are that bad, but personally, I'd just rather them revamp the leveling system to be more enjoyable. After you quest one job, it's very grindy to level all secondaries. Some ideas could include:

- allow replay ability of quests on alternate jobs
- make fates more dynamic, add in voice acting, make the result of the fates have lasting impacts. Make fates less of a grind, and more of a mission

[HappyHubris]

As someone who dropped FFXIV at a low level in 2014 and recently returned, I can attest to the leveling experience being frustrating for new players. I live for dungeons in MMOs, and the massive amount of Main Story quests is very daunting. With so many interesting ways to level - FATEs, Dungeons, Class Quests, Hunting Log, etc. - it is quite easy to outlevel the MS quest line and have to "catch up" your options to your level. It feels like SE decided that characters should be able to hit level cap primarily through the MSQL and padded it appropriately. This is exacerbated by the dearth of satisfying buttons at lower levels, with classes taking 30-40 levels to hit their stride. Suggestions: