I guess it's time

[KitingGenbu]

People ALREADY get discouraged by the 1000000 story quests that's why they're considering level potions & 4.0 will be accessible w/o 3.0.

You're absolutely right. There's no way they could've reviewed the figures of the Chinese market that has already been selling them and utilizing that as a way to earn extra cash just like WoW is doing. That would be unthinkable.

[Velhart]

You're absolutely right. There's no way they could've reviewed the figures of the Chinese market that has already been selling them and utilizing that as a way to earn extra cash just like WoW is doing. That would be unthinkable.

How China's system works and NA/EU/JP's work are completely different. Entertainment and how entertainment is paid for is pretty much ruled and approved by their government. Items like that are around because that is what their government approves. SE has to follow strict guidelines to legally keep the game up over there.

Basically, you can't compare the situation in China with us.

What I am getting at is...think about it.

The whole reason gear is outdated so fast & tomestones become uncapped is so people don't get discouraged/overwhelmed & can play with their bffs right out the gate at 60 instead of being forced to work to get appropriate gear for 10 months then finally be able to do something. People ALREADY get discouraged by the 1000000 story quests that's why they're considering level potions & 4.0 will be accessible w/o 3.0. If there were quests & gearing up people would surely complain.

Imo why even play a game if you just want to skip all the scenes & get the strongest gear right from the get go....sounds pointless as the whole point of video games is rewards(or story).

Pretty much. Horizontal promotes this exact kind of play style and can easily turn newer players away. Even in FFXI you had to put a ton of work into being considered viable end game. I attempted to get my friends to play with me, and while they loved the world/story, it was too much on the MMO end to catch up. This will become a problem for FFXIV in the future also in their own way with expansions, which I can't say would be the best approach for that, but it certainly isn't putting an even worse system in regards to that particular problem.

[KitingGenbu]

Basically, you can't compare the situation in China with us.

Seeing as they are trying to bring that China system to the western market, I'd beg to differ with your point. However, if there little leveling potions stayed in the Chinese market, you would be absolutely right.