Companies - You're Locked in for Life!

[Vahzl]

Okay, I just don't get it. Why must we get locked in to a Company. That is the worst thing to do in the history of video games is to make end all, once in a life time, can't go back decisions. Please change this and for the love of all things holy don't slap a Fee onto it. Sometimes this game is so taxing with all it's Fees and we don't need most of them.

Player: Hi I wanna join your faction
Faction: Come on in new guy!
Player: Yay I will remain loyal to this group forever

<100 quests later>

Player: Thanks for the stuff guys, now im going to THAT faction cause I want their sword
Faction: Um, but we just helpe
Player: BYEEEEEE!!!
New Faction: Hey there, come join us!
Player: Yup I am planning to!
New Faction: Come on i.... hang on is that a shield of the other faction?
Player: Yeah shiny isn't it! Now I wan't your sword too!
New Faction: Errrr ok then... but can you promise you won't defer to another faction when you earn it right?
Player: Of course! What do you think I am?! Some kind of muppet?!

<100 quests later>

Player: See ya guys, I am off to get that plate body piece from the other faction!
New Faction: .....

[Oscillate_Wildly]

:U If you're not going to offer a solution to your own hypothetical situation that arises from the OP, then why bother?

Trolling perhaps? How quaint!

[Evangela]

will you betray your own country?

[Rubicon]

Star Wars: The Old Republic forces you to join an Advanced Class with different story lines and no turning back. It's developed post-FFXIV. Anyone's feelings on being locked in to a story line in other games? Is it not the same thing?

[Jennestia]

I don't know, see. Here's the thing. I don't know which GC to join..

You're basically told "explore the options before commitment" when you start your Grand Companies quests. You can make your decision then.

[oldmanlogan]

Okay, I just don't get it. Why must we get locked in to a Company. That is the worst thing to do in the history of video games is to make end all, once in a life time, can't go back decisions. Please change this and for the love of all things holy don't slap a Fee onto it. Sometimes this game is so taxing with all it's Fees and we don't need most of them.

The way I look at it, no one in the Grand Companies is holding a musket to your head to join them and pledge fealty. Each has offer adventurers a "choice" to join them or not. See what we have to offer in regards to basic goods purchased through company seals. When you've heard their masters, lords, religious icons or Daiymos give their orate, you must now ask your self, "do i want to give this alliance my pledge, fealty or "oath" to follow their ways. Anyone who knows this, knows that an oath is "binding" by nature. Look to ancient warrior cultures or even Religion. Why are you taking up this cause then renouncing it for another? Because the other may gain a new material object your current cause does not have? I can understand if the Company suddenly changed what they stood for, then I would agree, the character should then get a storyline to renouce his former company and pledge fealty to another cause that reflects his or her own maxims.

[Gidonoidon_Sur]

Off topic. I am torn on which GC to choose. I was going to pick Grid bc I like that Grid has LNC CRP and BOT guilds. But, the leader's speech was meh and the overcoats are ok. Limsa is cool looking city, has MRD guild (but two that aren't even in game yet),decent gear (although will change), and sweet ass overcoats...good lord their gear looks cool (leader was pretty weak IMO, though). Finally, UL, lame coats, guilds are ok, but the leader is a beast....I have no idea which to choose!

Blah blah. More importantly, give me feedback on my dilemma (above)

[Jennestia]

Blah blah. More importantly, give me feedback on my dilemma (above)

Your dilemma can only be solved by you. I like Gridania's leader but I don't care for region itself therefore I won't commit myself to that Grand Company -- I like Limsa's leader and La N region, thus I commit myself to Maelstrom.

[Teakwood]

I'd be very surprised if they didn't add the option to change factions later on, and it's just not on their plate right now. It's a break from realism, but it's an acceptable break from realism, especially if there's no way to get items from the other GCs. Imagine you change what your main class focus is, and you suddenly want the items from another GC for class-based reasons? Either everyone in this situation is screwed, or the GC items aren't actually useful enough to merit buying.

From an in-character standpoint it doesn't make sense to switch, but FFXI (and most MMOs) engage in acceptable breaks from realism in situations like these; they probably just haven't felt it necessary to work it in yet.

[Jynx]

Blah blah. More importantly, give me feedback on my dilemma (above)

Don't join a company until you see gear you want to join one for? I don't know...maybe Gear shouldn't be the ultimate motivator behind your choices. Hell chances are you can slot a better equip than what the companies off you anyways.