I guess it's time

[RobbieH]

Even hypothetically if FFXIV is at 500k subs, that is still really healthy for a game like this. Who honestly expects WoW numbers today? It was a right place at the right time scenario. Where is this "Has to be over a million to be considered not doomed." mentality?

500k is an ok number, nothing special about it.

But if you compare to 2.0, let's say 2.0 had 900k

It's an huge loss, and that's why i keep saying FFXIV has low numbers, it used to have a lot more

I don't know, maybe it's time the devs see what they're doing wrong?

We should look to improve, not remain the same "because of profitable numbers" and the actual numbers keep dropping.

I'm afraid they'll only look into changes when the player base dropped considerably, and the game doesn't have anything worth going back to if you quit, becuse the reasons that made you quit are still there, same formula, same everything.

[HeavenlyArmed]

500k is an ok number, nothing special about it.

But if you compare to 2.0, let's say 2.0 had 900k

It's an huge loss, and that's why i keep saying FFXIV has low numbers, it used to have a lot more

"But if you compare to 2.0, let's say it had this number. No one has ever sourced this number, and there's no way the number is actually correct, but let's say it had this number. This number is way bigger than the number that's sort of sourced, so the game is objectively losing a lot of players."

[Caitlyn]

The question is: Do you really want to play the same (old) game over and over again for the next 10 years? Answer: No one will.

If you want to keep FFXIV successfull, you have to change it. Some things could be radical, but the game must go forward. Keep it fresh, exciting and fun.

Here's a question: if you were given the choice to change only ONE thing about FFXIV, no matter how radical the change would be, what would you decide to alter?

Hard decision. There are alot of things I would like to change, but those things arent radical enough (like deeper character costumization or no more normal mode raids). Maybe a rework of the current class/combat system:

No fixed classes or jobs.
More like having your weapon, your gear and a fixed amount of skills. You can obtain your skills by learning/buying them. You can also upgrade them by spending points (like PvP). You have the freedom to choose your own personal Limit Break. And you can also choose between traditional tab targeting and a new aim targeting system. You can keep your old job or start creating a new one...

Example: Guardian
- Lance, Shield, Plate-Armour
- Tank- and Heal-Skills
- DPS-LB1 and -LB2, Healer-LB3
- Tab-Targeting System

[SpiritMuse]

The question is: Do you really want to play the same (old) game over and over again for the next 10 years? Answer: No one will.

If it's a good game that I like, sure. I've just started yet another playthrough of the Mass Effect trilogy, games I've owned for a long time and have played many times. I'm still not sick of them.

So basically what I'm saying is your "answer" is wrong.

[Cakekizyy]

If it's a good game that I like, sure. I've just started yet another playthrough of the Mass Effect trilogy, games I've owned for a long time and have played many times. I'm still not sick of them.

So basically what I'm saying is your "answer" is wrong.

Agree here. Currently playingvSkyrim.

[MagiusNecros]

The question is: Do you really want to play the same (old) game over and over again for the next 10 years? Answer: No one will.

Pokemon and Monster Hunter. Pokemon is Pokemon and I'll probably play every mainline entry like a bum.

Having a blast with MHX/Generations atm though. Adding slight changes to offer dynamic new playstyles within the weapon classes brings in new depth to the combat system.

Meanwhile in XIV...sleep emotes...look forward to it.

I mean I'm still gonna give Derp Dungeons a go but I'll be honest Monster Hunter is like a separate MMO of it's own.(And has it's own too in Japan onry) And is actually fun. All the time. And I don't have to bitch on a forum and say "shit sux" because it is fine as is.

I've said it before but if they fail spectacularly when 4.0 releases I'll just have to accept I'm not their target audience because bumrushing the story and seeing little content worth doing and just afking at FC house is not how I want to be spending my 15 banana's a month.

[Velhart]

500k is an ok number, nothing special about it.

But if you compare to 2.0, let's say 2.0 had 900k

It's an huge loss, and that's why i keep saying FFXIV has low numbers, it used to have a lot more

I don't know, maybe it's time the devs see what they're doing wrong?

We should look to improve, not remain the same "because of profitable numbers" and the actual numbers keep dropping.

I'm afraid they'll only look into changes when the player base dropped considerably, and the game doesn't have anything worth going back to if you quit, becuse the reasons that made you quit are still there, same formula, same everything.

MMO's never retain their numbers from launch. If say FFXIV had 900k and now 500k, that is actually completely normal. They usually lose a lot before even the halfway point to the new expansion. You really need to take the time and look at how MMO's work on both a community perspective and a developer's perspective. I won't pretend to know the in's and out's, but you shouldn't pretend that you do. You look at the outside and assume something bad is happening. You have no real data to show this besides speculators and people who say the game is doomed without anything to back it up besides some player theories.

Stop worrying about numbers, just offer suggestions that will help make the game better. Let them worry about numbers. Also, don't use numbers to try to present an argument. If your ideas and suggestions are that good, you won't need it to prove your point.

Even if we were in a hypothetical situation where the game wasn't being profitable due to low player count, I have my doubts they would completely revamp the game again to meet the needs of FFXI players.

[Cakekizyy]

500k is an ok number, nothing special about it.

But if you compare to 2.0, let's say 2.0 had 900k

It's an huge loss, and that's why i keep saying FFXIV has low numbers, it used to have a lot more

I don't know, maybe it's time the devs see what they're doing wrong?

We should look to improve, not remain the same "because of profitable numbers" and the actual numbers keep dropping.

I'm afraid they'll only look into changes when the player base dropped considerably, and the game doesn't have anything worth going back to if you quit, becuse the reasons that made you quit are still there, same formula, same everything.

Then they lose people that like how game is. Changing game to chase a group of players at expense of core base sounds like a bad idea to me.

[RobbieH]

Then they lose people that like how game is. Changing game to chase a group of players at expense of core base sounds like a bad idea to me.

How is it adding more end-game raids and remove weekly tome limit at the expense of anyone?

[Velhart]

How is it adding more end-game raids and remove weekly tome limit at the expense of anyone?

More raids means more development time/resources. Which means more infrequent updates. Weekly lockouts so people are not getting the better stuff immediately and not burning themselves out.

So it is either have more raids with longer waiting periods and increased price of tomestone gear to compensate the unlock, or can do the way it is now.