Companies - You're Locked in for Life!

[indira]

its a story thing you pick a army and be loyal to it, it not about YOU getting your way just because your greedy and want every single piece of equipment.

[Vahzl]

I know the word FFXI is a taboo here, but as the developers have mentioned multiple times, they want to work in that games direction, as lets face it, it was freakin awesome.

I doubt there is a single person playing XIV that hasn't invested considerable time into Vana'diel's incredible storylines, gameplay, events, NM's, HNM's, Assault, Beseiged, Salvage, Dynamis and all the other wonderful bits that made up one fantabulous game.

In the same respect, you would ally to a nation in that game, and be locked to that nations storyline until you completed it. Understand that CHANGING NATIONS WAS NOT POSSIBLE UNTIL A VERY LONG TIME AFTER THE GAME WAS RELEASED and iirc it was mentioned often that they didn't want people to use the nations as a flavor of the month system, instead wanting people to work for and protect their chosen home town.

With that said, I would imagine once we see the end of the grand company story ark (which as im sure everyone has noticed, is a simple copy of the Rank Missions from XI), we will then get the option to start again with a new nation. I for one LOVED the fact that you couldn't get everything from each nation just by flitting about like a caffeine injected chipmunk, and instead, if you wanted everything, you had to damn well work for it. Nation starter rings were great, loved the Signet system, the little signet staves you could get were a nice touch allowing you to give Signet to your allies, and champion your home towns cause by displaying their banner on your back, and the various pieces of equipment that gave you boosts if you were in a zone that was currently controlled by your city.

All of these things encouraged people to work for their home town, it gave a true sense of community, and also offered a nice little avenue into unintentional RP. Countless times on Ventrilo we would have mock arguments about how Windurst would one day divide and conquer, if those Dhalmel necked weirdo's would just relinquish their hold on the Dunes. All this stuff added a very rich depth to the game, and I for one LOVED going out to try to claim a zone that our home town hadn't held onto in years.

To this day, original Seraphians still speak of the week Windurst claimed Ronfaure for great justice, with the help of the biggest JP, NA and EU LS's on the realm. These are memories that come out of adversity, and we shouldn't get too much freedom in these games, as this leads to what happens in WoW, a community that is devoid of the community spirit, and an every man for himself attitude.

I for one like that you cannot flit between factions, and think it can only lead to a more immersive environment for all, but there will always be the achievement horny, call of duty raging, angry little children who want everything yesterday, and in copious amounts, because they played Rift for 10 minutes and now every game should at least be as boring.

[Spellbinder]

I doubt there is a single person playing XIV that hasn't invested considerable time into Vana'diel's incredible storylines, gameplay, events, NM's, HNM's, Assault, Beseiged, Salvage, Dynamis and all the other wonderful bits that made up one fantabulous game.

My friends who play XIV would have to disagree.

[Vahzl]

My friends who play XIV would have to disagree.

If that's all you could find fault with in my post, then I think I remain happy with the points raised.

[YUGON]

In FFXI, at the start you weren't able to change your nation, If I remember right, and there was a reason for that (or not), but it was that way, and ppl complained (or not).

With time, we got the option to change nation, and some ppl were happy, and some others not.

Is the same here. Why you want to be abvle to change Companies?? To get aaaaaall the items? BEcause the Lore, it will be more or less the same.
Just get the Company that suits you more, and enjoy that one, and MAYBE, with time, you may be able to experience the other 2, but If not, do not regret the one you joined.

[Blarp]

How is it a flaw? Seriously? The way the game's atmosphere is going it makes perfect sense -- it's also almost militaristic in nature. (City-States is a dead give away.)

Because storyline and lore should dictate player choice? Within reason, gameplay should be a reflection of lore and story, but I don't think restricting player choice should be a part of that. Seems like an antiquated idea to me.

[Altera]

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.

I read up all I could on the 3 GCs, so by the time it was desicion making time, I already have made up my mind of choosing Twin Adders. If people dont take a step back and think about their actions, then thats their own fault. I know its only a GAME, but its nice with situations where you have to make a decision and stick with it. If you ended up making a bad choice, then you have the experience of not doing things too hasty next time.

Several of my friends still think about what GC they want to pick, considering the pros and cons by choosing 1 over the other.

[Vahzl]

Because storyline and lore should dictate player choice? Within reason, gameplay should be a reflection of lore and story, but I don't think restricting player choice should be a part of that. Seems like an antiquated idea to me.

Storyline and Lore should very much dictate player choice and freedom, or you end up like WoW, the lore is there, but no one gives a toss about it because that big black dragon we just killed, Deatharms or Wingballs or something just dropped my ilevel 981 axe, something of the random item name. Yeah I don't know the names, or even how I got this numbered item, but it's freakin epic! Look at the numbers that pop out my head in PvP now!

Random Player: Wow, nice gear, where did you get all that stuff?
Veteran WoW Player: I hit a button while standing in this city, entered into a place full of big things, and killed them super fast. Now I have items. Don't know what they are called, but who cares cause im like hovering and stuff!

[Tempestmoon]

the Whole "i bought it so I deserve it" is irrelevant because you bought the game before the companies were even mentioned to the public, so you are getting extra content after the purchase,


Quit with the bitching get back in the kitchen

Happy thanksgiving any of you Canadians out there!

[Blarp]

Storyline and Lore should very much dictate player choice and freedom, or you end up like WoW, the lore is there, but no one gives a toss about it because that big black dragon we just killed, Deatharms or Wingballs or something just dropped my ilevel 981 axe, something of the random item name. Yeah I don't know the names, or even how I got this numbered item, but it's freakin epic! Look at the numbers that pop out my head in PvP now!

Random Player: Wow, nice gear, where did you get all that stuff?
Veteran WoW Player: I hit a button while standing in this city, entered into a place full of big things, and killed them super fast. Now I have items. Don't know what they are called, but who cares cause im like hovering and stuff!

I suppose it's personal preference, but I will take freedom of choice and gameplay over lore and storyline any day. If I want a good story I'll read a book. When I sit down to play a game, reading huge walls of text and watching a non-interactive cutscene isn't something that interests me.