FFXI community/FFXIV transition my minor testiment (long post)

[Alysanne]

That article hit way too close to home.

[Blackcanary]

I'm new to MMO's. I remember seeing FF XI at E3 before it released and being so excited. Then I got married, graduated college, and started having to earn some real money so that my wife could finish school. I didn't have time for FF XI much less FF IX and FF X.

So when I started in with FF XIV I was so excited to finally play and get "online". I've found that my expectations have not been met. I have been playing a solo game that has brief periods of interactive play. I rarely get a hello (even from my Free Company), mentors totally ignore my mistakes and don't offer assistance as to how I can get better, I feel like I'm all alone even in the midst of a handful of people standing around the Palace of the Dead entrance. Maybe I'm to blame - I'm willing to work on my side too. I always say make yourself the perfect companion instead of looking for the perfect companion, and I'm trying to do that.

Maybe it isn't the game causing the issue, maybe it is just the new type of people who play these games because from what I have heard FF XI had this close community I was hoping to find. I guess I am 10+ years too late.

The real problem with FFXIV is that there is no sense of community from being out side ur own Free Company. Even then sometimes that can be lacking.

[Blackcanary]

See this is one thing that I enjoyed about FFXI. The story I had to struggle to obtain. I realize this is not for everyone but it felt good, at least for me, to have to spend time in hell to be rewarded with the next chapter or cutscene. I love FFXIV's cutscenes but honestly I watched so many I don't recall them as I do FFXIs...despite it being years later. My gf just started a new account on FFXIV and hell if I can remember half of it. When it comes to FFXI and FFXIV in terms of lore, I would say FFXI had this game beat by a wide margin

The problem is that camping in the world not only brought life to it but it made feel like we really was living in that world. We all had to work together. The was a real buz in the world a community. Funny thing he mentions whacking the same monsters that you do that in FFXIV as well.

[Bourne_Endeavor]

See this is one thing that I enjoyed about FFXI. The story I had to struggle to obtain. I realize this is not for everyone but it felt good, at least for me, to have to spend time in hell to be rewarded with the next chapter or cutscene. I love FFXIV's cutscenes but honestly I watched so many I don't recall them as I do FFXIs...despite it being years later. My gf just started a new account on FFXIV and hell if I can remember half of it. When it comes to FFXI and FFXIV in terms of lore, I would say FFXI had this game beat by a wide margin

This was actually brought up recently in MrHappy's Monday Q&A video. He has openly expressed his preference for their to only be one mode again because having to farm normal first meant raiders saw almost every aspect of the fight and thus it didn't feel as engaging. He apparently was inundated with people claiming how much they preferred two difficulties modes due to them having no interest in Savage. They only wanted to see the story unfold. Bear in mind, MrHappy is arguably the most well known content creator for all things related to FFXIV on both Youtube and Twitch. I wager you would see far more vocal complaints if they went back than keeping things as they are now. A better comparison would be remove gear entirely from normal or make it just glamour pieces, tomes and maybe a mount to keep people running it. Let those who want the harder version to go straight into it and those wanting story to have their fight.

[Cakekizyy]

snipl

Remove gear from Savage and see how many ppl do it just for the challenge.

[DPZ2]

I am fairly certain that the majority of people who play in MMORPGs remember their first MMO with fondness.

That does not mean that every MMO will be a repeat of that MMO experience. It can't be a repeat -- what was once new is now become common. This is true whether you've been playing online games for over 30 years or just started yesterday.

You are most welcome to share those memories. Realize, however, that only you can generate the level of community that you so fondly remember from that Other MMO. For those desiring a group of ready-made friendly adventurers, go out and start that group and encourage others to join in. Do not bewail the perceived lack of community - do something about it.

[Triketra]

Maybe it isn't the game causing the issue, maybe it is just the new type of people who play these games because from what I have heard FF XI had this close community I was hoping to find. I guess I am 10+ years too late.

It's not you m8 it's most likely just a more END Game oriented server that your on, Fairie is nothing like that.

If your ever on Faerie check us Pekoes out, Happy to help anytime and we are a chatty bunch. Most people are on Faerie anyway. Maybe try changing your server, Never a problem getting a bit of help on ours, and we all tend to help new people when we notice they need it ^_^

And if you do Come over I'd be happy to guide you through Eorzea when needed ^_^

[Tolmos]

I believe that your story shines a light on why this game is so different, in many of the ways you do not like.

I started Final Fantasy XI when it released. I purchased the collectors edition, a beautiful box that I still keep in a small drawer next to me, because I knew that that game would be right up my alley. I grew up on the Final Fantasy series, owned every one of the games that came before it, and was not about to let that one pass me by. No, that game was certainly for me.

My starting experience was much like yours...

Not knowing that worms could cast spells (go figure), I found myself face down in the dust and back at the starting point...not really knowing what had happened. Eventually I gathered up my level 1 blm and ventured out again into the wilds to happily die again and again and again... feeling slightly discouraged, I was about to "home point" again...

In fact, I feel like I could have written the above part myself. This new player learning experience, that we all go through.

The deviation, however, happened here...

... when I saw a message that someone was raising me... "Wait what?"... A red mage, decked out in relic gear, red pinioned feathered hat, looking like a classic rapier welding gentleman, stood over me, as heavenly light embraced me and raised me from the cold clutches of K.O... I stood in awe. Kneeling (emote) to the RDM, he invited me to my very first link shell, from which players were talking... talking and talking... guiding and partying and... it was overwhelming the conversations taking place in this "channel". I introduced myself and the "hi"s... "welcome's"... "nice to meet you"s... were numerous. The invites soon followed and I was snatched up in beginning parties with others who knew where to go...what to do... how to do it... all by word of mouth... no online guides to direct... and it was glorious.

This part is where our stories diverge. You see, this never happened for me. No white knight (or Red Mage, as the story may go) ever came to my rescue. In fact, no one came to me at all. I would say hello... ask if people wanted to party. And yet, for all of my attempts, everyone already seemed to have people in mind and no room for a noob like myself. So I rezzed again, and again, and again. I managed to die/rez, in my noobish frustration, all the way to level 11 before finally giving up. I was playing a game meant for others all by myself, and nothing I could do would change that.

Now, is that the end of the world? Well, in THIS game, Final Fantasy XIV, it is not. You see, in this game I was able to continue with an enjoyable progression through several more levels that I ever got in XI, until I DID meet people and begin to have a group to play with. I was able to form the in-game social circle that helped me through to max level and beyond.

But in Final Fantasy XI, I was trapped in the low level area, not quite skilled or patient enough to tackle this group based game all by myself. Perhaps, in 5 or 10 more levels, I would have met people as I did in this game. But I never made it to that point. I eventually turned the game off, and didn't look back.

In the end, I experienced within this game much of the same joys you did in XIV, just not at the level you did. But even if I had not, I would have been able to play all the way to max level, and even do dungeons and see content, unhindered by actions of the players around me. I could play the game, and that's a very important thing.

[Jynx]

I'd rather them stop taking the multiplayer aspects out of MMO'S.

[Lan_Mantear]

You're pushing all my nostalgic buttons!