Famitsu Interview - YoshiP 3 Year Anniversary Interview

[StrejdaTom]

Fortunately, you don't have to speak for the other raiders, the abysmal clear rates we've seen on two raid sets in a row now pretty much tell us even those that once considered themselves raiders don't like what's going on, or find it too difficult to overcome.

Let alone the massive majority of other players who've come to find it unappealling enough to attempt. Raiding at that level just isn't fun or feasible for most players - which is bad when you've made it a cornerstone of your game.

Oh, and you think that the difficulty of Alex is the only problem?
Isn't it maybe also caused by the fact, that raiders were used to get their own story, different looking gear, completely new experience of bosses and environment and now they are just getting recycled version of normal content?
Nah, that can't be, they raid for the challenge, not for actually getting a reward.

[Kallera]

Oh, and you think that the difficulty of Alex is the only problem?
Isn't it maybe also caused by the fact, that raiders were used to get their own story, different looking gear, completely new experience of bosses and environment and now they are just getting recycled version of normal content?
Nah, that can't be, they raid for the challenge, not for actually getting a reward.

A shinier reward isn't what is going to save the problems of the raid design, especially since some of it is bleeding into the ex trials, causing players to (again) give up trying to clear them due to the sheer complexity.

After being left with easier content and no hope to play harder content, people start to wonder why they are bothering to put in the effort that they do, knowing that the game punishes them and anyone who parties with them anyway.

[Zojha]

Oh, and you think that the difficulty of Alex is the only problem?

Yes?

Far more people participate in Nidhogg EX than in Savage and that's despite it following the exact same formula - rehashed content. Care to explain it with anything "but" difficulty? I can't, honestly. Even nowadays with the rewards being obsolete I see more NidEx parties in PF than Savage.

If Savage was easier, I can tell you the current rewards would MORE than suffice. Make it as easy as normal mode with the same rewards and everyone and their mother would run it.

[Hyrist]

Oh, and you think that the difficulty of Alex is the only problem?
Isn't it maybe also caused by the fact, that raiders were used to get their own story, different looking gear, completely new experience of bosses and environment and now they are just getting recycled version of normal content?
Nah, that can't be, they raid for the challenge, not for actually getting a reward.

If that was even remotely true, then the abysmal clear rate that we're getting woulden't also reflect the average maximum difficulty clear rate for raids across mmos.

Unique gear, drops, etc. Simply isn't enticing enough for players these days. This isn't a FFXIV issue, this is a systemic problem with raiding. And no, it's not just difficulty that is a problem. Mooted Power Creep, poor progression mechanics focused off of disposable gear, lack of accessibility features for newer players getting into raids, and the change in player dynamic over the last decade have all provided a massive effect on Raiding as a system in general. And the stubborn hold-outs that don't realize that this is 2016 and the same rules that applied in 2006 just don't work as well these days need a serious reality check.

You're a vast minority, across the board, on every major MMO market. Stop pretending otherwise, and stop considering that as something special rather than a problem. You're dieing out, and dragging development time and subscriptions with you. Work to find a middle ground.

[StrejdaTom]

You're a vast minority, across the board, on every major MMO market. Stop pretending otherwise, and stop considering that as something special rather than a problem. You're dieing out, and dragging development time and subscriptions with you. Work to find a middle ground.

Savage uses recycled gear, mechanics, bosses, environment. So lets talk about draggin development.
It doesn't only appeal to a few % who completely clear it but also to many people who do atleast half of it.

Get over yourself, only because you are the majority it doesn't mean that the game has to cater only to you.
Majority does only roulettes. Should they stop adding any other content to game and just add dungeons in every patch lol?
EDIT: If they scrapped extreme primals, crafting, gathering, gold saucer, deep dungeon, diadem, aquapolis, treasure hunts, Pvp they could be adding 10 dungeons a patch, majority would love that. We would see for how long. ))