Difficulty format for Normal and Savage will remain in 4.0

[Jynx]

Never understood the 'story is the reward' mindset about these endgame raids.

Then why have normal mode if you can just "Watch the cutscenes" the "Story is the Reward" is why all the people unable to even play the original coil are grasping so desperately to the story they get.

It feels cheap to watch the cutscenes on youtube because you didn't earn them.

Coil felt accessible to anyone willing to try and earn the story, Savage Alex is a different beast from standard coil at least in my experience.

"Raiders" always seemed to be one of most toxic elements of the MMO genre.

Let's just take you for your word that "Raiders" are the toxic element of the community. Even then (Which it isn't because people are toxic regardless of skill level) Even if that's the case the so called Toxic community is also the one driving the game forward.

Who buys your crafted gear?
Who buys your farmed materials?
Who buys your consumable items?
Who buys the expensive materia?
Who pushes people to their pinacle in the game?
Who releases the guides you watch on youtube?
Who drives the developers to make sure the game doesn't become cookie clicker 2.0?

The hardcore dedicated long term players are those should drive the game and help guides the communities evolution, even in this baren landscape of XIV devoid of community it's still these types of players who go the extra mile to help others.

Raiders and the like aren't monsters the same way casual players aren't out to ruin the game. Balance in everything, harmony will ensue, but the game is leaning far too heavily towards one crowd and it's making the more dedicated players feel like they have nothing to strive for, no reason to go on.

That's my take on it at least.

No one needs to be a special snowflake, but at the same time this game shouldn't be the equivalent of a participation award where you get rewarded just for showing up.