Naoki Yoshida interview @Gamescom

[Bourne_Endeavor]

It is obvious the direction has taken the game from last year to start to analyze numbers now when we are seeing the results in benefit of casual/RP.

So tell me why every month i have to see new optional items instead of a new raid preview?

Since January 2016, additions to Mogstation are as followed:

Fat Moogle mount: $29.99
Bennu mount: $24.00
Southern Seas outfits: $3.00 each
Engineer's/Cid Attire: $15.00
Lamps: $5.00
Miniatures: $15.00
FFXIII gear: $15.00 (Weapons $5.00)
Heavensward Scion outfits: $15.00

As far as I am aware, only the Fat Moogle mount has been exclusive to Mogstation. The rest are either palette swaps, cosplay gear or old event items. Since I'm not certain about the Miniatures (Bahamut in particular), this amounts to possibly three exclusive items in the span of nine months at best; one otherwise. For a purported new direction, Square isn't doing a good job of it.

And for some interesting factoids. JP is often talked up here, especially in regards to who the developers supposedly listen to. A few months back someone translated a wanted list from their forum section. You know what was on that list? Unique Mogstation items they would be interested in purchasing because palette swaps are boring.

[MilesSaintboroguh]

It is obvious the direction has taken the game from last year to start to analyze numbers now when we are seeing the results in benefit of casual/RP.

So tell me why every month i have to see new optional items instead of a new raid preview?

A raid preview every month? I know the devs work fast, but not THAT fast to show raid stuff every month.

[Welsper59]

Since January 2016, additions to Mogstation are as followed:

Fat Moogle mount: $29.99
Bennu mount: $24.00
Southern Seas outfits: $3.00 each
Engineer's/Cid Attire: $15.00
Lamps: $5.00
Miniatures: $15.00
FFXIII gear: $15.00 (Weapons $5.00)
Heavensward Scion outfits: $15.00

As far as I am aware, only the Fat Moogle mount has been exclusive to Mogstation. The rest are either palette swaps, cosplay gear or old event items. Since I'm not certain about the Miniatures (Bahamut in particular), this amounts to possibly three exclusive items in the span of nine months at best; one otherwise. For a purported new direction, Square isn't doing a good job of it.

And for some interesting factoids. JP is often talked up here, especially in regards to who the developers supposedly listen to. A few months back someone translated a wanted list from their forum section. You know what was on that list? Unique Mogstation items they would be interested in purchasing because palette swaps are boring.

I kinda like looking at those prices from time to time. Not because of it being reasonable, in fact I think that **** is outrageous, but because it reminds me of how easy it is for us the consumers to spend money on microtransactions that REALLY do not hold much value for such high cost. I could take that $15 and spend it on something that makes my real life easier. I get that value is always subjective, but holy crap can $30 go far to make someones time all the more easier/better/livable. This is also me reflecting on my own excessive microtransaction expenses in other games... like with FFRK...

Regarding the pro-microtransactions though for unique appeal, I mean that's just how the east and west differ. We're talking about a generation that prides themselves on looks more than actual practicality. Obviously that's a very general statement, but it holds up rather well just by going outside in places like Tokyo.

[Myleus]

And for some interesting factoids. JP is often talked up here, especially in regards to who the developers supposedly listen to. A few months back someone translated a wanted list from their forum section. You know what was on that list? Unique Mogstation items they would be interested in purchasing because palette swaps are boring.

Finish well,pls, that's if you want them asap but veteran players deserves exclusives items further in time available in the rank veteran. Both sides , not one . This is not a pre-order to obtain exclusives bonuses that u won't have in a future.That's why they dont listen west community.

[Velhart]

The cash shop is just fine. It is money in SE's pockets to make content and people who actually find value in it are happy. There is nothing in there that gives you an advantage in the game unless glamour is your end game. It requires no effort on the development team side and they make a ton of money from it. One of the better ideas they took from WoW.

[Alexander_Dragonfang]

The cash shop is just fine. It is money in SE's pockets to make content and people who actually find value in it are happy.

No.
They money made by the Cash Shop is probably not going into this game development nor any SE title development for that matter.

Yoshida is the only one who could call more than half his player base "baddies" (which aint a lie btw, i lol'd at it) and still get away with it, he straight out evaded the question regarding the predictive nature of patching by basically threating us of "oh, but you would love it if we stopped updating" (WTH) and got away with it. Seriously, smokes are high, the whole "savior of XIV", "sucessful reboot" went to his head.

But again, there is people here who would defend him even if he were to wipe the progress of all accounts, people would come to this forum and say "hey, is a chance for all of us to start again!" or something like that.

[Welsper59]

No.
They money made by the Cash Shop is probably not going into this game development nor any SE title development for that matter.

Yoshida is the only one who could call more than half his player base "baddies" (which aint a lie btw, i lol'd at it) and still get away with it, he straight out evaded the question regarding the predictive nature of patching by basically threating us of "oh, but you would love it if we stopped updating" (WTH) and got away with it. Seriously, smokes are high, the whole "savior of XIV", "sucessful reboot" went to his head.

But again, there is people here who would defend him even if he were to wipe the progress of all accounts, people would come to this forum and say "hey, is a chance for all of us to start again!" or something like that.

Well he is kind of basing it on our inevitable reactions and some folks' short term wants, which just like this games content, is entirely predictable lol. Can't fault the man for logically using the tools he has to keep the game how he wants it, for better or worse.

[Bourne_Endeavor]

I kinda like looking at those prices from time to time. Not because of it being reasonable, in fact I think that **** is outrageous, but because it reminds me of how easy it is for us the consumers to spend money on microtransactions that REALLY do not hold much value for such high cost. I could take that $15 and spend it on something that makes my real life easier. I get that value is always subjective, but holy crap can $30 go far to make someones time all the more easier/better/livable. This is also me reflecting on my own excessive microtransaction expenses in other games... like with FFRK...

Regarding the pro-microtransactions though for unique appeal, I mean that's just how the east and west differ. We're talking about a generation that prides themselves on looks more than actual practicality. Obviously that's a very general statement, but it holds up rather well just by going outside in places like Tokyo.

As you said, value is subjective. How often do people 'waste' money on supposedly frivolous things or simply go out partying? You can't really compare these types of things to something like tupperware, lest you never splurge on anything you want because it doesn't make life easier. Way I look at stuff like this. If I want it and have the spare cash to spend, I'll treat myself as it makes me happy.

Finish well,pls, that's if you want them asap but veteran players deserves exclusives items further in time available in the rank veteran. Both sides , not one . This is not a pre-order to obtain exclusives bonuses that u won't have in a future.That's why they dont listen west community.

... what? What does veteran rewards have to do with the Mogstation?

No.
They money made by the Cash Shop is probably not going into this game development nor any SE title development for that matter.

Yoshida is the only one who could call more than half his player base "baddies" (which aint a lie btw, i lol'd at it) and still get away with it, he straight out evaded the question regarding the predictive nature of patching by basically threating us of "oh, but you would love it if we stopped updating" (WTH) and got away with it. Seriously, smokes are high, the whole "savior of XIV", "sucessful reboot" went to his head.

But again, there is people here who would defend him even if he were to wipe the progress of all accounts, people would come to this forum and say "hey, is a chance for all of us to start again!" or something like that.

Considering the devs expressly stated the cash shop paid for the EU data center, you would be incorrect. Regardless, every dime we spend goes directly to Square Enix. Budgets are divvied up separate from revenue generates. This is not unique to Square but typical business practice. What profits FFXV amasses will be funneled into the development of FFVII: Remake and Kingdom Hearts 3 and so forth. Frankly, I couldn't care less what they do with my money, provided FFXIV is still delivering content I enjoy. The moment that stops happening is when I move on to something else.

And that last paragraph is just a strawman. You're speaking in absolutes without a means to base those assumptions on.

[Myleus]

Sometimes i see white knights....

Out of jokes, there is no assumptions in the interview that Yoshi-P wants to maintain the real playerbase, the dedicated raiders. Vanity,diadem,PotD,Gold saucer minigames,etc are their priority.

Tanaka with FFXI made a more focused game with a deep system and still the game lives today. The life of FFXIV won't be the same in this way. The raiders will only come back 1 month after every expansion and the story repeats itself.
Why they only put effort when the things goes bad like before ARR? Now with more money they become more lazies

[Velhart]

No.
They money made by the Cash Shop is probably not going into this game development nor any SE title development for that matter.

Yoshida is the only one who could call more than half his player base "baddies" (which aint a lie btw, i lol'd at it) and still get away with it, he straight out evaded the question regarding the predictive nature of patching by basically threating us of "oh, but you would love it if we stopped updating" (WTH) and got away with it. Seriously, smokes are high, the whole "savior of XIV", "sucessful reboot" went to his head.

But again, there is people here who would defend him even if he were to wipe the progress of all accounts, people would come to this forum and say "hey, is a chance for all of us to start again!" or something like that.

Pretty sure they said one time the cash shop went towards further development on the software and hardware side. Namely one contributor to the EU Data Center unless I am wrong on that.

I mean, he isn't wrong. A large portion of the player base have a pretty low skill level. More of the issue is that SE attempts little to nothing to motivate players to get better because almost all the content does not require you to get better. Even worse he breeds and caters to them by making difficulty of relic a complete joke. The only casual content I have seen lately that requires you to get off your ass a bit is Weeping City, which is a difficulty direction the team should really look into for other content. I will see what their definition of challenging is once Floor 100-200 of PoTD is released.

I doubt people would defend Yoshi-P on the action, but brand loyalty would keep some people in. Wiping character data to start anew is pretty much MMO suicide, but I know you are exaggerating to make a point. People right now are at least weary of the structure, and it is going to get more aggressive likely as the months go on. We have seen in interviews that people are getting tiresome and starting to call Yoshi-P out on it, and seems like he is having a harder time answering it. At least answering it that makes people understand. I personally think he is a great producer/director, but he seems misguided right now and cares more about getting people into the game more than trying to hold a retention of players. Something like "go play another game" is not something I usually hear from a MMO developer. Not so much that he is wrong, but developers should always be focusing on getting the maximum amount of retention they can get. Of course it is quite difficult to hold people's attention but so long (even WoW struggles with this), but not really the ideal thing you should be saying. If I was him, I would of gone, "I understand your concerns and the team is always trying to find ways for players to feel engaged to the content each time they log on." or some PR crap like that.

I am realistically fine with the pattern we receive content. I care more about quality of standards, something interesting within the pattern, and whenever something new comes up, it holds weight unlike previous content given to us (Diadem). I am a person who cares deeply about quality and principles of design.

Sometimes i see white knights....

Out of jokes, there is no assumptions in the interview that Yoshi-P wants to maintain the real playerbase, the dedicated raiders. Vanity,diadem,PotD,Gold saucer minigames,etc are their priority.

Tanaka with FFXI made a more focused game with a deep system and still the game lives today. The life of FFXIV won't be the same in this way. The raiders will only come back 1 month after every expansion and the story repeats itself.
Why they only put effort when the things goes bad like before ARR? Now with more money they become more lazies

Ehh FFXI was misguided in it's own way, but I will always compliment how well structured the variety of challenges there were. Not saying the game was bad, I loved it from 2003-2010, but the game had its own mix of good and bad. I would like to see some of the good aspects of FFXI and of FFXIV to mix, but that is for another discussion.