Why is Yoshi P turning his back on the playerbase that loves this game the most?

[Aillith]

(Edit for Length)

I enjoy this game as it is. I played FF11 for several years with all the time that an 18yr old nerdy girl has, but was never really able to achieve much. It was very frustrating. I didn't start from day 1, and always felt because of this I was never really able to catch up. Especially as the game required you to rely on the cooperation of others to play and obtains clears to progress the story line, and achieve any of the items that were deemed 'required' to be considered for groups moving forward.
It led to incredible amounts of drama and greed end game. So and so stole X item. Troll this group so we can steal the NM with the rare drop, ect ect.

No thanks.

Now I'm in my 30's and I definitely do not have the time or desire to play a game for years and still be bottom of the pack. I don't want to deal with people's selfishness, greed, or online drama. I almost didn't bother trying FF14 because I didn't want to deal with the end game crap that I remembered from my younger years.

I gave it a go because I'm a gamer at heart and I love the FF series. Thankfully I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't like FF11, which confused me at first, but I have realized that FF14 has not turned it's back on me as a long time fan and gamer. It has grown with me. It has adjusted in a way that means it still fits into my life as a 30yr old as well as it did when I was a time rich 18yr old.

In addition to this, it has allowed easy entry for non-FF fans or MMO-aficionados.

My partner (who isn't an FF fan and was very reluctant to play an MMO due to the time sink) is able to come home from a 12hr work day, or a 2 week long business trip, and can relax and punch some enemies and still be 'relevent' in the game. He isn't penalized because he can't dedicate hours and weeks at a time to this game. He gets to have fun and relax and enjoy the game world for what it is.

This means that I can now share my love of FF with my partner, we can play together when he has the time to play, or I can play on my own without worrying that I will be 'too far ahead of him'. I have found people to be much more willing to help with clears or obtaining items because everyone knows in this game that things do drop, and eventually they will be able to get it if they haven't already.
If this were like a previous incarnation of MMO then this would not be possible.

The most important thing though? We both play for the enjoyment of the game itself. We don't play to collect gear, or grow a character in an imaginary world. This gets us no credibility in the real world. Our bosses don't care if we spent 700 hours grinding out on an NM for a super rare end-game item. FF14 is a game, and the value that is has in our lives is that we can come home, jump into a fantastic world with great lore, and just go punch, burn, shoot, whatever a bunch of monsters. When game time is over and the real world keeps us busy for days or weeks, we know at any point we can jump straight back in where we left off and we have not been left behind. It's not a job. It's not a second life. It's a form of entertainment and relaxation we can come and go as our busy adult lives dictate, and there is no negative consequence in game for that.

So thank you FF for evolving and adapting with your consumer base, and finding a way to work with the lives of older gamers, and not just time-rich teens.

[Velhart]

You need to stop being under this impression that the FFXIV development team owes anything to FFXI/1.0 players at all. For 1.0, no one had to pay subscription till the last few months of the game's life span and all 1.0 users got 2.0 for free, got a discount on their subscription, and got legacy perks. Also because "some", not all mind you who played their previous MMO does not mean they have to make FFXIV in your likeness. That is asinine thinking from a business perspective, unless their intent was only a niche audience. Especially the fact that FFXI is still very much a thing.

To make a successful MMO they need to work out a balance of the casual market, midcore, and hardcore to have a solid game, not cater to a niche past. If anything, SE needs to go play WoW: Legion and get some pointers on how to make fun and more balanced content.

[Reynhart]

And while I understand where you're coming from, projecting on Yoshi doesn't really help your argument.

This is the problem I have with latests interviews.
Yoshi-P said several time that he's okay with us playing other games. This is not normal. He's a producer, he has a product to sell on us. You can't make a publicity campaign saying "Oh, by the way, it's not a big deal if you don't buy our product, you can go buy our competitor's instead"
The other part is that every time someone asked for something different than the current formula, he replied that the formula is good because we would complain if we had less. Of course we'll be pissed if you give us less content...

But would that work in an MMO? I mean it would work for you definitely, otherwise you wouldn't be suggesting it, but still.

I'm sure you can have a lot of different system working in an MMO. FFXI changed its gearing system a lot during its lifespan. WoW did too.

it's very relevant when a big majority of beginner players are still here. Take a look at the data sometime

Please, give me numbers.

[Derio]

I've think no matter what yoshi says that people are going to complain. He was being honest and IMO he is right.

New players are required to keep the game afloat which is why so many new player tools were added.

[Maleficent]

I can empathize with a few camps of players along the spectrum here.

15+ years ago, I wouldn't have considered the current FFXIV formula my cup of tea which was a game that rewarded a player more the greater the commitment and having a more competitive streak I like the feel of being at the head of the pack. I'd absolutely hate the idea that someone could easy 'catch up' to me.

Today, I have limited time to play due to commitments. Catch up mechs are a lifesaver when I get sucked into projects. I can spend less of the additional 'overtime' for the game to patch back lost time. Gear is now a means to experience the game; no longer for my character ego.

On difficulty, I felt that Weeping City of Mhach was at a good level to remain engaging. Hope more content is around that balance.

For the folks who also work and have family and can commit that time to the game such that you don't need catch up mechanics, you have my greatest envy. My commitments take me away from the game sometime for weeks. I always feel relieved I can come back and still play with everyone.

For those who are closer to my 15+ years ago self, I do fully understand why you may hate me and insist "If you can't spend the time, don't play an MMO". But here it is: FFXIV. An MMO that I can play. I'd like to hold on to that tight. Sorry that I will be imposing on you longer. m(_ _)m

[SwdVengeance]

snip

He's not trying saying to not buy their product, just buy it and something else. If anything this is one of the most realistic and grounded comments I've seen from any MMO developer. Not only is he aware of burnout, but also that those who are aware of it before it hits home, curbs it by playing something else, are often the ones that come back re-enthused about the game.

[Reynhart]

Not only is he aware of burnout, but also that those who are aware of it before it hits home, curbs it by playing something else, are often the ones that come back re-enthused about the game.

He's aware of the burnout, of the reason of the burnout...and he says that he won't make anything to change it.
Basically, if you're bored with the tome system, the rapid gear decay and the predictability of content in each patch, you know that it will only be worse and worse.

And people are suprised because some find this reaction...innapropriate ?

[Clover_Blake]

Yoshi-P said several time that he's okay with us playing other games. This is not normal. He's a producer, he has a product to sell on us. You can't make a publicity campaign saying "Oh, by the way, it's not a big deal if you don't buy our product, you can go buy our competitor's instead"

That reveals that he's very down to earth. It's been said before: there isn't a single game in the world that can keep you entertained for every single day of the year, 24/7. First, because it's not possible to make that much content (unless you just give people tons of mindless, boring grind), and second because it's normal to get tired and need a break from time to time. Every developer should know that their game can't be played forever and ever. They should also know that people have lives, and that having lives is good.

The problem is that some players seem to truly expect a single game to keep their attention forever, every day of their lives, and that's an absurd mistake and not the devs' fault. (Neither it's the devs' fault that said players don't seem to know how to have fun with the things we do have).

As for the OP, I join the group of people who aren't pleased about the way you worded things. I love this game, it hasn't turned its back on me; quite the contrary, this game saved me from completely hating online games after my past experiences. Please do not speak for me or for anyone else when you voice your personal tastes and complaints. It's getting really tiring.

[SwdVengeance]

He's aware of the burnout, of the reason of the burnout...and he says that he won't make anything to change it.

Ok, so as I don't misspeak, what exact quote have you been referencing? I don't want to respond by quoting the wrong quote here. I've read the interview as well and no where does he say anything like that. Burnout isn't somehow a unique issue XIV faces, it exist in every MMO, every game. Content creators can literally only create so much content in a given time. Consumption will always outpace creation. I don't exactly know what you would suggest he does to fix it aside from make more content, faster. Otherwise, if you're referencing something that hasn't been addressed, feel free to specify.

[Balipu]

He's aware of the burnout, of the reason of the burnout...and he says that he won't make anything to change it.
Basically, if you're bored with the tome system, the rapid gear decay and the predictability of content in each patch, you know that it will only be worse and worse.

And people are suprised because some find this reaction...innapropriate ?

What's wrong with the predictability of the patch content? At least you know how long you have to wait if you want a new raid or a new Warring Triad Trial. And there's always a little something more. Sure it's not always the size of ninja or the Gold Saucer, but those were exceptions teased long in advance.