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

[Ibi]

Horizontal progression is still very possible whether the level cap raises or not. XI was once level 50 then gradually raised to 75 where it stayed a long time.

I think the example in your second sentence contradicts what you said in the first sentence.

While the level cap was increasing from 50 to 75 (which happened five levels at a time over the course of 21 months) there really wasn't any horizontal progression occurring. Each cap increase made the majority of existing gear (excluding some special cases like AF or NM drops) obsolete.

It wasn't until the cap stopped increasing at 75 (where it stayed for six and a half years) that the game had (significant) horizontal progression. Similarly, the horizontal progression aspect mostly disappeared once the level cap started increasing from 75 to 99.

Iromi: god forbid you bring any of that infront of Velhart because SE doesnt owe us anything especially not for going against what 1.0 players wanted.

Are you even capable of forming a sentence any more that isn't hyperbole?

[Claymore65]

Out of curiosity, I watched the final battle of 1.23b (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EHb-aUk0Hc). Having watched that...I honestly can't find the combat system significantly more satisfying, interesting to watch, or fun to play than the system we have in 2.0. The vast majority of the battle is spent...standing around. Occasionally using a skill. I cannot honestly figure out how it has more appeal than the current system we have. New players already complain about how "slow" the combat can be at times, and don't see how making it significantly slower is going to appeal to more gamers. While I agree that FFXIV could use some improvements in a variety of respects (character build variation, itemization adjustments, etc) I absolutely don't think moving back to 1.23b's combat would make the game more fun to play. The mechanically focused bosses have, at least for me, proved far more fun.

To be fair, I totally understand having a different preference for gameplay. Some people will prefer slower, steadier combat systems while others will prefer faster-paced action combat. I just feel like today's generation of gamers has a higher preference toward the latter. In fact, if there were extreme revisions to the combat system of FFXIV, I'd see it move closer to an action-rpg than what v1.0 had. Frankly, an MMO has to tread the (incredibly difficult) balance between the desires of the designers and the preferences of the public. Considering the drastic difference in player count between FFXIV 1.0 and ARR, I feel like, for the majority of players, FFXIV is closer to what most people were looking for. Sadly, for those who preferred FFXIV 1.0's combat (and to a similar degree FFXI), the change is certainly going to seem like a bad one. But for most, the game is probably better off.

[Sandpark]

Abyssea was the point where the shift started. The cap went from 75 to 99, but not all gear was made completely irrelevant.

Of course it didn't stay horizontal or pretend to post Abyssea. They introduced actual ilevels.

[SessionZero]

All the people pining for FFXI do realize it's still running, right?

[Maleficent]

To Malificent: There are so many players on Ragnarok where my main is aswell as on Hyperion where my irl friend plays that have daily jobs and families but still find time to grind in FFXIV. I don't think that is a valid arguement if you want to have something as your hobby honestly.

Yes, and I have a deep respect and envy for those who do. I agree that we should pick hobbies that best suit us.

I like and play FFXIV because it allows me to catch up if I lag behind due to other commitments. The same rationale why I don't play a game or pick a hobby that doesn't.

If the game does shift to something that I cannot participate in comfortably, I will obviously then have to pick another hobby.

To give an analogy: I like a small car - the car loans are what I can afford, it does the job and suits my lifestyle. I explain why I like it. Someone tells me that their distant aunt twice removed living north of Disneyland with a sickly spouse, 2 aging parents, 20 kids and a hamster can afford to buy a Ferrari. And that they know that are whole continents of folk like said aunt who also can buy Ferraris. And that they don't think it's a valid argument if I want to have something as my car. Honestly.

To that person I would say: I respect your aunt and others like her who can afford Ferraris. I picked a car that I liked because it's suits me. I'm sorry that it's not a Ferrari. But again, that's why I picked it.

[Ibi]

All the people pining for FFXI do realize it's still running, right?

To preface what I'm about to say with some context, I originally played from 2004-2008 and loved it. I also went back with some friends during the gap between 2.55-3.0, and had an active sub for about a year before deciding I'd seen all I wanted to for now and cancelling again. In my opinion, there's a lot of things about FFXI that could be adapted very well to provide interesting content in FFXIV, but also a ton of things about FFXI that deserve to stay firmly in the past (which, for me, includes a lot of the cons of horizontal progression systems).

With that said: FFXI as it exists now is a significantly different game from FFXI as it existed in its prime. The fact that FFXI is still online does not mean that it's possible for someone to play the game they enjoyed and remember. Suggesting that they can is being either disingenuous or oblivious.

[Talraen]

FFXI as it exists now is a significantly different game from FFXI as it existed in its prime.

This is very true. FFXI today has been modernized, streamlined, and made far more accessible than it used to be. But if FFXI isn't even FFXI anymore, I don't know why people think FFXIV is going to become FFXI.

[FizzleofHyperion]

Malificent: A game where someone is punished for liking it more than someone else is kinda backwards dont you think? Player B does NOT I repeat does NOT have to get everything Player A has. Certain things can remain sacred and rewarding for the person who enjoys this game alot and finds time for it. It should not be a bad thing

[Velhart]

Iromi: god forbid you bring any of that infront of Velhart because SE doesnt owe us anything especially not for going against what 1.0 players wanted.

Now this is just becoming comedy. For starters I am flattered you give me attention to begin with. Iromi I may not agree with him, but it more of an opinion piece and his/her take on 1.0 feedback, which he isn't particularly wrong about. Most people including myself was expecting 1.23 on a new engine based on early concept screenshots. Was pleasantly surprised with a battle system I ended up liking more (my opinion)

Criticism of you mainly is your sense of entitlement.

[Thayos]

All these people who want FFXIV to be what XI used to be, why aren't they over in the XI forums demanding THAT game be rolled back? Seems like they've got it all wrong.