Naoki Yoshida's Comment in Regard to Jump Potions/Boost Potions

[Austherus]

Just because they add an item that makes what you want to do in a game easier/faster does not make it some kind of a mandatory purchase. Since it is entirely possible to pass on the jump potions (once they're added), and accomplish the same ends by a different set of means, it's an option by definition. You can subjectively refuse to see the slower method as an option, but that applies to you, not to the player base as a whole. You're by no means forced to slog through the slow way if you don't want to pay for the shortcut, since playing Final Fantasy XIV at all is also an option in and of itself. Not playing at all may sound extreme, but it also seems a little extreme to see $50 to skip several years worth of content, legitimately, as prohibitive.

Nothing applies to the player base as a whole, the player base is made of different individuals with different needs and views.

Let's be honest here, humans are not machines, subjectivity is intrinsic to us. Each player decides individually what is and what is not an option to them. For many players, going through weeks/months of subpar solo questing is not an option, hence why they leave. If suddenly they can pay to take it out of their way (and the price is ok for them), that is what they are going to do, as the other option for them is leaving.

I don't see how $50 to play with my friends is not prohibitive. If I look at it through the view point of a new player, and imagine myself buying FFXIV to play with someone, once I noticed the options I had: A) Play alone for months B) shell out $50, I would jut say "sorry man, I'm not going through that scam".

SE knows that the constant additions to the story has created a big problem, but they decided to sell a bandage instead of delivering the cure to everyone.


EDIT - Just wanted to comment on this: "You're by no means forced to slog through the slow way if you don't want to pay for the shortcut, since playing Final Fantasy XIV at all is also an option in and of itself" - that is a business-killing way of thinking. I don't think SE wants FFXIV to die, yet.