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

[Naunet]

While I completely agree with the ARR MSQ thing, Bourne_Endeavor was simply pointing out that development time has to come from some where. aka: one person can't be in two places at once , manpower and budget are real things. They are concerned if the focus is split between fixing old content and working on new content, that there could potentially be delays. Which is a perfectly valid concern.

This is a redundant point and doesn't actually advance discussion. We are all aware that work is not free and have stated so repeatedly. Continuing to harp on it doesn't change the position of those opposed to using a story skip potion as a solution to the ARR mess.

[Kyonika]

It's actually even less than that, it's not a solution at all, because it doesn't fix the problem at all, only places a camouflaged blanket over the top of it.

It would be more accurate to say "Give us money so you don't have to look at the problem anymore", and the fact that a good portion of people are content with a solution like this is sad.

*sigh*... At least it's better than no solution at all.

The community has been crying, whinging, bitching, moaning and complaining, ad nauseum, about the gating in ARR->HW for nigh near two years now (hell, I should know, I voiced my dissatisfaction when HW dropped too), and ...not one...not a goddamn thing ... has come about b'cos of our wasted words. We all know that the EN forums are a farce when it comes to game-altering suggestions, and most suggestions of changing the way gating works falls upon deaf ears. This we know all too well. However, short of becoming a Japanese citizen and voicing your concerns in the appropriate forum, and demanding a change, or else boycott ... things will remain as they have been; b'cos, changing anything to do with the core structure of the game (i.e. relegating inane fetch quests from MSQ to optional side quests) is tangential to their designs, and they really don't give a single blue fk about anything we like or dislike, or our feelings, or w/e. Or maybe they just don't bother reading these forums. Regardless, SE is a behemoth, and the bottom-line aggregate dollar value, and the shareholder's value is paramount. It's a working system now, and they believe - in their infinite wisdom - that they can maintain the status quo with these potions. And, yes (as some have mentioned before), profitability is definitely a guiding factor in all this. So much so in fact, that the last half of the latest プロデューサーレターLIVE video is all about promoting merch, events and other things.

I spoke of pragmatic views before: well, this is one of them.

And, these are my last words on this subject. I, for one, look forward to these potions. Not only for having more people come and play the game, but also for selfish reasons too: so I can boost an alt, or try out different jobs. At the end of the day, it may not be the best solution to the gating problem, but at least it IS a solution, and - after 2 years, we finally get something. And, I can only hope that the devs consider my feedback, and make a free/cheaper option for the "refer a friend" deal, so new players can actually benefit from it, and not feel gouged.

Good luck everyone!

[Imoen]

This is a redundant point and doesn't actually advance discussion. We are all aware that work is not free and have stated so repeatedly. Continuing to harp on it doesn't change the position of those opposed to using a story skip potion as a solution to the ARR mess.

Obviously not, since people keep jumping on it, like it isn't a thing. Also I am one of the people that thinks it is a cheap fix, which is also getting redundant in me explaining at this point, yet here I am saying it to you.

Adding the potion at all does change things, for better or worse - is what a bulk of the push and pull here is about. Giving it out to everyone would be a goodwill gesture, it solidifies that they actually care about people catching up, about the community and are not purely doing it for the money. Making such a statement, while I still don't like this type of practice at all, would make me more open to the idea. I still however remain concerned about old content not being addressed, aslo I am concerned this would make them less willing to make better decisions moving forward. Additionally, I would like to have them figure out a way to still do the story, even after using the potion, that way any player that wanted to use the potion could and still go back and "play through" not just "watch" what happened if they so desired at their leisure. (Without an alt, but that option is still there. This is mostly just wishful thinking.)

They ARE adding this thing, so arguing against that does nothing, best we can do is leave our thoughts on it. Just unsub like I did, if you are that passionate about it. Plus I wasn't directing that at any person I was just re-framing without the hypothetical examples, for anyone that is newer to the thread.

[Roth_Trailfinder]

Given I suspect Square will follow Blizzard's example, this jump potion will be bundled free with Stormblood.

How?

While I personally have a postive outlook in regard to the implementation of these potions, I'm still worried. However, I predict that we will end up introducing this service at some point between the release of Stormblood and the expansion pack that comes after.

If you are predicting that the release will come AFTER Stormblood, you are definitely NOT planning on bundling it free WITH Stormblood.

[Velhart]

If you are predicting that the release will come AFTER Stormblood, you are definitely NOT planning on bundling it free WITH Stormblood.

On top of this, I doubt SE will want to encourage people to actually skip their story content. WoW is different in that it doesn't depend on a direct narrative but instead having the world build around you, you are simply part of the world. FFXIV, the game revolves around you. So Blizzard is more open to just letting you skip levels to get to their current content. SE will only likely offer the option in their store.

[Imoen]

If you are predicting that the release will come AFTER Stormblood, you are definitely NOT planning on bundling it free WITH Stormblood.

This is true but, I think the important thing is they bundle it when it is implemented, at least in my opinion. (You already know I personally don't want it in at all)

On top of this, I doubt SE will want to encourage people to actually skip their story content. WoW is different in that it doesn't depend on a direct narrative but instead having the world build around you, you are simply part of the world. FFXIV, the game revolves around you. So Blizzard is more open to just letting you skip levels to get to their current content. SE will only likely offer the option in their store.

They are kind of already addressing this portion by making it 10 levels lower, so you still have to do the story content of the latest thing. Point being, you could still bundle it when it is implemented, and people would have the option, and still have to do the latest expansion's story.

[Zumi]

One suggestion I would have is that you give 1 free story and level potion with every copy of Stormblood, similar how Blizzard has done for their last several expansions. This would make it more enticing for new and returning players to come back. For current players who are already caught up and don't need this items they can use it on an alt and have a 2nd character ready to play for Stormblood.

[Velhart]

They are kind of already addressing this portion by making it 10 levels lower, so you still have to do the story content of the latest thing. Point being, you could still bundle it when it is implemented, and people would have the option, and still have to do the latest expansion's story.

FFXIV is one giant flowing story that connects right to another. Again, SE does -not- want to encourage you to skip the story content they worked really hard to make. I have high doubts they will ever offer the jump potion in any bundle with upcoming expansions. You will see things like Fantasia, mounts, minions, and glamour before that.

[Imoen]

FFXIV is one giant flowing story that connects right to another. Again, SE does -not- want to encourage you to skip the story content they worked really hard to make. I have high doubts they will ever offer the jump potion in any bundle with upcoming expansions. You will see things like Fantasia, mounts, minions, and glamour before that.

I see what you are saying, but I can't say I agree with not bundling it with at least one of the potion types. To me adding a price tag on top of purchase, on top of subscription doesn't sit right in the spirit of "catching people up" which is their entire reason on even adding it. By adding it bundled with an expansion, it doesn't benefit anyone that has already finished ARR/HW.(for the story potion anyway) It only benefits people that are behind and only if they want to. Any additional purchases would be for alts etc... Thus making it look less like a money grab, and more of an optional service.

Also you can't use the thing until free trial is over, so if they played they would still need to play through old content, either that or sit on their trial and wait. This gives people time to think ... Do I want to use this thing? If I get to pick one, what do I like more, Grinding story or grinding levels? The people wanting to skip story would then have to make a choice... do I want to now buy a potion to level? and people that got the levels, would then have to ask do I want to buy the story potion?

The additional plus side to this, is any existing player (that is done with story) that wanted to play a different job, that they don't have up to the latest expansions level, would be able to use their free job potion, to jump right into the thing they wanted to try.

I honestly don't like the idea of jumps at all, however; if it was handled like this... I would be less grumpy about the whole ordeal lol.

[Felis]

I guess players who find leveling crafting and gathering classes tedious, can now pay their way to level 60. I already have few LS members who can't wait till they release those potions.

Chances is good that it only work with jobs

I see what you are saying, but I can't say I agree with not bundling it with at least one of the potion types. To me adding a price tag on top of purchase, on top of subscription doesn't sit right in the spirit of "catching people up" which is their entire reason on even adding it. By adding it bundled with an expansion, it doesn't benefit anyone that has already finished ARR/HW.(for the story potion anyway) It only benefits people that are behind and only if they want to. Any additional purchases would be for alts etc... Thus making it look less like a money grab, and more of an optional service.

I think Yoshida said already no to bundle

These potions are an optional purchase, and it will not be very cheap to purchase both of them. The price has not been set this way looking for profits, but rather, it has been set the way it has to indicate our intention that these items are not those that anyone can use freely.

Giving them away for free in a bundle would be against the intention to encourage the players not to buy it with a high price.
Except maybe if the potion price is added to the bundle price (like as a bonus item in 5.0 Ultima Edition version).