Questions and Feedback on the Future of FINAL FANTASY XIV

[Rowyne]

FFXIV 2.0 is a fantastic idea! Perception is everything, and this is exactly the change that needs to happen to make the community take a second look at the game. In fact, I believe it is the only thing that will save this game.

A picture is worth a thousand words, and the UI concept shot certainly speaks loudly. This is very exciting to see! It seems that the dev team finally understands global MMO standards, and wants to bring them to us.

However, I have both postitive feedback, and serious concerns.

1. UI: As a PC gamer, and a keyboard/mouse user, one issue I've had with FFXIV is that it has never felt like a PC MMO. It looks like that will change in 2.0. I'm glad to see standard UI elements, such as the party unit frames in the top left, additional chat log tabs, menu buttons in the bottom right, a more refined mini-map with zoom controls, earth-time clock, gil display and more. I am concerned about the action bars, however, as I had believed the dev team was working on all three being displayed at once? This issue is imperative to keyboard/mouse users, and that's not exactly what you see in the concept shot. Other than that, the UI is beautiful and, despite what some are saying, quite modern and clean. Well done.

2. Mouse Controls: Mouse controls are still a point of contention to keyboard/mouse users. Will we have right-click support in 2.0? Meaning, when you right-click on NPCs and interactable objects, will you be presented with a pop-up menu of options? Also, mouse controls are still not the MMO standard. Currently, left-click drag does nothing, while right-click-drag pans the camera if you are stationary and pivots (moves) your character if you are already running. Instead, left-click-drag should pan the camera while right-click-drag should pivot (move) your character. Will mouse controls be revisited?

3. Freedom Of Movement: Will 2.0 allow our characters to live and move in a free environment that includes actions such as jumping and swimming? I hope so. I would like to be able to perform these actions and not be so tied to the ground.

4. Quests: I am used to quest-based leveling that you see in other MMOs. While I realize that the game is moving more toward a model that gives players a choice of ways to level, FFXIV is still lacking when it comes to sidequests. I would like the option to level almost exclusively by questing alone. Currently, that isn't possible. Will more quests and stories be added?

5. Voice Acting: Voice acting brings characters to life. I had believed FFXIV was originally to include more voice overs, but there are only a few cut scenes where this happens. Do you have plans to fully voice all cut scenes and add greeting dialogue when you interact with an NPC in 2.0?

6. Linkshell Management: Linkshells feel like little more than chat channels. Will we get more robust linkshell controls like guilds see in other MMOs?

7. Payment: This is my biggest concern. The dev team still does not believe FFXIV to be up to Final Fantasy standards, yet it has been announced that subscriptions will start up before the end of the year (before the job system is even implemented). How can paying a fee at this point be justified? Are we expected to pay the full fee of $12.99 or a reduced cost until 2.0? Also, will the recent announcement about easier payment options in FFXI be extended to us? Will we have new payment options?