Make FFXIV a 'Sandbox' game. No way it can compete against upcoming 'Themeparks'.

[Mishakai]

The problem that I have with the exclamation mark symbols is that they were requested to be put in there by people who saw them in other MMOs and felt that they were needed, not by developers. Why stop there? Lets keep adding stuff from other MMOs into this game until we end up turning FF14 into the other MMOs we already played.

There are a lot of players in the game currently that are just not partying. There are a lot of players soloing. A lot. Many of the suggested changes seem to be benefiting solo gaming. It's an MMO. Multi-player should be a priority.

I see the '!' mark symbols as a representation of taking a big step backwards.

If the '!' mark causes issues for you, how come you don't complain about the mini map, or the arrows that flash on it for a guildleve?

I'm glad they listened to the players for that, perhaps they will put in more system type enhancements from other games (like improving the linkshell interface etc). After all, if it works well in another game, and players like it, why waste the $$$ developing another system to replace it? I'd rather SE focus their innovation on areas that actually *need* innovation. I have no problems seeing a little puffy cloud with a '!' to tell me that there is an NPC that has something for me to do. It saves me from talking to every NPC I come across just to find out, and it also saves me from learning some other method of interfacing with a game that doesn't translate to other games.

That kind of argument is akin to being mad at the developers of Gnome because it uses a mouse just like Windows.

[Dreamer]

If the '!' mark causes issues for you, how come you don't complain about the mini map, or the arrows that flash on it for a guildleve?

The reason it is irritating is because it simply screams of trying to nab players from the WoW playerbase. Why is it a (!)? It would have fit it much better with the world if it were a dimly shining crystal or simply a note on our minimap.

On a side note, I would much rather see the minimap disappear. I've never liked built-in GPS systems in fantasy games. I'd much prefer it if we simply have a map that didn't point out our location. But I realize that I'm in the minority with this opinion.

[Rowyne]

Some people have no understanding of dramatic tension. Those Pker types are what makes games interesting and dangerous.

In your opinion, perhaps. I'm not really a fan of PvP as I don't enjoy conflict, and world PvP is something I truly despise. I put up with it for six months in Aion before leaving for good. One thing I enjoyed about FFXI is that playing a single-faction MMO with an emphasis on PvE and story made you feel like you were coming together against a common threat. I'd like to see that continue with FFXIV.

And I don't see how single-faction world PvP can work where people can communicate and turn it into a smack-talk match. I'd personally not like to see the FF community degrade that way.

Yoshi-P has already said there will never be PKing in this game, so arguing in defense of world PvP seems futile.

Besides, trying to compete with other MMOs that are heavily focused on PvP also seems like a futile effort and a step in the wrong direction.

Besides, consentual PvP servers are always a possibility.

If regionalized servers and gameplay style designations like RP aren't going to happen, I seriously doubt PvP servers are going to happen, either.

[Nephera]

Fourth quarter 2011 being "soon" is not an overstatement when you factor in development time, its been months and we've got 3 notorious monsters, a handful of new quests and a less oppressive UI, and a new development team which is tackling a project that has been in development for years to show for it.

I'm not saying get the lead out, but there's a storm coming that you'll have to weather.

[Mishakai]

The reason it is irritating is because it simply screams of trying to nab players from the WoW playerbase. Why is it a (!)? It would have fit it much better with the world if it were a dimly shining crystal or simply a note on our minimap.

On a side note, I would much rather see the minimap disappear. I've never liked built-in GPS systems in fantasy games. I'd much prefer it if we simply have a map that didn't point out our location. But I realize that I'm in the minority with this opinion.

You're not in a minority on the minimap. I hate it too. I like the fear of getting lost in a large world. The farther out you randomly wander, the harder it usually is to get back. Add minimap and teleport, and for me you have removed immersion.

I understand the '!'. People will recognize it. I even laughed when they tossed a little FF flash onto it and italicized in in a little puffy cloud.

The dichotomy in this game just kills me. We have things like the armory and motion capture graphics which IMO represent some of the best innovation and advancement in MMOs to date. Then we have the Linkshell interface. Personally, I'd rather see them copy another games guild interface for their Linkshell UI rather than take a step backwards when compared to their previous MMO. It's like they picked a handful of things to innovate on, while completely ignoring industry advancements in other areas of the genre that have been made over the last 8 years.

[Rowyne]

It's like they picked a handful of things to innovate on, while completely ignoring industry advancements in other areas of the genre that have been made over the last 8 years.

Well said.

[Amsai]

I couldn't disagree with the OP more. I think the terminology of "theme park" gets thrown about a bit too much. Don't get me wrong, I don't want it to end up like WoW either. However, FFXIV does not need to be a sandbox, it needs to be a Final Fantasy! As someone else said, there is a huge FF fanbase (not just FFXI fans). And the more of a sandbox it becomes, the less FF it is. FFXI has a very different feel to it compared to other MMOs, even though some people say its modeled after EQ or Lineage. Its hard to put into words exactly, but one thing for sure is an epic storyline is absolutely needed. I can't see that happening in any sort of sigificant or meaningful way in a sandbox setting. This is just a horrible idea. If the devs did as you want, I'd have to insist on a name change or the removal of the Final Fantasy and it would then just be called XIV.

[Mishakai]

Fourth quarter 2011 being "soon" is not an overstatement when you factor in development time, its been months and we've got 3 notorious monsters, a handful of new quests and a less oppressive UI, and a new development team which is tackling a project that has been in development for years to show for it.

I'm not saying get the lead out, but there's a storm coming that you'll have to weather.

Pardon me for being chatty... (I'm Irish, it's Friday and yesterday was St. Patrick's day.. 'nuff said)... ANYWAY...

I don't think I could have said it better myself. Doom and gloom does not loom for XIV (say that 10 times fast), but they do need to be prepared to take a couple hits late in the year, especially if the big titles can do what big titles have failed to do in recent history, deliver.

I don't think anybody here would disagree that this genre is full of players chomping at the bit for the next big thing.

[Valor]

Yes sir you are right when talking online ff we only have 1 game that we ff fans compare it to and thats XI no other game was like that one, it was a beloved exp that i wont forget and i hope to make the same statement about XIV get mad if you want

Why would I get mad?

Final Fantasy is all about the experience and the memories. Which is why I always look to SE to create an environment for me to create them in.

[sharky]

If the '!' mark causes issues for you, how come you don't complain about the mini map, or the arrows that flash on it for a guildleve?

I'm glad they listened to the players for that, perhaps they will put in more system type enhancements from other games (like improving the linkshell interface etc). After all, if it works well in another game, and players like it, why waste the $$$ developing another system to replace it? I'd rather SE focus their innovation on areas that actually *need* innovation. I have no problems seeing a little puffy cloud with a '!' to tell me that there is an NPC that has something for me to do. It saves me from talking to every NPC I come across just to find out, and it also saves me from learning some other method of interfacing with a game that doesn't translate to other games.

That kind of argument is akin to being mad at the developers of Gnome because it uses a mouse just like Windows.

Then if the game is so 'broken' why don't you play other MMOs instead. This thread is about 'sandbox' ideas. Which is drop me off and let me play as I see fit. You are way off topic. If you want to run around from exclamation point to exclamation point then go and play WOW. Stop telling FF14 developers to make it into WOW. FF14 is more than just 'puffy clouds'. I for one like FF14 for what it is, not for what it isn't!

Oh. And I do hate the mini-map and arrows. I should have the ability to switch them off.