Ifirit, how it could have been done better.

[Jennestia]

Some of the successful MMOs over time were successful simply because they've done something different from each other, which is why we ended up with "EQ styled MMOs" and "UO/AO styled MMOs", nowadays it's "WoW styled MMOs" or "Your MMO is dead." Like Rift for example was almost a spitting image of WoW even down to the font settings, it's fun at first, but you learn very quickly you're playing the same game you played in 2004.

People do want something new, yet also not something that acts like it's new to the world of MMOs (i.e XIV's original launch), yet XIV had good concepts to turn it into something different and unique while retaining some of what it's previous FF MMO did, i.e not locked into 1:1 Class/Character.

[Ava]

Some of the successful MMOs over time were successful simply because they've done something different from each other, which is why we ended up with "EQ styled MMOs" and "UO/AO styled MMOs", nowadays it's "WoW styled MMOs" or "Your MMO is dead." Like Rift for example was almost a spitting image of WoW even down to the font settings, it's fun at first, but you learn very quickly you're playing the same game you played in 2004.

People do want something new, yet also not something that acts like it's new to the world of MMOs (i.e XIV's original launch), yet XIV had good concepts to turn it into something different and unique while retaining some of what it's previous FF MMO did, i.e not locked into 1:1 Class/Character.

FFXIV can have its unique selling points. But basic features and systems should remain standard. You can appeal to both crowds, but the casuals bring in the money, once the cash flow is coming in you can start expanding and offering additional content for hardcores. FFXIV right now is learning how difficult it is to make good updates on their current F2P model. This game needs money, it needs casuals.

[NoctisUmbra]

FFXIV can have its unique selling points. But basic features and systems should remain standard. You can appeal to both crowds, but the casuals bring in the money, once the cash flow is coming in you can start expanding and offering additional content for hardcores. FFXIV right now is learning how difficult it is to make good updates on their current F2P model. This game needs money, it needs casuals.

So this somehow went from a discussion about the loot system of Ifrit to one of SE's financial decisions? Smells like justification.