New info on housing plots, PVP, squadron changes

[Vivi_Bushido]

They're keeping a tight lid on it for a reason. I don't think it will be an auction since that would pad the pockets of gil sellers.

I think it will be a system based on your participation in the game. Maybe something based on your character's achievement points? Or your total active playtime? Your level? (i.e. you cannot create and boost an alt JUST to claim a house).

YoshiP seems to be adamant that people not "prepare in advance" so this tells me that simply saving up gil won't matter, and if it's an auction or lottery, there's no way to prepare for that in advance. But you can spend time leveling your character and unlocking different achievements, which WOULD be preparing in advance. I wonder if it's not related to the points system somehow. Redeem your points for a housing plot. If you and another player vie for the same plot, whoever has the most achievement points gets it. /shrug

Of course this would be a slap in the face to people with limited playtime.

If the reason is so players aren't prepared for it in advance; then I suspect that they're definitely changing the requirements that allows players to purchase one. Something akin to buying a personal room or becoming a mentor. Like that, but not the exact same requirements of course.

[Paladinleeds]

If I understand the article correctly, they use different servers, interior server and exterior server. Adding a new dynamic housing with new coding only changes the exterior server (the one that provides plots). I guess that explains why we end up outside after logging out inside the house. They would have to change both, I guess that takes time.

So, the new housing area could work based off the idea that the "interior server" has 2 areas (a bit like how the FC housing does it with the company workshop/private chambers). You have an outside that you'd go to, with a door that leads inside (to the next part). The coding is already there for the most part from what I can see, just requires some tweaking on the "exterior server" to allow it to work in an instanced manner.

[Stormfur]

Ohh I really hope the requirement is not to be a mentor. I don't need to be a mentor in order to help people, which is why I never went through getting that crown.

It's probably something like having at least one character at level 70. Having X number of player commendations and X achievement points. Whatever the requirements are, I hope they're something that are fairly attainable but do-able.

I do hope they release a Coerthas-themed housing area in the future!

[SenorPatty]

I guess that part of the Balmung populace who wants their server unlocked is gonna be hella disappointed to know that SE is satisfied with their method as it is working. Reminds me of that thread where the OP was shouting from the rooftops that SE didn't release population numbers as evidence and he could login with no probs so that meant Balmung was good to go for unlock.

Expect more salt about it in the near future.

[Stormfur]

I have no doubt that whatever happens, there's going to be a lot of "I'm leaving" threads and some group is going to be disappointed. The interview goes into some detail on why they can't create an instanced system or outside terraces for apartments. I don't see why it can't be a separate area that isn't loaded in with the main one - kind of like how the company workshop or barracks works.

[Teraluna]

From the article:
"We are planning on expanding the squadron content itself in future updates, and plan to add features like taking on special missions as well as expanding which dungeons you can challenge."

Knew it. As I said when this solo playing with bots mechanic was introduced, it was only the first step.
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...Preliminary%29

[Krotoan]

From the article:
"We are planning on expanding the squadron content itself in future updates, and plan to add features like taking on special missions as well as expanding which dungeons you can challenge."

Knew it. As I said when this solo playing with bots mechanic was introduced, it was only the first step.
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...Preliminary%29

.. .so "we are adding more stuff for you to do with squadrons"... you got.. what? societal collapse and no more interacting with anyone?
They were pretty straightforward when it was first announced that we were getting more dungeons and things to do later, what was the secret?

[Hakuro89]

Let there be Viera!!!

No.

/10chars

[Rysir]

.. .so "we are adding more stuff for you to do with squadrons"... you got.. what? societal collapse and no more interacting with anyone?
They were pretty straightforward when it was first announced that we were getting more dungeons and things to do later, what was the secret?

Predicting the obvious is a doom sayer's bread and butter. Make an easy to predict claim and slap some negativity on it and bam you got entry level scaremongering when it arrives.

[Kaethra]

Other MMOs can do it just fine. Why not create a new housing area based off new code that would allow it?

Everquest, released in 1999 does this just fine. They improved the system with Everquest 2, by simply instancing the houses. And before anyone quips about how they'd have to design a new system, its already in the game in the form of Inns since 2.0.

They wouldn't even have to get rid of the current neighborhood system. Leave that in for those who want to show off. Many of us couldn't care to show off to neighbors and would use instancing. Those in the regular neighborhoods who don't care but want larger housing could easily sell theirs off to those who do want to.

We're not talking about gameplay advantages here, so there shouldn't be any reluctance to give players what they want. In addition we want to PAY for unique housing. In ESO there are houses on their crown store that they can buy that go for upwards of $80. There's not a single item on the Mog Station that goes for that much. There could be. And people would buy them. Right now our housing is LIMITED in size due to the non-instanced nature.

But if you all want to see the sizes that there COULD be. Take a gander at Youtube and search Tier 4 guildhalls in EQ2. Imagine the space of half a housing ward dedicated to one guild. That's what instancing gives you. Not these 'huts' they call 'mansions'.