Concern on the current state of FFXIV, and future content

[RiyahArp]

There just isn't a good excuse for limitations like this when nearly every other MMOs offers a better system, including ones several years older than FFXIV.

a lot of FFXIV's problems are from the fact we can switch to any job, as well as crafters are their own distinct jobs, not a set of subskills. That puts a big load on the server since each character probably stores a lot more data than any other game. The limitations make sense; ideally they should just toss the job switch mechanic next MMO, and let us use more alts.

[Sylvina]

a lot of FFXIV's problems are from the fact we can switch to any job, as well as crafters are their own distinct jobs, not a set of subskills. That puts a big load on the server since each character probably stores a lot more data than any other game. The limitations make sense; ideally they should just toss the job switch mechanic next MMO, and let us use more alts.

The fact I can be any job on one character is a huge reason I love this game. Take it away and in I wont be playing their next mmo. But FFXIV will last until the next great super hero MMO comes out and when it does I will play that. If an independent studio doesn't do it marvel will eventually.

[Tridus]

a lot of FFXIV's problems are from the fact we can switch to any job, as well as crafters are their own distinct jobs, not a set of subskills. That puts a big load on the server since each character probably stores a lot more data than any other game. The limitations make sense; ideally they should just toss the job switch mechanic next MMO, and let us use more alts.

Storage is cheap. You only need in memory what job you currently *are*, and to change that if you swap (which is why you can't swap in combat, mid craft, and such).

3) Regarding Eureka. I made a post in the exploratory missions section of this forum. It was basically a procedurally generate map using a random tileset from all available dungeons/zones and dumped you in random spot on the unexplored map. Thematically, it was the idea of the 'item world' from Disgaea where we delve into the Relic itself to empower it.

Sold! The item world is one of Disgaea's best things.

[KaldeaSahaline]

The basic formula works. it just needs a little refinement and slight variation from time to time. and consistent worldbuilding. if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Alternatively just because something is "good" doesn't mean it can't or shouldn't be better.

We can throw cool little quips all day long but at the end of the day; the game, as good as it is, has staggering issues and areas that need improvement. The formula is easily one of those, as well as many other topics.

Sold! The item world is one of Disgaea's best things.

Haha, yeah I liked it too. I thought it was a neat concept thematically, and it meshes mechanically with the design I set forth, and then simultaneously solves the problems of "lacking" (repeatable, scalable, engaging) combat issues in one shot, as well as making a relic grind less of a chore to players like me, by allowing me to do more engaging activities to acquire it.

[Sylvina]

Alternatively just because something is "good" doesn't mean it can't or shouldn't be better.

I agree with you but I don't think changing the basic formula in a huge way will make it better, it could but it has a high chance to make it worse. Smaller changes are what I would suggest. I was merely making a statement that the basic formula works.

[Hestzhyen]

I agree with you but I don't think changing the basic formula in a huge way will make it better, it could but it has a high chance to make it worse. Smaller changes are what I would suggest. I was merely making a statement that the basic formula works.

I think small changes are appropriate in the short term, but they're going to have to do some BIG changes to the back-end sooner or later. Dollars to doughnuts that's what's holding the game back the most at the moment.

SE, if you tell me 5.0 is a total technical overhaul to bring this game into <current year> and list all the improvements you can commit to making because of it, I will be sold. I don't need a new race, or even a new job. Just an unmistakable sign that the game is getting the work-over it so desperately seems to need.

[KaldeaSahaline]

I agree with you but I don't think changing the basic formula in a huge way will make it better, it could but it has a high chance to make it worse. Smaller changes are what I would suggest. I was merely making a statement that the basic formula works.

I fundamentally disagree with this statement. I don't think you can say with absolute certainty that it "has a high chance to make it worse". Where is your data/insight/examples to support that claim?

While I think it's great you think the formula works, you'd be remiss to say there isn't a staggering divide in the community. There are those that think it work and those that don't. In all my years gaming (10+) I don't think I've ever seen such a stark divide in any community. Even in WoW the communities are generally pretty aligned when something is off. Whether or not that feedback is valuable or acted on is entirely another issue though.

Speaking strictly personally the combat engine is one of the larger issues holding the game back. It's too rigid and binary and holds back jobs from having other more in-depth synergies in their kits and encounter design from being nothing but jump ropes. More choice would go a long way and allow encounter design to better utilize deeper kits. I.e. let me make decisions about how much damage I want to take organically rather than by toggle. Let the flow of combat and party skill give me options to tailor my ability usage to support my team. I don't want to have to disband because both my healers sniff glue. Let me shift my resources to help bring the healers up. Make more soft enrage design than hard enrage, things that slowly overwhelm you as you fall behind, but allow for clever recovery.

That's not even going into the "formula" aspect, the thing that makes every iota of content we get predictable and stale on release.

Then there's gearing. It's probably the most boring gear I've ever seen in ANY game I've ever played. Secondary stats that don't actually tell you how much they improve by? Secondary stats that really don't mean anything? Gear that has so much "raw" data attached it to it causes server problems? Let's not even get started on the mess that is materia. The implemented materia system MIGHT have passed for decent design in 2004. Not good design, but decent design. It's 2018 though.

How about the "combat overhaul" where they managed to take cross class skills and turn them into something EQUALLY as useless and contrived? Cross class skills were an awful implementation (not an awful idea, but an awful implementation), and they managed to make an equally awful implementation in Role Skills.

How about side content? I mean I am not even a game dev by design (I do SDLC stuff though in the fin industry so I am familiar with dev). Side content needs to be robust. It needs to justify itself as a standalone piece of content that keeps people coming from other stuff is slow. Yet, every piece of side content is even more shallow than the main game, which is an achievement to be honest. And not a particularly good one.

The thing is, I could literally go on all day. That's not to say the game doesn't have GOOD aspects. It has a ton of those. Don't misunderstand my criticism for "hate" or tell me "this isn't the game for you then". I am passionate about the game and the universe that's why I'm so critical. It's because I care and want to see the game be better than it is.