Who is SE developing content for in this game?

[Bourne_Endeavor]

Technically things are changing all the time. Just fringe stuff though, and then there's an unchanging core beneath. I'm not opposed to them shaking up the whole structure entirely. I like fresh stuff too. It doesn't seem like that will happen any time soon because the game is quite successful already. Enough people are happy. If there is a crisis of dwindling subs, it will change dramatically like v1 to v2. If not they have no reason to take big risks. Just more variety in side dishes as usual but the main meal stays the same.

Why does the game need to bleed subscribers and basically approach a significant down spell before we see some actual innovation? Most people neither expect nor demand a complete overhaul. They simply want a refresher to the otherwise tired formula. When everything has become so formulaic, the devs rush through their own Live Letter discussing 4.4 to talk about technical crap regarding the MHW collaboration, it's rather tell. 4.4 is so basic, they aren't even bothering.

Is it too much to ask 5.0 not see another series of tomestone gearing, menial dungeons that pose little to no challenge and essentially the exact same features Stormblood, Heavensward and A Realm Reborn offered?

[Ultima]

Why does the game need to bleed subscribers and basically approach a significant down spell before we see some actual innovation? Most people neither expect nor demand a complete overhaul. They simply want a refresher to the otherwise tired formula. When everything has become so formulaic, the devs rush through their own Live Letter discussing 4.4 to talk about technical crap regarding the MHW collaboration, it's rather tell. 4.4 is so basic, they aren't even bothering.

Is it too much to ask 5.0 not see another series of tomestone gearing, menial dungeons that pose little to no challenge and essentially the exact same features Stormblood, Heavensward and A Realm Reborn offered?

Because that's how 1.0 was solved, Bourne.

It is too much to ask, they need to see a significant loss before they'll decide to do a major overhaul.

And yes, they could do minor overhauls but that'd involve breaking out of their cookie cutter template which would be akin to a major overhaul for a small indie studio like Square Enix.

[Elamys]

Yeah, but we don't need a 1.0-level overhaul. We just need some fresh content.

[Ultima]

Yeah, but we don't need a 1.0-level overhaul. We just need some fresh content.

Actually... considering how often they're blaming old code (lots of which is 1.0 code or rushed code trying to make ARR come out) they probably do need a 1.0-level overhaul if they're being honest about their limitations which I DOUBT because they could magically double your saddlebag if you pay them 5 dollars a month for their new phone app.

[Elamys]

Actually... considering how often they're blaming old code (lots of which is 1.0 code or rushed code trying to make ARR come out) they probably do need a 1.0-level overhaul if they're being honest about their limitations which I DOUBT because they could magically double your saddlebag if you pay them 5 dollars a month for their new phone app.

I don't really believe anymore either that the old code is as limiting as they're claiming with how many things they "couldn't" do have magically popped into existence once people complained enough. (Or once they found a way to monetize it.)

[ko_]

I believe them. Only because of how 1.0 was killed and 2.0 was made. We dont know how crazy that code is. For all we know everything under the hood is bucked up beyond repair and the only way to do anything is to completely burn and remake.

[Valkyrie_Lenneth]

I don't really believe anymore either that the old code is as limiting as they're claiming with how many things they "couldn't" do have magically popped into existence once people complained enough. (Or once they found a way to monetize it.)

A lot of those "Magical" fixes likely took them years to implement, and they had to either brute force or go around old code that wasn't designed to do that.

[Vstarstruck]

A lot of those "Magical" fixes likely took them years to implement, and they had to either brute force or go around old code that wasn't designed to do that.

And all those years wasted could been better invested in fixing the root of the problem. That is not a defense, that is not an excuse.

Actually... considering how often they're blaming old code (lots of which is 1.0 code or rushed code trying to make ARR come out) they probably do need a 1.0-level overhaul if they're being honest about their limitations which I DOUBT because they could magically double your saddlebag if you pay them 5 dollars a month for their new phone app.

I feel the same way.
"server limitations"
"server limitations"
"server limitations"

Well start putting more money back in the game then and expand, all those 1.50 EUR retainers and EUR 13.50 outfits you overcharge people, 1 per character. I am sure they can afford it, they just don't want to and milk this game for higher profit margins.

[Valkyrie_Lenneth]

And all those years wasted could been better invested in fixing the root of the problem. That is not a defense, that is not an excuse.

rewriting the entire games engine is not a quick thing. who's to say they aren't working on that in the background now?

They still have to push out content updates.

[Elamys]

rewriting the entire games engine is not a quick thing. who's to say they aren't working on that in the background now?

They still have to push out content updates.

I mean come on. They told us paid items like the Wind-Up Yotsuyu were becoming single character only because they were out of keys for items and then suddenly put out an account-wide mount. There's likely some truth to the statement but it's starting to get extremely suspicious that the things they "can't" do are much less limited when extra money is involved.