[Suggestion] Use more concrete language when speaking to us.

[quantumsaint]

First, let me preface this by saying I understand the severity of the situation in Japan and understand video games are not their primary focus at this time. With that out of the way, hopefully we can talk about the game without people flaming each other about being insensitive.

In Yoshida's last letter, he mentions that a page detailing companies will be up on the Lodestone "shortly." That was five days ago. My question then: How long is shortly? How long SHOULD 'shortly' be? What is the maximum amount of time that can pass before something no longer arrives in a shortly manner?

Last month, everyone was upset when quests took longer than expected to be implemented. This was due to the Letter from the Producer that said quests were coming to Eorzea "sometime after the beginning of February." In a later letter he mentioned that this update was delayed, providing clarification after the fact. Meanwhile, we were all scratching our heads wondering what exactly "after the beginning of February" meant. Was it the first patch? Second patch? It ended up coming in March, which although technically is "sometime after the beginning of February" wasn't exactly what most of us had in mind. Again, he clarified this later, which he might do with the Company page on Lodestone, but I can't help feel like his wording leaves something to be desired.

I understand that they're managing the game in four different languages, which can make translation difficult. However, if they really want to work on regaining trust they should use more concrete language and avoid nebulous phrases like "shortly," which leave us waiting, and waiting and waiting. If it was going to take a week, they should have said a week. If it was only supposed to be a couple days, an update would be nice.

I tried posting this on ZAM but it was locked. Hopefully we can have a rational discussion here, about the game, on forums about the game.

[Nephera]

I agree, other developers have a tendency to be much more up front with specifics.

[quantumsaint]

Thank you. That's all I was trying to say.

[Evangela]

in that situation.... they can't say anything else.... because everything is not even up to SE to decide....

[Bebekurenai]

in that situation.... they can't say anything else.... because everything is not even up to SE to decide....

I don't think the OP was referring to the latest events in Japan, which is only natural not knowing exact date. It's rather all letters about changes and updates referring about the game's evolution. In this I agree, it's a bit too vague. Although I want to think the reason behing this is that there's so much to implement, they just don't know when exactly to change what when.

[Evangela]

if you mean the update schedule, I agree!

[BadJoeRed]

sorry to do it sir, but because you copied and pasted this to/from ZAM. I'm going to copy/paste VIK's quote,he speaks the truth on this topic.

copied from Viktorius on FFXIVZAM:
"You have to keep in mind that Yoshida is being very careful with his promises. The reason why he uses vague and misleading words is that he cannot afford to mistakenly promise us something that he may not be able to fully accomplish at a certain date. Betraying a promise is the last thing they want to do to gain trust."
-end quote

This is the way it must be right now. Yoshi has been more outspoken than anyone else in his position that I've seen. He is pushing things out as fast as he can. For him to make a promise, and then have it fall through is not what they need. You should be able to see this, especially considering what's going on over there.

[Seirra_Lanzce]

hmmmm....

so how long is "soon" then?

on the other hand, as the above poster, im agreeing with him, because they can't make mistake that will lead people to be disappointed by their actions.

[Betelgeuzah]

In Yoshida's last letter, he mentions that a page detailing companies will be up on the Lodestone "shortly." That was five days ago. My question then: How long is shortly? How long SHOULD 'shortly' be? What is the maximum amount of time that can pass before something no longer arrives in a shortly manner?

He's either going to say a timeline that may not hold or he will not say anything at all. That's as simple as it is.

He says "Info on companies will arrive just before 1.17 goes live. 1.17 has been delayed by a week or two, and was supposed to be implemented by the end of March."

Should the players be given reading comprehension lectures?

Read the context and it's always pretty self-explanatory.

[Seirra_Lanzce]

He's either going to say a timeline that may not hold or he will not say anything at all. That's as simple as it is.

He says "Info on companies will arrive just before 1.17 goes live. 1.17 has been delayed by a week or two, and was supposed to be implemented by the end of March."

Should the players be given reading comprehension lectures?

Read the context and it's always pretty self-explanatory.

*thumbs up*