why i quit before reaching endgame (feedback from a new player)

[LyraKuroneko]

It's not necessarily a problem with story or cutscenes. Even if someone likes those things the MSQ can still put them off. I don't know if that's the case here, but I just want to point out that a story isn't made good just by existing. ARR definitely feels like the weakest link in the story for many. Combine that with its length and the MSQ locking so much content away that it's quite possible to push away players that would other wise find FF14 to be a good fit for them.

ARR length is because there is 50 lvl to go before what was the endgame back then.
Expansion have only 10 lvl, no wonder it's shorter.

[Physic]

ARR length is because there is 50 lvl to go before what was the endgame back then.
Expansion have only 10 lvl, no wonder it's shorter.

MSQ was not designed to be used how it is now. Each msq part had a different goal, which doesnt make as much sense when you are a new player coming into the game now.

arr msq- designed to be tutorial, story, lore meant to be done periodically as you level through other means, and figure out the game
post arr msq designed to introduce new content at a level 50 cap for years
heavensward msq- designed to focus primarily on one story while you level 10 levels.
post hw msq designed to introduce hw content for years and finish the story

etc


point is its very poorly designed for some of today's new players, who can learn faster from friends and guides than arr's forced tutorial bits, and level faster than players used to, then, every post expansion story line is designed not to progress you, and be only 2-4 hours of story for 40-hundreds of hours of gameplay until the next story is released.

essentially only the expansion story parts were designed to be done in a progression environment.

also, they have way too many story steps, where too many steps seem of miniscule value. Compare this to other rpgs, where the story seems to occur naturally, and it feels pretty jumpy.

[Renato]

Yes it is, its meant to be approached like a traditional JRPG/Final Fantasy title and enjoyed as such, an MMOJRPG if you will, but no not a traditional MMO.

I tell people this all the time. Deep down, FFXIV is just a multi-player FF game to be completely honest. Just like in every other FF, the story is the main priority. Just like in any other FF, you have to progress to unlock certain things. You have to go on errands/fetch quests, sit through cutscenes and story to progress. It's one of the things that I love about the game personally.

I do understand where new players who just start get frustrated though. ARR is a slog to get through and HW starts off a bit slow. It gets REALLY good though but most people aren't invested at that point to even care. SB has it's moments but ultimately was pretty boring as well to me.

But like I said, I do get it...As many have said, just skip them.