"Final Fantasy XI-2" AKA: "Let's all flame each other because someone mentioned FFXI"

[Arkine]

How much of an influence do you think Final Fantasy XI should have on Final Fantasy XIV?

They already have alot in common, I don't see why XIV can't borrow more elements from XI.

Do you think it's good idea to directly port and update XI systems (for example: Skillchains), or should Square Enix try to actively avoid doing stuff like that and come up with entirely original systems that have little resemblance to their previous MMO?

Skillchains were great, I prefer them to combos, and wouldn't mind having them, also FFXI's UI was faster, smoother and alot less clunky than FFXIV, also the chatlogs in FFXI we're just amazing, keeping track of EVERYTHING that was going on with 1 log with the ability to switch tabs in an instant (click +) was awesome and would love to see it in FFXIV.

Do you think that making Final Fantasy XIV similar to XI / older MMOs would make the game more successful than trying to conform to more "modern" mmo standards?


Not necessarily, I do want to see it evolve but it doesn't mean that we should scrap tried and tested elements from the previous generation just for the sake of being modern.

If you could name one single feature, idea or w/e from XI that you think XIV should follow as close as possible, what would it be?

The menu UI FFXI had was nice, and more organized than just relying on the action bar, I'd love to see them get combined.

Similarly, do you believe there's something about Final Fantasy XI SE should run away as fast as possible and make it / keep it completely different from that game?

FFXI was too time sink-ish and group oriented, while I don't mind taking a long time to level up, I hate wasting hours camping NMs, and requiring large groups to do the bigger endgame events.

Extra questions:

If you did not play Final Fantasy XI, what's your general idea of what the game is like based on what you know / heard about it?

Played it.

If, before FFXIV's release you had the choice between SE making an entirely new MMO or just upgrade FFXI's graphics / specs, which would you choose?

Brand new MMO, but in a "build off what FFXI taught you" sense instead of what we got at release.

[Velhart]

How much of an influence do you think Final Fantasy XI should have on Final Fantasy XIV?

It should have a major influence while utilizing the hardware to modern day standards and beyond. It should of taken what was good about FFXI and make it better in FFXIV, and taken was what bad in FFXI and improve it to make it good (Example: Making grinding to get levels gone and progress through EXP in quests/story. FF is a story driven series after all.). I wanted a FF online game that was a new world with a sense of familiarity.

Do you think it's good idea to directly port and update XI systems (for example: Skillchains), or should Square Enix try to actively avoid doing stuff like that and come up with entirely original systems that have little resemblance to their previous MMO?

It already seems like FFXIV's current battle system is basically like FFXI's, except it is kind of faster paced. I don't think a copy/paste of FFXI's battle features are necessary, but there should be more methods of interacting with your team mates.

Do you think that making Final Fantasy XIV similar to XI / older MMOs would make the game more successful than trying to conform to more "modern" mmo standards?

While FFXI nor FFXIV will never reach the success that WoW and SWTOR(getting there) has, it still can be successful in it's own way. One thing I always liked about FF online games, good or bad, felt like a breath of fresh air on how MMO structure is built. Overall, it should have modern MMO standards while being unique at the same time, keeping that niche audience in like they have with FFXI.

If you could name one single feature, idea or w/e from XI that you think XIV should follow as close as possible, what would it be?

FFXI was able to keep their content fresh for years, which I always admired. They made long term goals (Dynamis, Sky, Sea, etc.), mostly because they kept the level cap the same until they decided to raise it. What I always hate about other MMO's is that content before is outdated and newer players don't get the opportunity to experience the content that older players did. I really want that concept in FFXIV, I want people tackling a variety of content from several expansions in the years to come.

Similarly, do you believe there's something about Final Fantasy XI SE should run away as fast as possible and make it / keep it completely different from that game?

Repetitive grinding. While it isn't that bad and able to work with it, we forget sometimes there is RPG in "MMORPG" and I would of loved it if FFXIV focused on EXP'ing through storyline and quests. If there was something I want FFXIV to learn from it would be SWTOR. In SW, you were able to get from 1 to 50 through going through it's main storyline and a few side quests around it. BioWare didn't forget the RPG aspect of a "MMORPG"

If, before FFXIV's release you had the choice between SE making an entirely new MMO or just upgrade FFXI's graphics / specs, which would you choose?

A whole new MMO. Despite looking a tad out-dated, it is still a beautiful looking game.

Do you think they should just rename Lalafels to Tarutarus since almost no one calls them lalafels anyways?

I would rename them Footballs.

[Krausus]

How much of an influence do you think Final Fantasy XI should have on Final Fantasy XIV?

As much influence as every other game in the series had on every other FF

Do you think it's good idea to directly port and update XI systems (for example: Skillchains), or should Square Enix try to actively avoid doing stuff like that and come up with entirely original systems that have little resemblance to their previous MMO?

No, some things might be fine like chocobo breading but would still like that to have a ffXIV twist to it instead of exactly the same

Do you think that making Final Fantasy XIV similar to XI / older MMOs would make the game more successful than trying to conform to more "modern" mmo standards?

No, why bother when FFXI is still going

If you could name one single feature, idea or w/e from XI that you think XIV should follow as close as possible, what would it be?

I cant think of anything that i would want to be identical to XI, If i wanted something Identical to XI I would just play XI

Similarly, do you believe there's something about Final Fantasy XI SE should run away as fast as possible and make it / keep it completely different from that game?

making leveling in groups a requirement.


Extra questions:

If you did not play Final Fantasy XI, what's your general idea of what the game is like based on what you know / heard about it?

I played it

If, before FFXIV's release you had the choice between SE making an entirely new MMO or just upgrade FFXI's graphics / specs, which would you choose?

New MMO

[Elexia]

If Square wants to grow a consumer base for the game they shouldn't rely on FFXI because it's filled with old MMO conventions that are sloppy, unpolished, and don't work well anymore. I'm hoping they can set out to create their own mold.

Really? I played a few MMOs that used tier based dungeons, "casual" dungeons and city/castle raids, guess those are outdated concepts.

[Krausus]

Really? I played a few MMOs that used tier based dungeons, "casual" dungeons and city/castle raids, guess those are outdated concepts.

just because it is filled with outdated concepts doesn't mean everything is, love how people take everything on this forum literal word for word just to argue.

[Noctura]

How much of an influence do you think Final Fantasy XI should have on Final Fantasy XIV?

I always considered FFXIV to be somewhat of a sequel for me, even though it wasn't. I liked to think that my FFXI character of 8 years could be reincarnated into a world that was really far into the future. Each race has changed slightly with the times, and the world is different from that in FFXI. The classes have changed and leaked into each other over time, with people forgetting the older ways. (White mage, Monk, ect.)
Or perhaps it's an uncharted land far away from the ones I knew in FFXI. Ones that never learned about things like Paladins and Dragoons. This land is soon to be the land the male mithra exist that I never got to see in FFXI, and soon we will be bringing some of the old world into the new. (jobs )
I want all of the things I remember to mean something in this new world. To be able to tell stories of the past to the ones that didn't get to see it.

I want FFXIV to always be connected to FFXI in some way, and not as a copy. I don't want them to fix things that aren't broken. Change and new things are exciting but great memories and reliving them in new ways make me feel more like something grew and evolved instead of died because it was too old. Just because it's older doesn't mean it's no longer amazing. Those amazing things should be encouraged, and not killed just because it's been done before.

Do you think it's good idea to directly port and update XI systems (for example: Skillchains), or should Square Enix try to actively avoid doing stuff like that and come up with entirely original systems that have little resemblance to their previous MMO?

If it's not broken... don't fix it. :/ I would go for the fun of making skill chains with my party over doing a solo combo, and really enjoyed the teamwork and party play in FFXI. Imo, in FFXIV everyone is in party and yet still soloing... it's hectic and messy and I feel party play is more of a chore then a fun activity, and chose to trio 90% of the time. I liked having 6 people and the fact that a single party member could alter the experience dramatically.

If you could name one single feature, idea or w/e from XI that you think XIV should follow as close as possible, what would it be?

The jobs and party system. I couldn't ever decide sometimes what I wanted to level. Everything was unique, different, fun, challenging, and it was a lot of fun playing other jobs to learn how to be a better healer. The mechanics of party play were amazing, and the choices of jobs made me feel like a kid in a candy store. (omg the flavorz and colorz! which one do I want!!! I will try them all!!!)
Also the mog house or some kind of housing system. I miss it... a lot. I feel like a homeless person. I like to think my house is being constructed with the rest of the homes in this new world. <.< It takes a long time to build them. (Thank you, SE.)

Similarly, do you believe there's something about Final Fantasy XI SE should run away as fast as possible and make it / keep it completely different from that game?

The huge time sink for certain activities. Not many people have that much time anymore, and very few people are that patient. Actively working hard for something and waiting around for it are very different experiences. One makes the time go by fast because you feel you are getting something done, the other feels like it's intentionally wasting your time (waiting 24+ hours for something to happen or waiting until next day for quests that tell you to come back later. Example: The FFXI chocobo quest.)

If, before FFXIV's release you had the choice between SE making an entirely new MMO or just upgrade FFXI's graphics / specs, which would you choose?

Both kinda... I would want it to be like it was before they raised the level cap. A good example of when new things go bad.... I would still be playing FFXI if it was like it used to be. Lvl 75 cap and no Abysea. I will admit the only reason I am playing FFXIV is because of FFXI and the resemblance between my mithra and miqo'te.

[CrystalWeapon]

There are only three things I'd really love to see from XI in XIV:

1) A fully functioning AH that isn't reliant on retainers which we may or may not have to pay fees for in the future.
2) Player housing similar to XI's. Improved of course.
3) XI's Search System.

We haven't heard anything in detail about #1 in a while. I already know they are working on #2. I'm sure I read somewheres that they were also working on #3 though I'm not sure how similar it will be.

[Zantetsuken]

Ill bite.


How much of an influence do you think Final Fantasy XI should have on Final Fantasy XIV?

A decent amount. Things that well worked very well gameplay-wise, but certainly not importing specific characters, storylines or lore. (I would have preferred different races as well, but w/e)


Do you think it's good idea to directly port and update XI systems (for example: Skillchains), or should Square Enix try to actively avoid doing stuff like that and come up with entirely original systems that have little resemblance to their previous MMO?

They should use what worked well as a foundation and build on it. Some things will obviously not fit right, and there are some new ideas that will need their own systems in order to function.


Do you think that making Final Fantasy XIV similar to XI / older MMOs would make the game more successful than trying to conform to more "modern" mmo standards?

FFXIV should draw first and foremost from the FF series as a whole and then
study concepts from other successful online games, even non-MMOs like Monster Hunter


If you could name one single feature, idea or w/e from XI that you think XIV should follow as close as possible, what would it be?

A rich and interesting world with colorful NPCs, memorable bosses and gripping, epic stories.


Do you believe there's something about Final Fantasy XI SE should run away as fast as possible and make it / keep it completely different from that game?

The insane amount of useless timesinks that FFXI had. From general traveling, to waiting days for missions, to insane repop timers on NMs, etc. If content takes time to accomplish, thats fine. It's the waiting which is a huge pain. -- Additionally, the Summoner job was poorly implemented and the Wyvern pet for Dragoon was a bad idea.


If you did not play Final Fantasy XI, what's your general idea of what the game is like based on what you know / heard about it?

I played for 5 years... it was a fantastic game overall.


If, before FFXIV's release you had the choice between SE making an entirely new MMO or just upgrade FFXI's graphics / specs, which would you choose?

New MMO - Set in Ivalice

[Gramul]

If Square wants to grow a consumer base for the game they shouldn't rely on FFXI because it's filled with old MMO conventions that are sloppy, unpolished, and don't work well anymore. I'm hoping they can set out to create their own mold.

I see this mentioned quite a bit, but I never really understood what aspects they're talking about.

What features do you consider to be sloppy or 'oudated'?

[Brigandier]

I don't think XIV should be a copy of XI, but I do have to laugh at some of the things they finally got right in XI that they haven't added to XIV. For example the now global AH (while XIV's market wards are still split into 3), and level sync.

EDIT: Actually on the subject of the markets, on Besaid at least you'd probably be pretty dumb to sell anywhere but Ul'Dah, and it's not really fair to people from LL or Grid. The game needs a Jeuno, bad.