This is how FFXIV should have launched.

[Ashthra]

Long story short: I tried open beta, thought it was terrible, didn't buy it. Back in June-ish, I was bored of all other MMOs and decided, "Eh, FFXIV is $15, why not?" To my surprise, it was actually semi-decent, but it lacked...uh, absolutely everything, and the combat was still a pretty broken mess. I lasted about two months before work really picked up and I decided to put it down until it was in a better state. Come January, I hear that a lot of stuff has been added! Neat. I didn't have a chance to check it out before subs reupped, so again, I figured, "Eh, why not?"

Again, to my surprise, it's actually improved! Combat feels much more intuitive than it did previously, latency aside; classes feel much more defined (before, I was a THM that casted almost completely CON spells); there are airships, chocobos, factions, and actual NPCs out in the world. All in all, as the title says, this is where FFXIV should have been at launch, or somewhere close (I know map revamps and 'advanced' jobs are coming, and are both desperately needed). It still feels kinda like late beta, but then, looking at actual production timetables, this would be late beta stage for any other MMO, considering they tend not to get rushed out the door after a year. (MMOs aren't Madden games; it doesn't work that way, man. T_T)

I don't envy the team for having to rebuild a completely broken game, and I don't envy the players who had enough brand loyalty/time/stubbornness to stay while the game slowly rebuilt itself over the time. I know that many of those Day 1 players feel rightfully bitter towards everything the game is, but from the perspective of an outsider looking in after months of not paying attention to it, FFXIV circa January 2012 is miles ahead of FFXIV June 2011, and is an entirely different game from FFXIV September 2010.

Just wanted to offer up a slightly different perspective on things, rather than the usual fare.

[Zeref]

I know that many of those Day 1 players feel rightfully bitter

Before FFXIV 1-year grace period, I was a nice person that everyone liked lol.

[Ashthra]

Before FFXIV 1-year grace period, I was a nice person that everyone liked lol.

Hence the "rightfully bitter" part. If I'd played this game and this game alone for a year, I'd want to punt babies off a bridge into a freezing river full of maneating crocodiles, sharks, AND tigers. Yes, all three.

Like I said, not envying your position at all.

[Neptune]

Hence the "rightfully bitter" part. If I'd played this game and this game alone for a year, I'd want to punt babies off a bridge into a freezing river full of maneating crocodiles, sharks, AND tigers. Yes, all three.

Like I said, not envying your position at all.

Yeah, I think I am "rightfully bitter" too.

[Chezen]

Before FFXIV 1-year grace period, I was a nice person that everyone liked lol.

We'll still like you, Zeref. ^^ It will just cost you a cookie now.


To OP:

For me, watching the game change and unfold has been an adventure of itself. Sometimes it's been frustrating and sometimes it's a lot of fun, but I've enjoyed most of it and I'm glad I have not missed the past year.

It's nice to see posts like these though.
I'm glad you feel that way.

[Tenshi]

For me, watching the game change and unfold has been an adventure of itself. Sometimes it's been frustrating and sometimes it's a lot of fun, but I've enjoyed most of it and I'm glad I have not missed the past year.

This is definitely the case for me as well. I've played since launch but only 10-15 hours a week, so I've been able to enjoy watching things evolve without pressing hard against content ceilings.

[Brigandier]

It's definitely getting there, but I think until 2.0 comes out people will be wanting. I played at launch, quit, and started back about 4 weeks ago. In 4 weeks I have managed to get 50 thaum, 42 weaver, and a few other misc jobs for abilities. It was fun, but now it seems my Thaum has nothing to do (so I am leveling Con now).

I think the system is getting pretty close (sans the horrible UI lag), but the content is still a far cry off.

[Bahn]

It's definitely getting there, but I think until 2.0 comes out people will be wanting. I played at launch, quit, and started back about 4 weeks ago. In 4 weeks I have managed to get 50 thaum, 42 weaver, and a few other misc jobs for abilities. It was fun, but now it seems my Thaum has nothing to do (so I am leveling Con now).

I think the system is getting pretty close (sans the horrible UI lag), but the content is still a far cry off.

The horrible UI latency + position update latency (i.e. the-dodge-Ifrit fire o no you didn't problem) is what's keeping me from fully enjoying the game. Once that gets fixed (sooner, if not later) then I'm all in, but it's just downright frustrating because things are a CHORE to do because of the UI latency. Skyrim actually has similar issues when your inventory/save game gets packed lategame, too much stuff to scroll through leads to funky load times.

[Lurex]

It maybe good for new people, but for me, who has been around since day one, I find it incredibly boring. I find myself with nothing to do or any motiviation to even log in. As of this moment, I have started playing Rift again, (which btw don't even mention you play FFXIV there unless you want to be a laughing stock lol) waiting for something to do here. I am very upset about the Moogle battle, I think this idea was absolutely ridiculous and I hate the weapons, I don't even want them, and now Gobbue mounts? I hope this is not the path we are heading down.

[HiirNoivl]

I'm still hurting for things to do. I'm one drop away from getting the last Ifrit weapon. I'm already working on my moogle drops. Right now my only goals are to start seriously getting materia melds on gear as well as work on Luminary Tools. But that's half hearted. Since I already defeated everything that needs defeating, even if I get triple melds on everything I'll feel like I'm all dressed up with nowhere to go.