Option to unlock content without mandatory MSQ

[SannaR]

Could this be remedied by requiring a mandatory solo instance for each role at certain levels that could act like a barrier? In this case you'd have to first prove being capable at your role before being able to use this option.

It wouldn't help as people somehow pass the solo instances for their jobs and are still clueless on not only how to play it, but also what some things are like stack markers. Or just simply don't care because they simply only want to put in the minimal effort. I mean the hall of the novice and the gld lv 15 fight both at least tell a tank hey please use these skills, but you still end up with fairly craptastic tanks at lv 80, We've asked for years for other higher level training simulators and so far Yoshida has been very iffy on them.

[SamRF]

After seeing some of your posts where you ask for ridiculous things it is very easy to think so, also there is option to skip Msq it's called skip potion

I've learnt my lesson from those threads to be less impulsive and more considerate in my wording.

[Sebazy]

That's legitimately good to hear, whilst some of them are a bit baity, you've thrown out some legitimately interesting (and sometimes amusing) threads

[Leloa]

Play the game how it's suppose to be played and don't be lazy. Why do people refuse to do the actual story which is the reason for this game to exist...

[Krotoan]

Are you implying there isn't already a sea of people at max level who have absolutely no idea what they're doing? I mean, who exactly does the msq even actually gate? Maybe like, a small handful of people, considering we have the echo and very easy settings on solo duties now. I'm pretty sure the only thing msq scenarios have taught me as that SE has been improving their use of npcs in fights over the years (imo) and that I freaking hate pointlessly long drawn out fights where I only get to use three or four buttons (*cough*Ranjit*cough*)

I'm implying the proposed idea would make it even worse. Currently at least the people who wander into level 70 instances with tank stance off or ice-mageing it up or running in little confused circles when they get certain markers have paid for that privilege and that pricetag makes it unattractive for some people.

[Stanelis]

Would it be feasible to add an option to unlock instances without making it mandatory to do MSQ?

Most MMOs don't have such a (long) main mandatory questline to unlock content and allow players to journey through the game however they like. People who don't care much for story will have a terrible time in FFXIV.

People who still want to unlock stuff through MSQ can continue to do so and unlock content that way. People who don't care for the MSQ can unlock the instances with this option and decide to perhaps do the MSQ another time.

I'm pretty sure this option would open up the game to (quite a lot) of new players who are for example only interested in combat/crafting/instances/raids/art and don't want to experience forced visual novel.

I would personally never use this option because I greatly enjoy the MSQ but I think this game is missing out on a lot of new players because of the MSQ barrier. Even with an MSQ skip they have to go through lots of quests (towards and at endgame) before unlocking content/instances and have to do so again with each patch.

Why would you be for or against this option? What needs to be taken into consideration?

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Edit:
My response to argument concerning players at endgame who will have no idea about what they're doing and thus worsen DF experience:

Won't happen due to the story skip potion.

[Avidria]

I'm implying the proposed idea would make it even worse. Currently at least the people who wander into level 70 instances with tank stance off or ice-mageing it up or running in little confused circles when they get certain markers have paid for that privilege and that pricetag makes it unattractive for some people.

I doubt it'd make it noticeably worse. The price is a pittance and the cost more patience to not skip it outright than any sort of knowledge or skill requirement.

[Krotoan]

I doubt it'd make it noticeably worse. The price is a pittance and the cost more patience to not skip it outright than any sort of knowledge or skill requirement.

While you or I might not flinch at the cost of say a couple meals at mcdonalds it's a deterrent for some and the MSQ forces you to at least experience the dungeons with the mechanics introductions. Hard to prove either way, but I'm of the opinion just opening those those gates straight to late content is asking for a poorer overall experience for the deeper consumers of FFXIV's content.

[Iscah]

The devs have a vested interest in keeping you jumping through as many hoops as the average player is willing to endure. You either pay your subscription (and time) for however long it takes you to get through the MSQ, or pay for a story skip to "fast forward" that process. Money goes into the game; character progress comes out.

Giving immediate access would essentially cost them money in time that you're not spending on their game.

Obviously people may just quit if it's too long, but they seem to be trying to balance that with things like the ARR re-edit to shorten it. And it's more about the large-scale average than keeping every single player.

[dangadget]

Why is this suggestion considered controversial to you? It seems fairly innocent to me, being a voluntary option (it's not like it's changing how players present themselves like the hide glamour thread). Feel free to make me aware of any considerations I may not be taking into account. Is there some kind of (ethical) principle that I'm overlooking?

Because this suggestion would fundamentally alter the culture of the game, and as many have pointed out, that story-driven experience is the main draw for them.
There really isn't that much of a desire or need to appeal to a playerbase who would actively dislike what makes FF14 unique and appealing to a vast majority of the existing fans.