You dont need the story.

[SturmChurro]

I was met with if you don't like the story then don't play the game. I had to clarify I do actually like the story (minus some bits here and there that felt like filler, some of it was pruned though) and I just think it's silly to force people through, literally, hundred + hours of story they are probably not interested in if they wanted to get into the tighter gameplay content sooner (those who were wouldn't be taking this optional start, most likely- and even if they did they have MSQ+ to enjoy it later).

If someone was excited for an expansion for content coming out in the expansion then having to do the like 60-90 hours for ARR and then about 30-50 hours for each expansion there after to catch up is more work than most "best RPGs of all time" games, some of those to near or actual 100% completion. To me it was "for those who are not as invested into the story yet and or need a more exciting hook, this could be neat". As it would be optional, and because of our MSQ+ system it wouldn't ruin the opportunity to go back (and would allow it to actually be content for current players as well since they could new game + it). It was made clear there wouldn't be a change to how story works with the game, if someone chose to alternate start they did and if they didn't they didn't the core building of the game wasn't to be changed- just allow different types of players, those who aren't sold on the 150+ hour pre-investment to get to the content they wanted for example (or those who need a more peppy start, since imo FFXIV's start could use with some more pizazz). It's one thing to have 20-40 hours of investment needed or staying current with content vs having 100-200 movies worth of story before you're where you wanted to be

Yep! Exact same here. For having any criticism of the story, or new player experience, many just assume I myself don't like it. No, I actually like it. I watched and read the whole thing from start to "finish", I enjoyed ARR personally. I was in no rush to get to endgame. I just think SE could do things better, and make it easier for new players to get into this game.

Yep, it's a gigantic amount of time investment for many players to get to the part of the game they may enjoy, and the only way to get there is by paying for a skip. I also don't like the idea of a story skip personally, but new game+ (apparently) alleviates this. Many players will see the cost of both a story skip and level boost, and think it's not worth it, or simply get burned out by the sheer amount of story they have to get through. The gameplay is largely not fun for many people while leveling, not many skills, mechanics don't matter, etc..

[Shougun]

Yep! Exact same here. For having any criticism of the story, or new player experience, many just assume I myself don't like it. No, I actually like it. I watched and read the whole thing from start to "finish", I enjoyed ARR personally. I was in no rush to get to endgame. I just think SE could do things better, and make it easier for new players to get into this game.

Yep, it's a gigantic amount of time investment for many players to get to the part of the game they may enjoy, and the only way to get there is by paying for a skip. I also don't like the idea of a story skip personally, but new game+ (apparently) alleviates this. Many players will see the cost of both a story skip and level boost, and think it's not worth it, or simply get burned out by the sheer amount of story they have to get through.

Yeah I think if you've the patience and mild interest in what is from the start then DO THE WHOLE THING, but if you're like "I WANT TO GET TO THE CONTENT I BOUGHT INTO THE GAME FOR".. then hearing "250 hour" wall is like "BYE NOW" lol.

If someone told me ShB was AMAZING but I had to do 200 hours of content to get there and I thought ARR was just okay, I would quit. That's just... ew. You have to sell to me that all 200+ hours are AMAZING for me to buy into that sort of investment. I spent 120 hours on Witcher 3 and I did every single quest. Are you telling me that those 200+ hours are going to be equal to Witcher 3 or better? I know some people will say yes others no, but my point is just "that is a really big ask, might be easier to get people in smoother or something first lol"

It's nice they pruned ARR, I imagine that is helping already.

[SturmChurro]

Yeah I think if you've the patience and mild interest in what is from the start then DO THE WHOLE THING, but if you're like "I WANT TO GET TO THE CONTENT I BOUGHT INTO THE GAME FOR".. then hearing "250 hour" wall is like "BYE NOW" lol.

If someone told me ShB was AMAZING but I had to do 200 hours of content to get there and I thought ARR was just okay, I would quit. That's just... ew. You have to sell to me that all 200+ hours are AMAZING for me to buy into that sort of investment. I spent 120 hours on Witcher 3 and I did every single quest. Are you telling me that those 200+ hours are going to be equal to Witcher 3 or better? I know some people will say yes others no, but my point is just "that is a really big ask, might be easier to get people in smoother or something first lol"

It's nice they pruned ARR, I imagine that is helping already.

200 hours of content someone may find boring blocking them from access to content they may not find boring is too much. While I understand this game is story-based, it is also a themepark MMORPG. It can (and does) cater to both types of players.

However, I don't necessarily agree with pruning, or cutting of ARR story content. That's story content lost forever, bits that can give further context, etc. I'd rather they figure out a way to re-implement this stuff different than outright cut.

[linayar]

200 hours of content someone may find boring blocking them from access to content they may not find boring is too much. While I understand this game is story-based, it is also a themepark MMORPG. It can (and does) cater to both types of players.

However, I don't necessarily agree with pruning, or cutting of ARR story content. That's story content lost forever, bits that can give further context, etc. I'd rather they figure out a way to re-implement this stuff different than outright cut.

That's why we have a $25 story boost to accommodate those people.

Of course, they then get to endgame and realize they only like Ultimate which appears only once (or twice if they're lucky) per a 2-year expansion.

In a way, I see the story being there not to block people but to inform people that this is a main focus, and if they're about to spend money/invest long term in this game, they might as well experience it and see if they like to continue with the game.

Yes, there are people who may enjoy the game at endgame anyway, but again, that's why there's a story boost for those people. Nothing else is needed other than further refinements to the MSQ for people who are willing to go through with it.

[MsQi]

200 hours of content someone may find boring blocking them from access to content they may not find boring is too much. While I understand this game is story-based, it is also a themepark MMORPG. It can (and does) cater to both types of players.

However, I don't necessarily agree with pruning, or cutting of ARR story content. That's story content lost forever, bits that can give further context, etc. I'd rather they figure out a way to re-implement this stuff different than outright cut.

I agree I would rather they not touch a hair on the MSQ and make it optional.

We didn't lose much in the pruning, but it didn't really help either, and it didn't really address the real problems. It seems to be longer now that Crystal Tower is required.

[SturmChurro]

I agree I would rather they not touch a hair on the MSQ and make it optional.

We didn't lose much in the pruning, but it didn't really help either, and it didn't really address the real problems. It seems to be longer now that Crystal Tower is required.

That is unfortunate! The problem with the way the "pruning", or "cutting was done doesn't make ANY party happy. I think it could have been done better, or other avenues of play could have been introduced. For example, EW will end the current story line, soon is a perfect time to alter the new player experience. As in, allow new players to start here at EW (or later), or at ARR, something as simple as a free jump could work. I just feel like story skips, and the like aren't an elegant way to handle the issue. A story skip just dumps a player into a section of the story, with no context. I have never liked the solution.

My stance has literally never changed on this subject, because I always liked the story. I just get laughed out of the room constantly when I have the audacity to try and think of alternative ways, that I think could make the new player experience better.

[Nayout]

200 hours of content someone may find boring blocking them from access to content they may not find boring is too much. While I understand this game is story-based, it is also a themepark MMORPG. It can (and does) cater to both types of players.

However, I don't necessarily agree with pruning, or cutting of ARR story content. That's story content lost forever, bits that can give further context, etc. I'd rather they figure out a way to re-implement this stuff different than outright cut.

It is that the narrative of FFXIV is similar to that found in any other JRPG on the market.
Yakuza 7 doesn't really start the good until it's 20 hours of play time.
Person 5 you take even longer
I am playing Yx IX, I have been 10 hours and they have recently introduced me to 2 characters because the first hours in any of these games are about character development, FFXIV instead of using this for character development they use it in WorldBuilding throughout ARR, and Of course, being a game with a history of 5+ years it is clear that "prologue" is much longer than a game that lasts 100+ hours as Persona 5.

You want a perfect example, there you have The Legend of Heroes which is a story that consists of more than 10 games and skipping one means not knowing enough context for some installments such as Hajimami or Sen IV