Information on 1.21 Next week?

[Rukkirii]

I wanted to share some additional information that Yoshida provided in regards to the patch timing.

In regards to the schedule delay, I feel terrible that all I can do is apologize. To everyone that is waiting and looking forward to the patch, please give us just a bit more time. As some of you have pointed out, since I released the initial schedule, it is naturally my duty as producer to ensure that the schedule is upheld.

With each patch, we balance the schedule along with the quality and volume of the patch and then decide on the specifications following that. However, we prioritized quality and volume and we are now reflecting on the lack of foresight that the patch would be pushed back as a result. In the future I don’t want the same mistakes to happen again as I believe we’ve all learned a lot from this (for the rest of my life as long as I am doing this line of work), and I make an effort to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

P.S.
I just finished writing the next Letter from the Producer a bit ago, and it should reach the hands of the translators first thing tomorrow morning. I would like to have this released as soon as possible.

[Starlord]

I wanted to share some additional information that Yoshida provided in regards to the patch timing.

Hey Rukkirii.. I just posted a crappier version of your nicely Translated Version of this like.. 5 mins ago.. , I can't wait for the Producer letter!

[Rydin]

However, we prioritized quality and volume and we are now reflecting on the lack of foresight that the patch would be pushed back as a result. In the future I don’t want the same mistakes to happen again as I believe we’ve all learned a lot from this (for the rest of my life as long as I am doing this line of work), and I make an effort to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Got some advice for you... (Not that it would ever reach you)
Under promise
Over deliver

Thats how we do it in the states....
I would have told people April for 1.21... So March 8th seemed like it was way ahead of schedule...
But telling people early Feb makes March 8 feel icky and wrong...

[Velhart]

I wanted to share some additional information that Yoshida provided in regards to the patch timing.

We understand the situation where you are coming from Yoshida. Only thing I ask in he future is that you keep a better line of communication with your customers when situations like this occurs. Being as informative as can be on delays and progress goes a long way with us. Not many people were angry over the fact that he patch was delayed. Most of the anger was around people being left in the dark about the delay. We hope in the future if patches get delayed, you will keep us informed on the situation.

Also, thank you for making that post, it does show you do really care about the production of the game and care about your customer base.

[Fated]

Got some advice for you... (Not that it would ever reach you)
Under promise
Over deliver

Thats how we do it in the states....
I would have told people April for 1.21... So March 8th seemed like it was way ahead of schedule...
But telling people early Feb makes March 8 feel icky and wrong...

Sound advice, don't know why they don't do it this way instead.

[Naylia]

Let's all say it together....

"Surprise and Delight"
"Surprise and Delight"

Easy to do if you are much more conservative in promises and timelines. Every release should be early and with more content then advertised. The difficulty with this of course is that it is in human nature to be optimistic about accomplishing one's goals and the desire to be transparent about what's going on.

[Jynx]

However, we prioritized quality and volume and we are now reflecting on the lack of foresight that the patch would be pushed back as a result. In the future I don’t want the same mistakes to happen again as I believe we’ve all learned a lot from this (for the rest of my life as long as I am doing this line of work), and I make an effort to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Translation: We will stop telling you guys potential dates to save yourselfs from comiting suicide when we hit a snag.

I think it's unfortunate that SE made the attempt to be more transparant with things but are drug through the mud when a delay drops. It's going to very easy to Yoshida and SE in general to turtle back up in regards to releasing information to the public if the players keep acting like a ravenous swarm waiting for information to tear apart long before it's even beyond concept phase.

I also think this will be a step backwards in communication with players about our own suggestions as well.

Hopefully I'm wrong and Yoshida is just going to be less precise with dates in the near future.

[Rydin]

Let's all say it together....

"Surprise and Delight"
"Surprise and Delight"

Easy to do if you are much more conservative in promises and timelines. Every release should be early and with more content then advertised. The difficulty with this of course is that it is in human nature to be optimistic about accomplishing one's goals and the desire to be transparent about what's going on.

Sound advice, don't know why they don't do it this way instead.

Thank you... And for the love of God... stop saying...

Patch 1.21 is going to be the biggest patch yet since the launch of FFXIV service.

[Dragon]

This just sucks...

I used to look forward to coming into work at 8AM and checking the Lodestone for patch notes, indulging myself in exciting changes and additions to the game and getting pumped for the patch. I even woke up at 5AM this morning and checked the Lodestone for an update. Nothing. I mean c'mon...delay or not, I'm getting extremely anxious. This is just outright ridiculous. Oh wait, we got like 5 screenshots, oh woooooooow.

First I pitied you, then I lol'd.
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@bout Yoshi - as others said, "promise less, deliver more" is the best public relations option. Always conserve your promises, as humans are much better impressionable by such manners.

[AlexNiculaie]

Translation: We will stop telling you guys potential dates to save yourselfs from comiting suicide when we hit a snag.

I think it's unfortunate that SE made the attempt to be more transparant with things but are drug through the mud when a delay drops. It's going to very easy to Yoshida and SE in general to turtle back up in regards to releasing information to the public if the players keep acting like a ravenous swarm waiting for information to tear apart long before it's even beyond concept phase.

I also think this will be a step backwards in communication with players about our own suggestions as well.

Hopefully I'm wrong and Yoshida is just going to be less precise with dates in the near future.

Same thing happened with White Wolf for the same reasons. They'd give a release date months, or even just over a year in advance, then something would happen to delay publication by a week or a few months and the bsc fans would pitch a fit. Eventually, the company started giving dates with the caveat of "subject to change." Still the bsc fans bitched if the schedule deviated at all. Finally, they just started posting "coming soon," and those same bsc fans who bitched and moaned that they'd rather get no specific date if there was a chance of being delayed started bitching because they were getting no dates.