Ala Mhigo should get a proper city-state

[DPZ2]

If I'm interpreting that argument right, then there's no purpose for the Ishgardian Restoration because there isn't going to be an expansion with Ishgard as the central figure again. I'm not asking for an Ala Mhigan expansion like Stormblood 2, but a restoration to have it become a real city-state hub to make up for it's mishandling throughout Stormblood.

The primary leveling hub for Stormblood was Kugane. That's why it has everything else a primary city in this game has, including a housing zone.

Ishgard was a primary city of Heavensward. It was the early hub for leveling through that expansion, and was fleshed out for that purpose. Housing in Ishgard was an eventual response to player request for housing.

Ala Mhigo was never fleshed out because ... well, there was no need to use it as a leveling hub. I suspect that if there are enough player requests for housing, and SE budgets for it, there could be a housing district. Perhaps it will be built throughout 7.0, for instance, in a manner much like Ishgard.

But the rest of the city serves no purpose in-game without an Ala Mhigo 2.0 expansion to necessitate its presence.

A lot of 1.0 got canned with its failure. Calling for anything using supposed plans from 1.0 in wake of the fall of Dalamud is pointless.

Housing district for Ala Mhigo - sure. The return on investment for getting the thing designed are assured. Building a functioning new city -- Without a point (ie leveling hub for an expansion), it is wasting resources.

[SeverianLyonesse]

The primary leveling hub for Stormblood was Kugane. That's why it has everything else a primary city in this game has, including a housing zone.

Ishgard was a primary city of Heavensward. It was the early hub for leveling through that expansion, and was fleshed out for that purpose. Housing in Ishgard was an eventual response to player request for housing.

Ala Mhigo was never fleshed out because ... well, there was no need to use it as a leveling hub. I suspect that if there are enough player requests for housing, and SE budgets for it, there could be a housing district. Perhaps it will be built throughout 7.0, for instance, in a manner much like Ishgard.

But the rest of the city serves no purpose in-game without an Ala Mhigo 2.0 expansion to necessitate its presence.

A lot of 1.0 got canned with its failure. Calling for anything using supposed plans from 1.0 in wake of the fall of Dalamud is pointless.

Housing district for Ala Mhigo - sure. The return on investment for getting the thing designed are assured. Building a functioning new city -- Without a point (ie leveling hub for an expansion), it is wasting resources.

I agree with you that if it's not a leveling hub it's not likely to happen, but it's probably the best candidate for one if we get an Ilsabard-focused expansion. Which I kind of want just to sweep away all those clouds on the map and maybe get some Garlemald restoration at the same time.

Kind of like with Garlemald and 6.0, the devs have kind of written themselves into a bit of a bottleneck on that front. Now we will have this continent that we know is rich in history sitting in ruins indefinitely. And since Doma and Ishgard already set forth precedent, we are very likely unable to see any progress in those zones until we go through the same hoop jumping process. Because lore.

[Anvaire]

If I'm interpreting that argument right, then there's no purpose for the Ishgardian Restoration because there isn't going to be an expansion with Ishgard as the central figure again. I'm not asking for an Ala Mhigan expansion like Stormblood 2, but a restoration to have it become a real city-state hub to make up for it's mishandling throughout Stormblood. We liberated an entire nation for like, five way too long pointless alleyways, a Menagerie, and a war room. The excuse of, "All areas would look samey" also doesn't sit right with me because Ala Mhigo (the city proper) is already visually distinct from the rest of Gyr Abania. I would like to see MORE of it.

As for what stories Ala Mhigo can still tell, occupation doesn't end with liberty. That's been shown in the Endwalker Healer role quests. The nation still has to heal and that sort of stuff can really resonate with people if it's done correctly. It's just a shame it's put into a role quest and not a main part of it's story. That's just the general theme with Ala Mhigo's treatment by the devs: constantly sidelined for other shit. Give it a city, a la New/Old Gridania, Steps of Thal/Nald, Lower/Upper Lominsa, Pillars/Foundation, so that you have all five major cities they've always wanted since the start of 1.0.

oh im not against it, i just was merely pointing out the reasons behind why... also i think that restorations into Housing makes sense. But i doubt they will do a restoration into a city state that is not used in an expansion. So for Ala Mhigo to become a city state it would need to be the city for an expansion or a Sub city like Rads At han.

[Protantical]

The primary leveling hub for Stormblood was Kugane. That's why it has everything else a primary city in this game has, including a housing zone.

Ishgard was a primary city of Heavensward. It was the early hub for leveling through that expansion, and was fleshed out for that purpose. Housing in Ishgard was an eventual response to player request for housing.

Ala Mhigo was never fleshed out because ... well, there was no need to use it as a leveling hub. I suspect that if there are enough player requests for housing, and SE budgets for it, there could be a housing district. Perhaps it will be built throughout 7.0, for instance, in a manner much like Ishgard.

But the rest of the city serves no purpose in-game without an Ala Mhigo 2.0 expansion to necessitate its presence.

A lot of 1.0 got canned with its failure. Calling for anything using supposed plans from 1.0 in wake of the fall of Dalamud is pointless.

Housing district for Ala Mhigo - sure. The return on investment for getting the thing designed are assured. Building a functioning new city -- Without a point (ie leveling hub for an expansion), it is wasting resources.

Not a levelling hub is fine. It still deserves a sub-city a la Radz-at-Han then or a housing district. It just feels so odd that for such a major area in the history of Eorzea, it's been mishandled so badly. An instanced area can really remedy that, so when you liberate in during the events of Stormblood it feels like an actual big accomplishment and you're rewarded with a shiny cool area to fuck around in.

[kaynide]

After we spent an entire expansion liberating them and helping them rebuild their lives and their city, we don’t get to be part of it? It’s ridiculous, their story ended on such a disappointing note. This is why I want a restoration for them, base it around the dungeon and expand outward.

Also lol at everyone saying no just because they think Gyr Abania is ugly, if you don’t get it that’s on you! I’m a huge fan of the Turkey-inspired overworld and pink stone architecture.

Agreed on it ending disappointing.

But as for just not liking it because it was "ugly", it's not so much that as you have three zones that are not distinguishable or memorable when compared to other zones, even in the same expansion. There was so much more they could have done with it. Like I said, they could have made the Fringes much more swamp/river valley-esque with Peaks being the rocky/badlands and finally the Lochs being more livable/less barren.

Again, it's just not very distinguishable from Ul'dah.

Fringes (More Green/River):

Lochs (Make the Salt deposits more dramatic, possibly ocean access):

If I'm interpreting that argument right, then there's no purpose for the Ishgardian Restoration because there isn't going to be an expansion with Ishgard as the central figure again.

Ishgard was asked for by a large amount of players. This doesn't mean Ala Mhigo won't, but you need a lot more players supporting verbally. By all means, do ask for it! That said, I can't imagine Crystarium not getting housing next due to the unique visuals of the region...assuming there even is a next housing district.

[Protantical]

Agreed on it ending disappointing.

But as for just not liking it because it was "ugly", it's not so much that as you have three zones that are not distinguishable or memorable when compared to other zones, even in the same expansion. There was so much more they could have done with it. Like I said, they could have made the Fringes much more swamp/river valley-esque with Peaks being the rocky/badlands and finally the Lochs being more livable/less barren.

Again, it's just not very distinguishable from Ul'dah.

Fringes (More Green/River):

Lochs (Make the Salt deposits more dramatic, possibly ocean access):

Ishgard was asked for by a large amount of players. This doesn't mean Ala Mhigo won't, but you need a lot more players supporting verbally. By all means, do ask for it! That said, I can't imagine Crystarium not getting housing next due to the unique visuals of the region...assuming there even is a next housing district.

As much as I'm willing to constantly ask for Ala Mhigo housing/instanced city, it's a real bummer not many people seem as vocal about it as Ishgard. Be it the stigma surrounding Stormblood or what have you. It's why I'm making threads about it myself LMAO, just to drum up something to get some vocal community going.

[Spurgissimo]

I would love to see Ala Mhigo get the love it deserves! The aesthetic is very appealing to me and the lore surrounding the history of the city-state is really interesting. Similar to what they did with the Firmament, I think the best way to implement it as a full-fledged hub would be through some sort of restoration event that engages the broader player base. Since so much is unknown about the direction of the plot in 6.1 and beyond, I'm holding out hope that we'll see it become accessible at one point or another. Honestly, with Ishgard, Gridania, Limsa, and Ul'dah being accessible and accounting for four of the five Eorzean city-states, I see no justified reason to deny Ala Mhigo that same status as the liberated fifth city-state. I know this isn't a super popular idea among the community, or at least I don't think it is, but my hope is that more people will voice their support for this going forward.

[juicybug]

I agree!
My apartment is Moroccan/Middle Eastern inspired and anything Ala Mhigan would help.
Also, Lyse's hair and outfit.

anything Ala Mhigan im on board because it legit feels 100% abandoned/forgotten content.

[Protantical]

I would love to see Ala Mhigo get the love it deserves! The aesthetic is very appealing to me and the lore surrounding the history of the city-state is really interesting. Similar to what they did with the Firmament, I think the best way to implement it as a full-fledged hub would be through some sort of restoration event that engages the broader player base. Since so much is unknown about the direction of the plot in 6.1 and beyond, I'm holding out hope that we'll see it become accessible at one point or another. Honestly, with Ishgard, Gridania, Limsa, and Ul'dah being accessible and accounting for four of the five Eorzean city-states, I see no justified reason to deny Ala Mhigo that same status as the liberated fifth city-state. I know this isn't a super popular idea among the community, or at least I don't think it is, but my hope is that more people will voice their support for this going forward.

FOR REAL. At the very least like you said, all five Eorzean city-states get a proper hub with housing. Nobody would complain about more housing. And I'd rather Ala Mhigo housing than say Sharlayan or First cause it could use some much needed love.

[Apoptomon]

Highlander bias admittedly, but I would love if Ala Mhigo became a proper city-state zone. Funnily enough I was discussing this topic on another forum just last week so when I saw this thread I figured I should give it a plus-one.
Right now, with the addition of Old Sharlayan, it's the only 1.0 starting city that doesn't have a city zone with an aetheryte plaza, market board, inn room, levemete, hunt board, crafting/gathering faculty, and I would love Gyr Abanian housing as a zone or even just a furniture/wall theme.

In terms of a hub city needing an expansion to be a hub for, I think it would be a good base for Ilsabard exploration, such as the Garlemald-focused 6.0 the writers said we almost got. For example journeying Ala Mhigo > Werlyt > Corvos > Nhalmasq > Garlemald. Even as the current combined Endwalker is, the remnants of that idea have us entering Ilsabard from Ala Mhigo.