This is your regular reminder that apartments are a thing.

[GeminiReed]

But use of a system is the best indicator of interest in a system and apartments are a part of the housing system just as houses are. If players aren't using what is available to them, how is SE to know they're interested in the system at all?

Raw usage statistics are one of the worst metrics you can use to base development decisions on. You need a proper root-cause analysis to determine why uptake is so low. Consider the following: Hrothgar is one of the least played races. Is it because bestial races are unpopular or does it have more to do with male only, super limited selection of head gear, having to pay RL money to change the mane? The developers' contempt for the race as seen by the joke hairstyles?

If they had to rely on raw metrics then lottery participation is superior although that's subject to players giving up in disgust.

[Jojoya]

Raw usage statistics are one of the worst metrics you can use to base development decisions on. You need a proper root-cause analysis to determine why uptake is so low. Consider the following: Hrothgar is one of the least played races. Is it because bestial races are unpopular or does it have more to do with male only, super limited selection of head gear, having to pay RL money to change the mane? The developers' contempt for the race as seen by the joke hairstyles?

If they had to rely on raw metrics then lottery participation is superior although that's subject to players giving up in disgust.

What other means do they have to rely on to figure out what players are interested in?

Most players don't leave feedback. When they do, it tends to be feedback due to dissatisfaction instead of satisfaction. Even when the feedback is dissatisfaction, the players are usually still engaging in the content. Usage shows that there is something the player wants out of the content even if it's not everything the player wants.

Trying to use Hrothgar as a comparison point doesn't really work because racial choice has different motivations and incentives compared to housing. (As a side note, I can't recall seeing anyone say "I'm not playing Hrothgar because it lacks this". I do see them saying "I play Hrothgar but it lacks this that I would like you to add".)

I'm not trying to say that usage metrics are all they rely on but it is something that every game develop relies on heavily since they lack other ways of collecting information.

So let's take housing specifically. Why would someone get an apartment if they aren't interested in housing?

Cheapest access to a Chocobo Stable unless they're part of a FC with a FC house and Chocobo Stable placed. There is no other way to change a chocobo's color and training helps increase a chocobo's rank faster.

Easy access to a marketboard or Delivery Moogle without having to go through a crowded city and probably cheapest when it comes to teleport cost as well.

Lots of gil and nothing to spend it on, might as well waste half a million on an apartment.

Beyond that, I can't think of any reason for someone with no interest in housing to get an apartment. Perhaps others can think of more reasons.

Now why would someone who is interested in housing not get an apartment if an apartment is all that is available?

Because they're not actually interested in housing and only want access to intercross gardening or a workshop.

Because they're not actually interested in housing and only want the prestige factor of owning something others can't get.

The first is something I would love to see SE address by making those things available outside of house ownership. That would lower demand for houses, improving the supply of larger spaces for those with a genuine interest in housing.

The second should never be encouraged or indulged. That's part of what leads to toxicity in gaming.

Please. If you're genuinely interested in housing and aren't lucky enough to win a lottery, at least get an apartment to use. It's a small way to satisfy your interest in housing and demonstrates your interest while waiting to get a house. And keep entering into those lotteries.

[XiaoShengwu]

Consider the following: Hrothgar is one of the least played races. Is it because bestial races are unpopular or does it have more to do with male only, super limited selection of head gear, having to pay RL money to change the mane? The developers' contempt for the race as seen by the joke hairstyles?

I would argue that the fact that Viera and Hrothgar were races that were added into the game, in protest by the producers to begin with. that consideration is moot. They're punishment races. nothing more. they'll never be given the same attention to detail that other races are, because we pushed a button with the devs and producers when we were told not to.

[GeminiReed]

What other means do they have to rely on to figure out what players are interested in?

Actually asking people what they think. There are whole product management disciplines and practices built around doing that.

Because they're not actually interested in housing and only want access to intercross gardening or a workshop.

Because they're not actually interested in housing and only want the prestige factor of owning something others can't get.

The first is something I would love to see SE address by making those things available outside of house ownership. That would lower demand for houses, improving the supply of larger spaces for those with a genuine interest in housing.

The second should never be encouraged or indulged. That's part of what leads to toxicity in gaming.

Hard agree on those.

Please. If you're genuinely interested in housing and aren't lucky enough to win a lottery, at least get an apartment to use. It's a small way to satisfy your interest in housing and demonstrates your interest while waiting to get a house. And keep entering into those lotteries.

If somebody has an interest is in decoration I strongly suggest experimenting with an apartment or FC chambers first. I know spending 500k (or 300k) can be daunting but better to burn that to find out how cumbersome XIV's housing UI is than the 4mil a small will set you back.

[Jojoya]

Actually asking people what they think. There are whole product management disciplines and practices built around doing that.

There have been studies that show asking people what they think in surveys frequently yield results that contradict what they choose to in practice when given options.

It's still a way to gather information but it's not a more reliable one.

If somebody has an interest is in decoration I strongly suggest experimenting with an apartment or FC chambers first. I know spending 500k (or 300k) can be daunting but better to burn that to find out how cumbersome XIV's housing UI is than the 4mil a small will set you back.

I'd add that the price tag for an apartment or FC room might feel daunting but really shouldn't be.

Asking other players about ways to make gil if you're struggling can yield some simple but effective ideas that make use of things you probably have but are overlooking like retainer ventures and GC seals.

[Arzalis]

Apartments are okay, but they are very much lacking.

Honestly, if they would give an option to expand their size (Apartment->Small -> Medium -> Large interiors) for a gil cost, I suspect they would serve as adequate replacement for houses for the majority. Can come up with a different solution for folks who want gardening and such.

That said, I disagree with the notion that apartments running out are only a Balmung problem. It's a problem with the system at large. Do not forget that the same argument was used for houses for a long time "Houses running out are only a Balmung problem!" We tried to warn you all, but nobody on other servers really cared. Now we're warning you again: It's a larger issue and if the game keeps getting large you all are gonna feel it too eventually.

[Solarra]

Dear OP, we know apartments are a thing. And they are a very good thing too, they give everyone somewhere to store indoor furnishings where they won't have to worry about the timer or being kicked from our FC and losing everything. They also give us very limited opportunities to decorate. They are a great subsitute for, or addition to, a FC room. But that's all they are, a nice little extra. If you are into housing and decorating they're never going to satisfy in their present form.

There are a lot of things they don't give us:

Outdoor furnishing placement
Indoor space equal or greater than a small house
Full access to all gardening features
Sharing accomodationg with friends or FC
etc. etc.

[Jojoya]

That said, I disagree with the notion that apartments running out are only a Balmung problem. It's a problem with the system at large. Do not forget that the same argument was used for houses for a long time "Houses running out are only a Balmung problem!" We tried to warn you all, but nobody on other servers really cared. Now we're warning you again: It's a larger issue and if the game keeps getting large you all are gonna feel it too eventually.

Even if you want to believe other worlds are having the same problem with apartments, the truth is they aren't. I've never had a problem helping people find apartments on any world other than Balmung. Most of the time, I find them in the very first apartment building I check even if the player is asking for an apartment in a specific housing district.

But you're correct in saying that's a problem with the greater system design rather than one created by Balmung players. When you have a limited quantity system, it's foolish to think that the demand will be the same on every world when worlds have wildly varying populations and communities form around interest in different content types.

[KhudusQestir]

I just want to announce there are still some apartments available in Balmung. They are just VERY hidden making them hard to find because of how little is left.

Not that this is anything to be excited about but thought I'd just announce that. I just got an apt for my last two alts a couple days ago.

[Nuggets]

I have enough gil to buy 3 houses, there is no reason why I should be settling for an apartment.

we have an Entitled Ernie. I have enough gil to buy almost 6 large plots, why should I have to settle for my medium...you take what you can get.If houses were easy they would be far less special and the carrot on the stick would be gone.