Anyone else get the feeling they are still figuring out the story for 6.X and 7.0 ?

[Raoabolic]

Are you ever positive about anything? Why assume the worst all the time? I don't understand people so focused on negativity 24/7.

You may call it an assumption, others call it noticing a pattern.

[aveyond-dreams]

As a long term player of this game it is in my interest for it to be successful, and in order to do that I think it is important to highlight issues as they appear so they can be addressed. While I would like to be positive and confident about the story, there has been a lot that has given me pause and it is crucial that I express myself honestly about this.

The Void being reduced to patch content filler arcs instead of a devoted expansion set in a dark fantasy world is disheartening, along with still having to carry on with a cast that even the most devoted fans of the story are growing tired of. It doesn't feel like those in charge of these aspects of the game are getting an accurate read from a wide variety of perspectives, causing them to double down on elements like modern slice of life or humor that is starting to deter players like me away from the game.

[Irenia]

As a long term player of this game it is in my interest for it to be successful, and in order to do that I think it is important to highlight issues as they appear so they can be addressed. While I would like to be positive and confident about the story, there has been a lot that has given me pause and it is crucial that I express myself honestly about this.

The Void being reduced to patch content filler arcs instead of a devoted expansion set in a dark fantasy world is disheartening, along with still having to carry on with a cast that even the most devoted fans of the story are growing tired of. It doesn't feel like those in charge of these aspects of the game are getting an accurate read from a wide variety of perspectives, causing them to double down on elements like modern slice of life or humor that is starting to deter players like me away from the game.

Would you be happy if the game is more successful with a design that you don't like?

It's a tough feeling, and I'm not really picking on you, but it is easy to assume that since the game is doing things I do not like that the game is going downhill.

Hell, for me, the oversimplicity of Healers is my main pain point, but I have to accept that if the game is more successful by making healers terrible to play for me... what can I do?

It may be easy to blame those who are enjoying what is being delivered to, but that's the coward's way out.

In the end, it's best to voice your complaints for as long as you believe there is a chance they are to be received. But never forget that it's not just about us.

[aveyond-dreams]

Would you be happy if the game is more successful with a design that you don't like?

It's a tough feeling, and I'm not really picking on you, but it is easy to assume that since the game is doing things I do not like that the game is going downhill.

Hell, for me, the oversimplicity of Healers is my main pain point, but I have to accept that if the game is more successful by making healers terrible to play for me... what can I do?

It may be easy to blame those who are enjoying what is being delivered to, but that's the coward's way out.

In the end, it's best to voice your complaints for as long as you believe there is a chance they are to be received. But never forget that it's not just about us.

I don't believe this game will see long term success if it continues in the current story direction that isn't all that grounded and is set to ensure the continued involvement of the Scions. Nor will the direction of gameplay be conducive to success either. I only hope they realize that before it is too late.

FFXIV in this direction may see short term success with the crowd that has been drawn in by these recent elements but it comes at the cost of players like myself and those who come for the fantasy part of Final Fantasy. We built this game up from its beginnings in ARR and now it feels like we're being pushed out. Why? Why are those of us who were loyal being treated this way? Why is there such a disconnect?

[Raoabolic]

Would you be happy if the game is more successful with a design that you don't like?

*screams in Cataclysm*
Short term wins do not equate long term success.

[Kikosho]

They always have the major story beats planned out years in advanced even if the details are still being worked on. They need to give their art team and design teams time to work on the locations and characters which takes months of preparation. This much is known from past interviews which fits into how games are designed in general.

[Kazemon15]

I don't believe this game will see long term success if it continues in the current story direction that isn't all that grounded and is set to ensure the continued involvement of the Scions. Nor will the direction of gameplay be conducive to success either. I only hope they realize that before it is too late.

FFXIV in this direction may see short term success with the crowd that has been drawn in by these recent elements but it comes at the cost of players like myself and those who come for the fantasy part of Final Fantasy. We built this game up from its beginnings in ARR and now it feels like we're being pushed out. Why? Why are those of us who were loyal being treated this way? Why is there such a disconnect?

Only the vocal minority feel this "disconnect."

Most of your post have been "I don't like these characters or these stories despite many other people who do, so therefore, based on my dislikes, the game is going downhill and the story is sucky because it isn't what *I* wanted it to be and didn't get rid of characters that *I* hate." I assure you, maybe 85% of the fandom likes the stories going forward and the characters. Most of the naysayer haters gather around the forums, but those who do enjoy it express their likes on reddit, tumblr, ect so you are not the majority of the fanbase.

To be honest, I don't understand why you follow a story where you hate the characters so much. If it were me, I wouldn't care how good a story is if I hate the main cast going through it. There are plenty of long running stories I have dropped after years of following cuz I didn't agree with how it went. I don't go on the forums expressing my hate every chance I get, trying to convince others to hate the thing I hate... seriously...

[Raoabolic]

Only the vocal minority feel this "disconnect."

Most of your post have been "I don't like these characters or these stories despite many other people who do, so therefore, based on my dislikes, the game is going downhill and the story is sucky because it isn't what *I* wanted it to be and didn't get rid of characters that *I* hate." I assure you, maybe 85% of the fandom likes the stories going forward and the characters. Most of the naysayer haters gather around the forums, but those who do enjoy it express their likes on reddit, tumblr, ect so you are not the majority of the fanbase.

To be honest, I don't understand why you follow a story where you hate the characters so much. If it were me, I wouldn't care how good a story is if I hate the main cast going through it. There are plenty of long running stories I have dropped after years of following cuz I didn't agree with how it went. I don't go on the forums expressing my hate every chance I get, trying to convince others to hate the thing I hate... seriously...

"You are just a hater, just unsub why don't you!"
So it's come to this phase. I'm not even mad, just tired. lol

[Irenia]

*screams in Cataclysm*
Short term wins do not equate long term success.

They do not correlate, neither positively nor negatively.
I'm just not egotistical enough to believe what I like will bring long term success.
I do believe that the devs have a clearer picture of the variables, and I hope they do plan for the long term.
Not that I won't stop advocating for what I like; just that what I like and what will prove successful may not be the same.
Or maybe it is. Who knows, really.

[aveyond-dreams]

All I know is that I've often been proven right when it comes to the major controversies this game has had over the years, from Blue Mage to male Viera to now the situation that has been unfolding since Endwalker launched. There is still time to course correct and help make FFXIV the best it can be, but there has to be a discussion about the things we've been seeing. Preferably, this discussion should be able to take place without posters implying things about each other.

On Friday I want nothing more than to be proven wrong in terms of the story at least, to show that they are listening. The ideal scenario given the present setup would be for at the very least 1 or 2 new party members to appear rather than calling on most of the scions again. At this point none of them have a reason to be there besides Y'shtola and Estinien. I'd like to see Vrtra gain an adult body so he can fight with us too. I want the Void to be treated well and not wrapped up with a neat bow like they tried to do for Garlemald.

I believe that this will be better for the game than falling back on Thancred/G'raha Tia/Urianger/the Twins and to try and quickly go through the 13th in patch quests and dungeons rather than a dedicated expansion with zones and all. Given what we know of Meracydia and the New World, I believe that an expansion set in the 13th would be more appealing to Final Fantasy fans than a direct comparison to the Americas or Australia.

Which one of us here actually wants to play a whole expansion set in a place like those? Most of us here probably came in because the game was going somewhere and we wanted to be along for the ride, like the castles of Heavensward, the Far East in Stormblood, or the overall high fantasy setting of the First in Shadowbringers. Beyond just the setting though, we need them to be fleshed out to a better degree and have their conflicts reach ends that don't necessarily play into modern morality or political systems like they have done so repeatedly with nations like Ala Mhigo and Garlemald. The morals and ideals of Sharlayan don't work for the whole world, and spreading them this way via the Scions is making each nation less unique. The focus should be first on telling a thrilling, entertaining story and leaving the messaging as secondary so that it arises naturally rather than being forced.