Live Letter Thoughts

[Jojoya]

for now just that hairstyle but the fact that they allow ears to show, could potentially mean they've done the same with the other hairstyles. At least I'm hoping thats the case. I dont play Hroth nor do I give a rat's ass about them but I care about people who care about that race and I think it's extremely short-sighted on the devs part for them to have gone for so long to have limited hairstyles for both Hroth and Viera (including ones you earn as rewards in game). There's no excuse and this is something I will 100% complain about till they address it.

I doubt that last batch of hairstyles has been fixed. They were a rush job to add in hairstyles that already exist in game.

[Zanarkand-Ronso]

I remember recruiting Leliana quite early on in Dragon Age Origins, that was fun. Her character was then subsequently fleshed out as I played the game. It has been done before, to great effect, and I see no reason why FFXIV could not have done something similar in 6.1.

Of course you dont, because your sitting here comparing FFXIV to other games you obviously like more, and are written in your preferred format.
You like things your preferred way, and want FFXIV to cater to that Preference. So far, it sounds like its not going to. You should take FFXIV's storytelling as it is, not how other games do it, or how You want it.
Like Atelier said, it sounds like you want a completely different game called FFXIV.

Whoever this mystery Reaper is will be introduced the way FFXIV will introduce them, and then will go from there.

[aveyond-dreams]

Of course you dont, because your sitting here comparing FFXIV to other games you obviously like more, and are written in your preferred format.
You like things your preferred way, and want FFXIV to cater to that Preference. So far, it sounds like its not going to. You should take FFXIV's storytelling as it is, not how other games do it, or how You want it.
Like Atelier said, it sounds like you want a completely different game called FFXIV.

Whoever this mystery Reaper is will be introduced the way FFXIV will introduce them, and then will go from there.

As I have said before:

There is something to be said about this phenomenon we see in which players are resistant to outside suggestions that aren't explicitly sanctioned (even if later on they are). It is often discussed in relation to players who are so heavily invested in specifically WoW and its way of doing things that they reject positive and proven ideas that have worked in other game's even if it would be in their benefit.

It is possible FFXIV may have a similar scenario occurring, wherein certain players are unwilling to entertain discussions about things like new characters especially when even the fans of the scions are getting tired of them themselves, and other relevant issues pertaining to story, content, and gameplay. The fact that there are players who insist that Beastmaster could only be a limited job when even WoW's Hunter class is able to tame pets and participate in all content is something I struggle to wrap my head around. Why is there such insistence that it must fit the established paradigm in this game, rather than taking what works in another?

I believe that their frame of reference may play a part in this. If it is too limited, such as in the case of WoW players who are against some of the QoL improvements FFXIV has made over the years, then perhaps that is the reason why we are witnessing some of the reactions from people in this game here only the reverse scenario.

In any case I will continue to advocate for that which is aligned with my preferences. I would like to see a well-crafted story like that of Heavensward's where our main party at the time was more compelling than the one of Endwalker. That expansion is more befitting of being associated with "tales of loss, fire, and faith" with those protagonists compared to ones whose sacrifices were reversed and who, instead of losing anyone over the course of Endwalker, were gifted boons by their own parents and ultimately never faced lasting consequences as a result of their recent actions. I believe that should a more Heavensward-like approach been adopted for 6.0, both you and I would have found more satisfaction by way of reaching a compromise, which is what a significant number of players feel isn't happening at the moment.

For all the fears internally about FFXIV ever including more challenging small group content like WoW has, it is being introduced this expansion along with Deep Dungeon which provides a different experience that is challenging through different means. Adopting ideas from WoW, another video game, is poised to turn out well for them once it releases. FFXVI appears to have adopted some of the more iconic scenes from Devilman wherein Sirene rips off Akira's arm, and displayed that same scene in the recent trailer. Things that worked in one, worked in the other. There was also a curious comparison drawn between Minfilia's halting of the flood of light and an Elven queen in WoW doing something similar in a youtube video, which while having different lore still made for interesting moments in both cases.

Again, it all comes down to the frame of reference. This game has and will likely continue adopting scenes and story beats from other games, and will hopefully do them justice.

[VelKallor]

I would have found more satisfaction

Is a better way of putting it.

fans of the scions are getting tired of them themselves

One reddit thread amongst a playerbase of millions is representative of NOTHING.

It is possible FFXIV may have a similar scenario occurring, wherein certain players are unwilling to entertain discussions about things like new characters especially when even the fans of the scions are getting tired of them themselves, and other relevant issues pertaining to story, content, and gameplay.

Not as much as as your continued absurd claims that you speak for others when this is your opinion and yours alone.

Comments like this sweeping claim with NO PROOF to back it up:

which is what a significant number of players feel isn't happening at the moment.

dont help your case...unless , of course, you can actually demonstrate who this significant number of players is.......you cant..can you?

Because they dont exist.

[Zanarkand-Ronso]

As I have said before:



In any case I will continue to advocate for that which is aligned with my preferences. I would like to see a well-crafted story like that of Heavensward's where our main party at the time was more compelling than the one of Endwalker. That expansion is more befitting of being associated with "tales of loss, fire, and faith" with those protagonists compared to ones whose sacrifices were reversed and who, instead of losing anyone over the course of Endwalker, were gifted boons by their own parents and ultimately never faced lasting consequences as a result of their recent actions. I believe that should a more Heavensward-like approach been adopted for 6.0, both you and I would have found more satisfaction by way of reaching a compromise, which is what a significant number of players feel isn't happening at the moment.

You arn't looking for a compromise, you are looking to get a specific style of writing, what YOU want. I honestly dont care how the author chooses to write, and Im not going to sit here and tell them how they should write, and bring up other works and tell them they should be like so-so. This isn't a resistance to outside suggestions, this is me saying the Authors vision should be delivered THEIR way, not somebody elses way. This isnt Dragonage, or Game of thrones, or -insert title here-. If you want that, I believe you should go enjoy those titles, instead of trying to make and turn somebody elses work into another work.
Its just like how there was a time, and sometimes still is people form WoW that like to come into FFXIV and say it needs to be like Wow. Saying FFXIV needs to have the same systems to be successful. Lo and behold, FFXIV isn't using those systems, and is still very successful without it. Meanwhile WoW has to steal from others to be successful.

I sure hope you arn't trying to apply that crap on me. Ive said that FFXIV introduces new characters every expansion. And they appear when relevant.
And I am not against mature themes or tones being put into FFXIV, but I do reject that FFXIV needs to be a certain way to succeed. I think thats a load of nonsense. Time and time again people talk doom and gloom on this game, and it always pulls through with something fantastic and exciting.
History of this game has proven they know what they are doing and they do what people like.
Sure, not everybody will be happy. But I trust their decisions on the games direction more then somebody who will spend so much energy complaining about a character eating a Hamburger, or think every instance of fun and joy is bad.

[aveyond-dreams]

You arn't looking for a compromise, you are looking to get a specific style of writing, what YOU want. I honestly dont care how the author chooses to write, and Im not going to sit here and tell them how they should write, and bring up other works and tell them they should be like so-so. This isn't a resistance to outside suggestions, this is me saying the Authors vision should be delivered THEIR way, not somebody elses way.

I suppose that is the difference between you and I then. I am not going to hold myself back from weighing in on their work and bringing my perspective to the table. I feel that this is a necessary element in gauging people's reception to the story. Analyse both what people liked, and what they didn't. Whether they choose to act on people's feedback is their choice to make.

Its just like how there was a time, and sometimes still is people form WoW that like to come into FFXIV and say it needs to be like Wow. Saying FFXIV needs to have the same systems to be successful. Lo and behold, FFXIV isn't using those systems, and is still very successful without it. Meanwhile WoW has to steal from others to be successful.

I believe that FFXIV would benefit from incorporating some of WoW's systems, such as its Transmog system of glamours, as well as the customizable mounts and Dragon Riding that is coming are Dragonflight. Regardless of the source of the features, I believe these are some good ones that will help improve the FFXIV player experience.

Sure, not everybody will be happy. But I trust their decisions on the games direction more then somebody who will spend so much energy complaining about a character eating a Hamburger, or think every instance of fun and joy is bad.

I will continue to cite that scene as an example of one of the ways in which Endwalker missed the mark in terms of the tone in its storytelling. No one to date has provided an argument as to why scenes such as that one and Estinien's boot should have not only taken up so much of the animation budget, but were included while not depicting iconic moments such as the Sundering. Sharlayan and its characters were largely cleansed of elements that would have provided the sense of danger and intrigue once associated with them in the past, and I don't think this was to the game's benefit either.

This isn't a resistance to outside suggestions, this is me saying the Authors vision should be delivered THEIR way, not somebody elses way. This isnt Dragonage, or Game of thrones, or -insert title here-. If you want that, I believe you should go enjoy those titles, instead of trying to make and turn somebody elses work into another work.

In response to the above I will provide the following statements:

I suppose this might be another post to potentially bookmark in order to keep track of the points being raised but as has been pointed out in the past it is specifically being requested that there are meaningful lasting consequences for at least some of the major protagonists.

Not just throwaway side characters of little relevance who are created with the intention of dying horribly. Not only antagonists and villains who are predictably given a sob story to induce sympathy and then unceremoniously killed off.

The occasional character on the level of Alisae, Y'shtola, Urianger, Raubhan, Nanamo or Merlwyb actually facing death in a meaningful and well written fashion would do wonders to portray some actual stakes.

I'm not convinced that one sided magic and world altering abilities are particularly engaging, either. Wanting more fantasy elements does not necessarily equal wanting them to manifest solely as an excuse to shield the major characters at almost every turn, especially when the story is written in such a way as to disallow the antagonists to score any meaningful on screen victories.

I want a compelling story and lasting consequences would achieve that as far as I'm concerned.

As has been pointed out over the numerous past occasions where the 'this is not Game of Thrones' line has been spouted, many of us aren't asking for mass death for the sake of mass death and are instead asking for death to occur where and when it makes sense. Cladding the bulk of the cast in extensive plot armour simply sends things in the opposite direction.

I would humbly suggest bookmarking this post if you're able to. It might help refresh your memory next time this same point is raised.

[Zanarkand-Ronso]

I suppose that is the difference between you and I then. I am not going to hold myself back from weighing in on their work and bring my perspective to the table. I feel that this is a necessary element in gauging people's reception to the story. Analyze both what people liked, and what they didn't. Whether they choose to act on people's feedback is their choice to make.

No, you shouldn't hold back and should bring your perspective. The issue again, is trying to turn the Authors work, into somebody elses work.
Suggesting a more mature theme, saying you'd like to see new characters...not an issue...saying something akin to: X game does things this way and I like it so FFXIV needs to be this way or it wont succeed, is an issue. Thats not constructive. Its your personal opinion, but its not really aimed at improving the game, more-so just trying to turn it into something else.
Basically, you want a different game, but you still want to call it FFXIV.

Ill also add this. Sure, WoWs Transmog system would be neat. But I was referring to things like the Borrowed Power systems, or the many things that are deemed "Time-wasters"
People want to put that crap into FFXIV, even after it being a contributing factor to why WoW isn't fun.
The Glamour log being improved. Heck we all want that. But these time wasting systems nobody wants.

[VelKallor]

nd Dragon Riding that is coming are Dragonflight.

Ugh. No. Never.

[VelKallor]

. Analyse both what people liked, and what they didn't. Whether they choose to act on people's feedback is their choice to make.

They do get real feedback...as opposed to the imaginary "significant number of players" you seem to have sourced from more or less nowhere.

See Aveyond,.I got into contact with friends on a JP server and asked around my OCE servers..all five of them. I asked around on an EU server and the response was..."who?"

None of them had ever heard of you.

So again, where or who is this "significant number" from?

[hagare]

Ugh. No. Never.

then what about a guild wars one? :P