The current state of the "MMORPG" FFXIV is unsustainable. Here's why

[Jojoya]

I think, when people say that "casuals are killing MMOs," they usually mean that they're ruining the experience that hardcore players tend to look for in an MMO, which can actually be true if there's not enough in the MMO to keep the hardcore player's attention because of changes made to accommodate "needs" (perceived or otherwise) for casual players (particularly when and/or if those changes happen to remove or diminish the experience as originally presented to the hardcore player).

Except this game has so much content that even a hardcore player (by your definition) has plenty of content to choose from.

In one of the semi-related threads that have been floating around recently, someone was lamenting the lack of grinds in the game. I responded with a list of titles that each require hundreds of hours of time investment to earn. I'd be surprised if there were more than a handful of players in the game that had managed to earn half the titles I listed let alone all of them.

If someone who considers themselves hardcore is having a hard time staying occupied, it's because their content interests are very narrow instead of broad. In which case, why did they choose a theme park MMOJRPG to play? Why are they not playing a game that caters solely to their area of interest? It seems like they should choose to be casual in this game and pick another where they are hardcore. It's not like there's a lack of games to choose from.

[seolhyun]

i feel bad for people that started in shadowbringers. the game today is a shell of what it was. now its just creepy looking mods and ultimate cheaters.

[SaltyDaddy]

Except this game has so much content that even a hardcore player (by your definition) has plenty of content to choose from.

What if they dont care about the fishing, crafting, TT cards and have done everything else? Are you going to tell em to get the rarest treasure map achievements, just because thats possible content? Buhh.
Try to think about a moment why are those titles so rare. Its not that those grinds are hard. Its because they are crippled by low RNG, or are brain-destroying and not fun at all.

So no. Just because a game have mind numbing grinds doesnt mean it have content.

[Striker44]

People complained to get it do this point, so what's your problem?
The game was never this bad, so you are saying it's fine that people complained to get it to this point but telling people to shut up and go away more that you have it to your standard?
People like you are afraid of it changing again away from where we are

Not at all. I'm just pointing out that a comment like yours of "bad" is entirely your own personal subjective opinion, not any magical objective fact, and that it conflicts with the overwhelming majority of the actual playerbase's opinion. The closest thing any of us can come to claiming an objective "fact" here would be discussing the main target audience as casual gamers, which there is a veritable mountain of support to show.

People like me aren't "afraid" of change; we just don't want to see a game that hundreds of thousands of people really enjoy get ruined for all of us because a select few elitists want the game to cater to them instead.

[Shinkuno]

Not at all. I'm just pointing out that a comment like yours of "bad" is entirely your own personal subjective opinion, not any magical objective fact, and that it conflicts with the overwhelming majority of the actual playerbase's opinion. The closest thing any of us can come to claiming an objective "fact" here would be discussing the main target audience as casual gamers, which there is a veritable mountain of support to show.

People like me aren't "afraid" of change; we just don't want to see a game that hundreds of thousands of people really enjoy get ruined for all of us because a select few elitists want the game to cater to them instead.

You wouldnt have this game if people didnt complain for years, what makes your version of the game better than the one we want?

[Bad_Luck]

Remember...CASUALs, are what make a game thrive. They will still be around playing and paying so long as they are entertained Well before the Hardcore crowd is gone. Plus there are more Casuals in the gamer Space then hardcores.
But A nice Balance is needed, for the Hardcore who want challenges, and for the Casuals who just want a fun game to play but might become hardcore as they stick with the game.
A grind here or there.

Honestly, the more people talk and harp about Explore Zones, the more Happy I am that they arnt a thing this time. Mainly because as I grow older, I have more responsibilities and dont have as much time or Energy to game. So the current way I can casually enjoy the game and work towards the next Relic step.
But ALSO, we are only on step 2. The Resistance Relic in ShB started out crap easy, and then that got its grindy steps.
Who is to say that wont happen later?

This and why are so many doomsayers ignoring the new content? It’s difficult shit right? The kind of stuff OP is whining that the game “doesn’t do anymore”

[Shinkuno]

This and why are so many doomsayers ignoring the new content? It’s difficult shit right? The kind of stuff OP is whining that the game “doesn’t do anymore”

difficult? lol

[Bad_Luck]

The thing is that even if it's more grindy, it's likely just going to boil down to spamming some manner of underutilized content SE wants to liven up again.

I wanted a grind in new content, not stuff I've likely already spent hours farming in previous expansions or the current one.

Grinding isn’t good content.

[Bad_Luck]

Every time I read someone claim we need more long term grinds it makes me hate old school mmo design a little bit more. How about we get content that is fun by itself instead?

Doomsayers don’t want fun content.

[Xirean]

You wouldnt have this game if people didnt complain for years, what makes your version of the game better than the one we want?

It makes more money and SE likes money. /sarcasm

Sorry, couldn't resist lol