What happened to the 8 years of data and market analysis?

[AlexiaKidd]

I think that FFXIV wasn't even a Final Fantasy MMO to begin with and probably very late into the development they decided to make it a Final Fantasy one as they figured it would increase sales. Then they would have had to strip away all of the content that they had and make it more FF'ish and change other systems and things to put them more in line with Final Fantasy.

It certainly would explain a lot about this game and it's current state and lack of content.

[Jibe]

I think that FFXIV wasn't even a Final Fantasy MMO to begin with and probably very late into the development they decided to make it a Final Fantasy one as they figured it would increase sales. Then they would have had to strip away all of the content that they had and make it more FF'ish and change other systems and things to put them more in line with Final Fantasy.

It certainly would explain a lot about this game and it's current state and lack of content.

This is the first time I've seen someone advance that opinion, but it kinda seems to make sense. Although didn't SE announce they were working on a new FF MMO quite awhile back? I mean like years ago? Or did they just say "a new MMO"?

[Malakhim]

I cannot help commenting on obscure references. You sir win the internet. Plucky approves of this post.

Do I get a free game of miniature golf?

I think that FFXIV wasn't even a Final Fantasy MMO to begin with and probably very late into the development they decided to make it a Final Fantasy one as they figured it would increase sales. Then they would have had to strip away all of the content that they had and make it more FF'ish and change other systems and things to put them more in line with Final Fantasy.

It certainly would explain a lot about this game and it's current state and lack of content.

As sad as it is to admit, I've always had a nagging feeling about this exact thing while playing. It might be due to the lack of key elements that just didn't make it into the game in time, but it also might be because "Rapture" was supposed to be its own stand alone thing that got caught up in Final Fantasy marketing.

I enjoy what's there, but there isn't much of it right now. How did this go wrong?

I'm loathe to put the blame strictly on Tanaka because it's a pretty common corporate practice to take the heat like he did. This isn't to absolve him of any guilt however, it's just my own mind at work.

Regardless, I sincerely hope SE takes this as a lesson, and is able to deliver on a great game eventually.

Also seriously hoping for more info on just what kind of stuff is going to happen to the game by the end of this week. Can't give feedback if there's nothing to give feedback on.

[quantumsaint]

I think that FFXIV wasn't even a Final Fantasy MMO to begin with and probably very late into the development they decided to make it a Final Fantasy one as they figured it would increase sales. Then they would have had to strip away all of the content that they had and make it more FF'ish and change other systems and things to put them more in line with Final Fantasy.

It certainly would explain a lot about this game and it's current state and lack of content.

Although S-E clearly doesn't have a problem with doing that (Final Fantasy Adventure = Seiken Densetsu, Final Fantasy Legends = SaGa) I don't think that was the case with FFXIV. The tech demo from 2005 looked very FF-ish. Crystal Tools taking as long as it did to develop was most likely the real culprit.

IIRC, the reason why they called it Rapture was because they weren't sure what number FF would be out by the time they released it (meaning FFXIII might have ended up coming out after FFXIV, so FFXIV would have been named FFXIII and FFXIII would have named FFXIV.)

[Fieros]

The polls are just a PR stunt. SE will always do what SE wants.

The more I refer back to the Yoshida's discussion after the second poll, the more that thought has become relevant in my head as well. Especially:

To be honest, I'm genuinely surprised by the response to Question 8, as are Matsui and Gondai on the battle team. We certainly didn't think that over 50% of players would be for doing away with physical levels. This would entail some pretty big changes tied in with enhancing class uniqueness. But we're coming to realize now that most of you seem to be saying you're fine with radical changes as long as they make the game more fun. We'll definitely refer to this data when coming up with new specs, and will be implementing them when we can!

Each answer has that well-crafted PR touch. It's like they are saying:

"We hear what you want, and if it falls in line with what we already had planned it will be implemented. Otherwise, we will refer to this valuable information in the future."

[Abriael]

"We hear what you want, and if it falls in line with what we already had planned it will be implemented. Otherwise, we will refer to this valuable information in the future."

Which is pretty much what any developer should do (and does). Request feedback to know what people want, and then take it into *very limited* consideration, while applying their own vision.
Game development (and development in general) has never been and should never be a democratic process.

[Nephera]

I think when Tanaka made those indignant tweets about the fatigue system it was time for him to go.

[Abriael]

I think when Tanaka made those indignant tweets about the fatigue system it was time for him to go.

Considering how much some websites actually completely warped reality and intentionally misinformed about the fatigue system (whether you or I like it or not), he really said nothing else than the truth.

Some sites spread some quite evidently intentional/sensationalistic misinformation, and they have been called on it. There's nothing wrong with that. I'd be much happier if more developers nailed bad reporters on the misinformative crap they write more often.

[Nephera]

Considering how much some websites actually completely warped reality and intentionally misinformed about the fatigue system (whether you or I like it or not), he really said nothing else than the truth.

Some sites spread some quite evidently intentional/sensationalistic misinformation, and they have been called on it. There's nothing wrong with that. I'd be much happier if more developers nailed bad reporters on the misinformative crap they write more often.

An offhanded twitter remark is not the place to do that though. It makes you look like you're an angry 16 year old.

[Evenstar]

Which is pretty much what any developer should do (and does). Request feedback to know what people want, and then take it into *very limited* consideration, while applying their own vision.
Game development (and development in general) has never been and should never be a democratic process.

Exactly!

They should ask us our opinion. They should listen to it and they should take it into consideration, but that is all. I am happy about how they react so far. They listen and think about things we said in the polls, but do not copy/paste it into the game without thinking about it.