/r/ffxivdiscussion: XIV is becoming too big MSQ wise?

[Eastwall]

People tend to favour the easy way out, and at the moment there are a lot of things that could be done to make MSQ truly valuable as content in its own right (for example, making it easier to group during the narration; or upgrading low-level content). So I doubt that these purchases are really indicative. In any case, let's not kid ourselves: if leaving the msq as it is can bring in money because it encourages people to go and look in the shop, then the SE committee will push for it to stay as it is, despite all the changes that would be necessary (a restart at DT as many people are proposing, or an overhaul to make the MSQ valid as content in its own right, a solution I'd much prefer).

I know a guy that made a bunch of alts then just story skip So he can play 5v5 right away. The story will be a deterrence to someone that's not in this game for pvp. Yes, l ran into a new player that plays this game for pvp. So he can enjoy the game and be in arr forever. He has become a quite formidable dragoon over the month.

[WillIrishclover]

I think after this expansion a real discussion is going to be had, XIV is well past the point a new starting point should be considered, hell so many people skip ARR as it is you could argue making HW as a starting point could be an idea.

I dont really have an answer here, but I think its clear from that even Yoshi P sees this problem.

People make valid points about the whole fact that MSQ slowly teaches combat as you play it I think for that for any new starting point you would be required to do a mandatory tutorial that would teach the game, it would not be able to be skippable.

One way or another this WILL be an issue they are going to have to address and its not going to please everyone on how they do it, Personally I love the MSQ (well outside of the 6.X patch MSQ which..was ugh imo) I would have kicked myself if i skipped any of it, but I get that if this game is to survive in 10 years from now thats going to take some restructuring

[ReynTime]

Totally agree. I don't understand getting to Endgame being.... well, the endgame.

Whether some like it or not, the game is - first and foremost - the MSQ.

Because the "journey" to endgame through MSQ deviates very little from 400 hours of:
Talk to NPC, go there, talk to NPC, go back, talk to NPC, go there, kill monsters that die in 3 seconds, go talk to another NPC, rinse and repeat. And that's nowhere near as engaging as endgame duties.

[ChrysOCE]

If you are a new player and want to play with your friends/fc mates, its a hell of a slog. Unless you happen to join with (a) friend(s), that can go through the story with you, or are just happy to go solo.

The MSQ is the focus, sure. But it's still massive for someone coming in new. Especially if they want to be part of an FC and join us on "current" activity. No easy answer. Other than push MSQ.

[Absurdity]

If you are a new player and want to play with your friends/fc mates, its a hell of a slog. Unless you happen to join with (a) friend(s), that can go through the story with you, or are just happy to go solo.

The MSQ is the focus, sure. But it's still massive for someone coming in new. Especially if they want to be part of an FC and join us on "current" activity. No easy answer. Other than push MSQ.

And even if you have a friend that wants to go through the MSQ with you, it is the most multiplayer unfriendly aspect of this game, making you constantly leave your party for solo instances.

[strawberrycake]

Ngl this entire thead is kinda moot because they're already trying to deal with the fact that the MSQ is too big, Yoshida has since the start of Endwalker talked baout doing something about this soon.

[Kaurhz]

Adding to what I have already said here of the rabbit already being out of the hat due to boosts..

If they actually addressed and looked at their older content, in addition for incentive to doing older content, then the MSQ drought wouldn't be so bad for most people, honestly. The amount of content they just eventually throw to the wayside and stop supporting is a much bigger issue than the length of the MSQ - As if length were the sole issue then we would perpetually be trying to address it.

[Astrus]

And even if you have a friend that wants to go through the MSQ with you, it is the most multiplayer unfriendly aspect of this game, making you constantly leave your party for solo instances.

I can attest to that. I played the entirety of EW MSQ "with" a friend and the experience was legitimately less fun than what we did with other expansions where we each did the MSQ alone and only joined up when we unlocked a duty. The fact that you're doing solo content alongside eachother somehow makes the experience feel more lonely.

[Deceptus]

IMHO: No.

FFXIV has always been a story driven MMO and you shouldn't expect to come in 10 years after the fact and jump into endgame within a few weeks.

[Tahbitha]

I can definitely see the benefits of pruning the MSQ down a bit and reduce or eliminate some of the more tedious quests. There's room for that and I think it could be done without messing up the story overall.

But having a new starting point? No. Have everyone experience the (streamlined) story.