Request: I don't want to solo the main scenario

[Hyrist]

Hello Dulle, it's good to see you here in FFXIV.

I agree with your idea of the progression of the game's story should not be dependant on the fact that you are with other people. Especially given the multiplayer aspect of storyline content in FFXI was notoriously class specific.

However, to obtain that sort of solo-friendly content, we probably should be willing to give a little in return. For example, for most casual players, getting through the story is its own reward. Remember how the reward for killing the Archangels in Rize of the Zilart was only achievable if you killed them all together in Divine Might?

Would you find it acceptable that something similar could be created here - specific rewards only given in the Party-version fight or perhaps higher difficulty fights?

[Duelle]

However, to obtain that sort of solo-friendly content, we probably should be willing to give a little in return. For example, for most casual players, getting through the story is its own reward. Remember how the reward for killing the Archangels in Rise of the Zilart was only achievable if you killed them all together in Divine Might?

Would you find it acceptable that something similar could be created here - specific rewards only given in the Party-version fight or perhaps higher difficulty fights?

Long time no see, Hyrist.

And yes, I find that very acceptable. Getting people for DM was not the hard part per se back when it was relevant, if only because most if not all players benefited from the earrings. The ark pentaspheres that were tied to full moon with clear weather were the horrible timesink, and separate from the task of getting people for it. I can get behind being able to see the story with extra fights correspondent to parts of the story that give rewards to those who take on the fight with a group.

PS: I really like that sig of yours. XD

[Elexia]

Remember how the reward for killing the Archangels in Rize of the Zilart was only achievable if you killed them all together in Divine Might?

Would you find it acceptable that something similar could be created here - specific rewards only given in the Party-version fight or perhaps higher difficulty fights?

This is exactly what I figured SE would do, however they did the exact opposite and forced you to solo or go with NPCs.

[Hyrist]

This is exactly what I figured SE would do, however they did the exact opposite and forced you to solo or go with NPCs.

Right. I support the idea of choice here. It really should be optional to go alone or with a group, and there should be a way to entice people to do it together, rather than force them to.

People who feel forced feel frustration and approach the situation with the wrong mindset. People who are gathering together to try a fun challenge for a cool, but not necessary, reward will often enjoy their time better regardless of the result.

To which I would say, unique rewards are the best way to go about this - so long as we keep the to currently set rule that craftiables with meteria are and will continue to be the best gear possible.

I've ideas on how to make this sort of system work well with World Bosses and other like content too - a way to make the game truly feel like a theme park and appeal to everyone while encouraging everyone to play together for the best results. However, I'd rather not pitch that here as the subject matter specifically pertains to story content.

[Cendres]

Hello Dulle, it's good to see you here in FFXIV.

I agree with your idea of the progression of the game's story should not be dependant on the fact that you are with other people. Especially given the multiplayer aspect of storyline content in FFXI was notoriously class specific.

However, to obtain that sort of solo-friendly content, we probably should be willing to give a little in return. For example, for most casual players, getting through the story is its own reward. Remember how the reward for killing the Archangels in Rize of the Zilart was only achievable if you killed them all together in Divine Might?

Exactly, thank you. And most very casual gamers don't even need to see the whole story either, and those of us who do have no qualms about preparing for it and marking the day on a calendar. ^^

**backs back out of thread**

[Hyrist]

Exactly, thank you. And most very casual gamers don't even need to see the whole story either, and those of us who do have no qualms about preparing for it and marking the day on a calendar. ^^

**backs back out of thread**

It just goes to show that a middle ground is easier to achieve to create a unified demand of the Developers than most of you people seem to want to admit.

This really should not be about having it one way or another. If Square Enix or the developers make it that way, it's up to us to all, as a unified group, chastise them for it for making the game poor for any one group. If we split among ourselves for our own selfish issues instead of trying to figure out how to make it work for as many as possible, we hurt everyone's desires in the long run by not giving the developers a clear message to be heard - and they get left guessing.

So, if we could summerise what people seem to agree upon so far (And feel free to speak up.)

What we would like to see as players:

- More dynamic storyline fights that feel more involving. (Scripted fights or fights that change as it progresses are highly desired.)
- The possibility for an adjustable difficulty or an alternate 'party orientated' fight option.
- Rewards to incentive's fighting at higher difficulties and/or partying with allies.


I feel as this is the most productive way forward given the thread's dominant concerns as far as story quests anyone have any more concerns to add?

[Zaaku]

Actually, you would be surprised the amount of people who do play who do NOT frequent these forums, point blank. I know my old LS on Trabia, many didn't really look on the forums, and the friend I am playing with now on Hyperion doesn't post on here. And I think a few members from my current LS on Durandal doesn't post on here either. The only time I see them post is on the FB ls site, never on here. So I woudln't be shocked if a lot of players are not on here.

sounds like a powerful case of denial.

I stated in the pol thread and once again in this post.

Of the players on the forums, there is a sharp 20% higher approval rating for more difficult (When I say difficult I stated 3months+levels EXP penalty all that jazz) direction for FFXIV.

There could be thousands of players who never vist the forums but guess what, that doesn't mean you can discount the data. If the trend appears in a smaller section of the community pool it is still a very good estimate of the greater whole opinion. You honestly don't think stat collectors call all the millions of People in New York when they compile a poll? No, you get a reasonable sample, which I think 6 thousand views when the total population of the game sits around 10k is pretty dang decent.

It is time to face the facts. We want a harder game. All of you that want solo content, casual leveling, and unperilous world are in fact the minority. Most then half of us want to actually have a bit of a challenge when we log on and not just have everything fall into our lap.

[Zaaku]

Poll threads are completely irrelvant. The Threads are locked to those with active subscriptions.

Do you honestly believe the casual base would pay for the game in an incomplete condition?

There's a reason why it is called the 'vocal minority'. It is because those who are insecure about their position being in the minoity, often are the ones who speak the loudest to place themselves in the beleif that they are the majoirty.

Your poll, which I read and refused to vote on, is also laced with the same sort of pointed, biast speech that makes any sort of conversation towards choice or compromise so seemingly impossible, and the ongoing conversations so basely polarized.

Hardcore players are a minority of gamers, period. If we are to presume your poll is an adequate representation of our base, then we also much acknowledge right now that what we have in the game is a niche audience.

If you are proposing that FFXIV only appeal to a niche audience then I stand by my initial statement in counter: Why can it not appeal to both camps? The solutions are here, staring us in our face.



Good point on keeping this conversation on topic, but I think you don't know what you're asking.

I don't beleive you're asking more more difficulty as you are asking for something more dynamic. Because if it's more difficult, the process would be the same, just with a greater number:


That does not sound any more appealing to me than your unmodified quote.

Instead, why not gather 0-5 other individuals, go to the location, fend off an entire PACK of wolves, with an Alpha-wolf that co-ordinates them that you can disorientate the entire pack by killing the wolf or scattering them with a farmed item that triggers a flee instinct in them. Have a selectable difficulty (1-5 stars) and choose how you approach the fight?

The wolf fight, more or less, is a Leve instance, works with the same basic components. There's no reason why the fight can not have both more dynamic feel, AND a choice of difficulty.

And I believe the player base sells itself short by fighting with each other instead of demanding more for all.

You don't mean YOUR thread right? Because I'm telling you right now that is no way indicative of the majority of players or of those hoping this game is great in 2.0

Denial! Denial everywhere!

Face it. Just because casualization is the latest trend in MMO's doesn't mean the current player base, which is keeping this halfway dead comatose patient alive, want a better game. Saying there are more people out in 'potential land' that think the way you do is moot. I can say the same thing.

And yes solo friendly games and difficult challenging gameplay are mutually exclusive.

[Hyrist]

Poll threads are completely irrelvant. The Threads are locked to those with active subscriptions.

Do you honestly believe the casual base would pay for the game in an incomplete condition?

There's a reason why it is called the 'vocal minority'. It is because those who are insecure about their position being in the minoity, often are the ones who speak the loudest to place themselves in the beleif that they are the majoirty.

Your poll, which I read and refused to vote on, is also laced with the same sort of pointed, biast speech that makes any sort of conversation towards choice or compromise so seemingly impossible, and the ongoing conversations so basely polarized.

Hardcore players are a minority of gamers, period. If we are to presume your poll is an adequate representation of our base, then we also much acknowledge right now that what we have in the game is a niche audience.

If you are proposing that FFXIV only appeal to a niche audience then I stand by my initial statement in counter: Why can it not appeal to both camps? The solutions are here, staring us in our face.

Zaaku, I re-posted and bolded for emphasis for you. Of course hardcore players who stuck with Square Enix would be here more than casual players who wouldn't want to pay for the game as it is would be on these forums. Try hosting that poll in Zam and see where the votes tilt. I'm sorry to say, but your pocket vote doesn't count for anything - this game should be designed for the players that will join the game after 2.0, not just those that are here now.

Regardless of either case, you don't ignore one or the other camp - you find a medium. In this particular case, you can have your cake and eat it too.

But this trend of so called "like vote" polling needs to stop. It's horrible misrepresentation of the numbers this MMO should have had this deep into a normal life cycle.

[Zaaku]

Zaaku, I re-posted and bolded for emphasis for you. Of course hardcore players who stuck with Square Enix would be here more than casual players who wouldn't want to pay for the game as it is would be on these forums. Try hosting that poll in Zam and see where the votes tilt. I'm sorry to say, but your pocket vote doesn't count for anything - this game should be designed for the players that will join the game after 2.0, not just those that are here now.

Regardless of either case, you don't ignore one or the other camp - you find a medium. In this particular case, you can have your cake and eat it too.

But this trend of so called "like vote" polling needs to stop. It's horrible misrepresentation of the numbers this MMO should have had this deep into a normal life cycle.

We don't matter really? I suppose we don't after all. I mean we are the ones funding their little Lazarus project while they build the game in the background. We are the ones keeping FFXIV at the very least semi-relevant instead of hoping people will fall for FFXIV's relaunch. We are the ones who are going to be recruiting friends and recommending the title to people who are otherwise going to steer clear of a once disaster.

Yeah we aren't important after all I suppose. Let's all just keep pinning our hopes on that big fat lottery ticket casual crowd that will swell our ranks when 2.0 hits!

What pisses me off most is I can't even explain to you fully how much you are ruining your own expierence by bowing to the casual mindset. I can't impose the feeling of triumph and the self assertiveness a harder game forces you to adapt. I have no doubt if they made this into FFXI-2 our population would plummet. However after the ones who can't cut it leave those who remain will be better for the change and when new players join and face this giant wall of adversity we'll be there with an outstreched hand saying, "LS {Do you need it?}"

Those are the kinds of players that will stick with an MMO for years and years and years. What we have now is going to be a constant hit and quit fest as the casual crowd wanders off or loses interest when they can keep pumping out end game raids fast enough to keep up with their insane leveling ability.