Wow, Wuk Lamat is really single-handedly ruining the DT story...

[Rolder50]

Funny, the whole argument of avoiding the white savior/intervention/colonizer aspects falls quite quickly when you realize that we are playing the role of CIA agents intervening in local election.

I really want to see someone roleplay as a CIA agent now. Gotta secure those Ceruleum shipments ya know?

[Daralii]

I'm not defending Yoshida here, especially after the past two years, but I do wonder how far his influence goes in scenarios like these. I remember him saying he was surprised by Y'shtola's "froth and foam" bit back then and actually mentioned he felt like it might have been a step too far for her character, or words to that effect (Google is failing me.) Other comments by him also seem to indicate that while he has a general say in what goes and offers some input along the way, it's pretty much left to the writers until the later stages, and even then, there are some battles he loses if there's any disagreement. Ishikawa literally had the power to do a near rewrite of EW's plot at almost the last minute when she found it underwhelming, so I think it's a mistake to assume his word is law or he unequivocally approves of every writing decision the team makes.

I think the issue is whatever's driving this bizarre new direction they've taken with the game's tone that's been brewing for a while, and the fact they've largely handed things over to new writers this time around.

It might be other members of the board(and/or other leadership) trying to do the classic tone deaf mass appeal pivot with Yoshida tasked with playing the role of salesman.

[Dorito_Burrito]

I don't like the character either but I'll be damned if I started living in constant dread of Garfield, Warrior Princess.

[Lynaval]

Garfield, Warrior Princess.

[antiabz]

It’s permanently damaged my trust in FFXIV to be honest.

Multiple people gave the green light to DT’s MSQ (and the Endwalker post MSQ). They wrote it, checked it, double checked it, and shipped it like this. Did Yoshi not play it first? Did any of them? The change in quality of storytelling was rapid and shockingly obvious, so much so I actually discovered and logged on to these forums for the first time since starting to play to find out what on earth had happened.

I hung around far too long after getting burned by Blizzard, and I swore never to give a company that much goodwill again. FFXIV felt like a breath of fresh air, a development team that actually really cared about the player enjoying themselves, cared about the lore and story.

The expansion was the first time I came looking for these forums. It is the first time the story felt like a slog rather than a joy. The first time I logged off in the middle of the last zone, vowing never to return because I was so annoyed/bored. And it is the last time that I will preorder an FFXIV expansion or play any of the post MSQ patches until I see reviews first and know which way the game is heading.

[Lunaxia]

It might be other members of the board(and/or other leadership) trying to do the classic tone deaf mass appeal pivot with Yoshida tasked with playing the role of salesman.

You would be surprised by just how frequently this is the case, even with someone in Yoshida's position.

That said, we don't know his true feelings on the matter, and it's just as likely he's quite happy with the result, but it's worth remembering there's a lot that goes on behind the scenes we don't know about, especially when it comes down to who has the final word about what happens with the game. The feedback for the actual fights and dungeon design seems very positive, so there's still a degree of care and thought going into into some areas, at least. I'm inclined to think the mess surrounding the story specifically is an attempt to hold on to the success and numbers achieved by previous expansions and catering to a broader demographic for that specific purpose (because the bottom line is and always will be, money) and that sort of decision making tends to come from higher up, if you catch my drift. And these days, fluff and fanservice sells.

[Malthir]

It’s permanently damaged my trust in FFXIV to be honest.

Multiple people gave the green light to DT’s MSQ (and the Endwalker post MSQ). They wrote it, checked it, double checked it, and shipped it like this. Did Yoshi not play it first? Did any of them? The change in quality of storytelling was rapid and shockingly obvious, so much so I actually discovered and logged on to these forums for the first time since starting to play to find out what on earth had happened.

I hung around far too long after getting burned by Blizzard, and I swore never to give a company that much goodwill again. FFXIV felt like a breath of fresh air, a development team that actually really cared about the player enjoying themselves, cared about the lore and story.

The expansion was the first time I came looking for these forums. It is the first time the story felt like a slog rather than a joy. The first time I logged off in the middle of the last zone, vowing never to return because I was so annoyed/bored. And it is the last time that I will preorder an FFXIV expansion or play any of the post MSQ patches until I see reviews first and know which way the game is heading.

My I suggest SWTOR, the free to play version is not great, and the gameplay has some jank but each class has a fully voice decent storyline where you actually get to do things. I know that sounds like a novelty after the shitshow that is DT. Been playing through it myself just to have an MMO with an actual story I can enjoy.

[Voidmage]

I don't like the character either but I'll be damned if I started living in constant dread of Garfield, Warrior Princess.

I'm just waiting for Square to sell her bathwater on the store at this point.

[Lieri]

When you have the chance to play as her against Bakool Ja Ja and her Primal Cleave does 100 front flips before actually dealing damage. Yeah thats about right, sums up this character in one move.

[antiabz]

My I suggest SWTOR, the free to play version is not great, and the gameplay has some jank but each class has a fully voice decent storyline where you actually get to do things. I know that sounds like a novelty after the shitshow that is DT. Been playing through it myself just to have an MMO with an actual story I can enjoy.

Thanks, I will check that out. We were at a bit of a loss trying to think what to play this weekend!