FFXIV: Do Better

[Ramiee]

Everything they do pushes all the old players away, so they can bring in new players who have no idea about the past, who wont complain cuz they dont know anything or care about anything unless its bright and colorful and flashy and glittery and such wao
youre over 25? get out - square enix

I don't think the new players will even stay around considering how they hated the story. A lot of new players are casual social players who prefer to hang out and talk instead of doing battle content and especially hard battle content, I imagine when vr becomes more affordable all of the social players will go over to VR chat or something instead. Maybe coming back for the X.0 patches for the MSQ.
The game is really bad at guiding new players into the grind content and keeping retention, used to be more balanced with high skill ceiling jobs so some people would remain to try and master their job. Though this has the caviate of scaring people away from them. Sort of damned If you do damned if you don't, I feel bad for modern MMO game developers.

[Jojoya]

I'm not going to say the devs need to do better or anything of that nature. It's their game to make as they want.

I will say I'm not certain it's a game I want to continue to play. It's got nothing to do with job design or how much content they do/don't add.

The theme of the game appears to be changing and it appears to be a direction that just does not appeal to me.

When it comes to RPG and MMORPGs, I'm much more into the sword and sorcery type game. I have no interest in steampunk, cyberpunk, high tech, etc. I gave the game a try when I was looking for a WoW replacement because it was sword and sorcery mixed with what I would consider a low amount of mid-tech. The mid-tech gave me concern at first but didn't end up bothering me as they had done a good job of blending it into the game.

This no longer feels like the same game. The last 2 zones were dumped on us like an avalanche, destroying what had been built up in the past. The aesthetic is totally different.

I'm guessing that was done deliberately. The developers seem to be trying to say the game is going in a completely new direction. While I'm happy for those who want or at least have interest in that new direction in theme and aesthetic, it has no appeal to me. I lost interest in the game once a purple bubble appeared in the sky of a desert frontier. I have little motivation to log in to play anymore.

I'm going to wait to see what the first Live Letter for 7.1 shares (it should be in about 6 weeks based on past scheduling). If what we see in the second half of the 7.0 MSQ is going to be the focus of the game going forward, then it's time for me to find another game to play.

[Isala]

I'm not going to say the devs need to do better or anything of that nature. It's their game to make as they want.

I will say I'm not certain it's a game I want to continue to play. It's got nothing to do with job design or how much content they do/don't add.

The theme of the game appears to be changing and it appears to be a direction that just does not appeal to me.

When it comes to RPG and MMORPGs, I'm much more into the sword and sorcery type game. I have no interest in steampunk, cyberpunk, high tech, etc. I gave the game a try when I was looking for a WoW replacement because it was sword and sorcery mixed with what I would consider a low amount of mid-tech. The mid-tech gave me concern at first but didn't end up bothering me as they had done a good job of blending it into the game.

This no longer feels like the same game. The last 2 zones were dumped on us like an avalanche, destroying what had been built up in the past. The aesthetic is totally different.

I'm guessing that was done deliberately. The developers seem to be trying to say the game is going in a completely new direction. While I'm happy for those who want or at least have interest in that new direction in theme and aesthetic, it has no appeal to me. I lost interest in the game once a purple bubble appeared in the sky of a desert frontier. I have little motivation to log in to play anymore.

I'm going to wait to see what the first Live Letter for 7.1 shares (it should be in about 6 weeks based on past scheduling). If what we see in the second half of the 7.0 MSQ is going to be the focus of the game going forward, then it's time for me to find another game to play.

I can't speak for XIV's choices exactly, but the series has always had high technology mixed with fantasy even from the first game. "Ancient civilization" and whatnot with insane levels of technology. So it would make sense to follow suit here.

[Riastrad]

This reminds me of the days on the old lodestone when people where quitting in droves. To me, the games community has never felt this divided. Be it the story, setting, or gameplay, something fundamental about this game has shifted. Unfortunately, I seem to agree with the detractors more than with the people saying this game is going in a good direction. If anyone feels the need to quit, I understand completely where they are coming from.

It worked with 1.0. It will work again if enough people speak with their wallets. For my part, I will keep going. I personally want to see how SE gets itself out of this rut just as it did all those years ago.

[Jojoya]

I can't speak for XIV's choices exactly, but the series has always had high technology mixed with fantasy even from the first game. "Ancient civilization" and whatnot with insane levels of technology. So it would make sense to follow suit here.

Many of are here because we like FFXIV for what it has been until now and not because the game is part of the FF franchise.

Again, I'm not trying to say there's any right or wrong here. It's simply a design choice but it's also one that has high potential to turn some players off of the game. Whether it will draw in new players to replace those that end up leaving is something that only time will tell. Most younger gamers still aren't that interested in MMORPGs because they aren't used to playing games that require longer stretches of time investment. They're used to their mobile games that they can pick up for a few minutes then put back down while they do other things.

[Kes13a]

Many of are here because we like FFXIV for what it has been until now and not because the game is part of the FF franchise.

Again, I'm not trying to say there's any right or wrong here. It's simply a design choice but it's also one that has high potential to turn some players off of the game. Whether it will draw in new players to replace those that end up leaving is something that only time will tell. Most younger gamers still aren't that interested in MMORPGs because they aren't used to playing games that require longer stretches of time investment. They're used to their mobile games that they can pick up for a few minutes then put back down while they do other things.

its why I left WoW years back, I disliked the direction. what SE may not realize, is if people leave for that reason, they rarely return. to this day after 15 years playing WoW from the start... I never look back and think about returning. they lost my money and faith, and its not going back. so if SE is decided on this course, they better be prepared for the result.

[Rekh]

Everything they do pushes all the old players away, so they can bring in new players who have no idea about the past, who wont complain cuz they dont know anything or care about anything unless its bright and colorful and flashy and glittery and such wao
youre over 25? get out - square enix

Yeah, that worked out so well with FFXIII, XV, and XVI? Right square enix? square enix has been chasing this magical "young audience" for 2 decades and has failed miserably.
Those teenagers are playing what "the old" people are playing; Elden Ring, Baldur's Gate 3, and other games. Some of them even gravitate to World of warcraft and other games like that.

Quality knows no age.

[Pantheouns]

As someone who has played this game since 2.0, all I can say is that there are a lot of things that they are doing wrong.

Above and beyond everything else, catering to casual players and ruining the class identities is not something good for the long term. I bought dawntrail and haven't even played yet because people are crying so much about it.

I've heard they are adjusting jobs already, I've heard people are crying about DUNGEON difficulty (I've watched videos, it's not that bad).

Anyway, I've seen and heard a lot. All I can say is that I agree that if they continue to head in this direction, dumbing down the game for casuals and not having skill expression at higher ends it will only serve to kill the game.

The other part of the problem of their design philosophy is that they try to cater to everyone, but they fall short in some areas. I don't think they do a bad job, but the continual dumbing down of jobs, the pandering to casuals who just cry about everything when you can literally complete all the content with bots is just crazy.

I'm not trying to be rude, but if you suck at something, that's fine. It however is not fair to say that if you suck at something that developers should cater to your crybaby loser attitude. The exceptions here are people with disabilities and I can 100% understand any complaints they may have.

Some people are just used to having everything handed to them, some people like earning. That used to be the best part about an MMORPG, is that everything felt that you had to WORK for it and that was the case, and you actually had strong attachment to your characters.

This game? I mean I like my glams and such but honestly post 2.0-6.0 msq I don't really care anymore to be honest. Everything is so homogenized it just doesn't even feel fun anymore. Ironically the only content I even like is the Eureka style because the fights are more challenging, grindy and force you to socialize. Crazy how some people just want to come on here, run dungeons, type "o/" one time and never say a word.

Anyway just my late night incoherent and poorly structured rant. I love this game but truly I do not like the direction the game design is going in terms of being fun. It is becoming far too simple and individual expression is being killed for people who themselves are boring dull people.

Sorry not sorry I guess.

[Jovakim]

(...) Are you some kind of idol that everyone knows?

I don't even know your name.

Then let me elucidate you.
Ty is one of the most outspoken ex-healer player here in this forum. His contributions to the discussion around the absolute state of healers has been invaluable. His polls and job rework ideas are a great example.

You clearly don't care, but anyone paying half attention to the healer sub-forums would know about Ty.

(...) Goodbye for now everyone, I hope all of you are able to find enjoyment in the jobs even if I cannot and enjoy what Dawntrail has in store. I sincerely hope I can return sooner rather than later.

I'm sad to see you go, thank you for everything you've done so far.

I also think I understand this inner conflict you have. I can imagine if you get attached to a job and its overall aesthetics and feel, it might be painful to turncoat and swap jobs whenever the devs decide to gut it next expansion/major patch (or keep them in a trashy state, like healers).
I never got too attached to any of them, so I feel I have some resistance to this sort of BS.

Here's to a future where we can happily play the healer role again and thoroughly enjoy doing so.
Good luck out there.

[Kes13a]

*snip*

stop blaming the "casuals" for the game's problems.

I would be termed a "casual" because I dont do savages and ultimates. the mistaken belief by SE that the game has to cater to absolutely EVERYONE and their garden vegetables are whats ruining the game. many "casuals" actually enjoy a difficulty curve, earning things, feeling good about achieving something. the game is not being dumbed down for casuals. the game is being dumbed down for the people who feel they are entitled to EVERYTHING.

I hate to tell you, but people fall into the feeling of entitlement across the spectrum from "casuals" to toxic elites.

this may be a news flash to you, but the casuals you denigrate as the ones to blame enjoy fun in a game just as much as you do. and as a casual myself... its not fun for me either as much as it used to be. I'm not trying to be rude but, your attitude is part of the problem.