Quote Originally Posted by Lyth View Post
If I had to come up with a list of what I would hope from a MSQ writer at this point, I think it would be:
  • Keep the player character central to the narrative. Proxy heroes are a terrible idea (see: GW2's Trahearne).
  • Incorporate lots of player dialogue choices, and avoid deliberately reinterpreting what the player says. This is obviously not a branching storyline, but sometimes a snarky or humorous comment is the only way that the player can diffuse their frustration over a plot direction they have no control over.
  • It's probably safer to build new characters over a long time (ideally a couple of expansions) so that you can lay down the groundwork and gauge audience reactions before giving them a more important role. It feels like characters like Krile and Estinien had bit parts for years before they got their big break.
  • Be respectful of the work of your predecessors, both in terms of earlier worldbuilding as well as previous Final Fantasy installments. I didn't enjoy bratty Ramza or evil Garnet. Let me preserve the positive memories of these classic games, please.
  • If you're going to use up a plot hook, leave another one for the next writer who comes after you. It really feels like we're burning through shards lately for the sake of cheap drama. We have three unknown shards left. Each 'mostly destroyed' shard that we get is a massive loss of worldbuilding potential.
[*]Keep the player character central to the narrative. Proxy heroes are a terrible idea

very much disagree on this point. I, and my entire group of friends and FC mates very much enjoyed that we took a step back to foster the adventurous spirits of others, and that our otherworldly power wasn't the focus of the story. Been getting REAL tired of that for a while now. Like I get it. We're stronkist. Woo. Let's talk about something else and not have the weight of the world or even universe on our shoulders for a little while, yeah?