The game needs to open up

[ZephyrMenodora]

Just because they game has followed a format for a decade doesn't mean it has to remain this way. Everything in this game is too compartmentalized and on rails.

How hard would it be to try out an expansion where zones aren't locked by MSQ,
-where quests don't have braindead markers telling you where to go
-where dungeons are nothing like the stale formula we have
-where underwater isn't just a pretty landscape and combat/breathing mechanics are tried out.
-Where exploration and open world events are tried through the entire introduced zones instead of designated exploration instances like Eureka and Bozja.
-Where some side quests are just damn hard
-Where some open world dungeons are introduced, and the mobs are just lethal

Sure, not all of these systems and things will be hits with everyone, and people are going to complain about them but no one will be able to point the finger and say they've given up just like we all feel they have in DT.

It's obvious to me the current method to the game will just drive it to the ground sooner rather than later. It's time to break the shackles and explore another path for this MMO.

This game needs to work on producing:
1. Shock
2. Awe and wonder
3. Curiosity
4. A feeling of freedom

It would be great for the game for once to release content that doesn't feel like the same junk reskinned, for the 100th time.

Meh.

You can enjoy "no marker" gameplay with your travel logs. Most people just end up having to google where to go, so what's the point?
I don't want underwater breathing mechanics. We have a lore reason we can swim for extended periods. I hate going to the surface in games every 30 seconds. There is a reason most games have water-breathing in some way.

Some of the other ideas could be interesting if done well, but I'm not in favor of tedium.

[Ath192]

I'm not in favor of tedium.

Good to know, because tedium is all we got. Amazing how in their quest to strip everything players found annoying in the game they ended up with the most tedious of all.

Here is the dictionary definition of it:
tedious
Dictionary
Definitions from Oxford Languages · Learn more
adjective

too long, slow, or dull; tiresome or monotonous.

Is this not XIV in a nutshell at this point? I fail to find a word more fitting TBH.

It is monotonous, the formula is tiresome, the release cycles take too long, the job design is dull, and new ideas are slow.

I think we’ve hit every single descriptor.

[ZephyrMenodora]

Good to know, because tedium is all we got. Amazing how in their quest to strip everything players found annoying in the game they ended up with the most tedious of all.

Here is the dictionary definition of it:
tedious
Dictionary
Definitions from Oxford Languages · Learn more
adjective

too long, slow, or dull; tiresome or monotonous.

Is this not XIV in a nutshell at this point? I fail to find a word more fitting TBH.

XIV has it's issues, yes. But making me google every quest where in the zone they hid an update, or have to waste time while enjoying underwater by finding air isn't going to fix them and would just reduce my enjoyment of the game.

Your other suggestions seem promising though.

[Ath192]

XIV has it's issues, yes. But making me google every quest where in the zone they hid an update, or have to waste time while enjoying underwater by finding air isn't going to fix them and would just reduce my enjoyment of the game.

Your other suggestions seem promising though.

Exactly, not everything is going to be a hit with everyone. But regardless, they should hit a little of everything so people actually have things to love and hate.

Instead of what we have. Which, largely amounts to scarcity and nothingness.

We’re in a sensory deprivation vat. They took away anything that made players feel any particular way about the game so now we feel nothing mostly.

I think by experimenting they will introduce hate and joy again. Which is better than numbness.

[ZephyrMenodora]

Exactly, not everything is going to be a hit with everyone. But regardless, they should hit a little of everything so people actually have things to love and hate.

Instead of what we have. Which, largely amounts to scarcity and nothingness.

We’re in a sensory deprivation vat. They took away anything that made players feel any particular way about the game so now we feel nothing mostly.

I think by experimenting they will introduce hate and joy again. Which is better than numbness.

I did want to show my appreciation of your brainstorming, even if there were two things I didn't like. I think there are good ideas to be had in your post that could make the game more interesting.