The Rising Feels Like an Apology - SPOILERS

[Daralii]

It's interesting to me that he used the word humility. Does that mean they have been operating under the opposite pretense i.e., hubris? It does feel that way to me. Its also strange that you need to reminded to look back on your experiences.

The state of XIV utterly perplexes me. This studio had the world (basically) in their hands, and said "no thank you". They had critically acclaimed storytelling, then decided to literally blast through it, sacrificing the Garlemald arc in the process, only to cram the finale into 6.0, rush past a potential Void expansion into DT. I understand pursuing a new story, but the progression from Endwalker feels so inconsistent and frankly, uninspired, in every way possible including thematically. The Zodiark arc was all building toward this big finale, and then hastily ran away from it for what exactly? It feels like there was zero real plan.

And we know this don't we? Yoshi P said they are just trying random things to see what sticks. Huh? I just do not understand. And before my posting privileges end, I just have to express how baffled I am at the decision to risk (and botch) the MSQ, for a story like DT, which has no sense of intent and purpose about it. And before anyone says it, no ARR was not also like that. On the contrary, ARR was overflowing with plot threads, many of which bore fruit in subsequent expansions.

And thats before you get to the array of gameplay issues. The MSQ is THE casual factor of the game. Its is the critical component that keeps all other content relevant outside of savage+ content.

His explanation was that ShB was "too successful" for EW to have proper buildup, so they compressed 2 expansions(Garlemald and the Final Days) to capitalize on the momentum they had at the cost of quality. A lot of people here seem to support that decision, because to paraphrase them, the fascists deserved to be destroyed off camera and the only downside is that some survived.

[Raoabolic]

because to paraphrase them, the fascists deserved to be destroyed off camera and the only downside is that some survived.

That can't be true... right?
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[Wyssahtyn]

A lot of people here seem to support that decision, because to paraphrase them, the fascists deserved to be destroyed off camera and the only downside is that some survived.

idk why people are so against defeating the big bad evil empire themselves personally.

[Kranel_San]

Talk is cheap. I'd rather believe the actions over a big corporate talk.

[Turtledeluxe]

His explanation was that ShB was "too successful" for EW to have proper buildup, so they compressed 2 expansions(Garlemald and the Final Days) to capitalize on the momentum they had at the cost of quality. A lot of people here seem to support that decision, because to paraphrase them, the fascists deserved to be destroyed off camera and the only downside is that some survived.

I am aware of his bs exuses. Sounds like they just wanted to end the arc asap, again for reasons unknown. Rush to what? 7.0 was a big ball of nothing.

This is going to be an out of pocket nitpick, but I really don't feel like they rushed past a void expansion. This IS the same game that introduced a core plot point in HW patch cycle only to keep it totally on the backburner until bringing it back for Shadowbringers. You can also say the same for Domans in the story being introduced in ARR patch cycle but seeing their major relevance in Stormblood, as well as the whole equating loyalty to Varis (in Stormblood patch cycle) to a faith (which once again is not relevant for an entire expansion). FF14 likes to place pieces on the board without feeling the need to then move said piece constantly.

Early game has several plot threads still unresolved to this day. Or plot elements introduced then forgotten (recent patch seemed ideal to bring up Dynamis?). But that makes sense-- in its infancy they did not yet know exactly how the arc would finish. And that is my point. It appears that whenever they began developing the patches and 7.0, there was no real plan. There was maybe one plot thread established-- the key. The story involving Calyx feels 100% made off the cuff as well.

Yoshi P has recently stated he now has an idea where the story is going. My question is why there was no idea before 7.3? I am throwing out Void as just one possibility that would have made sense following EW.

And again especially involving the aforementioned condensing of the first arc. All the time and resources were saved, to according to him, "try and see how players react". That didn't instill confidence in me, as it turns out for good reason.

[Wasselin]

My question is why there was no idea before 7.3?

They told us in the lead up to Dawntrail that it was going to be a "summer vacation" or a break. I think they meant that literally. It's like the episode of a series after big action takes place to reset.

I think they heard a lot of feedback from Shadowbrigners and especially Endwalker that the story was too heavy and wanted a light breather. Endwalker was a lot to process emotionally. I think they were trying to make Dawntrail more lighthearted.

Obviously for a lot of people it didn't hit that way or they didn't achieve that but I don't think there is anything wrong with having a brief interlude in a story before you start moving forward again with something major.

[Veritas-Ancora]

They told us in the lead up to Dawntrail that it was going to be a "summer vacation" or a break.

It was a vacation in the sense that you're on a cruise and your next-door neighbor, Wuk Lamat, keeps asking to borrow towels and convincing you to go with them on the ship and you spend the whole time listening about their family and you just want to go home.

Eventually you get rid of her and then you're dealing with other people's drama and some whining about what it's like to die.

Worst vacation ever.

[Turtledeluxe]

They told us in the lead up to Dawntrail that it was going to be a "summer vacation" or a break. I think they meant that literally. It's like the episode of a series after big action takes place to reset.

I think they heard a lot of feedback from Shadowbrigners and especially Endwalker that the story was too heavy and wanted a light breather. Endwalker was a lot to process emotionally. I think they were trying to make Dawntrail more lighthearted.

Obviously for a lot of people it didn't hit that way or they didn't achieve that but I don't think there is anything wrong with having a brief interlude in a story before you start moving forward again with something major.

I guess it was just the way Yoshi P talked about the story before that felt so deliberate. I recall a moment when he mentioned the color platinum was a source of inspiration for Endwalker and he wanted players to really think about it once it ended. But when it came time for DT it was just misleading marketing, as you mentioned i in your post. I think that is what did not land-- the idea we were competing with the other Scions in some kind of tournament setting while vacationing and doing more slice of life kind of stuff. Maybe that would not have worked either but I dunno, I think he seemed checked out for this xpac almost like he did not even direct it. Could be a workload thing I am unsure.

It just strikes me as odd that we went from a really ambitious arc to vibes. Now Yoshi P is talking about story again, claiming he wants to explore what it means to be human. That is supposed to be the over arching theme of this arc.

I think its fine if they wanted an interlude, and I see the logic behind heavy material, but imo they also should have just considered that that's what was selling...

[TeresaFortell]

I, for one, am glad that he said these words. It's clear that he understands that not every decision was a great one with Dawntrail, and he's willing to learn from those mistakes.

Or that his hands were tied when it came to many of the game’s content. I doubt he had full control over many decisions regarding DT.

[Hyperia]

Or that his hands were tied when it came to many of the game’s content. I doubt he had full control over many decisions regarding DT.

I completely agree with this as nearly everything felt off until we got into late 7.2 and 7.3. It really felt like another major power at SE was calling the shots and you could see it on Yoshi’s face between 6.1 through 7.1. He had the look of “I’m following orders” in his eyes. Now that the meddlers have seen what a massive financial disaster they have wrought, Yoshi is hopefully back in command to right the ship.