Can we get an idea on what to expect from the open world in version 2? (A bit long)

[Arcell]

Other than free roaming NMs (I don't think they deserve the title of HNMs) there's only two imperfect open-world events besides the monotonously repetitive guildleves: Behest and Caravans.

Just wanted to point out that this is simply not true. We do have four Strongholds full of enemies and coffers, three of which have NMs waiting at the end. Also for the lower in level we have Shposhae, a fully open-world dungeon, and more than a dozen lower level NMs. I'm not saying it's the best things we've ever seen but it IS open-world content.

The devs have stated that there will be more open-world content and it's not like they're re-doing the maps just to look pretty. They'll fill those maps with things to do, instanced or not. However that being said, it does seem like a lot of the content is shifting to instanced despite the loud "discussions" in opposition. The community has spoken at length about this many times and still the devs are doing mostly what they want to and what they feel is right for the game. If instanced content really kills the game for you then perhaps FFXIV is not for you, even in 2.0. I would suggest people take the time to consider how much this all really matters to them and evaluate their choice to keep playing.

[Rutelor]

Just wanted to point out that this is simply not true. We do have four Strongholds full of enemies and coffers, three of which have NMs waiting at the end. Also for the lower in level we have Shposhae, a fully open-world dungeon, and more than a dozen lower level NMs. I'm not saying it's the best things we've ever seen but it IS open-world content.

You're absolutely right in counting my omissions, Arcell, and I apologize for the oversight. Strongholds probably slipped out of my mind because I have so many issues with the nature of the combat therein. The spammy, confused, and convoluted style of the combat they generate is, alas, not to my liking; I find it to be awfully fast-paced, to the point of becoming perfunctory.

Shposhae is another matter. I am sorry I left it out of my mentions, because I really think this is a nicely built dungeon for its level, one that exists in the open world to boot, and one with very nice mechanics as well. Thanks for reminding me. Alas, I haven't run it in ages, since I only have one combat class that remains below the suggested level for this area. The only things that I missed in there were: a bit of beastman activity, and perhaps more quests that took you through the hurdles and into the difficult corners of the dungeon for their completion. In addition, I'd also like for chests to have random spawn spots, rather than being fixed.

The devs have stated that there will be more open-world content and it's not like they're re-doing the maps just to look pretty. They'll fill those maps with things to do, instanced or not. However that being said, it does seem like a lot of the content is shifting to instanced despite the loud "discussions" in opposition. The community has spoken at length about this many times and still the devs are doing mostly what they want to and what they feel is right for the game. If instanced content really kills the game for you then perhaps FFXIV is not for you, even in 2.0. I would suggest people take the time to consider how much this all really matters to them and evaluate their choice to keep playing.

This might be true, Arcell, but I still would like for some sort of a statement from them. Even if it says what you mentioned, but in their words, lending them a certain official, committing flavor. It's not that I don't appreciate your mentioning what you say, which is also what I would like to believe, but alas, coming from you it's no less a conjecture than when it comes from my wishful thinking. Learning within a single week that the Primals' fights and the Skirmish events were, once again, relying on instances was a bit of a downer for many that, like me, long for a rich, open, and challenging open world.

Again thanks for pointing out my mistakes. :-)

R

[Viritess]

You're absolutely right in counting my omissions, Arcell, and I apologize for the oversight. Strongholds probably slipped out of my mind because I have so many issues with the nature of the combat therein. The spammy, confused, and convoluted style of the combat they generate is, alas, not to my liking; I find it to be awfully fast-paced, to the point of becoming perfunctory.

Shposhae is another matter. I am sorry I left it out of my mentions, because I really think this is a nicely built dungeon for its level, one that exists in the open world to boot, and one with very nice mechanics as well. Thanks for reminding me. Alas, I haven't run it in ages, since I only have one combat class that remains below the suggested level for this area. The only things that I missed in there were: a bit of beastman activity, and perhaps more quests that took you through the hurdles and into the difficult corners of the dungeon for their completion. In addition, I'd also like for chests to have random spawn spots, rather than being fixed.

I would bring to your responce one detail. It is in general quite difficult to pose a "challenge" in an open area without the large amount of spawns. due to the unlimited amount of people you can bring. And with extreamly random spawnpoints you may end up hurting smaller groups of players, thus requiring huge groups to make it through.

I also like searching my way through static areas. decending down many levels of dungeons. But for how their designed vs how we, as a gaming community actualy use and defeat them its a no wonder Companies have moved towards instancing to have a better controll on how to tune areas.

Look at CN, theres so much there you can't even load them all. because it needed to be even harder.