Instant Dungeon

[Bayohne]

We discussed all of the latest opinions with Yoshida. While it won’t make it in time for the implementation of the raid dungeons that the development team is working on currently, we’re planning on implementing enhanced LFG (looking for group) and automated party creation features.

Also, while it won't be an easy task, we are also checking into the discussions for a cross-World instant party creation system.

Please continue to leave feedback so that your time and experiences while tackling dungeon-related content in the future can be enjoyable!

[Belial]

We discussed all of the latest opinions with Yoshida. While it won’t make it in time for the implementation of the raid dungeons that the development team is working on currently, we’re planning on implementing enhanced LFG (looking for group) and automated party creation features.

Also, while it won't be an easy task, we are also checking into the discussions for a cross-World instant party creation system.

Please continue to leave feedback so that your time and experiences while tackling dungeon-related content in the future can be enjoyable!

I would like to be one of the first to voice my opinion opposing cross-class server instances. Although I do see the perks (less wait time for groups, more active use of time for casual players, solo players not requiring linkshells, etc.) I personally believe it will prove detrimental to the growth of this particular MMO. Through it's implementation in other MMOs, you can clearly see the problems arising from loot being stolen, unresolved drama (who cares if they make someone mad they don't have to see every day in-game?), the dying of server communities, lack of respect amongst players, etc. And to be honest, with a game already as dismal as Final Fantasy 14, I really don't think it would be wise to put anonymous people in the position to hurt, or disrupt others' play.

However, I would like to see a game mechanic introduced in place of cross-server instances, in the form of open-world events. This would promote server groupings for something other than instanced content (which some of the playerbase opposes) and still allow for people to be involved. An on-going event which players could jump into may be a great twist for this game. And although this a poor example, it is one nonetheless, but Rift has open world events in the form of, obviously, rifts tearing into the world, from another. Although I don't want to see this kind of inter-dimensional aspect in FF, I think something like this could work well. For example, creating a small open-instance/world zone where we can join the front lines in a fight against the Garlean Empire. Just an example, I honestly haven't put too much thought into it, but that is my two cents.

TL;DR -- No to cross-server dungeons/instances, yes to open-world server content.

[Delmontyb]

I would like to be one of the first to voice my opinion opposing cross-class server instances. Although I do see the perks (less wait time for groups, more active use of time for casual players, solo players not requiring linkshells, etc.) I personally believe it will prove detrimental to the growth of this particular MMO. Through it's implementation in other MMOs, you can clearly see the problems arising from loot being stolen, unresolved drama (who cares if they make someone mad they don't have to see every day in-game?), the dying of server communities, lack of respect amongst players, etc. And to be honest, with a game already as dismal as Final Fantasy 14, I really don't think it would be wise to put anonymous people in the position to hurt, or disrupt others' play.

However, I would like to see a game mechanic introduced in place of cross-server instances, in the form of open-world events. This would promote server groupings for something other than instanced content (which some of the playerbase opposes) and still allow for people to be involved. An on-going event which players could jump into may be a great twist for this game. And although this a poor example, it is one nonetheless, but Rift has open world events in the form of, obviously, rifts tearing into the world, from another. Although I don't want to see this kind of inter-dimensional aspect in FF, I think something like this could work well. For example, creating a small open-instance/world zone where we can join the front lines in a fight against the Garlean Empire. Just an example, I honestly haven't put too much thought into it, but that is my two cents.

TL;DR -- No to cross-server dungeons/instances, yes to open-world server content.

Love your point about world events, yes to this +1...

But going on the topic of cross-world parties, I'm on the fence.
I think that it is a good idea, to allow players to easily get together and you do point out the issues that can arise from a group of anonymous players grouping together... So my thought to solve the anonymous player hate, loot stealing, etc would be to have some sort of voting system, along with a ranking system...

For example, you run a lot of dungeons and during the time you run into a few bad eggs... You could then apply feedback to that user and say that they were good to play with, or say they were bad to play with... But you could only vote for them once... (And could change your vote if needed)

Higher ranked players would have the opportunity for unique titles, better loot, etc. So playing on your best behavior would be a bonus...

Players who were ranked positive, or negative wouldn't be able to see who voted for them etc, but ranking players as positive would increase the chance that you would be partied up with them again in the future.

There would also need to be a way for players who were ranked very negatively be able to redeem themselves.

At the end of the dungeon/raid users would be presented the stats for the dungeon along with the thumbs up or down for those in the party...

By default it would be thumbs up, and the player can vote people thumbs down. (?... balancing will be key)

Anyway, this is just an idea, and I'm sure someone could take this, run with it, and really make a strong system with it...

Moving on...

Now, the only other thing would be there should be a way to friend those on other servers, so that you can play again with them, having someone come in and out of the game never to be seen again would feel disconnecting, and thus players should be able to play with their friends on other servers.

[Amsai]

However, I would like to see a game mechanic introduced in place of cross-server instances, in the form of open-world events. This would promote server groupings for something other than instanced content (which some of the playerbase opposes) and still allow for people to be involved. An on-going event which players could jump into may be a great twist for this game. And although this a poor example, it is one nonetheless, but Rift has open world events in the form of, obviously, rifts tearing into the world, from another. Although I don't want to see this kind of inter-dimensional aspect in FF, I think something like this could work well. For example, creating a small open-instance/world zone where we can join the front lines in a fight against the Garlean Empire.

FFXI had these type of events, so I would think they could come up with a FFXIV version. But yes they had Besieged and Campaign in FFXI which basically let anyone participate in massive PvE battles for fun and experience points. I would like it if Companies introduced these type of events, minus the massive lag-fest (I'm looking at you Besieged).

[Davorok]

I could be wrong (I often am) but I think we may just have a simple misunderstanding with the Dev Post:

Quote Originally Posted by Bayohne View Post

Also, while it won't be an easy task, we are also checking into the discussions for a cross-World instant party creation system.

They used the term "Cross-World" not cross-server. I think perhaps they meant an Open World
Event that people from "across Eorzea" can participate in. Kinda like FFXI Besieged but instead of relying on LS-mates who happen to be there informing you it is about to start, perhaps you sign up in advance and are notified when the event is about to start. You can quit what you're doing and join the "que" and be auto-partied with others for an epic battle.

If this is not what they are thinking...I kinda hope they think about it a little more. These are 2 good suggestions to consider:

Quote Originally Posted by Belial View Post

However, I would like to see a game mechanic introduced in place of cross-server instances, in the form of open-world events. This would promote server groupings for something other than instanced content (which some of the playerbase opposes) and still allow for people to be involved. An on-going event which players could jump into may be a great twist for this game. And although this a poor example, it is one nonetheless, but Rift has open world events in the form of, obviously, rifts tearing into the world, from another. Although I don't want to see this kind of inter-dimensional aspect in FF, I think something like this could work well. For example, creating a small open-instance/world zone where we can join the front lines in a fight against the Garlean Empire.

FFXI had these type of events, so I would think they could come up with a FFXIV version. But yes they had Besieged and Campaign in FFXI which basically let anyone participate in massive PvE battles for fun and experience points. I would like it if Companies introduced these type of events, minus the massive lag-fest (I'm looking at you Besieged).

[Betelgeuzah]

They used the term "Cross-World" not cross-server.

Servers are referred to as "Worlds" in this game.

[Reika]

We discussed all of the latest opinions with Yoshida. While it won’t make it in time for the implementation of the raid dungeons that the development team is working on currently, we’re planning on implementing enhanced LFG (looking for group) and automated party creation features.

Also, while it won't be an easy task, we are also checking into the discussions for a cross-World instant party creation system.

Please continue to leave feedback so that your time and experiences while tackling dungeon-related content in the future can be enjoyable!

The cross-world server instance parties may lower the community involvement on your own server, but it would help the newer people down the line with getting groups for ranking. I already cant party with new people that join, I've ranked everything up already.

[Dreamer]

We discussed all of the latest opinions with Yoshida. While it won’t make it in time for the implementation of the raid dungeons that the development team is working on currently (1), we’re planning on implementing enhanced LFG (looking for group) and automated party creation features.(2)

Also, while it won't be an easy task, we are also checking into the discussions for a cross-World instant party creation system.(3)

Please continue to leave feedback so that your time and experiences while tackling dungeon-related content in the future can be enjoyable!

1.) Looking forward to it!

2.) The current system isn't bad, but I think that before you jump into enhancing the system, time is taken to discuss why players aren't using the current system as much as one would expect given how well it works when players actually utilize it.

3.) Let me be the second to say that this is something as a player that I DO NOT WANT having experienced it in other games. I don't want to reiterate all the reasons that these systems are horrid in terms of what they do to a server community; there are already one or two threads dedicated to the subject.

[Flower]

Also, while it won't be an easy task, we are also checking into the discussions for a cross-World instant party creation system.

What exactly do you mean by that. I have a hard time understanding this ><.

[Aveline]

Also, while it won't be an easy task, we are also checking into the discussions for a cross-World instant party creation system.

Please, please, please don't do this. While I also can see the perks, the downside is that you will see far less strong communities built on servers. Ask nearly any longtime FFXI fan, or nearly anyone playing FFXIV today, and the biggest reason they will give for sticking it out with a Final Fantasy MMO over anything else is: the community.

FFXIV's community strength is in enough trouble as it is, with people dropping the game to play something else until all of XIV's issues are fixed. Adding a cross-server dungeon feature will only serve to weaken the community even more. I agree with Belial that a much better solution would be cross-world events that allow people from all over Eorzea (on the same server) to participate in events together (ie. get teleported into the instance, then when they're done, are dropped back off wherever they were before joining the instance).