If the OP truly played MMORPGs since 2001, it would be obvious that those games were way more grind-oriented back then, but still succeeded in their purpose (and were more or less seen as successful games). Yet the solution proposed is to make leveling even faster than it already is? To add on top of that, he adds that he can only go for 30 minutes of grinding before saying "borrrring" and turning the game off? I question the merits of someone claiming they've been playing MMOs that long in this case.


A solution provided by anyone who's grinded their way through old-school MMOs might be to nerf exp on fates to make leveling SLOWER, hence more time to play the game to get to max. Also, the OP mentions nothing about helping FCs and guildmates, a huge part of playing MMOs, in my own opinion. It comes across that you don't want any other player interaction other than the "required" tome farming, making this seem like a very solo-heavy single player experience.

I would suggest putting in more mini-games to do on the side (which FF series has TONS of). One of the most popular suggestions being the CCG Triple Triad, complete with tournaments and collecting/trading cards.

Make crafting and gathering more viable by building personal transportation, or making a salary provides services in a major city (of course, not everyone would agree). And to make the combat classes more viable, make a random dungeon layout generator and incorperate it with your "echo" ability from the quest. You could always have a new dungeon to explore, and maybe some rare mats obtainable through this dream-like environment.

I won't deny that there are technical difficulties that need addressing, but those improve with time in most cases. What I agree they do need are new and fresh ideas, rather than the tired daily complaints that (I hope) they may be working on fixing already.