Becoming a "real person" in FFXIV.

[Omedon]

Again, due to the character limit of official forum posts, I will commence any and all discussion on this particular topic with a blog link:

http://omedon.tumblr.com/post/671858...erson-in-ffxiv

Today's topic is a fan's constructive criticism regarding the level gating of content that, in my not-at-all-humble opinion, shouldn't be level gated, being limited time only, generally inclusive content.

Thank you for reading.

EDITed in:

My apologies to the mods if doing the "edit for a longer post" thing is against the rules, but those squeamish about clicking an alien link DO have a point...
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You know, it occurs to me that the only time I feel motivated to write about FFXIV is when I have criticisms. I guess that makes sense, as, when I’m totally happy with the game, I’m playing it, and no one wants to read a wall of “OMGFFXIVISAWESOME,” because, as fans, we know that. On the other hand, I am sick to death of internet whining about this or that game, particularly on FANsites that are supposed to be rallying points for enthusiasm and shared interest.

So today, out of love for the game, I’m going to offer some constructive criticism to FFXIV, and remind them of the market they are partaking in, as well as some solidarity and advice to those impacted by some recent decisions made in the game’s development and content.

First off, however, let me reaffirm that I’m not expecting FFXIV, or any game for that matter, to cater to me or my suggestions. People will either stay on board with that vision, or they won’t. FFXIV should stay the course on their core values and vision, and should not let the vocal minority swerve their game in a direction they don’t intend. That being said, I think there is, yet again, one more place they can improve their connection with today’s market:

In FFXIV, you seemingly aren’t a real person until you have a combat class to level 50.

Now, I don’t have a quote to cite or anything, but I believe Square Enix may actually see level 1-50 as one’s first combat class as “the tutorial.” 1-20 in the game is certainly the time “before you can relax” because of all the quality of life features that get unlocked by the core story (that’s another rant I’ve already covered), and so the first thing I tell anyone playing the game is “before you do any stopping to smell the roses, get to 20, and advance the story.” While the game does tell you, point blank, that you should focus your starting class all the way “for best results,” with a game intending to be a world to be savoured, expecting players to ride that bus to 50 before they can “relax” is just… well, it’s excessive, in my opinion.

Take the recent “Lightning Returns” crossover content: limited time, cosmetic rewards, starting within the first three months. Now, in pretty much any other current game, this would be a no-brainer to then add to that list “happens 100% in the newbie area, or newbie levels.”

NOPE.

The first step is level 12-16ish. Ok, that’s fair, that’s not far from the realm that even a devoted crafter has to get a combat class to. The second phase, however, is mid to late 20’s. Thaaaat’s kinda pushing it, in a world where the crafting and gathering games can be all-encompassing playstyles. The third phase, if my sources are correct, will be in the mid 40’s. That’s, in the context of today’s “accessibility sensitive” market, flat out nuts. Furthermore, the decision to put the vendors for some the veteran rewards in Mor Dhona just follows this messed up logic.

Dear FFXIV development people: ”Stop and smell the roses” is an important ethic for many MMORPGamers’ enjoyment paradigms. The crafting game can totally encompass a player’s interests and playtime in your world. Expecting everyone (you do want your cross-promotional, limited time, non-skillcheck event to be enjoyed by everyone, right?) to have a level capped combat class within the first three months is not very accessible, inclusive, or (yeah, I’ll say it) fair. These events are FATE powered. FATEs utilize level synch, and so are pretty much “level agnostic,” why would you impose on these very real players’ priorities in this way? Is it your intent that everyone “learn the game” through their 1-50 experience before they can rest on their laurels? Ok, but these are FATEs. They are inclusive by design, so policing “no, you must be good enough to do this” in FATEs is pointless and moot. I get the protective design of the “50 level tutorial” in regards to instanced progression content, but It’s misplaced in the context of FATE-powered (did I mention “limited time only?”) fun fluff like this. Smarten up.

Please, please, Squeenix, rethink this for future content. There is a player in my twitter circle whose main class is fisherman. That’s a viable playstyle, you put it there, and developed it well, to be a fun and viable timesink. Someone who loves your fishing game potentially hasn’t spent a moment as a combat class since hitting level 10. Please respect this in your limited time promotional content. There is no need to have these FATEs go any higher than 10th level, they aren’t a “bragging rights” thing, they are an “I was there” thing. You can be “there” as a level 10 combat class, and level 50 crafter/gatherer. Please reflect this in your design decisions going forward.

And to everyone laughing and saying “LOL you don’t have a 50 combat class yet,” just don’t bother. I’m not talking to you. Move on. I, personally, gunned Paladin (not the class/job I consider my “main”) to 50 because I suspected this might be happening, given how the story is placed as a “tutorial,” but that’s highly unprecedented in MMORPGs in today’s market, especially with a game like FFXIV, with so many directions to take one’s character that have nothing to do with killing things.

To everyone reading this that is impacted by the whole “I don’t have a 50 combat class, I can’t do this” angle, I recommend that, for the sake of your own fun, you play along while they seem thusly determined. Your other option, of course, is to unsubscribe, but if you’d rather stick around, take note here: they seem serious on the whole “finish the story (the 50 level tutorial) to be a real person,” front, as crazy as that seems, and until they say otherwise, you must assume that will be the message going forward. Lightning will be back in February, set a goal, get a combat class to 50, and you have this particular example handled.

In the meantime, I’ll continue to shake my head that I even have to suggest that.

Thank you for reading.

-Omedon

[Pinworms]

Nope not discussing your topic somewhere else. The 1000 char limit can be bypassed by editing your post, and don't post so much daily and you can post important stuff and not hit your post limit. Pretty much it's an anti posting crap filter all day long measure. As a matter of fact I'm not even following your link.

[Omedon]

Nope not discussing your topic somewhere else. The 1000 char limit can be bypassed by editing your post, and don't post so much daily and you can post important stuff and not hit your post limit. As a matter of fact I'm not even following your link.

That's your right, thanks for the bump!

[Dyrstahl]

Hah, such bad advertising!

I refuse to click the link. To answer the question though; I agree. The hyperphilosophy of the pragmatic ancient Greeks did have a point about neo-socialism and its impact on the conservative enigma.

[Fensfield]

Indeed, I'm.. kind of uncomfortable about following that link and all.

Would you follow Pinworm's pointer, and copy the content of your blog post into your original post here? Now that you've made the post, the character limit won't apply to subsequent edits.

[Alhanelem]

Again, due to the character limit of official forum posts,

You know you can edit your post after posting it to add more right? The character limit only applies to when you initially post. Edits can go over the limit. Write your whole post, Cut some of it so its less than 1000 characters, then edit and paste it back in.

[Arriverderci]

As a matter of fact I'm not even following your link.

I did and it ended up being a tl;dr.
So I left lol.

[Omedon]

Indeed, I'm.. kind of uncomfortable about following that link and all.

Would you follow Pinworm's pointer, and copy the content of your blog post into your original post here? Now that you've made the post, the character limit won't apply to subsequent edits.

Since you asked so nicely, I'll do that. I just always felt dirty doing the "edit workaround," as I'm sure it's not "working as intended," you know?

[Fensfield]

Since you asked so nicely, I'll do that. I just always felt dirty doing the "edit workaround," as I'm sure it's not "working as intended," you know?

Thanks! Let's have a look..

... And I basically agree, at least with the overall issue of the post. I admit I'm a bit wonky on the particular examples you site - I can never shake the sense that there's something a little bit special about content that just isn't open the everyone. Admittedly limited time events sort of cover that by their very nature but.. I'm going to set aside that argument to look at the important bit.

But at the same time, I admit I was struck by how the Lightning event is setup being a little odd. It's an advertisement, at the end of the day, so locking it out to the lower levels does seem a bit peculiar. But then I suppose the developers felt that they balanced that by at least making the weapons available to all and easily acquired.

Anyway sorry it's past midnight, so coherence is suffering a bit. 'Scuse my unfocussed ramble. And just to add that I really don't like 'game starts at 50' design philosophy anyway. Heck, for me it sort of <i>ends</i> at 50, silly as that might sound. Just this feeling of 'the journey's over' that I have to work against to continue playing, despite knowing there's more to the game than level. Maybe if the gear system had more breadth but..

Anyway thanks for putting the post in the OP an all.

[Eightbit]

I agree with you premise but I agree with SE doing it. Let's just h ave a look around the forums and see how many people are listed as below 50. It does not take absorbent amounts of time to reach 50. Sure a few get lost in crafting and gathering or leveling multiple alts, but I'd say they are the minority. I'd also like to point out the amount of content below 50, for your first time, greatly outweighs that at 50. Thus there is a need for more at cap. Fact is SE botched endgame. Coil ended up falling short of their unbeatable status they hoped for, outside that just farming runs, and I also think people ended up leveling too fast compared to the intended goal. This lack of content makes me happy to see events for capped players because it gives me hope they might actually add something of challenge or something new for us to do that is not just coil and WP.