Why I'm back...

[Gundammeister]

When the game first launched, I waited in line for the CE when it came out, installed the game, and was extremely dissapointed for 3 main reasons:

1) Most unintuitive game ever. Everytime I tried to do anything as I would in every other mmo, it was super confusing and hard to figure out in FFXIV.

2) On top of reason #1, they had all but an absent tutorial system that explained a few features but not how to actually play the game. Which was in complete contrast to the Final Fantasy series as a whole.

3) It seemed that SquareEnix took a very elitest attitude towards the whole thing. No official forums!? Made it seem like they didn't care about their community. And the Lodestone had absolutely nothing helpful!

This is why I came back after 8 months:

1) SquareEnix has convinced me that they really care. The forums, dev blogs, producer letters, and free game time, show me that they honestly care about letting their community know that they realize what is wrong and they want to fix it.

2) I realize now, that part of the dissapointment was the expectations I had. SquareEnix kind of did it to themselves by making such quality games over the years; I expected FFXIV to be of the same calibur, so the let down hurt more than most. Now I am coming back to a game in which I have a better idea of what to expect.

3) Although I still think the game is extremely lacking in tutorials, at least compared to the usual FF fare. And although I also think it is still unintuitive (but definitely improved) I can see that this is a game that is much different than other MMOs. At least to the new player, this game requires you to come into it with a lot of patience, and time to "smell the roses" sotospeak.

Take EVE for example. A great game, and although it has fantastic tutorials, it is still tough for a new player to wrap their head around. But once you figure it out, it's not that complicated. FFXIV is similar in the sense that you cannot come into it like it's just another MMO in which you start it up and hit the ground running. But (and this is hopeful speculation) I hope that once I figure out some of the less intuitive aspects, that I find it fun and enjoyable.

[REDace0]

Fortunately you may be coming back late enough that it transforms into a finished game as you progress. I really like the way you've summarized your view. I have not played many other MMOs, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Some parts were pretty bad. Crafting still confuses me at times. However, the current dev team is really doing things right. I know this will be a great game as long as SE is willing to sink the money long enough for a real PS3 release.

[Veji]

I agree with you 100%.

-But-

One thing that i like about the complexity of the game is that it turns away gamers that would otherwise just blow thru the game and make it terrible. Its like the game takes a certain sense of intelligence to comprehend and then a certain level of social skills in order to succeed, effectively making it a more 'adult' game.

Now, i know most people would rage that that is agism, but look at WoW and Rift - Those communities are just terrible. Sure, there are good guilds and great people who play those games, but by far, they're full of undesirable idiots who are out to cop a high off putting your average person down and then hide behind rules and GMs when there is a backlash.

I've never seen this behavior in FFXI and i don't expect to see it here, since the game demands a certain maturity from it's players.

In more simple terms: WoW = Sports Bar, FFXIV = Bistro Bar and Grill.

[Gundammeister]

That is a great point, and something I noticed as well. That is HUGE bonus if FF14's favor. And this game does have a great community. AS you read the forums, everyone can't wait to help people out and show them how to appreciate the game. And if someone has a good suggestion for an improvement, it seems people try to offer other suggestions to amke it better, rather than rip the person or sugestion apart. I like that. So many times you see the community trashing their own game in the forums, it's ridiculous. Why would a person thinking about playing that game ever try it after reading those forums. One thing that made me finally come back was all the positivity on the forums.

[Xabi_Alonso]

I just recently came back as well...last night to be exact...like you I waited in line for my CE copy...I was a 6 year veteran FFXI so I couldn't wait to get my hands on XIV...I was severely disappointed...heart broken even...The world was so beautiful but there was much to be desired from this frustrating game...I've come back now after what 8 months? And I like the tweaks they've implemented...my only worry is that their isn't very many people playing...I shouted a few times and no response...and I've yet to see anyone shout anything at all...I miss the days of XI at times and I hope XIV can turn out at least half as good...any suggestions from the veterans?

[xAsthenia]

I had the same problem Xabi, I started off in Limsa and it was pretty dead, I also made sure I was on the most packed server too (Selbina)

After also making a thread on this I was advised by other users that everyone pretty much flocks to Ul'dah due to the markerts and the leves.

I've now got myself into a linkshell and the experience is a lot better imo.

[Veji]

Yeah, Ul'dah is the place to be.