Please Don't Content Dump - Give it to Us As It's Finished

[Dianoia]

There is a precedent in MMOs to add content in patch cycles. For example, we're getting new dungeons and loads of changes in 2.1. This is really bad design.

When 2.1 hits, it's going to be shiny and new for about a week or two. After that, the content will be old-hat and people will start waiting for the next patch. Players consume content faster than it can be created. Unless content is insanely difficult (turn 5) or uses artificial limitations (myth caps), players are going to chew it up fast.

A simple solution is to stop the patch cycles. If you get a dungeon or feature to the point where it's ready to be tested, test it and then release it. Don't wait for the patch. Just get it out the door. This means we're getting new content every few weeks, not every few months. This difference could mean a huge perception change for the game and make it feel fresh more often.

[Pseudopsia]

Answer is here:
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...=1#post1578528

[DSN]

Software development does not work that way

[Brises]

You know that they are making some system and UI changes for 2.1 as well as content, and the new content is being designed to work with these changes. To release something now, before fixes and updates are applied, would mean more fixes and adjustments later.

For all the people who think they have content ready and are holding it back, what facts do you have to suggest that is true? You are assuming they have something ready before 2.1. How do you know this?

[Codek]

ITT:
Designing dungeons should be more like kids paintings, once it's done you just toss it to the masses for them to enjoy!

[Pyretta_Blaze]

While I am eager for new content I would prefer they stick to the release cycle that works best for them.

[Tiggy]

You have absolutely no comprehension of how software development works. Reads Yoshi-p's post listed above for some more insight. What he is doing is absolutely the correct way to handle things. It prevents many bugs from making it into the end product which leads to better patch days and less maintenance. Patience is a virtue.

[C-croft]

You have absolutely no comprehension of how software development works. Reads Yoshi-p's post listed above for some more insight. What he is doing is absolutely the correct way to handle things. It prevents many bugs from making it into the end product which leads to better patch days and less maintenance. Patience is a virtue.

Hypothetically speaking of course, right?

[Hobo]

Yoshi-P made the right move going with "branch" development. The only mistake Yoshi really made during his whole takeover of FFXIV was botching the 2.0 release estimates. This set them back roughly a month on their timeline as a result.

[Tiggy]

Hypothetically speaking of course, right?

Notice I said "many bugs" not "all bugs." The devil is in the details. Which coincidentally is also why it is so incredibly hard to catch every single bug. If they didn't do it this way things would be far worse than they've ever been so far.