A call for transparency

[Mack]

Actually I think one major factor that has never been recognized is that the FFXI team and the FFXIV team are the same team. In other words, our team is busy working on FFXI and that is detracting from the manpower put into FFXI. I wish I was wrong but they never indicated that the team ever split, and I think at least 90% of the teams are composed of the same people.

Well if this is the case this is the problem then.

[Neptune]

PTRs in other games are used more for hype and for player structures to learn new content before it's released. Very little testing actually gets done on them. With that in mind, I personally don't see the need for a dedicated test server.

So in other words, based on PTRs in another game, you don't see a need because this is exactly like other games. You should take into account the immaturity of this game. PTR would not be used for hype in this game.. come on, think about it.

A test server makes sense when you have a pipeline of content and changes to release. SE is in the position of having their pipeline drastically shortened. Since they claim they are committed to bringing out the changes ASAP, a one-week run on a test server delaying the release of the content/battle changes to the live servers by a week is out of the question. They don't have a version waiting for a release date; when they do it will go straight to the live servers.





It's not finalized until it's been implemented and tested.

Inputs from the community regarding the battle system were received less than 4 months ago. Mid-June would be a 4 month turnaround; until then, they had to analyze everything, not just the battle system. And the team is split up, to develop the battle system and the related content in parallel.

Damn, that was some good white knighting.

It's my proposal that they need to not rush anything out "ASAP". ASAP is the problem right now. Ever since the beginning of the year they have been releasing patches that have left people questioning the direction this game is heading. They need to treat this like a real beta period.

Your use of the word inputs is very misleading. I think people would like a lot of input on the battle reform blueprint. And when I said finalized I meant the ideas in the battle reform blueprint. Most of the blueprint presented ideas in the early stages. Anyway, I know you're a white knight and therefore you care nothing about what I meant or what I'm saying right now!

[Lerris]

It's my proposal that they need to not rush anything out "ASAP". ASAP is the problem right now. Ever since the beginning of the year they have been releasing patches that have left people questioning the direction this game is heading. They need to treat this like a real beta period.

So, you mean they should implement a test server, let us try it out, and ignore the feedback like they did in beta?

[Rowyne]

So, you mean they should implement a test server, let us try it out, and ignore the feedback like they did in beta?

I lawl'ed. Because it's sad. Laugh or cry, right?

I think I did more writing on the beta feedback forums than all my papers in college, combined.

[Neptune]

So, you mean they should implement a test server, let us try it out, and ignore the feedback like they did in beta?

Hahaha.. they should want to redeem their failed beta. Now or never.

ITT; Neptune shows us over and over that he doesn't know the meaning of white knight.

Do tell sir.

I lawl'ed. Because it's sad. Laugh or cry, right?

I think I did more writing on the beta feedback forums than all my papers in college, combined.

That is truly sad. I too, wrote so much feedback on those forums. To think they are never going to read it either. Lame.

[Rowyne]

That is truly sad. I too, wrote so much feedback on those forums. To think they are never going to read it either. Lame.

I actually have these little scenarios that play out in my head about what happened in the crapstorm of community response following release.

Wada: "Did you know about these issues?!?"
Tanaka: "Well..."
Wada: "What about the beta testers?"
Tanaka: "Um... we thought they were just forum trolls."

But seriously, I do wonder if they ever took the time in the aftermath to really read through our feedback. Was there a sickening 'ah ha' moment when they realized we were telling them what they needed to know? I'd like to think so, since they're now taking the time to do player polls, Q&A's, and respond to our concerns here. Even if people don't like the answers they're getting, they're better than no answers.

[Neptune]

I have always believed that Square Enix treats NA customers like the unwanted step child.

lol.

I actually have these little scenarios that play out in my head about what happened in the crapstorm of community response following release.

Wada: "Did you know about these issues?!?"
Tanaka: "Well..."
Wada: "What about the beta testers?"
Tanaka: "Um... we thought they were just forum trolls."

But seriously, I do wonder if they ever took the time in the aftermath to really read through our feedback. Was there a sickening 'ah ha' moment when they realized we were telling them what they needed to know? I'd like to think so, since they're now taking the time to do player polls, Q&A's, and respond to our concerns here. Even if people don't like the answers they're getting, they're better than no answers.

yeah.. i don't know, the only thing that makes me think not is that they don't read english and they were too busy dealing with all the pressure to even consider reading the WEALTH of feedback in those beta forums. for all i care all they have to do is read that feedback, they could cut us all off of this forum, and if they acted on the beta feedback they'd have a great game on their hands. yoshida wasn't on the dev team during beta and i think he is the main reason for the reach out to players.