The new system and the old system. Constrained.

[Elexia]

H That they will turn this game into XI slowly over time and everything "good" about the game (player control over character progression and customized playstyles) will die and we'll all be waiting 6 hours for parties to form (once they nerf Guildleves). The masses got what they wanted and I'm going to be out one unique MMO experience.

I love how whenever people be cynical about XI they bring this up, yet in my 9 years of playing XI I've never had to wait hours for a party, because I actually started my own party. Go figure eh? XIV wasn't a unique experience and it never would or will be. It was always a shell of it's predecessor.

[Davorok]

To the OP (and those that agree), I sincerely congratulate you on developing effective strategies utilizing a broken and tedious battle system. I understand that you feel all your hard work was in vain since they are changing that system.

Will the new system be "fixed & fun"? We will see. I suspect that it will still be "broken" in some respect or another but I have the utmost faith that players like you will figure out the best strategies for the new system(s) as it evolves.

Personally, I stopped playing awhile ago out of frustration with the Anima/Travel system (forced breaks to recharge Anima and Leve resets.) but also because I did not want to get too accustomed to the current battle system and Stat Point Allotment since it is all changing.

You have been playing for 9 months with a system they said early on would be changed so in one sense I feel you can't really complain about having to learn new strategies but on the other hand, I really do respect the opinions of those of you who have stuck it out and keep on playing because you are the ones who can help identify what things are Good in XIV and shouldn't be altered too much as well as which additional things need to be changed.

I do kinda feel sorry for those of you who "really like this game, it just needs a few tweaks", but most of you have recognized that you are the minority and it is changing, quite dramatically it seems in some cases. I am hopefull though, that because of these forums and not despite them, that we will end up with the best of both worlds (XI and XIV).

[Shai]

I love how whenever people be cynical about XI they bring this up, yet in my 9 years of playing XI I've never had to wait hours for a party, because I actually started my own party. Go figure eh? XIV wasn't a unique experience and it never would or will be. It was always a shell of it's predecessor.

I made many, many, many, many of my own parties too, but before I even attempted to make one I did 2 things.
Check for a tank, check for a healer. If those two conditions aren't met, I don't bother.

That still means I'm "waiting" to start a party.
I'm glad you had a unique experience of logging on and jumping straight into a grind within minutes.

That's how my experience with XIV is and I enjoy it. It's not how I'd define the 8 years I played XI.