Hello all!

I have been waiting to get FFXIV for a couple of weeks and it finally arrived, I have been reading forums and such in the mean time so I think I have a handle on what's going on but if anything I say is wrong please do correct me.

So, I'll start off with my main questions then:

1) Where does everybody hang out? People used to hang out in Jeuno in FFXI then moved onto to Whitegate.

2) What sort of actual 'content' is there for groups of people (or even duo/trio)? I'm talking things for example from FFXI like Ballista at 20cap, BCNM's, Garrison, NM camping and I'm sure I'm missing other stuff out too (obv in the first year it's unlikely to have content like Salvage/KSMN/Expansions etc).

3) What is there currently to do at end game (excluding new instances coming to 1.18)?

It just seems like FFXI websites had all these sections for what you wanted to do... and FFXIV websites don't really seem to have anything. Is there really just such a lack of content?

My main surprise with the game is the amount of fundamental game mechanics that were in FFXI that are missing. I am quite surprised that a company running an MMO for what 10 years? managed to release FFXIV in the state it is.

I don't understand how they thought the game would work well without an auction house or some kind of alternative NPC-shop system in place. Right now I have started off in Gridania and it's pretty barron. So how do I get new armour (I tried the Lotus Gate place where people keep their retainers... one guy selling shoes...) I understand the concept behind the crafting system and the attempt to have the economy as social as possible - why have an AH when everyone can buy from everyone else? But I don't think it works at all.

I am quite disappointed but I will play for a few weeks, I want to be a part of FFXIV as it gets better, only time will tell if that comes soon enough.

Do you think people compare the game to FFXI too much? Or should it be fair to be compared to a pre-predecessors?