I miss the release-state FFXIV

[Greencactaur]

Say what you will of FFXIV at release, there was still a lot of stuff to do, be it in the form of crafting new items or grinding with huge parties on efts and raptors in many different areas. There was a certain newness which September brought with it that has since grown stagnant. At release, there was actually something to strive for.

And perhaps the first version update (slated under Tanaka's leadership) would have provided players with a wealth of new content to explore. And perhaps not. But one thing is definitely for sure: there has hardly been a single change since release that has aided the game in terms of content (besides the NMs). For example, these fetch -ahem- I mean "side-quests" might as well not even be in the game, in my opinion. For all the good they do, they might as well have not even implemented them. They aren't fun and exciting, nor are they natural. My life is certainly none the richer for having experienced them. (And if the rewards are anything to go by, my pockets are none the richer either).

There's a difference between content for content's sake and content that people actually enjoy. FFXIV at release had many a problem. The market wards were a drag and the UI was a logistical nightmare. But there was still enjoyable content nevertheless. And most importantly, it was content with longevity. I guess it all comes down to new horizons. If there is nothing new or unknown on the horizon, people won't enjoy themselves nearly as much as if there is something new out there.

It's sad that, even with FFXIV's gradual improvement, the game still seems to sink further and further into the abyss.

And now I wonder whether it was in SE's best interest to focus almost obsessively on revamping the battle system, to the exclusion of everything else, especially when it is clear that retaining a sense of long-forgotten "newness" is more fundamental to a player's enjoyment than whether or not he/she can AFK while in combat (autoattack).

The issue according to SE was investors pushing the release of the game. Then later on they said they something else. Then after another reason. Anyways they just kept making excuses over and over again, but the truth is SE thought they could get by with a unfinished product. Then after release they understood that they have to listen to there fans now because 12 was a sucky ff, but most fans were willing to say Hey just one screw up it happens then 13 came out it was a screw up and the fans said well... I'm sure they'll make up for it next time, but heres the thing SE liked 13 so they said oh despite our fans hating it we love it so we don't care. Then they release 14 and think people will just grind and enjoy it and while people are leveling there classes they can just fix the game through patches, but they now understood that if you don't listen you will DIE.

[Krausus]

The issue according to SE was investors pushing the release of the game. Then later on they said they something else. Then after another reason. Anyways they just kept making excuses over and over again, but the truth is SE thought they could get by with a unfinished product. Then after release they understood that they have to listen to there fans now because 12 was a sucky ff, but most fans were willing to say Hey just one screw up it happens then 13 came out it was a screw up and the fans said well... I'm sure they'll make up for it next time, but heres the thing SE liked 13 so they said oh despite our fans hating it we love it so we don't care. Then they release 14 and think people will just grind and enjoy it and while people are leveling there classes they can just fix the game through patches, but they now understood that if you don't listen you will DIE.

SE already stated they dont have investors to answer to, which is why they are able to keep it F2P at this time. Its all upper management that pushed it.

[trinta]

There's a difference between content for content's sake and content that people actually enjoy. FFXIV at release had many a problem. The market wards were a drag and the UI was a logistical nightmare. But there was still enjoyable content nevertheless. And most importantly, it was content with longevity.

So, you're saying that they removed content? Or simply that the longevity of the initial content has since worn out? How long did it last to qualify for this title?

[giftforce]

So, you're saying that they removed content? Or simply that the longevity of the initial content has since worn out? How long did it last to qualify for this title?

Well they certainly removed the driving impetus behind grinding parties/Pick-Up Groups. There is almost no incentive to group-grind when guildleves yield three times as much SP if not more.

But I can agree that there is some inconsistency to what I was saying.

There is an expiry date to any content, even content with longevity. And most people wouldn't even call grinding content anyway. But I think if SE had persisted with new avenues of gameplay and features (like the player run companies) and expansions into new zones/areas, then I'm sure that would have benefitted the game more than a new combat system within the confines of the same, tired game.

[Elkwood]

Well they certainly removed the driving impetus behind grinding parties/Pick-Up Groups. There is almost no incentive to group-grind when guildleves yield three times as much SP if not more.

But I can agree that there is some inconsistency to what I was saying.

There is an expiry date to any content, even content with longevity. And most people wouldn't even call grinding content anyway. But I think if SE had persisted with new avenues of gameplay and features (like the player run companies) and expansions into new zones/areas, then I'm sure that would have benefitted the game more than a new combat system within the confines of the same, tired game.

If you cant figure out Grinding is actually better then leves then there is no hope for you. I can think of multiple camps in game with 6+ ppl that I can hit 30k/hr easy which is about the same as leves provide. Not to mention if you are leveling certain crafts these camps will undoubtedly help you in the long run at higher levels.

[Morticous]

I didnt get a cool map, did you actually get a cool map?

[Cendres]

What the hell is wrong with side quests? Nothing at all and they are not meant to be the core of this game, there IS no core to this game yet, we're still waiting on it. That's the crux of all our frustrations right now, and instead of giving us this long awaited content (Companies!! Chocobos ect..) They are like heyyyyy the combat sucks let's change it all, pushing everything else back.

Don't be hating the tiny bit of content we do have :S

[Shyd]

.....That's the crux of all our frustrations right now, and instead of giving us this long awaited content (Companies!! Chocobos ect..) They are like heyyyyy the combat sucks let's change it all, pushing everything else back.

Don't be hating the tiny bit of content we do have :S

Yuh! this reminds me~ they posted the companies page on the lodestone many many moons ago. And yet we have not seen or really heard anything else about it.

Kinda saddens me @.@;;

Unless these new dungeons will be incorporated with it, which i think they prolly will. Due to the "newspaper article lore thingies".

[Morticous]

I actually like grinding with friends better then leves. I'm just going to throw that out there.

[Xatsh]

I actually like grinding with friends better then leves. I'm just going to throw that out there.

Me and Half my linkshell actually agree with this statement