Translations (JP to English)

[Picoman]

Ah I understand. Ah well, I guess we'll never really know how many total subs FFXIV 1.0 had. Thanks for the clarification.

I remember the number 600k being used around launch for box sales.

[Kiote]

Yeah, DQ10 has 400k subs, and YoshiP is saying even if we got those DQ10 customers that's only 400k subs compared to WoW which has 12mil. Then he goes on saying that even GW2 got 2mil subs instantly, thefore SE needs to try and get the US player market in order to even compete. MMORPG market in Japan isn't as large as US.

See, the way I read that was, DQX has 400k subs exclusively in Japan where despite having Millions of Subs western MMOs can't seem to break 20k Japanese subs and that is a huge opening for FFXIV.

If they can get a foothold in the west, combined with more or less exclusive access to Japan, they have a very good chance of FFXIV being big success.

[Reinheart]

One thing I kind of didn't agree with though was opening FF14 up to a larger age range. I thought that the "Kid's Time" was a really good idea for DQ10 just based on its overall design, but FF14 was designed with adult dialog and I don't want to see things get watered down because they're trying to get younger people to play. I already know adults that play with their kids, and while I'm sure the kids may be skipping through dialog and just going out and mashing monsters, I don't want the narrative to suffer at the expense of bringing in younger players. I rather like the medieval and archaic narratives sometimes.

Don't want to derail too much from the thread but for this one, I think they are already planning stuff for the younger generation. Just looking at the baby Chocobo, Bomb, and Behemoth. They might be planning something easy to start off for the kids while adults can also enjoy those while doing more serious stuff in-game with older people.

I read on other threads people don't want FFXIV to become a amusement park, but for myself, I'm the exact oposite. I'd rather see this game continue and in order for that to happen SE needs to make revenue so why not make tons of little contents from young to older generations to get into. Just like anything, these are just extra options and it doesn't need to be played if you don't want to. SE just needs to make sure there is a fine line that both sides don't interfere, like having really good stat gear from a kids section of the game, while adult side has something that enhances skills/abilities w/e on the kids side. If they do something dumb like that, then it won't work. If they can keep kids contents just for kids, and older contents for them it should be fine imo. If they do continue the game for 10 years like they are doing with FFXI those kids who started FFXI are now grown up, FFXI didn't have that type of content so we ended up having kids in the party sometimes... At least this way we can separate them. That's another thing about Japan, like in the US you got kids playing WoW and stuff, in Japan you probably won't see that. Not just because MMO genre isn't big in Japan but they are more into Pokemon and other games at their age range, and unlike US the handheld systems are all over so they use those trade feature or adhoc systems while in the US you don't see too much of that, so they end up playing more console, computer games. It's just difference in culture, US more kids travel in school bus, or parents driving to and from home/school, while in Japan even the kids have to take the regular city bus, trains where they meet more than their regular group of people.

[Zehira]

Don't want to derail too much from the thread but for this one, I think they are already planning stuff for the younger generation. Just looking at the baby Chocobo, Bomb, and Behemoth. They might be planning something easy to start off for the kids while adults can also enjoy those while doing more serious stuff in-game with older people.

I read on other threads people don't want FFXIV to become a amusement park, but for myself, I'm the exact oposite. I'd rather see this game continue and in order for that to happen SE needs to make revenue so why not make tons of little contents from young to older generations to get into. Just like anything, these are just extra options and it doesn't need to be played if you don't want to. SE just needs to make sure there is a fine line that both sides don't interfere, like having really good stat gear from a kids section of the game, while adult side has something that enhances skills/abilities w/e on the kids side. If they do something dumb like that, then it won't work. If they can keep kids contents just for kids, and older contents for them it should be fine imo. If they do continue the game for 10 years like they are doing with FFXI those kids who started FFXI are now grown up, FFXI didn't have that type of content so we ended up having kids in the party sometimes... At least this way we can separate them. That's another thing about Japan, like in the US you got kids playing WoW and stuff, in Japan you probably won't see that. Not just because MMO genre isn't big in Japan but they are more into Pokemon and other games at their age range, and unlike US the handheld systems are all over so they use those trade feature or adhoc systems while in the US you don't see too much of that, so they end up playing more console, computer games. It's just difference in culture, US more kids travel in school bus, or parents driving to and from home/school, while in Japan even the kids have to take the regular city bus, trains where they meet more than their regular group of people.

Who said they don't like it an amusement park? Japanese? I hope not! o.o
The US has been making too much fantastic advices. >.<

BTW, glad you put it in hide, I was bombed everytime I see it! xP

Again, Reinheartさん、何をやってるの？今すぐやめて！そのサブリガは偽物だ、爆弾だぞ！ lol ^^

[Reinheart]

Rein want to translate the gist of the spectator mode topic so we can see what the Japanese players think? It's, of course, fine if you don't want to. I would do it myself but that would take about an hour and I'll be busy for the next two weeks in about 20 minutes...

For this one, that thread got over 60 likes now, pretty sure the NA reps relayed the message. I also think some of the stuff posted in there are interesting knowing how it was in XI running HNM and Dynamis LS myself, spectator mode would be good to have for sure.

Who said they don't like it an amusement park? Japanese? I hope not! o.o
The US has been making too much fantastic advices. >.<

BTW, glad you put it in hide, I was bombed everytime I see it! xP

Again, Reinheartさん、何をやってるの？今すぐやめて！そのサブリガは偽物だ、爆弾だぞ！ lol ^^

Nope was on NA side of the forums, can't remember which thread, wasn't really big thread but it catched my attention lol.
JP side of the forums are pretty quiet right now after the final event.

I dunno about the subligar signature, I liked it but I guess it was too much for some so I hid it finally... going to replace it with something smaller later and... サブリガは爆弾なんかじゃねぇ～　愛を広める為の道具さ♪　ラブ＆ピース！（トライガンのVash風に）

[Zehira]

JP side of the forums are pretty quiet right now after the final event.

That's good to know, they can take a break and enjoy in real life while waiting for BETA. NA people... ugh. >.< lol

Yes, the subligar is love and peace like how my name is meaning in Hebrew. ^^

[Velhart]

Yeah, DQ10 has 400k subs, and YoshiP is saying even if we got those DQ10 customers that's only 400k subs compared to WoW which has 12mil. Then he goes on saying that even GW2 got 2mil subs instantly, thefore SE needs to try and get the US player market in order to even compete. MMORPG market in Japan isn't as large as US.

As he mentioned later in the article, currently in Japan HD consoles isn't doing too well. I've noticed this myself also seeing the ranking it's mainly 3DS and PSP titles. So if you go on your PS3 and create JP account to see what JP store has, you'll see more PSP titles than the US PS market. Also for the DQ10, from what I know from friends and others in Japan. Wii sales in Japan wasn't that good either compared to the US when it was sold out almost in every store.

Well the good thing is, Final Fantasy is just as popular as it is in Japan for the west, so seeing a large subscription base for FFXIV in the west I believe won't be an issue if they advertise this re-release right, especially since there is a PS3 alternative. Dragon Quest on the other hand, despite it being one of my favorite RPG series, it simply doesn't have the popularity in America as it does in Japan. I believe Dragon Quest IX and the other DS remakes were the games that finally started getting DQ some popularity in the NA.

It still worries me some, because it makes me think that SE won't bring over Dragon Quest X to NA/EU for the Wii U. I would most definitely play it, but I believe only a niche group of players would play it in the west.

For Final Fantasy however, I truly believe the title itself will get that large group of people in. The problem with the original FFXIV's release was actually a few things. For one, a lot of people didn't have PC's to run the game. That also adds to the fact that they did announce a PS3 version and a lot decided to wait for that instead. Last was there was really poor reception of the open beta which made people dodgy. ARR will be different this time however. It's specs are open to a lot of low end to high end PC's, the PS3 version is coming out simultaneously, and the hype around it is pretty high right now. I see a bunch of comments from sites with people saying they want to give it a chance just based off all the effort being put into it.

I do believe FFXIV: ARR will not have a problem with subscriptions, definitely will not match WoW, but they will no doubt have numbers that take them over what they need to make it more than profitable.

For poor HD console sales, portable devices have always been more popular, especially the DS/3DS. Companies know this, which is why there is a 2:1 ratio of portable JRPG's to console ones. Can I 100% explain why portable devices are grossly more popular there? Not really, can only think of a few things. Dragon Quest IX really showed this. Seriously...4.2 million copies sold, that is insane.

Don't want to derail too much from the thread but for this one, I think they are already planning stuff for the younger generation. Just looking at the baby Chocobo, Bomb, and Behemoth. They might be planning something easy to start off for the kids while adults can also enjoy those while doing more serious stuff in-game with older people.

I read on other threads people don't want FFXIV to become a amusement park, but for myself, I'm the exact oposite. I'd rather see this game continue and in order for that to happen SE needs to make revenue so why not make tons of little contents from young to older generations to get into. Just like anything, these are just extra options and it doesn't need to be played if you don't want to. SE just needs to make sure there is a fine line that both sides don't interfere, like having really good stat gear from a kids section of the game, while adult side has something that enhances skills/abilities w/e on the kids side. If they do something dumb like that, then it won't work. If they can keep kids contents just for kids, and older contents for them it should be fine imo. If they do continue the game for 10 years like they are doing with FFXI those kids who started FFXI are now grown up, FFXI didn't have that type of content so we ended up having kids in the party sometimes... At least this way we can separate them. That's another thing about Japan, like in the US you got kids playing WoW and stuff, in Japan you probably won't see that. Not just because MMO genre isn't big in Japan but they are more into Pokemon and other games at their age range, and unlike US the handheld systems are all over so they use those trade feature or adhoc systems while in the US you don't see too much of that, so they end up playing more console, computer games. It's just difference in culture, US more kids travel in school bus, or parents driving to and from home/school, while in Japan even the kids have to take the regular city bus, trains where they meet more than their regular group of people.

I doubt they would ever go that far. Final Fantasy has always been able to cater to a wide age group without actually trying to. I doubt the team will ever go as far as to appeal to children, especially in an MMO where the preferred age is 13+(I think?). I think they should just keep doing what they are doing now and if a younger audience gets in on it, I guess it is a plus in some way.

[Kirito]

Don't want to derail too much from the thread but for this one, I think they are already planning stuff for the younger generation. Just looking at the baby Chocobo, Bomb, and Behemoth. They might be planning something easy to start off for the kids while adults can also enjoy those while doing more serious stuff in-game with older people.

I read on other threads people don't want FFXIV to become a amusement park, but for myself, I'm the exact oposite. I'd rather see this game continue and in order for that to happen SE needs to make revenue so why not make tons of little contents from young to older generations to get into. Just like anything, these are just extra options and it doesn't need to be played if you don't want to. SE just needs to make sure there is a fine line that both sides don't interfere, like having really good stat gear from a kids section of the game, while adult side has something that enhances skills/abilities w/e on the kids side. If they do something dumb like that, then it won't work. If they can keep kids contents just for kids, and older contents for them it should be fine imo. If they do continue the game for 10 years like they are doing with FFXI those kids who started FFXI are now grown up, FFXI didn't have that type of content so we ended up having kids in the party sometimes... At least this way we can separate them. That's another thing about Japan, like in the US you got kids playing WoW and stuff, in Japan you probably won't see that. Not just because MMO genre isn't big in Japan but they are more into Pokemon and other games at their age range, and unlike US the handheld systems are all over so they use those trade feature or adhoc systems while in the US you don't see too much of that, so they end up playing more console, computer games. It's just difference in culture, US more kids travel in school bus, or parents driving to and from home/school, while in Japan even the kids have to take the regular city bus, trains where they meet more than their regular group of people.

Wow you've been doing your homework... that is absolutely correct... I just can't imagine how they could implement a system for children. Since in order for most people to know the existence of these features, the game would have to impose all the players to play one round of all the mini-games in a quest... This may cause numerous complaints by the "adult" players. I don't think they should just keep it as a mention by the npc since some players don't read the story. Maybe there could be a note on the map about the "amusepark/kids section" or as apart of the tutorial all the players must go to certain area of the city to speak to some npc and one could be at the park...

And you are right. In Japan the handheld is prime means of playing video games. From what I've read almost all the youth in Tokyo have some sort of handheld. While in the U.S. more people enjoy the console. In fact the reason sony added cross play was to have a feature both the U.S and Japan could enjoy. We know ARR is going to be highly scalable and in order to take into account both of your points maybe a port to the vita would be the answer and have an offline mode that has the mini game feature for both the children playing ff14 and for the adult players that just want to play a mini-game while they don't have signal like in a tunnel, for example. I guess if they added the card game like in ff11 it could also attract more adult players that miss the card game. But I doubt that a solution like this will happen anytime soon for the main reason that the vita is still not in too many households compared to the psp...

[axemtitanium]

For poor HD console sales, portable devices have always been more popular, especially the DS/3DS. Companies know this, which is why there is a 2:1 ratio of portable JRPG's to console ones. Can I 100% explain why portable devices are grossly more popular there? Not really, can only think of a few things. Dragon Quest IX really showed this. Seriously...4.2 million copies sold, that is insane.

I really think it comes down to population density. Especially in the big cities like Tokyo and Osaka, for example, you'll probably get 20-30 Nintendo 3DS streetpasses on a bad day. Compare that to my experience in Boston and even NYC, just walking around or to work, which is 0-2 streetpasses per day, depending on the exact route. In Japan, there are more people per square mile and more of them have handheld gaming consoles. It's just completely normal there for a kid or adult to have a handheld. Compare that to America where usually only kids can get away with playing games on the train without getting judgmental stares. Smart phones are slowly changing that perception but games on smart phone tend to be shorter, less meaningful/intense experiences.

Also Monster Hunter. Monster Hunter is a cultural phenomenon in Japan on the same order of magnitude as Michael Jackson in the US. Everyone and their mother has at least heard of Monster Hunter and a disgustingly large number have played it. Monster Hunter has sold over 21 million units since the first game in 2004. That's more than Castlevania (20 million sold) which has 3 times as many games in the series and has been around since 1986. Monster Hunter is a large reason why portables are so popular in Japan.

[Amiral_Benson]

I thought that the "Kid's Time" was a really good idea for DQ10 just based on its overall design, but FF14 was designed with adult dialog and I don't want to see things get watered down because they're trying to get younger people to play.
[...] I don't want the narrative to suffer at the expense of bringing in younger players.

I agree, but all FF, including FFXIV, already have a lots of very bad childish corny simple-minded inane dullard simpleton dialogues, and I hate those. Maybe it's because I'm playing the FF in French, but it's not very likely.

SE needs more good writers, some company understood that, Valve has good writers, Remedy too, Rockstar too, etc.

FF inside dialogues still look too much corny, nobody likes to be treated like children, children don't like that, adults don't like that.

I like to read Fernehalwes post for example, he's very good, he should write dialogues instead of translate and adapt them.

SE needs to hire good writers outside the gaming industry, the company who understood that made epic well written games.