(I've batted this idea about in several other threads but I think it deserves a thread of it's own.)
Let's face it, FFXIV is broken in many ways right now. We have RMT and bots running rampant and exploiting the crap out of the economy and leveling system. The upcoming class/job changes will likely anger some who expected to be leveling one job but instead get stuck with one they didn't want. The future class restrictions on gear will load down some players with useless items, and the elimination of physical levels will likely result in further tweaks to gear already in possession of players.
Worst of all, the dev team is handcuffed because they are forced to tailor changes around a broken system that people have already invested considerable time into.
It is inevitable.. players are going to be outraged with some changes, so why not give everyone not only the full dose of medicine all at once but some sugar with it? A reset needs to be done -- just to free this game from the baggage of its former design.
To compensate, all the current players should be given:
1) A prestige item that would give the equivalent of ~50 lvls (or more) of exp to divide between classes however they chooseThe benefits of this are:
-and-
2) Several picks of non-trade-able elite gear/weapons rewards to choose from along the lines of the Mog Bonanza rewards in FFXI.
1) A total gil reset in the world and the ability to restructure the economy.
2) Cutting the legs out from under the RMT on day 1.
3) Players get exp in the job of their choice
4) More freedom for devs moving forward with gear rebalacing
5) The ability to change existing storyline missions and quests according to the new direction.
As we have all been playing the game for free, I feel it is a fair trade-off that would give players and especially the economy a fresh start in the new world.
I understand that many people will be highly opposed it this. Also, considering Yoshi's comments, there is a slim-to-none chance that this will ever happen, but still, if we got a nice gift out of the deal, I would be in full support of a reset once the PS3 version is released and the subscription payments begin.
How about you?
*bracing for the hate-storm