Repetitive grind parties should NOT be the main source of leveling

[Kiara]

Hi Ventus and All,

It's a very good question & topic. I guess the big picture question is:

* What *do* you do in an MMO (specifically RPG) that would be a better way to increase / improve / get better / grow?

Even offline RPGs, the "classic grind" of killing monsters throughout the world to level up and get better has been around since the earliest of days.

I think with unlimited budget and unlimited manpower, a "dream scenario" for leveling up / progressing / getting better in an MMORPG for me would be:

• Going on interesting, engaging, challenging *Adventures* with Story & Lore, with friends / strangers in a party, and growing stronger from it.
  
  Specifically, imagine the level of quality from "Chains of Promathea" Story Missions: The amazing cinematography, interesting storyline, production values, and unlocking new lands, etc.
  
  Imagine if doing each Mission (with a challenging difficulty) rewarded Players with lots of XP / SP and you could gain Levels that way.

THAT would be my ideal way to "level" in an MMORPG.

But I think we all agree, the production costs would be astronomical. I don't think they can provide that level of quality, writing, storytelling, missions, new areas, challenging content *fast enough* and with enough of them, to satisfy the Hardcore MMO players (who'd get through content too fast), Average gamers or Casual gamers (only can put in a few hours per week).

So what else can an MMORPG do to "fill the void"? It's a tough question. Some people loved Conquest, Ein, Dynamis, Sky, BCNMs, etc., in FF XI. And that's a game that had years under its belt before it had a breadth of content for it later.

Is it through Questing (with good production values, cinematics, etc.)? Probably not feasible.

Could it be through an *interesting* Combat System (via Parties)? Possibly.

If this new Final Fantasy Job System with revamped Skillchains (or some Dynamic Combat Layer (like developing something from Chrono Trigger, etc.)) could be added, with ways to develop interesting methods to kill monsters, that in-and-of-itself could be a great, fun way to spend hours battling through various mobs around Eorzea (with friends). That would make "grinding" less tedious for sure.

But after a while even that would get repetitive.

I think the answer lies with balance of a variety of things to do.

If they add in a Chocobo Raising System (like Final Fantasy VII (Gold Saucer Chocobo Races! ), added in other interesting things to do, that's something else that keeps people interested.

I'd like there to be something else besides the Grind. I'd say 1.18 is a start in the right direction (with Dungeons that you can SP in, with some production values, Class System changes, and Grand Companies). I'm curious to see what else comes from 1.19 and 1.20.