Honestly, the way the game is heading, the constant nerfs after a few unskilled players or other players abusing the system and then everyone suffering because of it, it's really putting me off the FF franchise in general. The last "good" FF console game was 10, 11 was great when I was younger and had time to play, this was supposed to be a game developed for a more "casual" player base but all I see are bad nerfs, deceit, and content reused over and over. There's nothing "casual" about being forced to spend what little time you have to do anything on the game over time sink barriers that revolve around unknown factors such as when a FATE was going to spawn, or RNG. The unknown RNG factors issues as well. RNG to chocobo coloring? WHY?! Let us know how much each food gives or takes, while giving us a number our chocobos are at currently. Give us a better way of getting Atma stones that still require devotion, but with more transparency. Take out fate waiting from daily events and give us things we can WORK for, not sit around waiting for.
This is a throwback for sure, but paying for something that should be fundamental in the game, retainers, and the perks they give you for simply existing should not come with a separate charge, let alone a monthly fee. The added space, the ventures, the selling slots, are all perks that should be included in the monthly fee we are paying every single month for continuing our experience in Eorzea. When you start charging for fundamental services, it sets a certain precedence that it's an alright thing, and it shouldn't be for a game you are already paying for.

The smoke and mirrors of the updates are dragging on a lot of people too I can tell. We’re told one thing, only to find out, at the time OF the patch, they either straight up lied, or went a completely different route they hinted from the get go. This is most obvious in the patch for the housing, as my signature suggests, and less obvious through smaller patches to “balance” portions of the game, which end up simply nerfing one part of the content some way or another. These nerfs don’t always address the issue on hand, but instead band aid the real issue. This game is still in its “infant” stages, and I understand that, but this stage sets the precedence on how future updates will be handled. Is this how things are going to be from now on?

The instant kill tactics of content, some you can’t even watch the fight to learn for future attempts (looking at you Titan). I understand it, I know the reasoning for it, but it’s not always the right way to go with it. It’s certainly not a good move to lock new content behind it. They made a good choice to allow people to do other content without clearing the sometimes impossible to do content, but that again, doesn’t address the issue that instant wipe tactics aren’t always fun. Then you add lock outs, so people can’t help one another, or teach, until the content has been out for so long, players are getting the sloppy seconds of their friends because they are only able to play “casually” and can’t make it to learning groups, or statics, or w/e the community decides to go forth with.

And speaking of lock outs, how about those that choose to solo, get removed from FCs, or simply don’t want to be a part of that community. How much content are you going to lock those paying subscribers who are playing the game they want to play out of, especially since you made a game anyone can play “casually”? I am abusing this word, I know, but that’s what brought me to this game, the ability to play at my own pace, how I wanted to play. Now, I see that was all smoke and mirrors too. Chocobo training, chocobo coloring, gardening, who knows what else in future patches are going to be locked out of because you don’t have a FC, or one that doesn’t have a house. The airship quests we should be able to partake with our FC after we’ve build one? The Golden Saucer Chocobo racing? Are we all going to be forced into a guild because that’s the way the game is forcing players to play to get anywhere? How much more are you going to force us into certain play styles while you still tote that this game is for everyone and offers you the ability to play how you want to play?

I see so much abuse in this game, from building toxic player bases in hunts, vote kicks being abused in dungeons, new players being forced into content they either aren’t prepared for, or rushed through because they don’t understand the options available to them. I can see that the housing issue will bring a more toxic player base as well. From the lynch mob going door to door of those that can purchase their own personal housing while FC’s struggle to get the money needed, or the time to get on and get the house before they are all bought up. No amount of “new wards” are going to save this bubble from popping, anyone can see that. You boast about your player base numbers then you should see how 1+1 does equal 2 million.

For me, the 2.4 patch will be the deciding factor on if I stay or not. I see where this game is heading and I’m wary of it. I play for the community and game play, but when both become toxic to the point of it becoming a chore to deal with, it’s time to take my precious time and money someplace else. It’s becoming that, but it hasn’t hit it just yet. I have a wonderful FC that keeps me sane, and there are a lot of things I like about this game. I hope that the future is bright, I expect a lot out of this game, so please don’t get lazy so early in the game.