[dev1032] Spell Casting Animations Needs More Love

[Aravou]

I just wanted to add that in addition to the "casting animations" the regular spell animations themselves are lack luster -- even compared to FFXI.

Here are some of the more recent spells (in smaller sized icons unfortunately) that the same team(s)/people have been working on.

http://killingifrit.com/forums/uploa...1313769504.jpg
http://killingifrit.com/forums/uploa...1313769516.jpg
http://killingifrit.com/forums/uploa...1313769522.jpg
http://killingifrit.com/forums/uploa...1313769534.jpg
http://killingifrit.com/forums/uploa...1313769541.jpg

While these spells still suffer from the same unfortunate syndrome of "I can only originate on the target instead of from the caster or the environment," they still somehow look far superior to the spells currently available in FFXIV... why?

I'm in complete agreement. From a design standpoint, the casting animations and spell animations in FFXI are far superior to what we have in FFXIV. It's a terrible shame to be able to type that, because we should be able to type the exact opposite.

It's painfully obvious that many, if not the majority, of the casting animations and spell animations in FFXIV were designed as place-holders for further revision in the future. This revision was most likely scheduled to occure during the games alpha and beta stages, but never happened due to the game being heinously rushed to its launch.

That being said, it's startling that the dev team hasn't taken the time to directly address this issue with the community. The Final Fantasy franchise is well know for its rich history of amazing magical spell animations. That this lack off quality is so apparent in FFXIV, and that the dev team hasn't specifically taken the time to assure it's players that they are aware of the problem and have plans to resolve it in the future; well, it's startling.

Devs; please take the time to acknowledge this issue. Also, please let us know if it will be fixed, or not.

[Roll]

Here's an example of a good casting animation I liked:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_C_sJJbgLM

Rotating magic circle under the caster, floating cubes circling the caster. They look like the cubes when white magic is used in FFIV(In some FF's it's orbs/bubbles).

[Elros]

I want to just chime in here and agree. The lackluster effects and animations are honestly one of the main reasons that I don't use a magic class that much. They don't have that final fantasy flare and therefore aren't that much fun to use.

I'm looking for those effects that make you blurt out "Whoa yes! did you see that?" then realize your talking to yourself in your room, but you don't care because it was so awesome!

[Tahldon]

Wow, Roll. Ha ha. I wasn't quite expecting an excerpt from a Mario game, for a minute I thought I was watching the wrong video. Either way, I understand what you mean.

The things of what I was thinking were along the lines of some of these videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg3rYgaLtZk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPbxO...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6jfz9rhZpY

These are just some examples of how Magic could look. Obviously, Magic in Final Fantasy games have always been something of awe and wonder, but obviously, as stated, FFXIV is lacking a lot of that. As someone who plays only mages in any game that allows it, I must say that, compared to DoW comrades, I feel pretty gimped in the "fireworks" department. I'm not sure what the name of that Weapon-skill ARC uses (can you tell I really don't play anything that's not magic, yet?) but it's the one skill where the player somersaults into the air and rains down a torrent of arrows that hit the ground and scatter in every direction. There are a number of other attacks that the Melee users have that are awesome as well, but while I'm standing there, tossing my round little lightning spells, I can't help but feel inadequate.

I really hope to see some progress from the devs on this. Right now, Magic only has the importance of what it does, not what it looks like and a bunch of us could go for some aesthetics on the mystic side of things.

Also, I'm a big fan of particles and sigils on the ground. Lol. If you guys haven't noticed. I feel like magic is supposed to be big, time-stopping, and commanding. Right now, I don't get any of those feelings from what we have. Really, really hoping for some improvements.

[Roll]

Wow, Roll. Ha ha. I wasn't quite expecting an excerpt from a Mario game, for a minute I thought I was watching the wrong video. Either way, I understand what you mean.

The things of what I was thinking were along the lines of some of these videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg3rYgaLtZk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPbxO...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6jfz9rhZpY

These are just some examples of how Magic could look. Obviously, Magic in Final Fantasy games have always been something of awe and wonder, but obviously, as stated, FFXIV is lacking a lot of that. As someone who plays only mages in any game that allows it, I must say that, compared to DoW comrades, I feel pretty gimped in the "fireworks" department. I'm not sure what the name of that Weapon-skill ARC uses (can you tell I really don't play anything that's not magic, yet?) but it's the one skill where the player somersaults into the air and rains down a torrent of arrows that hit the ground and scatter in every direction. There are a number of other attacks that the Melee users have that are awesome as well, but while I'm standing there, tossing my round little lightning spells, I can't help but feel inadequate.

I really hope to see some progress from the devs on this. Right now, Magic only has the importance of what it does, not what it looks like and a bunch of us could go for some aesthetics on the mystic side of things.

Also, I'm a big fan of particles and sigils on the ground. Lol. If you guys haven't noticed. I feel like magic is supposed to be big, time-stopping, and commanding. Right now, I don't get any of those feelings from what we have. Really, really hoping for some improvements.

Yeah I wanted to point out that even in a Mario sports game with FF characters on the Wii looks better than the magic casting on XIV haha!

Yeah I LOVE the Tales of games. The spells and casting animations always look impressive. And I love the incantation quotes the characters do lol.

I'd be satisfied seeing a rotating glowing magic circle under the caster at the very least.

[Tahldon]

I concur. The Magic in the Tales games is so fantastic to see and as the game is designed, appears to hit so hard.

The magic there is big on a scale that no other attack can emulate. Obviously, the magic in FFXIV should be as such. Honestly, I was playing yesterday in a 3 man party doing some leves. There was a Pug and 2 Cons (1 being myself), there was so much magic flying around between healing spells and damage spells, but there were many times where I didn't even see an animation. I only heard the brief sound of whatever element was being used. It's all done and over with in a matter of seconds. Either way, it all needs work. The more I think about it as I play my CON, the more I want to see changes, in anything, really.

[PEANUT]

Still no reply :"O

[Gidonoidon_Sur]

Keep the push forward guys!

[PEANUT]

La la la la la ^^

[Elros]

Still no word?