Quote Originally Posted by Amsai View Post
I think the OP is asking the wrong questions. Iys not whether or not another game will ruin FFXIV's chances. To me its always been whether or not SE will ruin FFXIV. SE is SE's worst enemy. They just love to do things their way, and players be damned if they don't lap it up. I really want this game to succede, and I have been since launch in a perpetual state of Hope but not commitment to this game. And everytime the Devs do something great, it seems they have to do something disappointing. Its like for every 3 steps forward they take 2 steps back. Will the game eventually get to a place where I can say "This is my MMO addiction for the next 7-10 years"? Possibly. But the real question is can they do it before I decide I am tired of them making /facepalm decisions and all of my LS members leave me? Patch 1.18 lost me 5 LS mates. Ive beaten both the new dungeons multiple times, and now logging in is beginning to feel like a chore again. Something I make myself do in the hopes the next patch will magically fix my problems with the game. Am I crazy? Perhaps. But I feel I am out of options, and here is why:
1. Console/gamepad friendly
2. Deeper Storyline.
3. Heavy PvE

There is simply no other choice (aside from FFXI, been there done that). So I must cling to the hope that FFXIV will get better and better, eventually becoming a game I can be happy to play for the next 7-10 years, or hell even longer.
I completely agree to this.
I don't think Diablo or any other style MMO's are particular threats as they do target different audiences. I for example can not be bothered getting into any other MMO if not an FF title. What draws me to this particular game as the one before it (FFXI) is that it's a part of the FF series.

If however, another promising FF title came out, i would drop and get over this game in a heartbeat, but, alas, it is the only option and highly and long anticipated one for that matter, hence really clinging to hope for it to succeed.
1.18 did nothing for me personally, while there's a few good improvements, nothing solid enough to get me interested in playing, but as stated the game is against it's own clock and SE's is it's own enemy. They hold the key to succeeding or not.

They really can learn alot from their past experience, sometimes re-inventing the wheel is not the always the way to go. I believe if they went down the path of FFXI-2, it would have been in a much better state than what it is in now. Although they do seem to have finally realized that and are moving towards that direction slowly. Time will tell if will succeed or fail.
Needs alot of patience and time.