Frontlines: Add a GC-in-need bonus?

[Vandril]

How so? People who don't care about Grand Companies can join it and fill out needed slots. People who do care about Grand Companies can remain in their Grand Company.

I think that what I said came across wrong. The idea isn't inherently bad or ineffective, but rather just very inefficient and unnecessarily complicated. Why make all the necessary changes to the lore and game in order to fit in a fourth faction when they could just remove the GC-locked PvP Ranks and rewrite the very short quest that introduces the player to Frontlines? This would solve every aspect of the problem more thoroughly than adding a fourth, "loose end" faction all the while requiring a whole whopping few hours worth of effort on the part of Square Enix.

[Nalien]

Why make all the necessary changes to the lore and game in order to fit in a fourth faction when they could just remove the GC-locked PvP Ranks and rewrite the very short quest that introduces the player to Frontlines? This would solve every aspect of the problem more thoroughly than adding a fourth, "loose end" faction all the while requiring a whole whopping few hours worth of effort on the part of Square Enix.

Because, as I explained here, I like the Grand Company verses Grand Company aspect. If they just made it another case of "Claws verses Fangs" I'd find it infinitely more boring. I really enjoy running into the same allies and same enemies when I do Frontlines, without the Grand Company restriction that falls away completely. Frontlines is pretty much the only piece of content in this game where I can run into the same people from different servers and enjoy the content as though I went in with a full static.

Adding a fourth faction, or a mercenary version of existing factions, still takes away from that slightly, but at least it doesn't completely destroy the atmosphere Frontlines currently offers. Best of both worlds, in my opinion.

[Vandril]

Because, as I explained here, I like the Grand Company verses Grand Company aspect. If they just made it another case of "Claws verses Fangs" I'd find it infinitely more boring. I really enjoy running into the same allies and same enemies when I do Frontlines, without the Grand Company restriction that falls away completely. Frontlines is pretty much the only piece of content in this game where I can run into the same people from different servers and enjoy the content as though I went in with a full static.

Adding a fourth faction, or a mercenary version of existing factions, still takes away from that slightly, but at least it doesn't completely destroy the atmosphere Frontlines currently offers. Best of both worlds, in my opinion.

You make a very good argument. I forgot about that post.

In that case, an opt-in "I'm a mercenary, not a solider" option like you described would be a good solution. I don't like the idea of making it an entirely new faction due to the complexity of adding such a thing, but as an option as a member of a Grand Company I can support it. It would require some fine tuning, though. It would be weird to have a toggle-able check box for that. There'd have to be some sort of toggle that is handled outside of a game menu. And maybe some pseudo-lore as to why the Grand Companies would allow their own recruited Adventurers to, essentially, fight against them without repercussion.

[Spoekes]

Adding a fourth faction, or a mercenary version of existing factions, still takes away from that slightly, but at least it doesn't completely destroy the atmosphere Frontlines currently offers. Best of both worlds, in my opinion.

If there was a fourth faction to fill any GC slot you can bet everyone will switch to this, for obvious reasons.

[Ultimatecalibur]

If there was a fourth faction to fill any GC slot you can bet everyone will switch to this, for obvious reasons.

Only if there is no reason to stay GC loyal.

I kind of wish the i70 Hunt gear sets had been GC exclusive PvP sets instead.

[SethLex]

Because, I like the Grand Company verses Grand Company aspect.

You are part of a very peculiar and quite select (+devs) minority.

[Nalien]

You are part of a very peculiar and quite select (+devs) minority.

I really doubt I'm in the minority given the number of people I actively see in Frontlines who seem to enjoy the fact that the team they're on is an actual team, rather than something almost purely randomized like Fang/Claws was. I see plenty of people enjoying rivalries with known players on the other team, and plenty of people enjoying bumping into each other game after game.

The only minority I'm a part of here is the minority that actually posts on the official forums. The majority don't, after all. In fact, the only place I've seen "Remove the GC restriction" is here, I haven't once seen it mentioned in game; people in game seem to be too busy enjoying the rivalry.

[Saiyakupo]

I don't really like the idea of removing the faction aspect all together, and rewriting the lore for it. The lore to me is a neat story and to ruin it because of some que times is a little bit unnecessary of a huge change.
I think that instead, the pvp ranks shouldn't have to be so hard to re-gain altogether upon switching grand companies. I think something to fix that would be a better incentive to make people want to change to Adder <3
Though I won't complain about a GC in need bonus. Being that it's almost always Adder, I would love it and PVP all the time (even more than I already do) to reap the very overwhelming benefits <3

[Stormrider]

I really doubt I'm in the minority given the number of people I actively see in Frontlines who seem to enjoy the fact that the team they're on is an actual team, rather than something almost purely randomized like Fang/Claws was. I see plenty of people enjoying rivalries with known players on the other team, and plenty of people enjoying bumping into each other game after game.

The only minority I'm a part of here is the minority that actually posts on the official forums. The majority don't, after all. In fact, the only place I've seen "Remove the GC restriction" is here, I haven't once seen it mentioned in game; people in game seem to be too busy enjoying the rivalry.

If they removed the Grand Company aspect I would hope server based teams if possible. Someone with a few matches done I know people enjoy seeing recurring players. Hell if 4 other names are ones i know well I expect us to win encounters.

[Yaltus]

I really doubt I'm in the minority given the number of people I actively see in Frontlines who seem to enjoy the fact that the team they're on is an actual team, rather than something almost purely randomized like Fang/Claws was. I see plenty of people enjoying rivalries with known players on the other team, and plenty of people enjoying bumping into each other game after game.

I definitely like seeing the same faces, and it is always great to see a set of players that I know are strong.

More than that, I'd love to see shorter queues, but I'm not sure that lifting the GC restriction is the best way to do that. I'd like to see the DF spawn more 24 and 48 man frontlines.