In-Game Parser.

[Atomnium]

IMO we should have a parser, but it should be optional whether others can see your numbers, it is set to "private" so only you can see your own DPS, or turned off entirely.
PF should get the option of excluding people that have their parser set to private/off.

--> PF parties that are looking to improve through measuring their DPS can do so.
--> people that don't like having their DPS visible to all the party see "oh that party is running a parser, I won't join that one, I'll make a different PF party"

Everyone wins.
Except the people who like to sneak into farm parties and get stealth carried.

Genuinely interested if anyone can suggest any reasons why this set-up would not work?

Your idea is brilliant.

[Taika]

IMO we should have a parser, but it should be optional whether others can see your numbers, it is set to "private" so only you can see your own DPS, or turned off entirely.
PF should get the option of excluding people that have their parser set to private/off.

--> PF parties that are looking to improve through measuring their DPS can do so.
--> people that don't like having their DPS visible to all the party see "oh that party is running a parser, I won't join that one, I'll make a different PF party"

Everyone wins.
Except the people who like to sneak into farm parties and get stealth carried.

This is a great idea.

[lyndwyrm]

Genuinely interested if anyone can suggest any reasons why this set-up would not work?

I think the obvious possible flaw is people demanding it be set to public in DF and any/all content they do. The partner with this is some people would assume everyone with it private has lower DPS. Something that may mitigate that a little is to have it set to private every time you log on, so not all people would want to be bothered to change it to public every time they log on whether their DPS is above or below average.

I like this idea though, and the important thing here is that you can see if you are under-performing compared to at least anyone that has it set to public. That way, if you're running anything really, and you see someone with a DPS much higher than yours that isn't much or at all better geared, then you can ask yourself how you can improve or even ask someone else how to improve.

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I just wanted to throw this out there, but if the dev team can overcome whatever issues for add-ons they mentioned in this article, then I think you can be pretty sure some add-on will implement a parser.

[randysquirrel]

That is a fair point, perhaps it could be something that is "locked" in as you enter the dungeon or whatever, ie if you had it set to public/private when you go in, that's what it stays. Then no-one could demand that you suddenly change your settings to be public once you're inside. As seems to be general concensus though, parser isn't generally REQUIRED in anything outside of coil, except for learning/improvement purposes (or in my case general nosiness, if a fellow BLM is putting out materially more DPS than me, I'd want to know how he was doing it! )

[Kyuuen]

That is a fair point, perhaps it could be something that is "locked" in as you enter the dungeon or whatever, ie if you had it set to public/private when you go in, that's what it stays. Then no-one could demand that you suddenly change your settings to be public once you're inside. As seems to be general concensus though, parser isn't generally REQUIRED in anything outside of coil, except for learning/improvement purposes (or in my case general nosiness, if a fellow BLM is putting out materially more DPS than me, I'd want to know how he was doing it! )

As someone who's been staunchly against the addition of an in-game parser, the quickest fix to your suggestion would be simply to not allow the use of parsers within any type of DF. If one wants to improve their performance through the use of a parser then the last place you'd expect reliable data would be DF. As you already said it, allow it in custom made parties and PF where like minded individuals can group and help each other out. Expecting the sort of min/max perfomance out of DF is nearly unrealistic for a number of reasons besides just player skill/knowledge.

[randysquirrel]

As someone who's been staunchly against the addition of an in-game parser, the quickest fix to your suggestion would be simply to not allow the use of parsers within any type of DF. If one wants to improve their performance through the use of a parser then the last place you'd expect reliable data would be DF. As you already said it, allow it in custom made parties and PF where like minded individuals can group and help each other out. Expecting the sort of min/max perfomance out of DF is nearly unrealistic for a number of reasons besides just player skill/knowledge.

Completely agree it isn't needed in a DFed dungeon, tho I don't see the harm in having it available? If you didn't want others to see your numbers you would have the option of doing exactly that. I quite often do the roulettes with my buddies, and tbh they are all so face-roll easy, the only (fun) challenge amongst us is seeing who can win the dps race

[Riardon]

Well it would be good but never trust mmo players with such tools. We all know what they gonna do with them. Like: "OMG bard you suck plz dps moar kk thx bb".

[Lethorian]

I am not sure if this was said yet because there just seems to be a bunch of people complaining about the impact here and the harassment there and I don't feel like sifting through every one's BS, but SE already has something extremely close to a parser implemented in this game, I don't know how many of you have tried your hand at PvP in this game, but I am going to assume everyone has at least tried it out once or twice just to test the waters.

At the end of a match did you happen to look at your screen? Did you notice what information was being displayed? Well if you haven't or maybe you forgot it is a little chart. On this chart is displays YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE MATCH. Here people would be able to tell how many kills some one scored, how much some one healed, and HOW MUCH DAMAGE A PERSON DID.

Something I want to call attention to about this chart is that it is NOT displayed at the end of every single dungeon, it is NOT displayed after a CT/ST/WoD run, it is NOT displayed after an HM, storyline, or side story line trial. It is only displayed at the end of a PvP match. Should I complain that this information is readily availble since some one can see if I am simply auto attacking and not pulling my weight in a match and have that reputation follow me around? Or should I embrace this as an oportunity to see how well I am performing against the masses and if I notice a trend of underperformance I can use that as a tool to change my gameplay or my PvP rotation and tactics? Why can't they add this to the end of an EX trial or raid wipe/clear with a little bit more information such as DPS and HPS?

It is already in the game, and like OP said 3.0 is the perfect time to add an in game parser and above all else there is one single reason... They are making 2 versions of the raid coming in 3.0, a version for the more casual playerbase which will be primarily to experience the story and therefore won't require strict DPS checks for phase pushes and as a result would not have the parser installed, and a more difficult version of the raid which will be for loot progression. The parser would only appear in the harder EX trials and the harder version of the raid which requires every person to carry their weight to the absolute best of their ability in order to progress.

Just like how the damage information is displayed in ONLY PvP right now, the parser doesn't have to be added to every single aspect of the game that should be able to be enjoyed by every person playing the game such as dungeons, the 24 man funzie raids, or anything that would lock a player out of an amazing story. It only needs to be seen where it matters, and that is in a difficult raid environment where you can not progress unless you are making adjustments to your play style in order to perform to the best of your ability.

With a system like this both playerbases can be happy and don't have to be subjected to being parsed unless they put themselves in a situation which calls for it. Hell, you can even be given a notification before queuing or entering an instance that parses the fight so there will be no confusion or accidental discrimination.

[Ehayte]

What would happen with a parser *start dream sequence*

Scenario1
Tank: Hey, why did we wipe?
Healer: We hit the enrage timer, let's look at the parser... Wow, Monk nice work, you did 400 dps! Oh man, Bard, you only 180 dps, what happened?
Bard: I'm casual, I'm doing everything I want to do.
Tank: Do you want some tips, or do you think you could work a little harder so that we could win?
Bard: Nah, I'm a casual player and don't want to learn that stuff.
A Vote Dismiss has been initiated on Bard<----------THIS IS REASONABLE

Scenario2:
Tank: Man, Bard, we looked at your parse last time and it was low, asked you to do more and we still died to the enrage because you aren't pulling your weight, what's going on?
Bard: I'm trying my best! I just don't have the knowledge to put up that much dps!
Tank: Well, we're gonna kick ya, see you when you can improve those numbers!
Bard: Dangit, OK, later on guys.<----------THIS IS ALSO REASONABLE

Now, Current Situation
Tank: Why aren't we meeting this dps check?
NIN: I'm doing awesome dude, I don't know
MNK: I lead my coil group in dps
BRD: I'm also amazing, I have never gotten an indication otherwise
BLM: Killin' it over here, boss!
Tank: Well, one or all of you is failing.
Healer: I think it was the BLM
BLM: No I was using quelling so my enmity was now, but I'm pumping out dps.
MNK: I'm pretty sure its this BRD
BRD: Screw you guys! I'm casual but I KNOW I'm doing things right, I was able to pass all my story missions!
Tank: Welp, we have no way of knowing, so.... rage quit!!!
Healer: Rage quit!
MNK: Riot Riot!
BLM: YOU ALL SUCKORZ
NIN: I farted.
^^^^^^^^^^^^ THIS SUCKS

Not only because instead of kicking 1 member you had to remove everyone from the duty so everyone has to requeue or break up the party or whatever, but BRD goes to his FC?:

BRD: That group sucked, they couldn't do good DPS so they blamed me!
FC1: No way man, you're awesome!
FC2: You are cool, man, don't let it get to you!
FC3: Keep doing what you are doing!
FC4: I farted.
BRD: Ah ok, I'm just gonna keep doing whatever I want. Time to ruin another group!!! heh heh heh....

[Kazumac]

Ehayate's example closely resemble my experiences in this game without a parser. It is horrible, the one time I have actually been kicked from a group in this game was because of a perception that I had low dps (SMN not topping the enemity gauge maybe?). I couldn't argue with the group, I couldn't suggest improvement, and also I couldn't blame them. There was a problem and the group needed to fix it. The fact that the game doesn't give them the tools to make an informed plan of action is the root of the issue.