Think Ishgard will have its own Grand Company, or be a starter City-State?

[Terin]

Both are interesting questions to consider, I think.

To the first, I honestly don't foresee Ishgard getting a new Grand Company. Much as I like the idea, I'm just not sure how it would fit into the overall story, especially since how the post-2.0 Story has been... "changing" some things, in regards to Grand Companies. If anything, part of me wonders if, in the distant future, they might remove Grand Companies entirely... although I'm wouldn't be *shocked* if we saw a new Grand Company.

As far as being a new starting City-State, I know I'm in the minority on this one, but I genuinely believe so. Ishgard may be a high-level area, but I would bet money that there will be a single zone dedicated to freshly-created characters. I'll take it a step further, and say that it will be a Doman refugee-camp, and that it will only take you to level 15, at which point you're sent to other existing areas to level (for the sake of the Main Scenario for new players wishing to play the new Jobs, but without creating an entirely separate Story).

But hey, what do YOU guys think?

[Nutz]

I don't think either are likely. I'd be very surprised if you could start in Ishgard. I don't actually expect that any of the new jobs will be available for new characters.

[kyuven]

i don't think it'll have its own grand company unless it's completely separate from the others ones, as they'd have to redo Frontlines. Again.

[lololink]

Maybe instead of free companies we can join one of the four major houses of Ishgard in some way...

[MageBlack]

It will most likely be like Jueno was in FFXI. A new area and a hub for interactions but otherwise not a type of state that we can pledge allegiance to, or build a home at, or start our game out at. I'm pretty sure they have said this but it might have been indirectly. It would be nice but I don't think it will be, at least not right away, Maybe after a patch or two or 4.0. With any luck we might be able to access an Inn room though!

[o3o]

The answer is no. For now but could change a long ways down. It would require a complete rehaul of frontlines. That, and you cannot even get to ishgard without buying the expansion. Also I Sheard Is Still Weary Of outsiders. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't want them in thier military ranks for now. Again might change but not for a good long while if at all.

[DracotheDragon]

i would say possibly for the GC, but no for the starter city regardless of what patch we are on you will have to get to the heavenward content to come to ishgaurd, and it wouldn't make sense in the story if they claimed it to be impenitable or unable to visit us if we can waltz right into the centre of it :3

[Terin]

Well, Yoshi-P said that as soon as you register Heavensward, you'll be able to play the Dark Knight. To me, that implies new players, as well. You won't be able to play a Dark Knight without the expansion, thus wouldn't be able to start in Ishgard, either.

The alternative is... what, assign the new Jobs to existing City-States? I could see Machinist fitting in with Ul'dah or Limsa Lominsa, but the other two, I wouldn't imagine so. I know the prevailing theory is that you'll have to be level 50 and travel to Ishgard to acquire the new Jobs, but I honestly think we'd have heard something about that if it were indeed the case. FFXIV is quite a lot different than FFXI -- the fact we're getting a new Race at all proves that -- and I don't see them locking out the new Jobs, which are a major selling-point of the expansion -- from new players.

A personal anecdote was when I purchased FFXI and several of its expansions years ago, I was horrified when I learned I couldn't access the Classes I'd paid for, until I'd already gotten high enough level to unlock them. I quickly lost interest with the game, and I often wonder if those Classes had been immediately playable, if I might have stuck with it longer.

[lololink]

Well, Yoshi-P said that as soon as you register Heavensward, you'll be able to play the Dark Knight. To me, that implies new players, as well. You won't be able to play a Dark Knight without the expansion, thus wouldn't be able to start in Ishgard, either.

I don't think Ishgard will be a starting City, and it's also possible that the new jobs will be like the ROG/NIN and you have to be lvl 10 at least to unlock them.

[MageBlack]

Well, Yoshi-P said that as soon as you register Heavensward, you'll be able to play the Dark Knight.

He also said "Maybe" repeatedly after that. I watched the London fanfest as well.