Advice - 1.19 & Beyond; Turning Point of FFXIV

[Archadius]

First I'd like to say that I'm well aware that this forum is for Suggestion & Feedback regarding the Lodestone, not the game. However, you'll notice in the forum "sticky" it doesn't specify WHICH is the proper forum for such topics. Therefore my topic goes here until it is relocated by a dev.

Dear Dev Team,

I would like to begin by congratulating you on your efforts in getting FFXIV this far, and working hard at spinning FFXIV 180 degrees. You have done a good job with the resources provided and I'm sure you don't hear it enough.

The purpose of this post is to clearly identify some areas that I believe you may be overlooking, and to avoid a massive outbreak of rage, sending this game spiraling downward until it crashes and burns before 2012 hits.

Concern #1 involves items directly related to 1.19, but issues with these items will carry over to 1.20 and beyond (if the game makes it that far) if the problem is not terminated quickly.

Chocobos/Airships
Do not half-ass these, players have been more than generous in their wait time for these features. If one or more quests are involved, make them engaging and intuitive, not 10-20 min "warp/run from A to B to A to C to A" quests.

Grand Company Quests
Similar to the first point. You should be adding AT LEAST 3 complex/engaging quests per nation with this update. That means minimal warping/running and more fighting, item hunting, perhaps a minigame of some kind, teamwork involvement, cutscenes, etc. The GC is the only content this game has going for it right now, do not disappoint.

Ifrit Battle
This part also concerns all future Primal battles that are implemented. Be sure to include a significant amount of lore behind this battle. Players should feel a sense of purpose and desire to take on Ifrit, as well as a great feeling of accomplishment when he is taken down. In that same respect, do not make the battle spammable like the Darkhold. Once per day is fine, maybe even apply the ticket system you're planning for Guildleves, so players can stock up a number of "Ifrit Runs" for use on the weekend. If this battle involves new gear as rewards, be they from a quest or the battle directly, they should utilize unique graphics. No one wants to see the name "Hellfire Wand" on an item that looks the same as a Fire Brand.

The Future
By now you should be thinking about Ishgard, or other new areas for implementation that are not raid-exclusive by 1.20 or 1.21. This is your chance to do something different. Players are looking for new places to explore, they need new areas to interact with other players, rather than mindlessly wandering around town not caring about the people around them. Give us a reason to go somewhere new and work together as a community, not just amongst Linkshell members. This leads to another important point. We understand that server issues are holding you back from making VITAL changes to the Linkshell system, but these issues should be addressed by 1.20 or 1.21, at which point the system needs to be fixed ASAP. You know the issues, so I won't bother wasting your time by repeating them.

There are considerably more issues that should be addressed in the future, and I'm sure you are already aware of most of them. However I wanted to point out some of these key items that will keep your game on the shelves into Q1 2012. You have a lot of competition coming, as I'm sure you know, and your competitors have the advantage of not working on a game that suffered a launch failure. FFXIV needs a few key factors to draw people in, being "the best" at some things and having something new/unique to offer gamers. You've already conquered the graphics department, no other MMO even comes close, excellent job. However, that alone isn't enough to capture (and maintain) an audience.

I'd like to close with a request to fellow forum dwellers, and a final statement to SE. I ask that flamers and haters keep it to a minimum, I understand that some of my comments may be slightly opinionated, but all things human are. I ask that you look to the context in which this was written and empathize with the general concern for the game's welfare.

I hope you seriously consider my words, and I understand it's no simple task to accomplish. We all wish to see you succeed, let us players be your pillar of strength.

Sincerely,
Archadius Aegiskeryn

[AshToreth]

Agreed with all aspects of the OP (except perhaps the slightly excessive SE butt-kissing....only kidding )

Well worded, good job!

[Archadius]

Agreed with all aspects of the OP (except perhaps the slightly excessive SE butt-kissing....only kidding )

Well worded, good job!

lol thank you. I like to think buttering them up a little softens the blow from the reality check that follows. People often handle criticism much better when it's constructive and coupled with "here's what you did well".