A serious discussion about abridging the story quest 1-50 (discouraging new players)

[Caduto]

I wish they would have just created some short CS videos and placed them under Movies in the Main Menu to catch new players up to speed with the current story arc. Then give them the option of starting the story from the new expansion with the option of going back and getting the fine print details from the Main Story 2.x arcs.

The only other alternative would to be create any future story arcs that were separate from the other much like FFXI. You had the option of starting any of them and completing them at your pace with some limited gating such as level or Rank.

I'm a big story person so being made to go through the whole story to fully understand the happenings certainly makes sense, but that was 2 years of content slowly released over time with lots of silly quests. Go get this thing right there on the table and take it to another zone, then bring it back to me after you do something trivial to it. Now that you have done said trivial thing please destroy a primal.

[Luvbunny]

But that's current content. You say you're understanding me but you're clearly not lol. In a MMO people typically don't want to be so far behind the rest of the crowd. Playing catch-up sucks, especially when people grow impatient about others watching cutscenes in a dungeon after a month or two.

I know what you mean by catching up - maybe they should not be away so long. All these main scenario content is pitiful, they are so short when you actually here during each patch. Most patches missions total are 3-4 hours long (if you include the dungeons). But yeah, if you have been gone in since Nov 2013, suddenly you have 25 hours or more content to go through before you can even open 3.0. Not to mention they have a good amount of dungeons 2.1-2.55 to go through, enjoy the trip, learn mechanics, etc.. Every new players MUST go through at least the last 9 dungeons they introduced in patch 2.3-2.5, they need to learn mechanics.

The last thing you want to deal with is a bunch of "Abusea Babies from FFXI" who suddenly get to high levels skipping all 2.0-2.55 dungeons mechanic and have no clue on "why are we wiping over and over" again - must be cuz the tank is bad and the healer not doing their job - when it is clear as day that the DPS have no idea of what to do when it comes to mechanic (well, or you can have a tank and healer who have no idea how to deal with mechanic too

Think of it this way, you REALLY DO get your money's worth. Waiting one week to reach 3.0 is not a big deal, you can catch up with other jobs, crafting, side quests, get familiar with the changes, etc.... And for brand new players, they MUST go through the MSQ, not even optional, sorry - I rather not deal with freshie to 50 with instant level up buttons who have zero clue on how to play their classes. I understand the filler quests ain't teaching them how to be a good player, and mainly serve as a "break" while you wait for dungeons, and giving you something to do. There is absolutely no reason to RUSH, gimme 3.0 NOW OK NOW NOW NOW!!!!

[Miya_Carbuncle]

I know what you mean by catching up - maybe they should not be away so long. All these main scenario content is pitiful, they are so short when you actually here during each patch. Most patches missions total are 3-4 hours long (if you include the dungeons). But yeah, if you have been gone in since Nov 2013, suddenly you have 25 hours or more content to go through before you can even open 3.0.

I actually just recently caught up after being gone a while, but I'm not talking about me. I'm talking about brand spanking new players. Not everyone joined during vanilla and there're people who joined because of the expansion or maybe they just-so-happened to finally decide to join for their own reasons. :P

[MageBlack]

Do an abridged version, Ok. I'd be fine with shortening it, eventually. Not quite yet though. Maybe once 4.0 hits then they will need to do something because it will start to get a little ridiculous for new players. It's not so bad yet but I love that they are making people play through the main story to proceed to the next "game" I think more devs would love to be able to do that, you can have a better, more cohesive story this way.

For those complaining and saying its an MMO, well there is a second half to that acronym RPG. Its nice to see Story take main stage in a game like this. FF is known for their stories so people picking this up as a FF fan, wont be surprised but should be happy. Either way, this concern has been mentioned before and I'm sure it is duly noted.

[Luvbunny]

Soon to be released in Mog Station, for $20 you can buy "Skip CS Fantasia" Phial for any of your alt character, by using this magical elixir, you now can skip all the main mission from 2.0-2.55, instantly get all the gears, 200k gils, and become level 50. Catch up with all your friends to Heavenward 3.0 without doing any work and dealing with our "dumb beyond belief" NPC who can't seem to do anything right - for a price of course. Time is money, you know, why waste 75 hours slogging through 2.0 when you can become level 50 instantly.

[Luvbunny]

I actually just recently caught up after being gone a while, but I'm not talking about me. I'm talking about brand spanking new players. Not everyone joined during vanilla and there're people who joined because of the expansion or maybe they just-so-happened to finally decide to join for their own reasons. :P

Yes, I understand. If I were a brand new player, I WANT to go through 2.0 because that is a great deal of XP to get me to level 50, as well as teaching me slowly how the game works and let me enjoy the game world. I am not gonna be cheated of 50 hours worth of content just because someone wants "instant level up" and skip everything. I rather FF14 be an acquired taste, and cater to specific kind of players who enjoy the FF brand and storytelling. As much as I hate these inane quests and dumb NPCs, it's the reason I am here, for JRPG version of WoW + Rift + GuildWars 2 and a heavy dose of FF fan service.

[Luvbunny]

Fair enough analogy but now people have to watch all the episodes from all the seasons in one sitting and they cant skip the commercials.

I can use the analogy of Games of Thrones, which is now just wrapped season 5. Do I want a 5 minutes version of season 1-4, so that I can catch up to Season 5 NOW ASAP RIGHT THIS MINUTE OK!! Absolutely not! That would be dumb and pointless. I want a rich storytelling (and their inane filler quests). Plus there is always the skip CS button when I don't feel like I want to watch poorly written dialogue. You can't skip cs or loading scene in Destiny, the atrocities!!

[Titor]

Think of it as offline RPG with some online component.

It would be nice to have an option to do a condensed story or the full story. Keep the full story there for the option for those playing it for the RPG aspects, but make it easier for those playing it for an MMO aspect.
I personally play for the MMO aspect, I care quite little about the full story, it is way too long to me, and I skipped most of the cutscenes. Nevertheless, the value of my sub vs someone who is playing just for the story is exactly the same. It would be nice to have options. You want the story? Go for it! Enjoy it! You want the RPG/Raids/PvP/Endgame? Go for it! Get there however you want (Grind, quest, whatever) and have fun.

[jadan2000]

Sorry but i dont think this is ok. Everyone has to work to get to high level content. they shouldn't be granted a quick point. They need to go through the content like everyone else, or else they get to the end of the content way before they should and have nothing to do. The higher level friends can always go play with the lower level friends in dungeons and fates.

[Luvbunny]

Also, do you want to know the main reason they did this? To deter RMT from spamming the "I love you too" friend request and spamming you tells while you are in Heavenward area... For this reason alone, EVERY single new player must go through all of 2.0 main missions, no exception. 60 hours worth of content for each RMT bot that has to reach Heavenward is a lot of work. I rather not have the market board being flooded with items gathered by mining and gathering bots in HW areas...