Only on a Final Fantasy Forum...

[Abriael]

Did you know, I actually pity this sentiment more than I abhor it?

Feel free.

What you're saying is that you are fine to simply stand around, spectating NPCs doing amazing things and interacting with the world in a way we can only dream of etc etc, while personally using feeble controls and experiencing
dull gameplay.

That's according to you. If you think seeing idiots jumping around in areas that don't even warrant it is a way to avoid "dull" gameplay, sorry, but we'll have to agree to disagree.

If Final Fantasy took a cue from its own cutscenes and CG movies, then perhaps the gameplay wouldn't be so ... to use your own expression ... generic.

If Final Fantasy took a cue from it's own cutscenes and CG movies, it'll be the absolute opposite of what you advocate. You advocate "freedom", but those cutscenes look like that exactly because they are cutscenes, because each character is animated purposedly just for THAT action, in that moment of that movie, to interact with that specific elements around it.
They are directed, and direction is exactly the opposite of freedom.

Comparing a generic, random jump you'll find in every MMORPG to that kind of action is laughable at best.

How is being given the freedom to interact with the world around you: random and generic?

You're using "freedom to interact with the world" as a generic catchphrase to try and give solidity to your argument. The problem is that it doesn't fit it. Random jumping doesn't "interact with the world". A guy jumping in place or around for no reason interacts with nothing.
To "interact with the world", there has to be something to interact with. In which case a limited, staged jumping function is much more appropriate, and guess what? It even allows for the fancy animations you like so much in cutscenes. See Final Fantasy XIII.

Being set upon a predetermined path in a fantasy MMO which is supposed to be about exploration, that's generic. Being limited to a passive observer instead of an actor in the world around you, that's generic. Running and walking everywhere without even the possibility of wondering what's "up there" because you know you'll never be able to reach anyway, that's generic.

It's funny how you advocate that jumping would single handedly free you from the "predetermined path" lol. There will always be predetermined paths in MMORPGs. There will be always be borders and areas that you aren't supposed to reach. Jumping will not fix that.

And there's NO place random jumping can reach, that climbing and staged jumping can't. looking way less stupid.

Sorry to burst a bubble.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE99Vs1dtLs

Jumps being used tactically to take less damage and jump over things on the ground so I can get to the group faster and not take the long way around. Also a little bit of bunny hopping at the start to infuriate the morons that get angry at that. lol

I've yet to hear a single argument that can say that its not a good gameplay element when done correctly and given a purpose. Instead of jumping for the sake of jumping.

Thanks for demonstrating once more that jumping in MMORPGs looks absolutely stupid (and for demonstrating to the ones blindly denying it that bunny hopping does exist).

By the way, about jumping as a "gameplay element", you forget the simple fact that twitch is not a style of gameplay enjoyed by everyone in MMORPGs, quite the contrary. Considering the battle style in both FFXI and FFXIV, it's as far from twitch as humanly possible. So if you want a twitchy gameplay style, you might want to look for a game that actually fits it.

TERA will be released soon, it actually looks quite good to the ones that enjoy that kind of gameplay. May want to try it.