Colored gear with specific classes.

[Bayohne]

Hey everyone! Sorry for the delay in getting this to you all, but I hope that the response from Yoshida on this very hot topic will help to alleviate your concerns going forward. Take a look -

This is Yoshida, the producer/director.

I’m sorry that this post is late and I apologize for writing another long post.

First of all, I would like to apologize for the inconvenience caused by an item’s color affecting its stats in the new recipes. I have read all of your feedback and I would like to speak about the future of colors and their effect on stats.

The fundamental idea behind colors in FFXIV was to create differences in stats for gear. We wanted to separate gear, which was limited in number, into higher and lower tiers. However, we would like to alter this foundation of gear to:

・Color is for individuality
・Shape represents strength

However, we were unable to bring our data up to speed with this new model, which is the reason for our problems now.

Although I informed the team about the new specs earlier, I am the one who gave the go ahead, so I am responsible for the error in planning.
I apologize for my mistake.
(Also, I have come across some posts that suggest that certain developers have been responsible for specific developments, but this is false, and the developers aren’t even correct. Please keep this in mind.)

We would like to adjust the specs based on everybody’s feedback, but please take a look at the following first.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The reason that I have avoided speaking in detail about colors is because the spec for creating color variations has been performed simply through texture changes. I have mentioned this in a different thread, but I would like to have 24 or 32 colors available for use on any gear item. I would like to accommodate the demands of all players; players who would like to wear all red, players who would like to wear all black, and players who want to have a different color for each piece of gear equipped.

However, if we create all of these colors using texture only, whether on the PS3 version or on a low spec PC, we would face some serious technical problems. Thus, we would like to make adjustments to the item data files themselves.

This is a bit technical, but we will perform color changes by changing the material color and separating the dyed colors from memory. We were able to confirm this with QA recently. Once this has been finished, players will be able to dye their gear in any color. Using the recipe “finished product + dye,” players will be able to freely change color variations as many times as they want.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The reasons that we have encountered our current problems are:

・The color variations currently set up for each gear item are not uniform
・The colors have been prepared using textures, so more colors cannot be prepared
・In terms of data, the same items with different colors are treated as different items, so it is difficult to add additional colors
・Eventually, gear stats and color will be re-implemented as unrelated entities (data will be eased through a Color ID system)
・We wanted to allow crafters to create items with different stats by altering similar recipes

Our biggest mistakes were implementing colored items although the colors were not uniform and mixing colors with the concept of allowing crafters to create similar items with different stats. We should have spent more time developing these specs, and I apologize for the mistakes.


There are 2 ways we can fix our mistakes.

1. Add recipes for “Finished product + Dye” and add items for each additional color
⇒This is a temporary solution, but color and stats will be clearly separated
⇒The only problem is that it will take a long time to add all of the items

2. Remove class restrictions for colored gear until the Color ID system is ready
⇒The number of items will not increase greatly, so this could be implemented more quickly
⇒Stats will have to be sacrificed for color choices (this can be balanced by Materia)


We are considering the costs of the above two solutions.

Personally, I prefer the 1st solution, but it would be implemented with patch 1.20 in this best case scenario, so at least until then, the current situation will continue.
(This will also negatively affect our ability to add other content and recipes)
The 2nd solution cannot be implemented in time for patch 1.19a, but it can be implemented soon after.
(We are looking into the cost of this solution as well)

We are sorry that we will continue to inconvenience you, but we will do our best to handle this issue as quickly as possible. Information will be posted as soon as decisions are made.

Please continue to submit your feedback!

[Fensfield]

<See Bayohne's post>

Hey everyone! Sorry for the delay in getting this to you all, but I hope that the response from Yoshida on this very hot topic will help to alleviate your concerns going forward. Take a look -

Hurrah! Thank you Bayohne, really. That clarifies a lot even with Reinhart's earlier version.

In a way, while my old preferences (IE: bring back the Optimal Rank and Favour system) still stand, this does not look like nearly so bad a system - and the sooner it's implemented the better.

However, if I had my say, I'd ask that Option Number 2 were the one taken as an intermediate fix. I'd far prefer to take a stat hit than to be locked out of gear types just because of their colour of all things, even 'only for a few months.'

And, thanks to Yoshida-san for explaining the mistakes and apologising for them, too. I think this new way of dealing with colours that we'll eventually get might actually be the first change he and his team have made to the original game design that I favour over Hiromichi Tanaka and co's original plan for the game.

[Nakiamiie]

Hey everyone! Sorry for the delay in getting this to you all, but I hope that the response from Yoshida on this very hot topic will help to alleviate your concerns going forward. Take a look -

Yoshi-P is truly the best, always caring and with a charming personality.

Personaly, I'd prefer solution #2

2. Remove class restrictions for colored gear until the Color ID system is ready
⇒The number of items will not increase greatly, so this could be implemented more quickly
⇒Stats will have to be sacrificed for color choices (this can be balanced by Materia)

Because:

(This will also negatively affect our ability to add other content and recipes)

and

(Eventually, gear stats and color will be re-implemented as unrelated entities (data will be eased through a Color ID system)

So, I think it's ok to have the temporary solution #2 in order for the devs to have their focus on the permanent stuff, not temporary things.

[Nabiri]

Hey everyone! Sorry for the delay in getting this to you all, but I hope that the response from Yoshida on this very hot topic will help to alleviate your concerns going forward. Take a look -

/happy~ ^-^ Glad to know that someday we will be able to dye things however we like.. And lots of colours hopefully too.
I prefer the 1st soloution personally. May take longer, but I'd be willing to wait. I'd be happier with that.

Thank you Bayohne and Yoshida-san! :3

[Kel]

There are 2 ways we can fix our mistakes.

1. Add recipes for “Finished product + Dye” and add items for each additional color
⇒This is a temporary solution, but color and stats will be clearly separated
⇒The only problem is that it will take a long time to add all of the items

2. Remove class restrictions for colored gear until the Color ID system is ready
⇒The number of items will not increase greatly, so this could be implemented more quickly
⇒Stats will have to be sacrificed for color choices (this can be balanced by Materia)

In my opinion, Devs please do not spend time on these temporary measures if there's an opportunity cost of restricting your manpower on developing other major contents.

I especially vote NO! to Option 2, as I don't want my added stats (due to color) be vanished, and no, it cannot be balanced by Materia, as currently we can add materia on the item no matter whether it's dyed.

As an example, now we have Cobalt Cuirass (Red) with additional Attack+4, if you get rid of that additional stat, where can we get that ATK+4 back? Through materia? No! There's no +ATK Materia for body. Even if there is, say we put an ATK+18 materia on the armor, now we totally get ATK+22; if you get rid of the original ATK+4, even with a suitable Material, we can never get ATK+22 back unless you give us new Materia with higher stats added.

I suggest just let the current dye system be there for a while longer. But to solve the probelm, one day you should give us:

1. Change the current item name from [name (color)] to [name (stats)]:

For example: Felt Gown (Red) (with VIT+7) ------> Felt Gown (VIT);

2. Change the recipe if possible thus the Felt Gown (VIT) does not require a dye, allright, maybe with a new item VIT Essence

3. Give us a completed color changing system like you mentioned “Finished product + Dye” thus we can change the color of a particular item as we want, and of course we welcome more colors. And make sure color chaning won't affect the additional stats, e.g. VIT+7 or the proposed suitable class.

For example:
Felt Gown + All-purpose Red Dye = Felt Gown (Red)
Felt Gown (VIT) + All-purpose Blue Dye = Felt Gown (VIT) (Blue)

[Nuru]

In my opinion, Devs please do not spend time on these temporary measures if there's an opportunity cost of restricting your manpower on developing other major contents.

I especially vote NO! to Option 2, as I don't want my added stats (due to color) be vanished, and no, it cannot be balanced by Materia, as currently we can add materia on the item no matter whether it's dyed.

As an example, now we have Cobalt Cuirass (Red) with additional Attack+4, if you get rid of that additional stat, where can we get that ATK+4 back? Through materia? No! There's no +ATK Materia for body. Even if there is, say we put an ATK+18 materia on the armor, now we totally get ATK+22; if you get rid of the original ATK+4, even with a suitable Material, we can never get ATK+22 back unless you give us new Materia with higher stats added.

I suggest just let the current dye system be there for a while longer. But to solve the probelm, one day you should give us:

1. Change the current item name from [name (color)] to [name (stats)]:

For example: Felt Gown (Red) (with VIT+7) ------> Felt Gown (VIT);

2. Change the recipe if possible thus the Felt Gown (VIT) does not require a dye, allright, maybe with a new item VIT Essence

3. Give us a completed color changing system like you mentioned “Finished product + Dye” thus we can change the color of a particular item as we want, and of course we welcome more colors. And make sure color chaning won't affect the additional stats, e.g. VIT+7 or the proposed suitable class.

For example:
Felt Gown + All-purpose Red Dye = Felt Gown (Red)
Felt Gown (VIT) + All-purpose Blue Dye = Felt Gown (VIT) (Blue)

Yeesh. FFS let the dev team do what they need to do, as if +4 attack actually made that much of a difference. just add 8 STR and problem solved. lol

I vote no to BOTH of those options. Forget about implementing temporary fixes and just fix the issue as a whole. People may not like that its changing again but they can deal with it.

[Cycloptichorn]

Thanks Bayhone!

To Yoshi-P and all developers: no apology is necessary at this time for anything at all. You're doing a fantastic job on an incredibly complex project and deserve many kudos and thanks from all the players here. The scorn that you see in the forums sometimes is mis-directed in my opinion. You should feel proud of all the great work you've done to get this game ship-shape!

Cheers
The Cyclops

[Jinko]

Thanks Bayhone!

To Yoshi-P and all developers: no apology is necessary at this time for anything at all. You're doing a fantastic job on an incredibly complex project and deserve many kudos and thanks from all the players here. The scorn that you see in the forums sometimes is mis-directed in my opinion. You should feel proud of all the great work you've done to get this game ship-shape!

Cheers
The Cyclops

Agreed, been saying all along that people seem to blow these things out of propotion.

The system they have in place for 1.20 sounds really good and definately worth the waiting for.

Keep up the good work Yoshi

[Vesper]

Thanks Bayhone!

To Yoshi-P and all developers: no apology is necessary at this time for anything at all. You're doing a fantastic job on an incredibly complex project and deserve many kudos and thanks from all the players here. The scorn that you see in the forums sometimes is mis-directed in my opinion. You should feel proud of all the great work you've done to get this game ship-shape!

Cheers
The Cyclops

Could you not do something along the lines of....

Could you not make it so that when you choose the item to create you get a list like a few non colored items that are different stat sets? Such as Cobalt Cuirass of Maiming (Stats would be more in line with DPS tank) and then Cobalt Cuirass of Defense (stats more in line with your true tank). That allows each item to have differetn stats.

Then you just allow coloring of each piece of gear from there.

[Nuru]

So it was planned all along but the data issues are what was holding them back. That is understandable, and it does make sense, thank you so much for explaining the issues here, and actually going into the detail about it whether or not its a bunch of nerd talk. lmao

Also, can not wait for Pink or Black Cobalt Armor. xD White Cobalt would be Paladin-ish :O