Companies - You're Locked in for Life!

[Belial]

Don't join a company until you see gear you want to join one for? I don't know...maybe Gear shouldn't be the ultimate motivator behind your choices. Hell chances are you can slot a better equip than what the companies off you anyways.

This is true. All the "best in slot" gear will end up coming from crafting. So which company you join is moot, it's basically which story you wanna follow. Like pirates? Go LL. Like tree huggers? Go Grid. Like politics? Go UD.

[Davorok]

I am guessing that when the Coliseum (in Uldah) is open, we will have PvP matches between Companies. Perhaps some of the rewards for winning your match will be seals or gear from the opposing Company?

Just an idea, anyway.

As for the OP...No, I do not think you should be able to switch Company Allegiance unless you are stripped, flogged, humiliated and branded a traitor. Then you receive fewer Seals from your new Company because your allegiance is suspect.

Sorry, but I am "hardcore" when it comes to oaths, vows and promises...even in a video game. ;>)

Also, imho it is a sad commentary on modern life that so many people expect everything despite whatever personal choices they make and if their choices lead to undesirable consequences or impede them from gaining something, they want an "easy out" and a "do-over".

Sorry for a little preaching but I am kinda getting tired of the "..I want everything despite what choices I make" attitudes around here (and in RL)...

"I want to wear all gear"
"I want to join each company"
"I want all Class Abilities"
"I want to be a Lancer/Paladin"
"I want to solo to cap in 1 week"
"I want, I want, I want...I, Me Mine".

I guess I should just play the game and ignore these forums but I (like all of you) want it to be a better game and have my own ideas (good or bad) as to how to improve things, so I don't mean to be rude or insult anyone's opinions. I just ask for a little more humilty and understanding that FFXIV (and Life) is not all about me (or you).

[oldmanlogan]

I am guessing that when the Coliseum (in Uldah) is open, we will have PvP matches between Companies. Perhaps some of the rewards for winning your match will be seals or gear from the opposing Company?

Just an idea, anyway.

As for the OP...No, I do not think you should be able to switch Company Allegiance unless you are stripped, flogged, humiliated and branded a traitor. Then you receive fewer Seals from your new Company because your allegiance is suspect.

Sorry, but I am "hardcore" when it comes to oaths, vows and promises...even in a video game. ;>)

Also, imho it is a sad commentary on modern life that so many people expect everything despite whatever personal choices they make and if their choices lead to undesirable consequences or impede them from gaining something, they want an "easy out" and a "do-over".

Sorry for a little preaching but I am kinda getting tired of the "..I want everything despite what choices I make" attitudes around here (and in RL)...

"I want to wear all gear"
"I want to join each company"
"I want all Class Abilities"
"I want to be a Lancer/Paladin"
"I want to solo to cap in 1 week"
"I want, I want, I want...I, Me Mine".

I guess I should just play the game and ignore these forums but I (like all of you) want it to be a better game and have my own ideas (good or bad) as to how to improve things, so I don't mean to be rude or insult anyone's opinions. I just ask for a little more humilty and understanding that FFXIV (and Life) is not all about me (or you).

Well said Davorok. And for those out there who stand for nothing, you'll end up falling for everything. Take a stand and stop worrying about what's behind curtain number 3.

[Vahzl]

Okay, I just don't get it. Why must we get locked in to a Company. That is the worst thing to do in the history of video games is to make end all, once in a life time, can't go back decisions. Please change this and for the love of all things holy don't slap a Fee onto it. Sometimes this game is so taxing with all it's Fees and we don't need most of them.

Player: Hi I wanna join your faction
Faction: Come on in new guy!
Player: Yay I will remain loyal to this group forever

<100 quests later>

Player: Thanks for the stuff guys, now im going to THAT faction cause I want their sword
Faction: Um, but we just helpe
Player: BYEEEEEE!!!
New Faction: Hey there, come join us!
Player: Yup I am planning to!
New Faction: Come on i.... hang on is that a shield of the other faction?
Player: Yeah shiny isn't it! Now I wan't your sword too!
New Faction: Errrr ok then... but can you promise you won't defer to another faction when you earn it right?
Player: Of course! What do you think I am?! Some kind of muppet?!

<100 quests later>

Player: See ya guys, I am off to get that plate body piece from the other faction!
New Faction: .....

[Oscillate_Wildly]

:U If you're not going to offer a solution to your own hypothetical situation that arises from the OP, then why bother?

Trolling perhaps? How quaint!

[Evangela]

will you betray your own country?

[Rubicon]

Star Wars: The Old Republic forces you to join an Advanced Class with different story lines and no turning back. It's developed post-FFXIV. Anyone's feelings on being locked in to a story line in other games? Is it not the same thing?

[oldmanlogan]

Okay, I just don't get it. Why must we get locked in to a Company. That is the worst thing to do in the history of video games is to make end all, once in a life time, can't go back decisions. Please change this and for the love of all things holy don't slap a Fee onto it. Sometimes this game is so taxing with all it's Fees and we don't need most of them.

The way I look at it, no one in the Grand Companies is holding a musket to your head to join them and pledge fealty. Each has offer adventurers a "choice" to join them or not. See what we have to offer in regards to basic goods purchased through company seals. When you've heard their masters, lords, religious icons or Daiymos give their orate, you must now ask your self, "do i want to give this alliance my pledge, fealty or "oath" to follow their ways. Anyone who knows this, knows that an oath is "binding" by nature. Look to ancient warrior cultures or even Religion. Why are you taking up this cause then renouncing it for another? Because the other may gain a new material object your current cause does not have? I can understand if the Company suddenly changed what they stood for, then I would agree, the character should then get a storyline to renouce his former company and pledge fealty to another cause that reflects his or her own maxims.

[Teakwood]

I'd be very surprised if they didn't add the option to change factions later on, and it's just not on their plate right now. It's a break from realism, but it's an acceptable break from realism, especially if there's no way to get items from the other GCs. Imagine you change what your main class focus is, and you suddenly want the items from another GC for class-based reasons? Either everyone in this situation is screwed, or the GC items aren't actually useful enough to merit buying.

From an in-character standpoint it doesn't make sense to switch, but FFXI (and most MMOs) engage in acceptable breaks from realism in situations like these; they probably just haven't felt it necessary to work it in yet.

[Gidonoidon_Sur]

Haha. Love the feedback. Its just that Limsa's overcoats are soo cool looking lol. Think that is a pretty dumb reason to join them though....decisions decisions.