[ffxiv-future] A request for "Player-Selectable Difficulty Scaling"

[Frein]

if people doing it on easy mode can never get what drops form the hard mode version I am completely fine with this method for everything.

I honestly think players have been spoiled by scalable content in WoW and the clones, it does not exist anywhere outside mmos for the most part with a few exceptions here and there. But to make everyone happy, as long as the drops are segregated where easy mode can never get good endgame gear I am all for it.

This, though I admit I'm very amused by the thought of people not being able to handle stress from a game like FFXIV. This isn't exactly Amnesia: The Dark Descent.

But still, -17 levels? Is this intended for your L50 friends? Can they not handle anything that doesn't just drop dead as soon as they look at it?

[SilvertearRen]

This, though I admit I'm very amused by the thought of people not being able to handle stress from a game like FFXIV. This isn't exactly Amnesia: The Dark Descent.

But still, -17 levels? Is this intended for your L50 friends? Can they not handle anything that doesn't just drop dead as soon as they look at it?

Let me propose a scenario: Let's think of it as a training mode for the dungeon for players to practice strategies in. They develop ideas, strategies and acclimate themselves to the unique setting the dungeon offers. When they feel ready, they bump up the difficulty. And so on. Bear in mind that each dungeon is unique, and has their own quirks and characteristics. Such a function would help more casual players to "learn" the dungeon prior to doing the Hardcore run.

Some people have unique types of stress and anxiety disorders that can be randomly triggered by as little as one player's HP going yellow, or being overwhelmed by enemies. Yes, they exist.

[Frein]

Some people have unique types of stress and anxiety disorders that can be randomly triggered by as little as one player's HP going yellow, or being overwhelmed by enemies. Yes, they exist.

I don't want to be rude, but how do these people get by in their everyday lives? I'd imagine they're constantly in a state of complete nervous breakdown.

[Preypacer]

I don't want to be rude, but how do these people get by in their everyday lives? I'd imagine they're constantly in a state of complete nervous breakdown.

I also don't intend to sound rude or apathetic, but if someone has stress issues with things that happen as a course of normal gameplay in most any game out there, they really should be reconsidering their choice of entertainment.

@the OP:
Certainly there are going to be situations outside of end-game/raid content that could possibly stress friend out. How are they going to deal with that? You can't keep asking SE to create an "easier, stress-free version" of every single type of content that your friend happens to find is stressful to them.

Also, the idea that MMOs are supposed to be inclusive is certainly true... but to say "that obviously includes people with stress disorders that are triggered by playing intense content" is a bit of a stretch. If you're going to cross that bridge, then what's to stop people with other disorders from doing the same?

I'm sure there are a number of things in your friend's life that they've had to come to terms with, or find other ways to engage in or enjoy due to their condition. I doubt your friend asks everyone they deal with to please alter things or do things differently so they don't get stressed out.

Again... I empathize with your friend's condition and I'm not just saying "pffft... screw them". However, at the same time... it just seems something that could be a can of worms.

Let's say SE does that. They say "Okay, in order to better accommodate people with stress disorders, we are going to introduce easier versions of all content for people to do".

How much would people like to bet that, "overnight", a whole bunch more people who never complained of it before, suddenly start popping up with a variety of disorders of their own, and who require special consideration by having SE change some aspect of the gameplay to suit them? I can definitely see people abusing such a thing, given the behavior already demonstrated by many of them.

What's to stop other people from claiming they have issues that requires them to avoid "this" or "that" and so SE needs to change some aspect of the game to suit them? What is SE going to do, check the medical records of everyone who claims they have an issue to see who's lying and who's being honest?

How does SE say 'Okay, we'll accommodate the people with "List A" disorders... but not those with "List B" disorders". Then they're going to be accused of favoring some players over others.

And further, how long do you think it will be before some of those same people are demanding the same rewards as those doing the toughest version of the content in question, arguing that "I'm being punished for having a medical condition! SE is punishing people with legitimate medical conditions by refusing them access to the best gear in the game!!! SE doesn't care about their customers!!"

FFS people without any kind of medical condition are already making those claims. Could you imagine the less honest folks out there having access to such ammunition as saying "I have a medical condition"?. They'd be all over that.

It's a potentially slippery slope, to be honest and I can't see how SE could reasonably handle it without painting themselves into a corner or coming out looking like the bad guy at some point down the road where they finally have to draw a line.

I'm not saying "it shouldn't be done". I just don't know how realistic a thing it is to expect, given the time/work involved, and the potential consequences of it.

[Sephr]

Some people have unique types of stress and anxiety disorders that can be randomly triggered by as little as one player's HP going yellow, or being overwhelmed by enemies. Yes, they exist.

Honestly, this probably isn't the game for them then. At the very least they should probably stick to DPS, playing the healer would probably make their heads explode.

Anyway, I'm all for 'normal' modes on the higher rank dungeons, if anything so that you can acquire some lower gear that lets you tackle the 'hard mode' dungeons more effectively, although you could probably just get some crafted as an alternative.