Peer pressure, FFXIV's reputation, & subscribing

[Rankin]

Well, I guess I'm at the age where I just don't get embarrassed for liking certain things.

When people ask what games I play, I tell them. When they say "Ooooh I've heard BAD things about that game." I say, "Most of them were probably true (UI was a mess, lag etc. etc.), but... the game just had a rough start. People make mistakes you know? They're working it out and the game is a really fun place now, and it's only going to get better!" Then I go into the details and everything, and the person usually looks surprised and interested, and seems to change their mind about it a little.
And once I feel the game becomes something they might enjoy I'll suggest they try it out. I'll tell them about all the awesome new features and things to do.

But hey, if people wanna act like playing a game is some terrible thing to do, then let them. If you don't react to it they'll likely get bored and stop teasing. There's nothing shameful about believing in something/someone(SE) and supporting them. It's called loyalty.

I don't think any peer pressure is SE's fault. They're doing the very best they can. People act like jerks of their own accord.

Pony sig? heh I tell you dont care what others think

Anyways if you don't want to pay simply don't it doesn't matter I am pretty sure Wada (as hes the reason for the billing to begin again) is blind by the fact that doing this will hurt an already dwindling population but hey there's FF14 2.0 in a year right?

[Molly_Millions]

How do I deal with the pressure? I form my own opinions. You know what they say about opinions; they're like ***holes, everyone has one.

[RemVye]

I'm sorry but every time I read a thread by this OP I feel like my brain gets hit by a Mack truck. This is probably one of the stupidest things I've read, next to the one you posted last week containing your life's sob story.

"I'm having fun with this game but my friends are make funz of mi, so i qeet nao oak hey buy buy"

Logic.. get some.

[smokymcweed]

FUCK'M its MY MONEY i'll pay if i want to if ppl dont like this well to bad so sad dont need you as afriend anyway most of my friends are asking me about improvemenmts instead of dissing me for playing the game anyone who is dissing on someone who plays is being elites thinking thier choice in gameing is THE ABSALUTE BEST who cares what they think

[AdvancedWind]

Not a problem for me, I have no friends!

[Alkoun]

We're here!
We're paying!
Get used to it!

/em makes out with his boyfriend on a giant chocobo parade float.

Square pride!

[Rubicon]

It's easier to come out than to tell your friends you play FFXIV.

[Alerith]

To this thread.

[Altera]

Why do people care so much about what other peoples opinions.

Hey i love playing this game its a lot of fun.

That crappy game?

OOooh it is a crappy game you say, ok i guess you are right then.

My friends think im silly for watching anime, but do i care what they say? NO i love anime and watch em often and they bring me good entertainment.

[Preypacer]

I'm not sharing this story to flame the debate over whether or not the game is worthy of subscribing to or not.

I recently met another gamer and after we discussed online games, he mocked me for paying for FFXIV for over a year. I pointed out that they never started charging and with that stated he could see why I played since it was a free trial. Even then he still mocked me for paying for the game in the first place. Maybe he is behaving poorly for outright mocking someone over what game they play, but the point of note is that he had a basis for his mockage that is traced back to the bad reviews.

On another occasion we were at a game night with some of this gamer's friends and he was trying out the game. He was mocked by his gamer friends for playing FFXIV, "that horrible game". I gave him my buddy pass and I suspect he probably keeps a low profile about playing FFXIV when around his other gamer friends, to avoid dealing with the harassment. Lol.

Disregarding the ethics or whether this guy's friends have good reason to mock him for playing FFXIV or not, the truth of the matter is that peer pressure is going to be a factor in people's lives once subscription fees are brought into the picture. Peer pressure shouldn't be the reason SE decides to reverse their decision about subscription fees, but it is going to be something gamers deal with from here on out. It's rare to be chided by a fellow gamer over your taste. Even gamers from separate genres like CoD shooters, Halo, or fighting games tend to respect each other as gamers. I feel sorry for some of the people that are going to run into peer pressure.


This game has a super bad reputation and playing it makes you look bad. PAYING for it makes you look even worse to those that read the bad reviews.

So how should you deal with peer pressure? If you really enjoy the game you have to stick up for yourself. It would suck to lose social standing with anyone in your circle, but if you truly enjoy playing, it might be worth it.

What should Square Enix do about peer pressure and the bad reviews? It's Square Enix's problem. When the game is re-reviewed they will have their chance to address some of the criticism of the bad reviews and make this a game everyone can be proud to play. One troubling note is that they announced they want to change over to the new client and server AFTER the PS3 release. There will be no forgiveness from the game reviewers if they do that. So let's hope they show some common sense and try to clean up their mess before inviting the world in.

If you have a story about how peer pressure or FFXIV's reputation surfaced for you, please share it.

Peer Pressure is only a factor if you allow it to be.

People should play whatever the hell they want, and let others say whatever they want.

It's a game. Not a popularity contest.