Quote Originally Posted by ellohwell View Post
The words FFXI aren't taboo.

But using FFXI as a reference point for every idea just makes you look unworldly and set-in-your-ways. If it's convenient to use FFXI as an example of how something "should be done" then go right ahead, but it's better to discuss the concept in isolation without drawing inspiration from other sources.
So, being Final Fantasy XI, an MMORPG made by Square Enix which had almost the same general development team, including directional leads of the previous one isn't one of the 'best" reference sources to use? Even FFII built off of the basics FFI laid and did something new (the battle system we all ABSOLUTELY LOVED! (Sarcasm btw.))

This is why people reference FFXI, because they took a lot of steps backwards from XI instead of taking the logical steps forward. Search system for example, they could have easily taken the search system from XI and built the Recruit system around it, we'd have an easier lfg system as well as a recruit system.

but FFXI wasn't a perfect game
No MMORPG was a perfect game, but people will easily deny that it did anything right. Also:

basically just an everquest clone with better atmosphere
In 2001, Tanaka stated he was inspired by Everquest and used Final Fantasy III (or V) as a base for the world, so yeah, it is a clone, but it's a Final Fantasy based clone, which is why when XIV rolled around, people reference XI because realistically, comparing the two, they should have left XIV as 'Rapture', since the namesake of Final Fantasy generally makes people expect certain things to be in line, which Final Fantasy XI did a good job at bringing in a lot of Final Fantasy aspects.

Much like when I played World of Warcraft, I expected quite a bit of Warcraft lore and feeling.