Improve the playerbase, add a built in DPS/HPS/AoE Fail meter

[Destous]

Every group that is successfully clearing the hardest content of every update is using ACT, or some other third party service, to measure DPS/HPS/Standing in fire/etc. It's essential information for a successful group in that content, and so a DPS meter is an essential tool.

I can't think of a single MMO, popular or not, that lived its life without any of its players using a DPS meter. It's as much a part of the MMO genre as anything else. FFXIV is one of, if not the, most modern MMO; and it has the subscription count to cement it as a very big MMO title; and yet, it lacks a mandatory tool for endgame.

Most of all, showing all players a way to measure their effectiveness in a group is very good for the game. Imagine the difference in competence between someone who leveled 1-60 oblivious to the idea of a parse vs someone who leveled 1-60 and monitored their parses the whole time. It creates a huge gap in the basic knowledge of playing well vs playing poorly.

[Vulcwen]

A parser, especially when built-in, can result in a experience where players feel judged. It's a similar feeling that keeps certain players from picking up the tanking/healing role, so making DPS less comfortable to these players can result in them leaving the game. On the other hand, if a built-in parser is present, and is limited to work only in pre-made parties (if the leader enables it) or solo, I don't think it's too much of an issue.

[Zojha]

A parser, especially when built-in, can result in a experience where players feel judged.

Well duh. It's the same as if your boss was permanently eyeing over your shoulder at work or you got a widely visible camera monitoring you.

The whole point is to judge, namely whether you're slacking or not >_>

[A_Valkyries_Kiss]

But then again it could be made where you can turn on and off you being seen on others charts at will....that way if in a static you can all turn it on and find out what needs to improve for each of you. Console players are at a massive disadvantage not having a way to parse than hope a pc player is willing to help

[MilesSaintboroguh]

Well duh. It's the same as if your boss was permanently eyeing over your shoulder at work or you got a widely visible camera monitoring you.

The whole point is to judge, namely whether you're slacking or not >_>

Well maybe some people don't like others constantly looking over their shoulder that way. It can get distracting.

[Enkonda]

I can see it now- this idea becomes into fruition and the amount of chaos it'd cause. Regardless of who's slacking off or not, some people aren't too fond of trying to make numbers skyrocket. People have other things to do other than grind for gear and other resources to be number 1 in the numbers. And so what? This gets enabled and now everyone and their mother thinks they're Gods among men and become A-holes. It's nice if it's personal but as a full implement, I can see how much chaos it'd cause. I do understand though; it could be used in genuine teaching, but you got to consider that a majority of the players on here wouldn't think of it in the same light as you and would misuse it.

tl;dr Nice idea for personal use, not as a default dungeon use.

[Canadane]

A parser, especially when built-in, can result in a experience where players feel judged. It's a similar feeling that keeps certain players from picking up the tanking/healing role, so making DPS less comfortable to these players can result in them leaving the game.

The question now is, why do tanks and healers get the eye of judgement and DPS can smash their faces on their keyboards and call it a day?
It's very easy to spot when a tank or a healer doesn't perform well. And to the extremes you can usually pick out a DPS that isn't either. But you still don't have parity between the roles. Why is it that a tank or healer has to suffer the loss of their entire party while a DPS can be carried by his co-DPS? All the while mindlessly pressing buttons without any indication he's doing something incorrectly or inefficiently?

[Zojha]

But you still don't have parity between the roles.

And I doubt you even can - A DRK can do his primary job with nothing but unleash and maybe his aggro combo for bosses - WAR and PLD aren't much more demanding to do the bare minimum. Only one positional to care about as well (Face the enemies away from the party). Healers can typically do their role with no more than 5 buttons as well (Though Regen and Cure II suffice for the most part). Now try the same as DPS.

Healing and tanking are so much less complex than DPSing that most healers and tanks actually DPS themselves out of sheer boredom. Parity where?!

[LeeraSorlan]

A personal parser that only tracks yourself would go a long way. no harrassment, only benefits

[Laerune]

A personal parser that only tracks yourself would go a long way. no harrassment, only benefits

This, if its personal, so you can improve yourself, yes. If its a tool like with WoW has where some players pick a number that others need to reach or else face harassment, NO PLEASE!