SE You may want to reconsider charging for this

[ChiefCurrahee]

There will be players who will never be satisfied with the game and willing to pay. That is a fact. SE could release their entire vision of ver 2.0 tomorrow and you'll have people say "I'm not willing to pay for that."
Why?
Why buy the cow when you're getting the milk for free.
Thats why.

So SE could continue to not charge for their game and hemorrhage more money, and have players who are here for a free lunch. Or SE could start to charge, hemorrhage more money, but losing the leeches for free service.

It really doesn't matter development wise if SE loses players. They are banking on VER 2.0 to be the turn around. Not patch 1.20 or 1.21

SE is saying: "Heres the deal, you played for free for a year, but now it's time if you WANT to play you got to pay. If you don't WANT to play, thats ok, but feel free to drop in and check out the updates along the way, but we got big plans for 2.0 we'll let you play that for free for a little while just to check it out. But in the mean time if you want to continue service you need to subscribe."

T.A.N.S.T.A.A.F.L.

[Yelta_Sumasu]

What it will come down to is this; Once they start charging money I will have to evaluate if I am having ~12 worth of fun a month.

[LillithaFenimore]

dont people already throw away their money for betas? aka every other mmo? because they're always changing? amirite?

In a way you are correct, however, I doubt many polished MMO's start off on the wrong foot these days as FFXIV has :/. The ones that seem to be popular with players are the ones with a way for an economy to start functioning properly and with ease, the ease of finding a group (or the ease of being able to solo if one wishes), content that can be done solo or in groups, group content...*someone please stop me if I am wrong or keep adding if you wish, I'm sure I'm missing/added something*

FFXIV just brought us a main story line, leves, and grinding upon release, they didn't even have side quests that could help add to lore, story, or w/e. That's just my observation :/ However, I'm hoping FFXIV will put it's big MMO pants on and join the major leagues eventually. I really enjoy the graphics...they are sooooo shiney O.O.

[grandm]

In a way you are correct, however, I doubt many polished MMO's start off on the wrong foot these days as FFXIV has :/. The ones that seem to be popular with players are the ones with a way for an economy to start functioning properly and with ease, the ease of finding a group (or the ease of being able to solo if one wishes), content that can be done solo or in groups, group content...*someone please stop me if I am wrong or keep adding if you wish, I'm sure I'm missing/added something*

FFXIV just brought us a main story line, leves, and grinding upon release, they didn't even have side quests that could help add to lore, story, or w/e. That's just my observation :/ However, I'm hoping FFXIV will put it's big MMO pants on and join the major leagues eventually. I really enjoy the graphics...they are sooooo shiney O.O.

nothing this MMO is doing is the norm, how many MMOs have you heard of replacing servers or game engines while the players are still playing, at this point we are pioneers in MMO landscape

[Jennestia]

nothing this MMO is doing is the norm, how many MMOs have you heard of replacing servers or game engines while the players are still playing, at this point we are pioneers in MMO landscape

Depends on what you want to hear -- MMOs replace servers and server parts throughout it's life for various reasons, XI replaced them at least 3 times in it's 9+ year run, WoW used better blades etc.

XIV is actually the only MMO I recall that allows players to keep playing even while under an overhaul, most will shut off and sell their IP or just let it rot never to be heard from again -- This I think is the reason people get confused about certain things, like them removing skills is being viewed as a 'bad thing' when the game is being overhauled and made better.

[Baxter]

I agree with everything the OP has said. I think they should possibly wait until the job system along with class changes, and addition to new raids, hamlet defense, and two more battles before they consider charging. To most it is not a matter of money, but truly the principal.

The current playerbase serves as a vehicle of additional marketing once 2.0 is out. They are also banking on customer approval, and with it word of mouth to help revive this game.

People can take whatever they like from the OP, but the fact is someone who wants to see this game fail does not take the time to write this up. So even if you disagree you should understand that you are both aiming for for the same goal, to have FFXIV flourish, and succeed. No need to turn this negative at all.

[Felis]

You forgot the most important fact:

SE is expecting us to pay for an engine that the current dev team has considered unreliable and is getting replaced in a year when 2.0 happens. (And that's assuming there isn't any delays.)

They expecting nothing from us

If at that time you're still having some doubts, players can wait until 1.21, when we add the job system, or wait until 1.22 and make the decision after hearing what the player reactions are for those. What we really want is for each player to have the decision be in his or her own hands.

[mghtywarior]

$12 = 2-3 drinks in the bar = 1 pack of cigarette = 12 morning coffee = 3 gallons of gas = 1 extra hour of work = 2 lunch meal = u got the idea... if you cant afford $12 a month then dont play, at least stop trolling...
12 buck is nothing for 1 person; my bank gives me more than that every month for interest; if you cant afford it, dont play or learn how to saving/money management...12 dollar per person is a lot for company to cut costs spent on development.
u guys would spend few hundred dollars on iphone or ipad every year when they come out a new one with minor changes but u tell me you cant afford 12 bucks a month?!?! gimme a break..
ppl need to stop thinking that the world spin around themselves; instead of "I", try to figure how it is like in the big picture...
if FF14 fails, o well, i guess few bucks down the drain for bad investment. If it becomes successful, good cuz im enjoying it so far and i will still spend time on it during my free time...
n i am glad the drop rate is low; not everyone deserves to get nice equipments, yes it is frustrated at times but the satisifaction it grants when they finally drop is just as more rewarding...
n ifrit fight is ez as hell...go watch youtube and read strats multiple times on it before u try it, u will notice the difference...

and im with my out bursts..feedbacks are welcome.. and your criticisms means nothing to me.. thank you

[irongripz]

there will always be fanatic fanboys that has to disagree with some ones opinion because they think they know everything. its pretty pathetic really the sad life most of you live to complain at some ones complaints that is not even complaining to you or complaining about something your doing.

12.50 is half a sack of weed ill smoke up why playing a better game. if you blow money on a product even the creators consider broken, then your an idiot.

[irongripz]

dont people already throw away their money for betas? aka every other mmo? because they're always changing? amirite?

no people play the release ver, why other play the beta on a complete different realm. on this game there is no beta/test realm we are the testers in this beta.