Post reason why you are stopping/quitting to help the devs improve FFXIV

[Xoo]

My Response:

[Reasons why you're stopping/quitting FFXIV]:

When I began playing FFXIV, it was directly at the heels of the end of my FFXI career. I guess I expected this game to carry over much of what really appealed to me in that game. I respect the fact that this is supposed to be something different, but it's just the major differences that contrast a bit too much for me. Although my first 2 months ingame were plagued with many random disconnects, a highly unresponsive UI, seemingly random skill point gain, a repressive transport system, among many others - I stayed optimistic that these problems would be addressed. For the most part, they have.

However, the direction this game has been going since 1.18 had started to make me question whether this would ultimately turn out to be a game I would enjoy. The fact that Powerleveling has gone almost unchecked when leveling up was (is?) the majority of the experience that existed makes me seriously question the motives of the dev team. As well, when you fairly reach the end of efficient PL, (~Lv40), you move straight into Natalan where the last ten levels can be completed in just hours. The only logic I can derive from it is that SE intends to race everyone to Lv50 as fast as they can because the only content that will be released from now until 2.0 will be NM fights and instanced battles like Ifrit.

Before the implementation of the linking system and the explosion and abuse of powerleveling, I was fairly happy with the game. I could have gone on and dealt with the general lack of content. But it seemed more and more that with every passing patch FFXIV was and is turning into something just a bit too mindless for me.

[Parts you enjoyed about FFXIV]

I really enjoyed the graphics, although I couldn't enjoy their full splendor with them set to low. I met my wife ingame shortly after launch.

[Parts you were disappointed with FFXIV]

Very little content. What content there was, it was hardly challenging and that isn't going to change soon. The game is too easy. Battles are uninspiring and are lacking the cohesive effect that truly engaging fights bring about for what I believe is due to a lack of job depth. Every patch seemed to negate any and all equipment gained in the previous patch. That's fine, but not every 3 months - it barely has time to get dirty! Stats still seem to be broken, as players have demonstrated that a boss such as Ifrit can be killed without wearing any defensive equipment. While some might, I still don't see the need for a repair system and have loathed it from the beginning. While the market wards system works in most regards, it is still restrictive to those wishing to sell HQ items for an adequate price. Farming mobs as an income has been further restricted by the new recipe system, the fact that NPCs now sell many crafting materials (Aldgoat Skin, Toad Skin, Sheepskin, etc.), and because much of the best gear is U/U.

[What kind of changes do you want to see for you to come back and play?]

I'll come back at 2.0 and see how much of the above has changed for me for the better. If it's not challenging, it's not fun, and I will leave again just as I am now.