Yoshi Interview at PGS

[SenorPatty]

I share reiichi's opinion on KMMos as well. After some 2-3 years, its monthly CC promos and maintenance mode. If the game is not being published by the same dev team (as it usually is), expect new content every year or so.

[Clover_Blake]

Aah, there go my hopes that the next expansion would add more character customization (>_<) Even a new face model would have been good for me, as I have this unhealthy habit of creating alts, haha. I still want to think that sooner or later it'll happen; weren't they also having trouble back in the day with the housing system?

(PS: Bless Online has been quite a failure in every country it's been released in, as far as I know. I do want to test the character creation, but I know that will only take me so far if the rest of the game doesn't have anything interesting to offer. FFXIV is just a very good game in many senses, even if the character creation is a bit limited).

[bass9020]

KMMOs don't typically last that long. Especially their global markets now that everything is focused on pretty graphics and netcafe bonuses. I remember when a large portion of the people I knew playing FFXIV got all hyped for BDO and B&S's character creators. ...and then were back to playing FFXIV maybe a month later because while FFXIV may not be the "best" in a particular field, it's on average much higher quality than the other MMOs it competes with. And when the average is on whole, better, people will stay. We can find a game that does any particular feature better than FFXIV. It's not hard. But then look at that game's weak points and FFXIV will basically wipe the floor with it.

I'll admit I am one of those players, I always come back to xiv but lately I haven't been logging in like I used. I played xiv everyday and have never dropped my sub. But its coming to a point where nothing is changing except our gear. Theres more to a game than just the content you can actually complete, the foundation of games (well most games) is how we perceive our characters. Constantly being told there are no plans for extra or new types of customization is rather depressing, same with updated HQ textures and other graphical options. It seems like all they care about is catering to the people that only care about precious FPS!

Im not saying BDO is amazing game, I've been playing since KR open beta. The game has many many faults but it offers a bit more than xiv is willing to do or even try. Same with Bless I can't speak on it since I didn't go to the lengths to try it out but from what is seen it has more options to what a lot of people are interested in, so I really hope it does well (this time).

[Exiled_Tonberry]

It would... become to real and lose the FF appeal?
Gameplay would be effected?

What in the hell? We just want small stuff like more face options, or more ears types. What is he even on about?

[Mikki]

I don't understand how so many other games have such in depth character creators and have absolutely no issue with rendering them in-game, when I'm quite certain that they don't make more money than SE does with 14. Seriously, what a joke. :/ PS3 support was dropped, so why is this still a thing? I just ... what? Come on SE. I want to be on your side. I really do. But you're killing me here!

And most people aren't asking for character creation choices where you can change every little detail. I think we're happy having a set of options for each facial feature and being able to pick between them. That's fine. But please, give us more options! Poor female Elezens literally have 2 faces to pick from - the other 2 being the exact same as the others, but with make-up. Wow.

Why can't horns be separated from faces? Why can't miqote have more ear options? Why can't we have more than 4 faces to pick from - and why do our already limited options sometimes look exactly or nearly the same such as in the Elezen example? Or the male miqote where one face looks basically like a slightly younger version of the other? *shrugs* I don't think we're asking for that much tbh. We just want our character to look a little more unique. I feel bad for people who play as Hyur specifically since so many NPC are Hyur and I can only imagine how disappointing the cutscenes must be when you look exactly like the NPC you're talking to. If you try to be a race that isn't overused by NPCs, it tends to be overused by other players (cats, dragons) and you look like everyone else. It's a sad state of affairs if you ask me. I like that prominent NPCs are becoming more unique looking - but why can't our characters be more unique too?

In the beginning, it made sense. The future of the game was uncertain. You guys didn't want to put too much work and budget into a game that you assumed wouldn't do well. BUT IT IS DOING WELL. And this is reflected in your choice to make the NPCs more unique with more custom facial features. Why isn't this also extending to our characters and the character creation? You don't need to give us the ability to look like the unique NPCs as that defeats the point. But how about giving us some new options as well?

[alimdia]

Stuff from the subreddit discord

【キャラオプションの追加について】Regarding Character Options.
・今のところキャラオプションを増やす予定はない There is no plan in adding any character customization options
・これ以上フェイスオプションを増やしてしまうとリアルすぎてFFらしくなくなる Adding more face options makes it too realistic and no longer feels like a Final Fantasy
・通信量が増えてしまって重くなってしまう問題がある There is also the problem of possibly making the game heavier due to the communication traffic increase.
・選べるパーツを増やすというのは課題なのでフィードバックが欲しい Instead of face options they are looking into adding more character parts. They require feedback on this.

【ギャザクラの追加などについて】About Gatherers and Crafters
・現時点ではマイナーな職になる案しかないのでクラフターの新たな職を増やす予定はない
Due to how they'd think adding other crafters felt like they're adding minor based jobs in it, so they don't have plans in adding new crafters now.

・ギャザラーに関しては追加できる余地がありそう(羊を育成して毛を刈るなど)なので、クラフターよりは追加される可能性はある
There is however some ideas in adding gatherers, citing growing sheep and shaving their hair as wool, et cetra, being an option. So instead of crafters, they can add new gatherers in if they chose to.

・エアシップボイジャーに続く探索コンテンツはパッチ4.2からスタート
Contents regarding Airship Voyager, and airship exploration will start at Patch 4.2

・それが潜水艦かどうかはまだ言わないが期待していて欲しい
Can't say if it's related to submarine type contents or not but please look forward to it.

【パッチ5.0の新ジョブについて】New jobs for Patch 5.0
・新しいジョブの情報は出せない
No new jobs. No new info, no hints.

・青魔道士のラーニングは面白いとは思っているが、FF14はPTプレイがメインなのでソロで楽しむジョブなら楽しそうだなとは思う
The learning system of Blue Mage is interesting, Yoshida thinks, but since FF14 is a party centric game here he felt that Blue Mage is enjoyable if it is used for solo content.

【ミラプリについて】About Glamours.
・パッチ4.2に向けて大きく変更をかける予定
Patch 4.2 is scheduled to see huge changes for Glamours.

・もっと簡単に全身のコーデや複数のミラプリ登録などが実装
A much simplier full body coordination or multiple glamour registration will be implemented.

・みんなが欲しいと思っていたシステムはほとんど入ると思う
Yoshida thinks that almost all request that people have thought up till now may be implemented for this.

【24人レイド装備について】 About 24-man raid
・24人レイドの装備が集まりにくい問題は認識済み、もう少し手に入りやすいように検討したい
Yoshida acknolwedged that it's hard for people to collect equipment rewards for 24-man raid, he'd like to look into allowing people to obtain those equipments easier.

・24人レイド装備の強化版装備を出す予定はない
No plans on allowing 24-man raid gear to be augmented.

【スマホアプリについて】 About Smartphone app
・スマホアプリは現在開発中
Current in development

・初期リリース時は「FC、フレンドなどとチャット」「所持品やリテイナーのアイテムを整理」「マーケットのアクセス」のシステムが無料で実装
Initial release feature would include chat programs for FC and friends, Inventory management for players and retariners, Allowing access to marketboard, those will be implemented for free.

・有料のオプションサービスも存在する
There are options that are optional, and will require small fee to unlock

・将来的にはリテイナーベンチャーや冒険者小隊関連もいじれるようにしない
Yoshida would wish for retainer ventures and Squadrons to be accessible and customizable through this app in the future.

・リリースはパッチ4.2～4.3の間
Release date would be between 4.2 and 4.3

【ストーリーなどについて】About the Story
・メルウィブ提督はリムサ・ロミンサにフィーカスが当たらないと活躍しない
Unless the focus hits on Limsa Lominsa, it'll be hard for Admiral Merlwyn to be the focus character.

・OPトレーラーは吉田Pが字コンテを作っていて、4.0の制作は2015年9月27日から始まった
Stormblood's development started at 2015 Sept 27th, starting from text storyboard created by Yoshida for the opening trailer.

・4.0メインストーリーの評価が高いことは誇りに思っている
Yoshida feels proud and fulfilled when he knew that 4.0 main story receives a high reputation.

・全体的な意味でのメインストーリーのエンディング像はだいたい決まった、メインストーリーが終わるからといってFF14が終わるわけでななく拡張ごとのストーリーにするかも？
The entire main story quest, up to the ending of the said main story, is already decided (talking about the overall), even if the main story ends, it doesn't mean FF14 will end as well, so there might be an expansion of the main story after it ends.

・イヴァリースが帝国以外と関係しているかどうかは松野さん以外知らない
Whether Ivalice is related to FF14 other than Garlean...that question can only be answered by Matsuno-san

【システム関連】System related.
・もっとカメラを引けるようにするのは全てのバトルで再検証しなくてはならないので現状厳しい
Currently it's not possible to have players zoom out the camera further due to how they have to look into and reassess all the battles implemented.

・極蛮神や零式のトークンをカレンシー対応しないのはページが長くなってしまうためであって、今のところ対応は予定していない
They won't be converting Ex Primal Tokens and Savage tokens into currency due to how the page will take longer to load if they do so. So no plans for this.

・モグステの装備を愛蔵品キャビネットに入れたい要望などはパッチ4.2に向けて便利になる予定
Patch 4.2 is scheduled to see Mog Station equipments being able to kept into armoire , and it will be revamped for easier access.

【その他】 Others
・S/M/Lサイズのアパルトメントの実装予定は今はないが、土地の供給などが落ち着いてきたら可能性はある
No plans to implement S/M/L sized apartments, but it's possible once they solved the plot shortage and allowing more people to get their houses.

・パッチ4.2でのオメガはみんながびっくりしてくれると思う
People will be surprised to see what is up with Omega on Patch 4.2. Citing players can expect more past FF references in Omega instead of Rabanastre.

・リスキーモブの更に強いバージョン、何十人が集まらないと倒せないモンスターをフィールドに追加される可能性はないとは言い切れない
Though not entire impossible, but it's also possible for them to implement monsters that are even stronger than notorious monsters (risky mobs) in the field, where you need even more than mere 10s of people to defeat it.

・ウソウソのぬいぐるみグッズは会場にいるグッズ担当が聞いていれば出るかも、もしかしたらナマズオや柴犬が先に出るかも？(笑)
It's possible to make a Otter stuffted toy and sell it in events if they make a request to the Goods team, Maybe they'd like to first release a Shiba Inu stuffted toy beforehand?

・ライトニングリターンズのコラボはリクエストが多ければ再演を検討する
If the request to bring back Lightning Returns collab event is high enough, they'll be looking into bringing it back for a rerun.

[Niraves]

I'm getting really tired of the server limitations excuse every time the player base asks for something to be implemented. How the heck is it so difficult to make one or two new faces for each race/gender? At this point, I think they are just being stubborn or lazy. 'Doesn't look like FF anymore' is the dumbest thing I have ever heard in my life.

[alimdia]

Also on the housing comment in the original post, it doesn't mean "everyone will get a house", it means "everyone will get a fair chance", so you won't be dependent on fast you login after the patch to have a chance to get a house.

If I had to guess, I'm thinking it could be some sort of lottery ticket when you try to purchase a plot, then tickets are processed after X hours and one random person is awarded the house. If they implement this on all plots including old ones it could effectively kill the housing resale market.

[Canopia]

Of course they will have better options regarding character details, and most likely have a diverse selection of outfits you can get because otherwise they won't keep the playerbase around, as many eastern mmo's tend to lack on every other front in the game asides perhaps being somewhat different in their combat system.

A diverse selection of outfits for every occasion. Visit you local cash shop today! Most Eastern MMO's, especially the free to play ones. You need outfits because otherwise you barely discernible from other players because they usually have minimal customization.

[Arrius]

I don't understand how so many other games have such in depth character creators and have absolutely no issue with rendering them in-game, when I'm quite certain that they don't make more money than SE does with 14. Seriously, what a joke. :/ PS3 support was dropped, so why is this still a thing? I just ... what? Come on SE. I want to be on your side. I really do. But you're killing me here!

Because Square uses their own Engine for this - Crystal Tools. Released in 2007, it has been used for all FF13 titles, FF14 and Dragon Quest X, with FF14 being the last title to having the said engine.

That could mean the FF14 deveopment team is hitting the limit of they can do with Crystal Tools and they carefully try to squeeze every bit out of it nowadays, therefore they might not be able to push the graphics to the current level you see at FFXV, as they use a completely new engine for it (Luminos Studio).

The reason you see other games have better details is usually that they license themselves an existing engine and work with that; mostly going with Unreal Engine 3 or 4 that brings a lot of things for the graphic hungry masses.
And that works usually well on character details and outfits, as you can think.

A diverse selection of outfits for every occasion. Visit you local cash shop today! Most Eastern MMO's, especially the free to play ones. You need outfits because otherwise you barely discernible from other players because they usually have minimal customization.

If a MMO doesn't provide a decent selection of outfits from the get go and you need to pull out your wallet to make a difference, then it isn't a good title to begin with.