Mounts Abilities and Functionalities

[lackofwords]

When talking about mounts, such as Chocobos, the primary functionality for it is just transportation. But should there be more functionality to these mounts?

I believe it was mentioned later they are adding a mini-game such as jousting of some sort, but correct me if I'm wrong on this.

There's been mention of wanting mounts to be able to jump but I won't be discussing that here.

Instead what I've thought of is an extension of the primary functionality, transportation. We see chocobos already used be NPCs to taxi people around the world (E.G. Uldah opening scene) and chocobos used as pack mules (E.G. GC carvan security). These would serve as nice finishing touches to a player mount.

So two functions;

1. Chocobo allowing one rider with one or more passenger; Think of a horse with a rider and a passenger on the back.
2. Chocobo pack mule; another outlet for an inventory system

Now the first one, a chocobo taxi can be used in some interesting ways.

• Allowing more progressed players to pick-up players without chocobos.

  They can hitch a ride, instead of being forced to walk. It offers a small outlet for these two player groups to mix. Honestly, who wants to be 'that guy' that does not have a chocobo and forced to walk? 'That guy' would feel like a jerk for making everyone else wait, or worst yet the group would just exclude 'that guy' from activities and proceed without him.

• Chocobo Taxi player runned services

  Granted, at late game, everyone would have progressed to a point where almost everyone has a chocobo, but then this functionality can be also used a taxi service.

Second one, the chocobo pack mule, is a possible extension to inventory system. However, if they keep the inventory system ideally the same as it is now, then I rather not deal with the hassle of managing another box of crap. The retainers as mules are enough of a headache. In fact, the whole inventory management is a pain. It starts to become silly when you have start organizing things to the scale as you would for a warehouse.

However, I have a small sliver of hope they might make the inventory system a bit less cumbersome. They already have in design of separation crystals from inventory, and later the separation of equipment from inventory somehow. Maybe, they would actually begin to sort out a more structured inventory, instead of the classic 'toss everything in a box' inventory. If they think of something interesting, then maybe chocobo pack mules might fit in there somewhere.

[Skies]

Phew, that took a lot of digging, but here:
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/threads/30508

After the video, fifth image... Yeah, they are planning on letting your chocobos be party members during battle! I presume inferior to other actual party members and as the party gets bigger they start getting booted out. But still! Just thought about pointing this one out

[lackofwords]

Phew, that took a lot of digging, but here:
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/threads/30508

After the video, fifth image... Yeah, they are planning on letting your chocobos be party members during battle! I presume inferior to other actual party members and as the party gets bigger they start getting booted out. But still! Just thought about pointing this one out

Oh wow, I didn't even notice that. I've always skipped over those images because I thought they where just pointing out UI information.

[Raldo]

That took a lot of digging? There's a chocobo in the party in the 2.0 teaser screenshot...

[Skies]

That took a lot of digging? There's a chocobo in the party in the 2.0 teaser screenshot...

Oh, no. Finding the thread where they actually explain that took a while of digging, it was pretty far back. I am in fact sure that the roadmap says something about that but it always makes a clearer explanation if you can link an official post