An Alternative? to parsers..

[Alma_karma]

A grading scale would be similair to so everyone judging you for your game play. As annoying as it is when dps is low or someone is playing badly it is just a game in the end. And for those wondering about the toxicity of parsers, i personally have been harassed several times while trying to farm for my bird in Zurvan back before stormblood. Even joining learning parties when i knew all the mechs i would still be called out and kicked because i didn't have high enough dps and we would see soar. This is my first mmo. I didnt know what rotation was, i never knew the importance of melded gear. I was just told i suck and that i shouldnt do content because of some numbers. It made me extremely selfconsious about my play style. I would apologize for every death and every mistake and sometimes leave parties apologizing because i knew that i was bad because my numbers weren't high enough. And I would not try the extra content because i was 'a terrible dps' It takes the fun out of a game when you are told you have to hit a certain amount. I never was told how to change so my numbers could improve i was just kicked.
I think numbers and a scoring system would create a gap between players limiting them in what content they can do because the more hardcore players don't want to be carrying a C scoring person in their A scoring team.
It is a game. Its meant be enjoyed by all. Even if they don't play to a certain ideal.

[Gelesto]

snip

Many games have a grading sytem but doesnt that spur you on to get a higher rank?

EDIT: just recently I played sonic forces and retrying to get that S rank was a great feeling when I got it why not have that feeling for dungeon runs too?

[Alma_karma]

improvement grades

I am not the kind of player who wants to Ace everything. Sometimes you have that one map you struggled terribly to get through and you get a poor rank after finally completing it. It is like a little slap in the face that the level you struggled on for so long decided you still sucked. High scores don't bother me, getting ranked doesn't bother me. I just want to clear the content even if i didn't do it perfectly. If i know what i am doing and can clear content i don't think the grade at the end matters. Its the struggle that you did to get there. Its no fun if you are forced to be perfect and never make a mistake. And being able to get those amazing clears and scores just means you know the gameplay well. We all celebrate our victories in our own way.
I know in sonic forces you get more rewards the better got do too. Not the same for ffxiv. Motivation for things helps drive the game play. And you basically are retrying in dungeons anyway with the duty roulette. Just with less rewards.
Plus i play a lot of rpgs and open world games, i havent seen a rating since ps2 days.

[KaivaC]

snip

At best, I am above average when it comes to how I'm doing with my DPS classes in the current Savage tier. I don't want to be perfect, nor am I trying to be perfect - however, I do aim to be better than 'trash noob' or 'bottom DPS' that I've been called before. I just get motivation from criticism to do better than before. And considering I'm approaching one year since entering FFXIV, I think that's really the best advice that anybody who has received criticism over their numbers/rotations can do - get better. Figure out what is wrong and work on what could be the problem - if it has merit, of course. Not all criticisms are valid.

[Alma_karma]

At best, I am above average when it comes to how I'm doing with my DPS classes in the current Savage tier. I don't want to be perfect, nor am I trying to be perfect - however, I do aim to be better than 'trash noob' or 'bottom DPS' that I've been called before. I just get motivation from criticism to do better than before. And considering I'm approaching one year since entering FFXIV, I think that's really the best advice that anybody who has received criticism over their numbers/rotations can do - get better. Figure out what is wrong and work on what could be the problem - if it has merit, of course. Not all criticisms are valid.

Geez i am glad i was never called that. I hope your determination keeps well! Savage content is super fun! Get that sky noodle!

[Lilseph]

Snip

I understand your point, but don't take it to the extreme. It's not about being an Ace at your job. Knowing the mechanics is one part, but knowing how to play your class effectively is the second one. No one here is expecting perfect play, either. Guides, videos, other players are there for you to improve. People also have standards. Like Cass said above, if there is someone holding them back, then you're ruining their fun. Is that fair? I'd say no.

That's why you, in this scenario, have to either: Look for a group that fits your vision of the game or make your own group stating the rules from the begining. Laid back run? As long as we clear? No salt? Go for it. No one is going to say anything. You'll get players that allign themselves with the way you play the game. This is because not everyone is like that one example you gave before. When pairing yourself up with the right kind of players, even with a grade system functioning, no one will care about it. The grade system wouldn't force you either, it just shows you where you're at. You can either go further or stay there, because either with it or without it, there is where you're at anyway. People that actually care for these factors will have a parser running and will most likely kick you anyway. Nothing changes. As much as it sucks when that happens, I'll refer myself to what I mentioned before: Gather like-minded individuals.

Also, games nowdays still have the ranking function. Other games have a "star" grade, giving you none to 5 stars based on your performance. It's an ongoing system for many, many, many mobile games which is a huge gaming market nowdays.

I'd help you out with Cass since we're on the same datacenter, but I don't have much time to play lately. x.x (From work I can use the forums np)

[Alma_karma]

ratings

it was annoying for them im sure. Though I had been joining those laid back no salt runs. It was multiple runs i was told to git gud or git kicked by different people. I could care less about my ranking. I try not to impeed anyone now. I know my rotation, i use food, i meld my gear. I know now. But I know if I had been graded back when I first started I probably wouldn't have lasted very long. How can you grade on an MMO where it doesn't explain the basics of rotation. Just reading the tooltips isn't enough to figure out but a rotation is and how too use it properly. Especially if this is your first mmo and your asking on the novice network on how to improve. Git gud or git rekt right? Haha

[Lilseph]

Story Time

It sucks that it happened to you, but in an online environment, one of the things we learn is to grow a thick skin. Since we started with the anecdotal evidence: I'm a slow learner myself and I've been called out several times at the begining of each expansion or when I try out a new job, because "I am bad" and I should "Do X" instead of "Y", or won't give me advice at all. Yes, it feels bad. But what can you do about it? Improve. Take a more positive approach and see it as an opportunity for self-improvement. Don't have a parser? Go get it and use it for yourself. Sit in front of a dummy and train.

It's a game, I agree. However, there are a lot of games, both online and offline, that grade you based on your performance. Some of those even include a highscore ladder, where you're being compared globaly or among your friends. Knowing how to play a game is part of the game. If you want to take it with a casual approach, then you're doing the wrong content or pairing yourself up with the wrong people.

[KaivaC]

snip

I hear you. This is my first actual MMO as well (I've tried others, but never for longer than two weeks because I never knew what I was doing). I had that experience on Garuda. Not Ex. Hard Mode Garuda. There was a point in time last year when I quit tanking entirely. I was self-conscious too, then me being being, I got pissed off that somebody judged me, so I wanted to prove them wrong. I won't say that it doesn't happen. But I'm not the type to let others tell me I don't know how to play a class/job. I am very much like my character lol - hot-blooded, seeking self-improvement. But that's also just me because I do tend to get defensive and want to prove I'm better than what some say I am.

[Bourne_Endeavor]

It is a game. Its meant be enjoyed by all. Even if they don't play to a certain ideal.

Look at it from their perspective. You were birb farming yet slowed down the run, which lessened their enjoyment. Those groups are intended for fast and efficient kills, ideally. Learning groups, on the other hand, should be more patient, though I can understand their frustration if it wasn't a mechanical issue on your end but a rotation one. EX Primals isn't where you should be learning your rotation. None of this excuses rude or antagonist remarks. I don't mean to condone that in any way. All that aside, did you consider seeking out guides and maybe setting up a parse yourself? I have been called out before; most good players have at one time or another. It can sting a little, but I used it to better myself by seeking out guides and asking friends what mistakes I might be making.

We're on the same server. If you ever did want some advice, I'm happy to help.