Ultimate hiatus feedback

[technole]

The development team made the correct decision when they decided to re-allocate resources to developing the ultimate series in the odd patches, over using the same old formula. Making high-end content available every major patch.

Most savage raiders clear the content in the opening weeks. After two months of weekly clears they have their BiS, giving them weeks or a month of preparation for ultimate content.

I do think a compromise could probably be made if the resource decision was made to only have two ultimate series per-expansion, re-examine the timelines especially towards the end of expansion where there is more time without new content. Even a third difficulty of the savage raid even for one tier, if that will save resources. The real message is that the ultimate series has been successful, encourages savage progression and clears, and has kept the higher-end player base engaged.

[Zeppe]

Ultimate fights are extremely enjoyable to me and the pinnacle of raiding I've experienced in this game since I've started playing in 2.0.
Please make a third Ultimate fight in 4.5, not only will this create a big hype for the game and the potential expansion that comes afterwards but it would also give an incentive for raiders to stay subscribed after clearing the final installment of Omega in 4.4 to have maximum item level on one or two jobs for Ultimate.

It'd be such a long time until the next Ultimate if you skip 4.5 that some people might lose interest

[Balana]

With no Ultimate on the horizon until the next expansion, there is about 10 days worth of content available to me from now until the next expansion. While I understand the need for the developers to focus resources on getting 5.0 in top shape, the lack of an ultimate raid in 4.5 means that there isn't much for me to look forward to for about a year.

I agree with many of the posts in this thread, the Ultimate fights cause a huge infusion of interest in the game and it would be foolish to not include a third Ultimate to help build hype before the next expansion instead of the doldrums usually experienced in an x.5+ patch.

[Erikaa]

I strongly urge the team to reconsider this decision. Ultimate raids have consistently brought out very creative mechanics, impeccable design, and some of the most fun I've had in any video game. I think I echo a lot of people when I say Ultimate raids are probably the most engaging content in the game.

Having to slog through the lull between expansions has always been tedious, with us having to wait significantly more time for any new content. Something like an Ultimate raid in this time period would certainly keep a lot of players busy, happy, and satisfied.

[Ibaraki]

I hope the team will reconsider this hiatus decision. I do not play the UCoB or UWU content, but I actively watch many teams who do progression in it, and I'm always cheering for them. It makes me feel a little more involved in both the community and the experience of other players when we have this content to watch and cheer for. Please allow us to have Ultimate content to follow every raid tier!

[redjujufish]

i haven't cleared either ultimate fight but i enjoy having challenging content for my static to do every odd patch. there's only so much optimization you can do before people get burnt out.

[Angary]

Signed up for the forums to add another request for reconsideration; both Ultimate fights have been incredibly solid and the future looking towards the next expansion is kind of barren with the expected final fight of the series not existing. An Ultimate in 4.5 seemed sort of a given since it would give the community a shot in the arm during what's typically a slower part of the content cycle, and would give everyone one last goal. Without that on the horizon, it's a loooong time until the next kick-in-the-teeth fight will come along.

Currently working on UwU, didn't make it through UCoB but hoping to go back, but at this point both have improved the game for me merely by existing and letting me try.

[HiroesX81]

Fully agree with this. We want some clarification on that statement. If its too rough on the development team I can understand that but the comment about "given the communities reaction" is just odd. I keep wondering if there was something lost in translation. And if thats the case then at the very least provide the HC raiding community with something in 4.5. Or if its just two ultimates per expac switch it up so they can have it at 4.1 and 4.5 with a challenge in 4.3. At the very least I hope YoshiP addresses your concerns. Having to wait til 5.1 well... it just Sucks.

[Zale]

Haven't cleared either but it definitely gives us something to do in our free time. Sure, count me in.

[SkyHorizon]

I strongly believe the niche that Final Fantasy XIV has that no other games have is the Ultimate encounter series. There was a lot of hype surrounding both ultimate fights on twitch, and I loved following many teams trying to figure out the puzzle of mechanics, and clearing with the last dot tick. Savage as of now is very underwhelming as a challenge for veteran raiders, lasting only a few days for prog.