Don't change a thing!!!

[ARoy]

I think what most people forget is that the series is over twenty years old now. It has fans spanning over the various generations. There are people who started with the original, people who started with later titles like VII and played older games, and there are people who started with latter games like X, never looked back and unless they get more DS remakes, probably never will. There will and probably already have been people who start with XIV and have no prior experience whatsoever. Given all of these different starting times, the different groups involved in this game are going to have a different expectation of how things should be.

That being the case, Square Enix is never going to be able to bring something to the table that can please every single fan. I find that the perfect example of this situation would be Sonic the Hedgehog - notice how his newer games are notorious for having been widely panned by old fans, but the younger ones gobbled them up?

What SE needs to do is decide what would make the better game - one that most appeases X group of fans or one that appeases Y Group of fans, where can they allow concessions, and how to differentiate it from both other FF games and other MMO games. I don't think the original dev team took any of this into consideration; instead, as has been said by a member of this forum, though I can't quite remember who, they reinvented the wheel as a square and wondered why it didn't roll.

[Krausus]

On the internet "A LOT" means me, and "most people" means me and my friends.

Still though, i do agree with the OP that the general focus of the game could have been something magical (with the proper time and commitment). Unfortunately With the way that things turned out the games going to be a hard sell unless it, turns to, and leans up against tradition at this point.

oh that's a real good idea, instead of being innovating and giving us something new lets just make it like the other MMOs that way everyone can jump ship anyways...brilliant!

[ARoy]

oh that's a real good idea, instead of being innovating and giving us something new lets just make it like the other MMOs that way everyone can jump ship anyways...brilliant!

Or, y'know, perhaps something that is more traditionally Final Fantasy than just plain MMO. That could work too.

[Krausus]

Or, y'know, perhaps something that is more traditionally Final Fantasy than just plain MMO. That could work too.

explain whats so nontraditional? You mean that we dont have WHM BLM, etc..? Do you actually think that when we do it is going to make a bit of difference? This game needs to build on what it has and add content making it a clone of XI isn't going to do anything but ensure SE has the same member base as XI. I'm pretty sure they are aiming to increase that player base. Don't get me wrong XI was great but there were plenty of things wrong with it as well. People want to play XIV because it isnt XI but has all the potential to become just as epic.

[Fensfield]

Lay off, you lot.

Just because the polls showed a large bend in favour of major changes doesn't mean people can't come here saying they'd rather there not be any - putting up forums as they have means the developers welcome everyone's opinions, breaking from the majority or no.

Me? I'm with DoctorMog and I find it disturbing there hasn't been so much as a 'Sorry to everyone feels left behind by the majorities' in the poll responses, but all the same I accept they are the case - that isn't going to stop me speaking for moderation in the changes are proposed, or in speaking up when a proposed or implemented major change strikes me as downright stupid or damaging.

Someone needs to be willing to point out the things Final Fantasy XIV was already doing right, and speak up when a change is for the worse - the aggression icon and monster resizes, for instance, do not share the general 75% opinion that changes are needed, they're much more controversial and its a good thing these forums are here for people to discuss their pros and cons. Admittedly this thread is a bit direction-less, almost shouting into the wind rather than identifying points in particular whose pre-existing good points need to be kept in mind, but I really do think it needs to be said that the reckless abandon the changes have been showing are a bit unsettling, however necessary, and should at least be commented on.

The thread is not wrong in pointing out that a lot of people are concerned that by 'Large changes' they might end up meaning 'Turning into a cookie cutter MMO with nothing but art style to set it apart', even if these same people would welcome big adjustments to the game. That poll option was really, really vague and uncomfortable sounding, and most of the reason I voted 'No' on it was I could just see voting 'Yes' coming back and biting me in the proverbial arse when they did something seemed unthinkable at the time. I realise full well that as an avid roleplayer, my priorities do not align with the internet at large, and in fact often clash - also knew damn well that the vote would be largely yes, but also hoped that if more than 10% or so voted 'No' (and it was nearer 30%), it would at least be a reminder to the dev's that this game is not without a mass of good points already, and was not, in fact, as universally reviled in its present state as some would so happily claim.

.. At least lay off the baiting, misters 'Read em and weep.' and co. That's just being a jerk and I'm pretty sure you realise as much.

[ChiefCurrahee]

I wish I could side with DocMog on this, as I was too once an avid "leave FFXIV alone" supporter from alpha 1. I thought SE was holding back the vast world of Eorzea, I was wrong. I said I'm sticking to FFXIV for the long haul (and I am) they changed the way SP works in groups, I was appalled. DocMog still with blinders on made a Youtube video of how to solo 10k SP/hr, this is a MMO! not a solo affair! SE changed Grp SP dynamics back to a more palatable level despite how DocMog shouted from the mountain tops that nothing was wrong the water is fine soapbox of youtube. Players want a change and there are so many great ideas floating around this forum and DocMog seems to be digging his heels in further and further with each suggested change to FFXIV.

DoctorMog this game has HUGE potential. But not in it's current state. Some parts of the game need that scalpel to refine systems and other parts of the game need the sledgehammer to make way for renovations.

This game needs change.

[Celtodeno]

Great point OP. I like the armoury system. I like the battles. Alot of the "Skeleton" of this game is good, there is just not alot of ways to implement it such as instancing, reasons to group, or rewards or goals to work towards. I think that has been to main complaint too. There was the UI issues and the fact that the world is empty of goals.

[CeeKay]

Heeey Mog!
Its Teckno from Aion ^_^/

I got the game and was loving it, than five days later the tragedy in Japan happened. ; ;

I agree for the most part, the game just needs minor tweaks to things and some other things. My play time is to low to make huge accusations for the really big changes//sledgehammer type thing at this moment.
As for content, I'm sure its on the way.

[AmandaHuggenkiss]

DoctorMog, I think I love you!

Just tweak the system, and give me bigger and badder monsters to kill.

[Abraxai]

I've always seen this game as "the skeleton of a great game".. There are things I think need tweaking, but overall just for balance / user friendliness.. I'd agree with not changing parts..