Quote Originally Posted by KRIPTICON View Post
I've actually seen this idea getting more and more traction lately. The character, content, endgame, and gear progression has become formulaic and hasn't changed much through 3 expansions. Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing is a matter of perspective at the end of the day.

Personally (I'm likely to get flamed for this) I think the content release schedule is too aggressive. SE is expected to push out patch after patch in order to justify the monthly sub, and to that end they do a great job. However. I believe that, in 2 major ways, it hurts as much as it helps:

1) Players wishing to stay current with content cycles have to play until they are burnt out in order to keep from falling behind the relevancy curve.

2) The frequency with which new content is introduced into the game does not leave much room in development cycles for innovation. Basically, they stick with what they've always done because it works and they have deadlines to meet.

But hey, that's just a theory, a FFXIV theory. Thanks for reading
More than likely that's a lot of it. The other thing is, it works. FFXIV has had a steady playerbase and has blown up with SHB. A lot of people probably appreciate that the game doesn't change it's core every 2 years, it's still the same FFXIV when you left for the most part.

Also the catch-up mechanics they add in before the next big one drops is always nice. Free farm on the raid drops and upgrades to the current tomestone gear, if you don't try to play every day or even every week these are such a boon and rush of content and gearing that it's absurdly fun.

At least from the perspective of myself and my friends. We like that we don't feel forced to log in everyday, but most of the time we choose to because we like the game. And even if another game comes out or we just need a break, we can come back and catch up to relevant gear and join in on the next content patch.