General concerns with the Devs content philosophy

[Cemil]

2. Yes need more Glamour

4.Yeah.The First was Age of Conan Tutorial Island full voiced and it was good.
Next Step was SWToR with full voiced MSQ,Planetquest,Sidequest,Heroics,Dungeonsmissions.
Same with Eso.
I like full voiced MMOs.

[HyoMinPark]

The only one of these points I really agree with is the lack of DNC/GNB weapons - specifically Primal weapons and Ultimate weapons.

But I'm not bummed about the size or emptiness of the zones. Honestly, ShB has some of my favorite zones in the game after some of the Heavensward zones. I like being out and about while gathering and just taking them in, even if others deem them empty. I'm also not bummed about the lack of job quests with the exception of DRK, as it usually has the most compelling quest (in my opinion), and others can be hit or miss. Having full-fledge voice acting is also not a main concern of mine. I don't think everything needs a voice, or that Generic NPC #3816 we interact with once in the MSQ needs a voice. I think ShB had a perfect balance of voiced and non-voice cutscenes.

[Abstral]

As someone who played BFA and had an epiphany that the game direction was soulless, pure grind based, and community the most toxic in the MMO genre, I think I can live with the design differences between FFXIV and WoW. I understand these are things you value, and I’m sorry the current design doesn’t meet those expectations, but when you look at ESO, where quest content is all voiced, the amount of content from patch to patch is much lower compared to FFXIV. The empty zone design, I can see it, but design needs to factor in performance, so as someone who isn’t versed in that, I’m not sure what the fix it. Great wood is a beautiful zone, same without Il Mheg, but Khoulosia is definitely a bit lacking.

TL;DR WoW is not the standard for MMO design anymore, unfortunately.

[Hazama999]

To me, the zones haven't felt good since ARR. The ones we've had since HW have been wide, huge, and beautiful to look at but they do feel empty. I'm sure some of this is at least in part to being able to fly. Were it up to me, I would do away with flying, but I know I'd be thrown into a volcano for so much as suggesting the idea. Flying is a convenience and lord knows you can't get rid of those once they've been introduced unless you're looking for the heat.

[Mirassou]

To me, the zones haven't felt good since ARR. The ones we've had since HW have been wide, huge, and beautiful to look at but they do feel empty. I'm sure some of this is at least in part to being able to fly. Were it up to me, I would do away with flying, but I know I'd be thrown into a volcano for so much as suggesting the idea. Flying is a convenience and lord knows you can't get rid of those once they've been introduced unless you're looking for the heat.

I would certainly not throw you into a volcano! (You're too cute) - but I totally love flying and I have loved the new zones with each expansion - I see so much more creativity here than in other games. I feel like the devs here set the bar high and meet it every time, just my own personal opinion there.

[Hazama999]

I would certainly not throw you into a volcano! (You're too cute) - but I totally love flying and I have loved the new zones with each expansion - I see so much more creativity here than in other games. I feel like the devs here set the bar high and meet it every time, just my own personal opinion there.

And that's fine! I just wish there were a bit of a compromise. Something I failed to mention in my post is that some zones may be intentionally made out to feel empty, which, again, is fine... I just wish that feeling wasn't so frequent (speaking for myself here).
One thing I really liked with this expansion is that they made Eulmore the endgame hub, the place to be. I recall not liking Rhalgr's Reach quite as much cause it was biiiig and people were a bit too spread out.

[Arkfrost]

Look outside at nature. You don't get an animal standing every 2 feet.

No, but...

...in nature I see small plants growing in every possible space, insects hopping around the grass, small birds singing and flying around, fruits fallen from trees
...in cities I see people walking around the area, sweeping and cleaning the ground and not just all standing in one place, I see shelves full of items in shops, I know that people store food and drinks
...in bars I see the bar itself stashed full of bottles, people sitting around talking to each other, drinking and playing games like Triple Triad against each other

As for the Crystarium feeling a bit empty: I can see that point. There should be a few more NPCs up and about, considering it is one of the main cities left. Maybe SE could load balance NPC population with player population, so you always get a filled city but not an overcrowded one should many players be in the zone.

Signed. Also what should be considered, is that the majority of players are usually concentrated around the market boards and the levequest NPCs, while the rest of the area usually has like 1-5 players in it. Maybe fill those areas where players mostly aren't present with NPCs? They don't get loaded unless you're in range anyway.

And that's fine! I just wish there were a bit of a compromise. Something I failed to mention in my post is that some zones may be intentionally made out to feel empty, which, again, is fine...

I agree with that. The Azim Steppe for example is good as it is, since it wouldn't make sense if it was filled with stuff. Same with Western Coerthas. But zones like Lakeland or Yanxia feel extremely empty.

One thing I really liked with this expansion is that they made Eulmore the endgame hub, the place to be. I recall not liking Rhalgr's Reach quite as much cause it was biiiig and people were a bit too spread out.

Signed as well. Eulmore is beyond awesome. If it weren't for the amazing feature of Idyllshire that with every subsequent patch the city was rebuilt and you were always theorizing what would change next time, I'd even say, that Eulmore is far beyond better than any endgame hub so far.

[Alucard135]

I'd take large empty zones over very small ones just for the sake of populating it. The Crystarium is one of the best cities they've made and ShB zones are as well.

[Derio]

I will take the large zones over the small and compact ones. Especially when it comes to gathering. I love that I dont have to stealth every where to gather. Plus the spacious areas open up room for a wide variety of fates in the areas.

The Crystarium having so much space. Well it is a city after all and if it was small and compact I'm sure everyone would hate it.

It would be like Limsa Lominsa which is small and compact and very annoying at times due to so many people in a small area.

[Granyala]

No, but...

Well sure. SE could make cluttered zones filled with objects and life.
Whether our computers could handle that in a satisfactory manner is a different question.

I agree though, a bit more foliage as an option would be nice. Mob density is good as it is.

That being said: please keep in mind that the First is a dying world plagued by sin eaters for 100 years. I would not expect a dense population (though I would expect a lot more eaters that we have seen).

Make no mistake, despite us "saving" the day: that world is still dying. I doubt that the ecology will be able to recover and resources will run out quickly.