why are people so resistant to constructive criticism about the game?

[Hanaya]

I've seen a lot of debates recently between people about whether or not we should be getting more content, or just about people wanting different kinds of content to what we're getting right now, and while I don't necessarily agree or disagree with either side, there seems to be such a dramatic response to everything. If someone who's main interest is savage or ultimate raiding says they want more content on that side of the game, or more repeatable content, so many people will just say stuff like "well you might not care about the story, but final fantasy is a story game so that's the most important part" and so on, and do stuff like tell them to go back to wow and that ffxiv isn't made for them.

and like, while I do really enjoy the higher difficulty endgame fights in the game, I don't have the perspective of a story skipper. I love the story and it's my favorite part of the game, and I also love a lot of the more "casual" content (like crafting/gathering, map hunts, glamour, just socializing with people in the overworld and so on). But that doesn't mean that I like all the content in the game, or the direction it's taking everything.

Personally, I dislike shiva unreal for a variety of reasons, I wish we didn't get less dungeons with post-shb patches compared to stormblood, and I dislike the recent ast changes. I love the game, and I loved most of 5.3, but there are still things I would like to see changed about the game.

I love ffxiv, but nothing is flawless. Why do so many people act like having personal opinions on how the game could get even better is toxic?

[Penthea]

Not everyone has the same idea as to what makes a game good, and some people are afraid that certain suggestions coming to to FFXIV could negatively impact the things they like about the game.

And well some people being toxic about certain suggestions is very often how gaming forums are. The behaviour I see in these forums is the same as other gaming forums I have been in.

As for those who don't like stories I save my "go play WoW" sort of comments for those who appear offended that the game is story driven. I'm fine with someone skipping cutscenes but I'm not fine with people wanting to remove the relevance the story has to the game. Sometimes people need to realise that they're not in the target audience, and perhaps they would be happier if they played something else.

[Vidu]

Its my impression that the suggestions that are most likely to be "shut down" have one thing in common and that is that they're going against some of the basic principles about this game - even if those suggestions can seem small and "harmless", on a deeper level they go against some of the core-elements of this game, having the potential to change it on a more fundamental level than just fixing something like a broken job-balance.
So when such suggestions are brought up (specially by people who just started playing the game and seem to expect something else), those who have been playing longer and happen to like those basic principles dont consider them constructive criticism but more something born out of a lack of understanding for what the game wants to deliver on. I dont think anyone believes that this game is absolutly perfect, but there are some pillars to its design that you dont want to shake on. Or that people dont want to see other people shake on, because it might turn a game they really like into something they dont like anymore.

Some of those "basic principles" are, in my opinion:
- The Story - it simply is a Final Fantasy game and with that part of a series thats always been famous for its story-heavy games. And its my understanding that its pretty unique in the MMO-market to have such a heavy story-focus. There really is no better answer to any "lets cut the story"-suggestion than: Dont play a storyheavy game if you dont want to follow a story. Why would you?
- The "Theme Park"-focus - the game simply tries to cater to a lot of different people and a lot of different intrests. But since the budget is limited, we always only get small updates to everything - and often people who say "Oh, we need more of [insert content type]" are only intrested in this one type of content and are quite willing to cut other types of content alltogether, to benefit their one intrest - not considering that just because they dont enjoy gathering, someone else might. A lot of times I feel like complaints about "lack of content" are either made by people who have an insane amount of time on their hands (and not much in terms of other hobbies outside of playing FFXIV, so they literally did everything) or by people who only enjoy one or two types of content, while ignoring the whole rest. Which is okay - until they suggest to do away with all that other content and focus on what they are intrested on. If you're only into dungeons, or only into hardcore raiding or only into PvP... you wont be very happy with FFXIV in the long run - but not by fault of the game, but by design (though I'll admit that a certain lack of ressources surely adds to the problem, which is a fault that lies with SE for not funding the game more... but even then: funds will never be unlimited, man-power will never be unlimited and certain limitations are something we'll always have to live with).
- The Battle System - its not as frequent as the other two, but sometimes you'll hear people complain about the battle system being to slow, fights are not being intresting enough because all you have to do is to learn a dance and then execute it with near perfection etc. But again: Thats more by design and if its not a design that appeals to you, there are most likely different games with other designs that might - while this design probably appeals to other people.

So... between this being the internet, the forum being kind of invested with trolls as it is right now and people often not realising that their suggestions target fundamental principles that make this game what it is - a story-heavy theme park buffet with only small nibbles of each type of content - I'd say you have your answer.

Theres also nothing wrong with not liking a game - and theres nothing wrong with politely suggestion so someone that maybe a game isnt for them if they were looking for something different. Not everyone has to like every game. And a game doesnt has to be liked by everyone - sometimes it can be helpful and actually be considered constructive criticism if someone points out why they didnt like a game. But when looking at their reason you need to assess wether that reason is actually a flaw within the game or just a feature that this person didnt like - the story in FFXIV is a good example of that. And if its a feature that the devs wanted in their game, a feature that is working and even liked by players, just not by everyone, then well... then it is what it is. You cant please everyone anyways, so why should the game try to do that (even more) at the cost of those who are already liking whats being offered?

[LittleImp]

A lot of people are emotionally reliant on this game to an unhealthy extent. When you criticize the game, they feel you are criticizing the very foundation of their happiness. Every MMO kinda has this to some extent, but for some reason it's more predominant on FFXIV than anything else I've played.

It's also an entry in a storied franchise with a long history of extreme fanboy culture.

There's a lot I could say on this topic, but I'm not convinced spreading awareness of the issue and trying to understand it will do anything to fix the problem.

If you're interested in reasonable discourse about the game, tertiary communities like r/FFXIVdiscussion have cropped up to give people access to a more reasonable platform. Otherwise, you just kind of have to learn to laugh at all the strange people and take it in stride.

[Deceptus]

As for those who don't like stories I save my "go play WoW" sort of comments for those who appear offended that the game is story driven. I'm fine with someone skipping cutscenes but I'm not fine with people wanting to remove the relevance the story has to the game. Sometimes people need to realise that they're not in the target audience, and perhaps they would be happier if they played something else.

My biggest criticism is for people who want to rush through the story. I get it, your goal is to get to endgame.

But you're literally trying to rush through YEARS of content in a week / month.

[Peace-Division]

I think it s due to the current teenagers/young adults just dont know how to have a proper discussion. They have only experienced social media type posts. Jokes, trolls, or out right contrarianism. I dont know what values the younger generation are being taught in schools but with smartphones being in many peoples lives as much as awful social media interaction , normal discussions never go well because they seem to leap to accusations or opposing opinion ranting. Its got to a point that on sites like Twitter "my opinion is worth more than your fact".

Some join in topics here and fair points are made, then the opposing forces types come in and shout the loudest making a lot think that is the general consensus when its very far from the truth. People also seem afraid to call out crap behavior for fear of repercussions especially when it comes to sites that have upvote/downvote or like/dislike features, which is madness that people are afraid of losing virtual social points rather than speak their mind.

So when it comes to feedback/constructive criticisms the social media tribalism kicks in and the role assumed is "your attacking a thing I love, irregardless of the topic or words used, im going to attack you".

[jameseoakes]

If you're interested in reasonable discourse about the game, tertiary communities like r/FFXIVdiscussion have cropped up to give people access to a more reasonable platform. Otherwise, you just kind of have to learn to laugh at all the strange people and take it in stride.

Not sure I'd call that reddit reasonable it can have some good discussions but alot of the people there seem to be the kinds of people who are too toxic for the forums and the main reddit so it often seems a toxic echo chamber.

[TyrTry]

My biggest criticism is for people who want to rush through the story. I get it, your goal is to get to endgame.

But you're literally trying to rush through YEARS of content in a week / month.

Which is then quickest way of getting burnt out and missing out on some incredible experiences imo. Sadly, I've seen this happen often.

[Sauteed]

My constructive criticism is unlink the the content and areas maybe not the dungeons from msq progress. At least the non current expansion. Nothing bugs people more than having to do 800 or so hours of content to reach semi relevant content with their friends. Like at least dragon skin maps content.

[TyrTry]

Not sure I'd call that reddit reasonable it can have some good discussions but alot of the people there seem to be the kinds of people who are too toxic for the forums and the main reddit so it's mostly a toxic echo chamber.

I've seen my fair share of both platforms when it comes to "toxicity" typically starting with a hot topic concerning the game, an OP being VERY opinionated, or a poster being VERY opinionated.

Opinionated to the point of "damn all, my opinion is fact". This, unfortunately, gets confused with "I have an opinion!" at times which gets barraged with "how dare you!" comments.