TheLazyPeon "gives FFXIV another try"

[TeraRamis]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gu9xm8dUna8

To be clear, I do not typically follow streamers in general, or TLP, although I was aware of his existence, and had previously viewed a few of his videos over the years. I know enough to say that the guy is a 'mid to upper level' or recognized voice in the MMORPG sphere, who plays a lot of the games in the genre (a lot of games - like stuff you or I would likely never try because it just looks like garbage out of the gate).

The reason I'm posting this isn't because I'm a member of his following, but rather because of the way he approached (this go), and has previously approached FFXIV, and to wonder if it's at all indicative of how a lot of people who don't stick with the game view it.

To be frank, I'm a person who does a fair amount of story-skipping myself - I pay a decent amount of attention to the MSQ as I pass through it the first time, but side-quests and, in particular, the intra-expansion quest chains are basically of no interest to me (I feel like the game talks too much; YMMV, but I'm not appreciative of the 'stand around and chat' exposition that FFXIV has favored as its main delivery of narrative over the years). However, it seems that there are people out there who go far beyond this, and just don't read the quests... at all - like any of them. And it would appear that TLP was one of them, at least until this second try at the game.

I know that ARR's storyline was only just recently streamlined, and that has probably helped matters a lot, but I have to wonder if the game could really benefit from a 10-20 minute action-oriented 'hook' piece of content at the start... rather than having a soothing chat with Hydaelyn and then just going for a chocobo cart ride. If there was a way to... get players more invested in the plots right from the get-go, I think it might make them more apt to sit through the rather talky ARR cutscenes that followed. TLP went into this second effort pledging to himself - forcing himself - to actually read and get involved. But if the game began with a more abrupt jolt, it could go a long way to enticing people who don't have that kind of commitment to get involved immediately.

Just food for thought.

[EnigmaticDodo]

TheLazyPeon tries to hop back on the bandwagon.

[Vahlnir]

TheLazyPeon tries to hop back on the bandwagon.

Yep. That's basically what he's known for. If it's what all the "cool kids" are doing he will do that. If it's what all the cool kids are hating then he will hate it. It's nothing unusual though. The world is full of opportunists.

[Wavaryen]

I like lazy peon. Does not mean I agree with many of his takes, but I can enjoy watching people who I don't agree with because I don't take it personal.


The amount of hate he got for being "wrong" was just silly, and it was eye opener for many in the community that we got a sickness, but we ignored that rot because if one thing I learn about ff14 community is. We are very good at escapism. So glad he giving it another chance, and if he still does not end up liking it. That is fine. Even though i think the people who dislike him, will have a nervous break down. So part of me is hoping he will trash the game again lol.



Now to answer your question. I don't think they should really do a thing, This is a final fantasy game, and talking and story is the main thing about a final fantasy. If they cut or streamline it anymore, it would take away the heart of the game. We need people to understand reading is not the end of the world, and if you skip it and still enjoy game more power to you, but I enjoy the reading, I like voice acting for sure, but something about reading tons of text just warms my heart and brings me closer to my childhood days of playing rpgs.

[TeraRamis]

TheLazyPeon tries to hop back on the bandwagon.

Like I said, I don't have anything personally invested either way when it comes to the guy. I was rather just raising a point: for people who don't have the nostalgia kick working for them - who haven't played (or devoured) previous Final Fantasy games - the slow start to FFXIV may not be exactly what is called for to drive investment. FFXIV should be concerned with appealing to more players than just those who have a background with the franchise, and since the story is such a big part of the draw here, I think a strong case could be made that it doesn't start with enough of a bang to turn ambivalent heads.

Just as a thought, really disastrous events have been shown to awaken the Echo in other NPCs - being shocked, startled, attacked, imperiled, etc. Why couldn't the game open with some kind of random such happening? It wouldn't have to have any bearing on the later story - just some little side-affair (being attacked by bandits, or a rogue dragon, or something) that launches us into Hydaelyn's service.

[bass9020]

Im glad that I actually enjoy this game and have played since 1.0 (even liked 1.0).

I know that ARR's storyline was only just recently streamlined, and that has probably helped matters a lot, but I have to wonder if the game could really benefit from a 10-20 minute action-oriented 'hook' piece of content at the start... rather than having a soothing chat with Hydaelyn and then just going for a chocobo cart ride. If there was a way to... get players more invested in the plots right from the get-go, I think it might make them more apt to sit through the rather talky ARR cutscenes that followed. TLP went into this second effort pledging to himself - forcing himself - to actually read and get involved. But if the game began with a more abrupt jolt, it could go a long way to enticing people who don't have that kind of commitment to get involved immediately.

TBH Im not sure why they didnt keep the original openings but changed them slightly to not include certain NPCs. The original openings were much more interesting and entertaining. I LOVED Gridanias opening. Forcing yourself to read and get involved seems rather silly, why even bother at that point? Not every scene needs to be flashy or over the top or even voiced. I know people are allowed to change/have different opinions and views on things, especially after initial thoughts. But honestly a lot of the new streamers/CC are just here for clout. Like sure make your coin sis but we all know the truth.

[Cebo]

The biggest problem for most new players, including TheLazyPeon in his past attempt, is the 2.0 - 2.5 ARR slog. Past WoW friends I tried to introduce to the game couldn't get past how boring that was, and even when they get to Heavensward, they're already burnt out from all the cutscenes/dialogue. The regular ARR main story, while dull, goes by quickly, and your character is progressing throughout in levels, abilities, etc. Even WoW veterans can grind through it. But the 80 quests that are required post-ARR is the biggest roadblock, since there is zero progression, and you're literally just teleporting from location to location to get through dialogue/cutscenes. SE honestly did not trim enough fat here.

Those who argue it lays the foundation and is necessary for world-building really oversell it. Things like Good King Moogle Mog, Leviathan/Ramuh, the Ivy's subterfuge etc. could all have been on the chopping block (ie. moved to sidequests), without much loss to the primary narrative. They could easily just trim it down to the Monetarists subplot, the Doma refugees/Yugiri's arrival and Alphi establishing the Crystal Braves, and move right on to Lady Iceheart and Moenbryda's arrival. Hell, even the Monetarists, while critical for 2.55's conclusion, is basically a footnote for the rest of the game, so even that's scrapped in later expansions. Unlike later expansions where the post-HW, post-SB, and post-ShB quests continue the narrative from x.0 - x.3, and have their big moments...ARR's 2.0 - 2.3 is the definition of filler content.

[Fyrebrand]

I'll never understand people who level boost and skip basically the whole game, just to see the "current" content. Seems like somebody wanting to get into Game of Thrones, and only watching the last season. I can almost forgive it in TheLazyPeon's case, due to the absolutely insane amount of MMORPGs this dude has played. This is not a genre known for its award-winning narratives. I'm also guessing he had people telling him to level-boost and skip to endgame, saying "ARR bad, do not touch" much like they tried to do to Asmongold.

That said, he knows what Final Fantasy is. I don't think it would have taken much research or asking around, to find out "Oh, the story is actually very important in this game, maybe I should pay attention to it." Oh well. The past is past. Glad to see he's more invested and having a better experience this time around.

[van_arn]

But where are the eels?

[Krotoan]

I'll never understand people who level boost and skip basically the whole game, just to see the "current" content.

The problem isn't so much them.. as the game design of SO many MMO games (most notable is WoW) is done like that now. If a game has gone through expansions or been around a while, the old content is invalidated or made super trivial and the focus is on the most recently released content.

FFXIV does this to a degree.. but semi-uniquely keeps old content relatively relevant and challenging as well as keeping it in "endgame" rotation.

The problem is so many people are conditioned to rush to endgame of older MMO's to get to the "good stuff" that they don't realize with FFXIV that there's "good stuff" all the way through and skipping earlier things detracts from the experience (to varying degree's depending on what you're here for).