Where is all the content?

[Kaurhz]

This had nothing to do with the issues I brought up. The amount of data centers and servers for people to log into has no relation to ping issues, total server space issues which limit things like glamour storage, and armory storage. Do you think they actually got rid of belts because they don't show up on your characters? They did it to address a complaint that we did not have enough slots for weapons and rings for the number of classes available. They got rid of belts and reallocated the inventory space.

Yes and the increase of server space / capacity has very little to do with the issue you're outlining in that case - That is more of an issue for programming. Which need I might add rewriting all of their code or very large segments of it would be an ongoing endeavour if they ever elect to address it. - and no you just tried to dismiss the issue as if it were never a valid reason in the first place.

Objectively speaking belts had no place existing in the game. They have very little glamour functionality and the removal of them would require reflecting the formula and how older content scales. In other words they would need to address each individual expansion and encounters to ensure they're still adequately tuned with the removal of entire gear spaces. Something that is entirely a lot more pragmatic to do when they're already readdressing the formula and doing downscaling for numbers. Sorry bud but that's just called 'killing 2 birds with 1 stone' - How they increase it is irrelevant. The fact remains they increased it without compromising functionality

[Shuuli]

I dunno if they work anything like our company a new server must go through extreme IT security protocols and must meet already existing requirements. In addition to that, this would be a new supplier. Do you have any idea how approaching a new supplier could be so painful like this?

Most companies have something we call anit corruption, anti bribery and anti fraud acts in palce when it comes to new suppliers. You cannot just chose whomever you want off the shelf. You need to have a competition. Contact at least 2-3 suppliers to ensure you are compliant (e.g.: you need to be able to proof that you made all the effort to ensure there is proper segregation of duties, and no conflict of interest). You also go through heavy negotiations for contracting, not just the price, but the length of the contract, the management of potential issues, the management of disputes.

Procurement has not just fraud risk but also reputational risk. If your supplier is bad and fucks up, the players won't care. What we will see is that something is not working and reputation will drop...

Then if you manage to get a new supplier, you will need approval from 2-3 level depending on company. But before that they also need to show that they meet due diligence. This may also take time.

I also would not downplay the shortage of supply... it makes everything more difficult as the supplier can push prices higher because they know that their products/ services are in need, and if FFXIV team inside Squere has a budget that cannot allow this for the year, again, this will take many approvals before a higher priced supplier can be contracted... Also these prices are not contracted for 1 month. The conracts can vary from 1-10 years... and sometimes its really hard to negotiate new prices with the current supplier, and if you just leave whenever you are over the "shortage" you break contract and pay heavy fees...

I am sure they are looking for something as we got recent news that they finally can introduce new centers. But I can fully understand why it takes time.

[Ardeth]

The biggest problem with this game is outside of fomo items from events and such there is absolutely no reason to do content as it releases. Absolutely none. If you wait until the next expansion comes out you can get the best gear from that previous expansion easier and faster than they did with it was current. It lacks a reason outside of story to really want to keep up with the Jones's. Every expansion is exactly the same. It's been the same since Heavensward. The best gear is cheap as hell once the new expansion is live. Seriously if you don't care about bleeding edge content or pvp who cares? That's the issue, but on the flip side you have Wow where not playing feels like you're neglecting your spouse. We need a good middle ground and neither game has achieved it yet.

[Mirhd]

The biggest problem with this game

Oh, I agree, the game has some issues I'd like to see addressed (glamour, having to close windows to switch crafting classes, others)... but the formula they've been following has resulted in an MMO that continues to grow, with no signs of stopping. Doesn't mean they shouldn't try new things ever, but you not liking how things are done doesn't = problem. No reason to play as content releases? What? Tell that to the many people that stay subbed because there's still tons of things they haven't done yet/the people who resub just for the new content... You partly acknowledged it, but being a game where you don't feel obligated to burn yourself out to stay relevant has only been in the games' favor, not a detriment.

EDIT: I (and clearly, many others) enjoy doing content when it's still fresh and new to everyone. We're all making the same dumb mistakes, we're discovering things at the same time. The first week of a patch is always my favorite because everyone is on equal footing, and nothing has been spoiled yet.

[Velnora]

Oh, I agree, the game has some issues I'd like to see addressed (glamour, having to close windows to switch crafting classes, others)... but the formula they've been following has resulted in an MMO that continues to grow, with no signs of stopping. Doesn't mean they shouldn't try new things ever, but you not liking how things are done doesn't = problem. No reason to play as content releases? What? Tell that to the many people that stay subbed because there's still tons of things they haven't done yet/the people who resub just for the new content... You partly acknowledged it, but being a game where you don't feel obligated to burn yourself out to stay relevant has only been in the games' favor, not a detriment.

EDIT: I (and clearly, many others) enjoy doing content when it's still fresh and new to everyone. We're all making the same dumb mistakes, we're discovering things at the same time. The first week of a patch is always my favorite because everyone is on equal footing, and nothing has been spoiled yet.

The MMO market is crap right now. That doesn't mean this game's design and direction is the sole reason for it's growth.

[Mirhd]

The MMO market is crap right now. That doesn't mean this game's design and direction is the sole reason for it's growth.

It hasn't been great for years, but what is your point? That this is the least crappy of them all? Not even remotely accurate, and FFXIV is clearly doing something right, because other MMOs that have come and gone (and there have been A LOT, lets not pretend here) and crashed and burned for multiple reasons... yet this one keeps going.

EDIT for your edit: Except it clearly is the reason. The WoW exodus only affected things this year. FFXIV has had large increases for every expansion and its been consistent, it's just this year that has been an outlier which no one could have planned for. It was a perfect storm.

[Velnora]

It hasn't been great for years, but what is your point? That this is the least crappy of them all? Not even remotely accurate, and FFXIV is clearly doing something right, because other MMOs that have come and gone (and there have been A LOT, lets not pretend here) and crashed and burned for multiple reasons... yet this one keeps going.

Yes, it is the least crappy of them all. It's the best while standing on a pile of crap.

[Melorie]

The MMO market is crap right now. That doesn't mean this game's design and direction is the sole reason for it's growth.

There's also something quite particular about FFXIV that I don't see in other games. A lot of people that play it barely plays other MMOs, sometimes not even a lot of other games, I would say (at least in my experience). So while it has its qualities, I don't think that it's popularity is solely because of its MMO aspects and direction. It appeals to a greater variety of audiences. While I, of course, enjoy the game, the MMO aspect of it is probably some of the weakest aspects of it - at least for me.

Mind you, this doesn't mean that the game is bad per se (otherwise I wouldn't be playing it still if there was nothing here that is interesting), but I also feel like it's a very particular type of game. And if you come here with a more MMO-oriented mindset, you'll maybe feel a bit disappointed unless you stick till you find something that grabs you - this doesn't apply for everyone, of course.

[Ardeth]

I'm not saying the game is meritless and it doesn't deserve its success, but it's been playing the same hand since Heavensward. There's gonna be 12 raids, 12 savages raids, 3 24 man raids and some from of relic grind. Oh and also the sprinkling of dungeons every story patch. We know this. To me it's just stale. Also I agree that part of it's success as of recently is Blizzards lack of caring for it's playerbase. Whenever the next Wow expansion comes out 10 million people will jump on it like flies on a turd. But recently that power has diminished. Honestly there needs to be two big mmos. I don't want this game to have free reign at the top. We the players need the competition. To say otherwise is lunacy.

[Ardeth]

well good for you i guess?
maybe its just quiet on EU servers. but i dont wanna test my luck with 18USD and still not meet friends :/

Speaking of friends all of mine unironically abandoned this game for Classic Wow. My friends list is empty unless I want to roll up an Orc. And no offense to this games playerbase, but I'm not being showered with friendship opportunities. That is unless I abandon my ability to be honest and shill with them. Personally I can't stand this community.