Thread: Making the case for a new starting point in 7.0

Originally Posted by Alleo

This introduction would still need to be created by SE. All of that work for people that might not even want to stay if that so called endgame is not that great. I guess if SE notices that the drop of between the start and the newest expansion is too big and that it would financially make more sense to make a new starting point, they will do that. I just dont see it as necessary.

I also dont really know that many games who have sequels where we play the exact same characters, yet its as if nothing much had happened. Also I am not really sure if expansions are sequels. I count them more as DLCs which you normally cant play without either having done the main game or at least reaching a certain point there.

Of course I am fine if you see this different. I just see no reason to go beyond what its already existing. 100% not if too much work has to be put behind that and even without that, they could simply give one free jump potion and be done with it.

I edited so its my fault but I also added that given the MSQ+ system, and perhaps a neat reward behind it, this content would be considered content for everyone not just the people who choose to start the game that way. Like again thinking of Legacy players, we got the 2.0 intro but we also got the 1.0 intro, 2.0 players only got the 2.0 intro (naturally). Now the X.0 players would get that intro but we'd get both or all three given where you started. In this way, and I think what you're thinking is actually correct- this would HAVE to be a quality experience (which means resources) but because we have the system for it.. I don't think those resources are as wasted as they might otherwise have been (as we all can enjoy it). Personally also not seeing this as every single expansion deal, just as the perhaps one time accelerated option- so rather than 400 hours to current it's like 50 (or 100 for the next expansion).

For the second point I mean picture God of War, you can start the recent one with him having a kid having no clue the absolutely insane things he's done or experiencing the rage bouts that are actually important to the story.. yet you can still 'get' the game. Player isn't lost because they started like 5 games deep. It's true of course the game took this in mind to help remind people, but as I was saying with ShB SE is already doing that because for some players it might have been so long they have to be reminded anyways lol. Now if you had an expansion that knew this in advance of production without too much extra effort in story telling you could ensure everyone is following along (and still reference old stuff, just like God Of War did). I'm sure the next god of war coming out (Ragnarok) can also be played without the previous, even though having the whole son experience would probably help it wouldn't be doom of the game if you didn't have it. I really mean like.. huge epic long tales, this has happened a lot and happened to major products- it's quite common and doesn't have to ruin the content (though I'm sure you could if sloppeh with the story lol, which is why I said 'don't' do that multi-story stuff people were talking about, make it the same story just like most major games do and have done).

Free potion is basically what WoW does, but I feel like well I already said - seems like throwing someone at the wall and hoping it sticks.. Might, might not, but why would you hope it sticks when you could do something different. While not saying either you get thrown or you complete 6 God of Wars 4, 100% witcher 3s, re-watch friends 3 times, .. etc.. I mean 400 hours is A LOT, and that's a good thing but also a very very large mountain and a huge investment ask that I think will scare away some people and will also ruin the opportunity desires of some people... like if I wanted to join the game to do current game ultimate content that just came out I'd have to absolutely rush the game just so I could be sure I have a higher chance to join one of the parties active, I might be able to do it later too of course but the available pool of players will obviously be much smaller.

In no way do I think all that story is a waste of space, I just think people who have done it as it is active are not thinking about how insanely large and time intensive of an ask they're asking for from people who are not even sure they're ready to invest yet (like our perspective of pre-invested is not the same as someone who is like "maybe I'll try it, this isn't so bad so far, oh I have 350 more hours to go... oh.. I want to do that content everyone is doing.. oh.. I wont be able to because it'll be dead by the time I get to it... oh.. I... there is another game out....). For the story lovers, FFXIV is always going to be a good option- you don't need to sweeten the deal there lol. Particularly I note here that money is not the only investment, time itself is an investment. Even if you told me the game is free for 500 hours that doesn't mean zero investment cost. If my time has value then the ask itself, even if free, is a large ask in and of itself.. furthermore since people who are joining are probably not joining because it's the first time they heard about ARR.. its because they heard about the new expansion / content - in effect saying they need to go all in on their bet against their future desire.

Alternatively your post that maybe the game isn't meant for everyone might end up being the right take at the end, but I also believe that it's even more important that SE is going to make plans to make another MMORPG then (not to be released this second, but to give it proper multiple years it takes to make to avoid a 1.0 release again) as they will be intentionally building walls around the garden with no valuable assistance within the walls (potion != valuable, imo). Not saying the game is dead now, just 5 years from now I can only imagine the 550 hours to get current and personally I think that, among other games asking for less investment but offering new and exciting systems that FFXIV mostly can only offer well later in the game, is going to cause FFXIV participation problems. Even then it wont die- probably going to have subscribers in 20 years xD, the game is going to be like FFXI for a long time after the golden light ends, but personally I want SE to always have a golden light MMO out there lol.

Edit: I am also fine that you see it different . I mean in an alternative take I understand you like the game and want it to do well, and I assume you see the same in my post rather than engaging someone disingenuous for the rick roll. Obviously we are disagreeing on some points but like.. whatever lol, that's really not a big deal.