I think it's time we start seeing some data in regards to the changes being made.

[Theodric]

This thread isn't about any one particular issue, though a simple look at the front page of general discussion as of the time of this post will show that there's mixed reactions to a number of proposed additions and changes being made to the game.

Now, I'll start by saying that I have been playing this game for almost a decade and have never been sent a survey asking my opinion on pretty much anything related to game. I've certainly spoken up about what I'd like to see added or changed though such was never framed as a demand.

I find myself increasingly curious about something. Who, exactly, is being asked for their opinions in regards to changes and additions to the game and what numbers are we looking at to justify them?

I believe this is information that could be revealed during a Live Letter. After all, there's ample time spent detailing that additional MSQ's are arriving in a new patch and showcasing merchandise so I don't doubt that a slide could be squeezed in somewhere to give some insight into what sort of data they're drawing upon.

Assuming this happened, I'm curious as to what sort of data other players would want to see put forward and explained. So have at it!

In the spirit of avoiding influencing the debate, I'll keep my own specific thoughts to myself for the time being in favour of posting them later.

[HollowedDoll]

I know it's not exactly the most relevant thing but Genshin has a survey after every patch with tons of feedback options which is probably one of the good things you could say about it.
Whether something like that can be implemented on the scale of an MMO is up for debate of course.

[Nethereal]

I personally don't think they effectively compile the data at all. Just my thoughts on how the company has been ran the past 3 years.

As far as we know changes simply come from: The Bros

And sometimes a little from streamers.

[SenorPatty]

If I understand this correctly, you basically want to know the numbers behind certain requests, yes? (like, as a hypothetical, 2% of the entire playerbase requesting Kaiten to be removed due to bloating)

Yeah, I'd be interested in something like that. More importantly, I'd actually like surveys to be sent periodically. At least as part of the NA/EU sphere, I'd feel the illusion of being included in these changes coming to the game.

[Atelier-Bagur]

Same here, after perusing this forum for quite some time its been clear to me that the feedback within this game has been...disjointed. YT, Reddit and Twitter paints FFXIV a different picture (mostly of big time content creators loving this game), but all this time it seems that many issues have been left in the gutter for such a long time. Once when I came to this game during Shadowbringers I was joyful and praising at how fun the jobs play out for an MMO, especially on controller but turns out people dislike how the jobs "devolve" in their eyes so makes me think "I'M the problem".

Yeah I wish the devs would give out a survey or at least address where they're getting their feedback from.

[Valkyrie_Lenneth]

I personally don't think they effectively compile the data at all. Just my thoughts on how the company has been ran the past 3 years.

As far as we know changes simply come from: The Bros

And sometimes a little from streamers.

They do read feedback. Just because they don't respond to every single instance doesn't mean they are unaware.

They have access to far more data than we do, in terms of how people play.

[aveyond-dreams]

Depends. Reddit and Twitter lean overwhelmingly positive while here things tend to be more critical. Listening to too much of one side would logically only do more harm than good.

The ideal game for the Twitter crowd is like something out of the April Fool's manga that actually got made and published, little more than a visual novel with comfort characters where not much happens.

The ideal game for some forum posters is difficult to define. Conversations here tend to focus more on gameplay though people's opinions on that ranges from reasonable things like "please give White Mage more fun attack spells" to "please tack dots back onto Summoner."

The middle ground is somewhere in between.

[StriderShinryu]

They do read feedback. Just because they don't respond to every single instance doesn't mean they are unaware.

They have access to far more data than we do, in terms of how people play.

This is a very good point. The devs have access to data on how actual people are actually playing the game. Sure, it doesn't tell the whole story but it tells them quite a bit. And, being a company that exists to make money, it tells them what to do to keep doing that. Even if it was an optional survey, just like optional participation on an optionally accessed forum, the people who choose to respond to it are those who are most invested in the game.. and likely those with the most negative things to say. And I say that as someone who plays Genshin Impact and dutifully fills out every single survey they send me.

One thing that jumps to my mind immediately when topics like this get raised is, frankly, the question of "So what?" I mean, if they reveal all of the numbers and all of the numbers show they are 100% supported in making the decisions they are making, but you don't agree with those decisions, then... ?

I'd love to see the numbers as well, and I'd love them to go deeper into why they make the decisions they make but let's not kid ourselves here. Most of those who claim to "want to see the numbers" are really just trying to say that they believe the hidden, obfuscated numbers will support their own perspectives and causes.

[Nethereal]

They do read feedback. Just because they don't respond to every single instance doesn't mean they are unaware.

They have access to far more data than we do, in terms of how people play.

I believe that. I also think that's a far worse truth though.

Issues can largely be compiled into:

Story
Lore
Map Design
Gameplay
Equipment
Mounts
Skills & Abilities
Mechanics(How A interacts with C through B.)
Character Creation(Races, Hair, etc.)

I understand not being able to respond to everyone. What I don't understand is how a company can fail to address issues for multiple years with such a short list, if we were to use the above.
This tells me that either they're simply unware, ignorant of the issue, don't believe it to be an issue, or aren't paying enough people to understand what is actually going on and what the data they have means.

Instead I prefer to believe they simply don't collect it.

The only time they've responded in a timely fashion is when it could hurt their bottom line, I.E server congestion.
Either making this game from the rubble of 1.0 in 2-3 years has finally come knocking or they simply don't care as long as they're making money.

This is coming from the company that thought 1.0 was okay to be released, I don't really think I'm that far off the mark.

I'd love to see the numbers as well, and I'd love them to go deeper into why they make the decisions they make but let's not kid ourselves here. Most of those who claim to "want to see the numbers" are really just trying to say that they believe the hidden, obfuscated numbers will support their own perspectives and causes.

I personally would simply like to see the numbers to know if generally my thoughts on the game are wrong. This way I know if I want to stay subscribed to this game or move on in the future because I'll know which way the wind is blowing.

[Theodric]

If I understand this correctly, you basically want to know the numbers behind certain requests, yes? (like, as a hypothetical, 2% of the entire playerbase requesting Kaiten to be removed due to bloating)

Yeah, I'd be interested in something like that. More importantly, I'd actually like surveys to be sent periodically. At least as part of the NA/EU sphere, I'd feel the illusion of being included in these changes coming to the game.

Yep. That's correct!

They do read feedback. Just because they don't respond to every single instance doesn't mean they are unaware.

They have access to far more data than we do, in terms of how people play.

They certainly claim to read feedback and yet there's been cases where they've been caught off guard in a way that suggests certain requests never reach their ears.

I firmly believe that a healthy balance can be struck, though ideally with more engagement from the community itself.