What keeps you playing?

[Reap00]

Hi folks. Been off the game for a while after a massive bit of burn out. I'm finding it hard to go back. I'm just curious... What keeps you playing the game? Maybe I can find a new reason to enjoy. Thanks!

I have been playing since launch and hit these points. Sometimes I will go play something else to give myself a breather. Elden Ring was a fantastic diversion. You could start an alt or focus on some achievements. That would definitely keep you busy. It is hard to say what would specifically work for you but there are my shots in the dark.

[Carin-Eri]

The story/MSQ. Its absolutely phenomenal.

Trouble is, aside from side quests, it does leave one a little 'lost' when you reach the current 'end' of the story. And I'm terrible at the gameplay so roulettes etc don't really appeal.

[Kaurhz]

Achievements and collecting things. That is really what gives me a lot of joy in the game, and goals, since I'm not overly focused on a single facet of the game. It's really nice. If I want to get Triple Triad Cards I will. If I feel bored or tired then I can do Diadem, if I get exhausted from Diadem then I can do some Ocean Fishing, and if I just want to relax then I can play Gold Saucer / GATEs, for example.

[Jin-]

My lizard. Nothing else pretty much. I've hard time to play another game without this lizard

[Illmaeran]

Hi folks. Been off the game for a while after a massive bit of burn out. I'm finding it hard to go back. I'm just curious... What keeps you playing the game? Maybe I can find a new reason to enjoy. Thanks!

A couple things.

1. Taking breaks. Stepping way to refresh things keeps me playing in the long-term even if I'm not playing in the short-term.

2. Going back to past MMOs and realizing how much better XIV is for me than all the others combined.

3. Doing whatever I feel like doing in the moment and not worrying about I HAZ TO GIT ALL TEH THINGZ! Giving yourself permission to enjoy what it is you feel like doing at any particular time goes a long way toward avoiding burnout.

4. Logging out when I'm no longer in the mood to play. I normally play every day, but sometimes that's only to send the retainers out again and maybe do a roulette. Other times it's a full-day session. The trick is not forcing yourself to play. That's just not healthy and leads to burn out.

5. "Stupid little goals". I define this as something that requires time to accomplish, but has no material impact on the character's progression. It may be an achievement or getting enough Skybuilder's Scrips for a particular emote. The trick is having something low pressure that's not "important" to the character that you can do here and there or binge if you desire. This game is full of these so there's never not something to work on.

6. RP. This is a big one for me. Visting a cool venue and chatting with folks when I want to log in but don't really want to do anything does wonders for continuing to enjoy being in game.

[Padudu]

Friends, RP, content I haven't finished/done yet, selling stuff, leveling, glam, ect.. Social interaction is a big one for me, and as long as I have people around I'll always enjoy going into it. Other than that, I've plenty of content to catch up on besides the story and raids.

[NorthernLadMSP]

Not much anymore. The only reason I ever log in anymore is to play PVP/Frontlines.

98% of my FC doesn't log on anymore either.

[LisSquid]

Revisiting this thread to say it's the drama. No other game has blowouts like 14. I love ya'll this is the best/worst relationship I have ever had. God bless.

[SenorPatty]

The "stupid little goals" as Illmaeran said is what keeps me going right now. Normally, it'd be whatever a FC I was in was planning but I haven't been in one of those in a long time. Right now, I'm just collecting the i690 tome gear for my tank, mostly for glam purposes. I'm waiting for my sub to run out this month and then I'll be on break until 6.15

[Renalt]

The NN. I like to help others out when needed and when no help is needed then it makes for a good General Chat where people just mess around and talk.