Random observation

[Thenightvortex]

For WOW and FFXIV:

- An expansion that deals with cosmic threat and concludes a multi-expansion saga, has us flying in a spaceship into another planet/dimension at the end.
- An expansion before that dealing with an alternative timeline that has a bait-and-switch moment where the good guys almost won, but then Emet betrays you/Gul'dan subdues the Iron Horde and there is another mini-arc after that
- An expansion themed around Asia and focused on a war without an obvious large-scale threat(not front and center at least, both have one in the background)
- An expansion focused on dragons with a furious seething dragon as its primary antagonist(also bonus points for the similarities between shattering/7th calamity)

Is it poetry rhyming or "borrowing" concepts?
Is Gaius the Lich King?
Are we heading into FFXIV's BfA?

Hell if I know, but the parallels are fun.

[aveyond-dreams]

I just hope that in 7.0 they borrow from the concept of Dragonflight’s return to form, sans the focus on dragons. A regional scale conflict without ridiculous cosmic powers warring witch each other, and absolutely no anime Meteion nonsense.

[Reap00]

Blizzard actually has people believing this expansion will be anything more than the garbage they have peddled the last 10 years. Incredibly impressive on their part. I truly believe Blizzard could take a dump on the ground and sell it. These people would buy it 100%.

[aveyond-dreams]

There are players who are content with things being released that aren’t equivalent to previously held standards in both WoW and other games.

Island sanctuary being one of them, among other controversies.

[Reap00]

There are players who are content with things being released that aren’t equivalent to previously held standards in both WoW and other games.

Island sanctuary being one of them, among other controversies.

Island sanctuary is precisely what was advertised. Your expectations don't factor into the equation at all.

[xenahawk]

Broken down to specific elements you can see similarities anywhere but doesnt make it same or "barrowing concepts". Just my own 2 cents for what its worth. Personally from my toons perspective i would sort of hate to see a war between any combo of gardinia, uldah, limsa, or ishgard with all she "did" to bring together all the kingdoms but depending on how they do the story could be interesting. But again depending on the story dont make it BFA.

[Saraide]

Island sanctuary is precisely what was advertised. Your expectations don't factor into the equation at all.

What was it advertised as? For a lot of time between the first announcement and the release the only info I could find were a few examples of what not to expect. SE stands to directly profit (short term atleast) from hype prior to the expansion launch, this should mean that they have a larger responsibility to try to keep expectations accurate. Instead it seems to me they left that hype train to its own device. Therefore I think it's also their fault that people are disappointed in IS.

[Deveryn]

What was it advertised as? For a lot of time between the first announcement and the release the only info I could find were a few examples of what not to expect. SE stands to directly profit (short term atleast) from hype prior to the expansion launch, this should mean that they have a larger responsibility to try to keep expectations accurate. Instead it seems to me they left that hype train to its own device. Therefore I think it's also their fault that people are disappointed in IS.

The hype existed where it needed to for the expansion and this wasn't something that needed any hype. Since the fanfest last year, they made it clear that this was going to be super casual laid back content.

"Live the slow life."
"Place buildings, raise crops and take care of animals."
I got all I needed to know from those two sentences.

Any kind of "hype" would've been overkill. They told people what not to expect because they were absolutely misreading it and creating their own fantasy and hype. Players dug their own pit on that one.

[LittleImp]

Island sanctuary is precisely what was advertised. Your expectations don't factor into the equation at all.

This post is just such a piece of nonsense. Island Sanctuary was one of the least explained features they've ever rolled out. It was pretty much kept a complete mystery what it would entail until it actually launched, and then it was revealed to be hours of node clicking that somehow has less depth than open world gathering.

Where are all these people that love island sanctuary, outside of the forums? I don't know anyone in-game that actually thinks it's a good piece of content.

[aveyond-dreams]

Heavens forbid I expect more engaging mmorpg elements that are aligned with the standard set by Ishgard restoration last expansion.

I’m quite firmly opposed to the frontloading of non-combat content but seriously, they need to do better than Island Sanctuary. Defend it all you like, those of us who see it for what it is are unmoved by your arguments.

This combined with a story that flew off the rails and has no direction anymore has left FFXIV in the worst state it’s been in since, arguably, 1.0.