r/ffxivdiscussion: What can Square Enix do to help fix the terrible netcode of FFXIV?

[Iyrnthota]

FFXIV just simply doesn’t seem to have the lasting cultural impact that World of Warcraft had. Even 20 years later, WoW is a titan in the industry. Many look back on their formative years spent entirely in Azeroth rather fondly. Imagine skipping all the traditional rites of passage, like going to parties, getting laid, etc. for a video game—and not regretting it. It takes a very good-quality product to have that effect on people.

Would people say the same for FFXIV? Probably not. The gameplay doesn’t have the same addictive staying power. Content is burned through quickly. Combat is the opposite of addictive—it’s slow, turgid, and clunky. The perfect word to describe raiding in FFXIV is janky. It’s awkward and uncomfortable. It lingers like the aftertaste of aftermarket diet soda when compared to the real thing.

Suffice to say, people make their memories in FFXIV doing anything but what the developers sanction—including modding, ERP, and drama culture. Anything to avoid the actual gameplay. Doesn’t quite have the same ring to it as this game’s predecessors, does it?

Where’s our South Park episode?

It sounds like you view any MMO without the lasting cultural impact of WoW to be a failure, which I would consider particularly ignorant.
WoW was the perfect game at the perfect time. There will never be another MMO like WoW.

[caffe_macchiato]

It sounds like you view any MMO without the lasting cultural impact of WoW to be a failure, which I would consider particularly ignorant.
WoW was the perfect game at the perfect time. There will never be another MMO like WoW.

Sure, but it’s just sad how the timeline has basically ended for this genre. Many people such as yourself agree that FFXIV is just kinda “good enough”, it’s not totally remarkable, but we’re okay with that. That’s normal, right? I’m fact, I’m sure everyone here has more fun playing other games because they’re simply more fun to play.

But we HAVE to defend FFXIV for some reason. It’s like an identity for so many people. Sure it’s a good game, it’s great, just do the usual of course. Just slidecast and get snapshotted while doing your usual limit cut and stack in/out mechanic—you know, the same old design you all know and love. It’s all a “dance”. Just memorize the fight, there’s nothing unique to do. Then go play other games once you clear. FFXIV is basically like doing chores but with some great patriotic fervor, because after all, you LOVE this game, don’t you?

Like I said, you’ll only realize the truth when you look back on the time you’ve spent doing this. Once the love affair is over and people are free to think for themselves without fear of being judged.

[GaiusDrakon]

Sure, but it’s just sad how the timeline has basically ended for this genre. Many people such as yourself agree that FFXIV is just kinda “good enough”, it’s not totally remarkable, but we’re okay with that. That’s normal, right? I’m fact, I’m sure everyone here has more fun playing other games because they’re simply more fun to play.

But we HAVE to defend FFXIV for some reason. It’s like an identity for so many people. Sure it’s a good game, it’s great, just do the usual of course. Just slidecast and get snapshotted while doing your usual limit cut and stack in/out mechanic—you know, the same old design you all know and love. It’s all a “dance”. Just memorize the fight, there’s nothing unique to do. Then go play other games once you clear. FFXIV is basically like doing chores but with some great patriotic fervor, because after all, you LOVE this game, don’t you?

Like I said, you’ll only realize the truth when you look back on the time you’ve spent doing this. Once the love affair is over and people are free to think for themselves without fear of being judged.

The fact that half of the counter-criticisms boils down to "it has always been bad so don't complain" says it all really.