Genuine Question for Frequent Negative Posters

[LilimoLimomo]

I want to preface this by saying this isn't a judgment, but rather genuine curiosity; I'd like to better understand a perspective that is different than my own that I have trouble relating to.

I also want to get ahead of anyone who might want to jump in with a snarky reply to dunk on the posters I'm asking about: please don't. I'm not interested in hearing what you think about frequent negative posters; I'm interested in hearing their own genuine words and thoughts. Please do what you can to avoid turning this thread into a conflict. Thanks in advance for being cool.

Okay, with all that out of the way, I've noticed that the FF14 forums seem to have numerous users who regularly post in ways that suggest that they feel very negatively about the game. I'm not talking about folks who post a thread here and there with criticism of certain aspects of the game; rather, I'm talking about folks who post frequently and almost exclusively have negative things to say about the game.

And that's kind of what I don't get, because at least for me, if I disliked something that much, I would personally want to get away from that thing, rather than expose myself to more of it every day. Which makes me think that I'm probably misunderstanding these posters, or perhaps I'm only seeing one aspect of them that isn't representative of them as a whole.

So here are some questions for frequent negative posters, the answers to which I hope will bridge the gap and help me better understand your perspectives:

• Do you overall dislike the game?
  • If so:
    • Why do you stick around in the game/forums?
      • Does something about it give you enough joy to be worth your time?
      • Is there something that gives you hope that things will get better, and thus you're not ready to leave just yet?
      • Or something else entirely?
  • If not:
    • What do you still enjoy about the game?
    • Why the frequent focus on negative aspects?
      • Is it just that there's nothing to say about the good parts?
      • Or is it something else?

Thanks in advance for helping me better understand you as a genuine person!

[RosaliaDLB]

post is too long to quote

And that's kind of what I don't get, because at least for me, if I disliked something that much, I would personally want to get away from that thing, rather than expose myself to more of it every day. Which makes me think that I'm probably misunderstanding these posters, or perhaps I'm only seeing one aspect of them that isn't representative of them as a whole.

So you expect someone like me for example that likes housing, hanging out with people, go to venues,glamours, just basically being social and doing housing, to just quit the game because I despise the mogstation stuff and I bash it ? Because I think the content is absolutely atrocious and boring in this game ? Because of those reasons, I should give up on housing and my friends and social activities in general ? Your take doesnt make any sense.

[LilimoLimomo]

So you expect someone like me for example that likes housing, hanging out with people, go to venues,glamours, just basically being social and doing housing, to just quit the game because I despise the mogstation stuff and I bash it ? Because I think the content is absolutely atrocious and boring in this game ? Because of those reasons, I should give up on housing and my friends and social activities in general ? Your take doesnt make any sense.

Haha, to be clear I don't at all expect that! But in regards to yourself, you've provided me with the vital piece that I was missing: the fact that there are indeed things you love about the game experience in addition to the things you vocally criticize. I genuinely appreciate your sharing!

[SturmChurro]

So you expect someone like me for example that likes housing, hanging out with people, go to venues,glamours, just basically being social and doing housing, to just quit the game because I despise the mogstation stuff and I bash it ? Because I think the content is absolutely atrocious and boring in this game ? Because of those reasons, I should give up on housing and my friends and social activities in general ? Your take doesnt make any sense.

Generally, yes. Over the years, I have found if you have complaints or criticism, people do just try to nudge (manipulate), or outright push players who criticize aspects of the game to quit.

[IDontPetLalas]

I don't see that negative criticism should be unexpected with any product, nor should it ever be unwelcome as long as the tone remains appropriate.

In reading your post, there could be a false hypothesis on your part, namely that those people who post negative feedback dislike the game. It could certainly be true of some people (after all some people quit the game) however I don't believe that is true of many, although perhaps sometimes it can be hard to tell from the tone of their comments- we're limited here after all to just the forum.

Before you jump in " but I said I'm not talking about people who post negative criticism once in a while", I can think of a number of reasons why someone would use this forum and post frequent negative criticism and actually be invested in the game: not wanting to be downvoted to the depths of Hades on social media sites, legitimately focussing dev resources /community attention on some of the shortcomings in the game, requesting new features.

All of the above to say, imo, if a game never receives or has very limited negative criticism- something odd is going on. Criticism is heathy.

[LaylaTsarra]

Nothing wrong with negative criticism but one has to wonder what the real story is when someone posts here with 2 dozen accounts. Can't simply be trolling has to be more to it than that.

[Atelier-Bagur]

Sorry, I cant voice my own opinion because apparently to some people, me going through the game 4 different times is grounds for you to be ridiculed and ignored for your arguments no matter what.

Unlike others who spends their time doing housing, or some who spends all day trolling and hating on the forums with multiple accounts where theyre allowed to express their opinion on other parts of the game without facing hostility.

[AwesomeJr44]

Unlike others who spends their time doing housing, or some who spends all day trolling and hating on the forums

Bro.

[RosaliaDLB]

Bro.

LMAO, even I dont have that many posts on my main

[Aword3213]

Sorry, I cant voice my own opinion because apparently to some people, me going through the game 4 different times is grounds for you to be ridiculed and ignored for your arguments no matter what.

Unlike others who spends their time doing housing, or some who spends all day trolling and hating on the forums with multiple accounts where theyre allowed to express their opinion on other parts of the game without facing hostility.

That one got dealt with, so did his next incarnation.

I guess he will behave, for a time.