Can we get an idea on what to expect from the open world in version 2? (A bit long)

[DarthTaru]

I see the word "monopolization" coming up a lot so I think we need to identify why certain linkshells were able to monopolize certain HNMs (or most, if not all of them) and let's just keep the word "bot" out of the discussion because everyone who was either in a super-shell or at one point got overwhelmed by one knows that wasn't always the main factor and sometimes not a factor at all.

Let's use Tiamat as an example because I think it's a good one. It dropped a game breaking piece of gear for one of the most important jobs in FFXI and -maybe more importantly- was sellable, and sold for 25~50 million gil for a very, very long time. It was on a 3~5 day repop timer so it couldn't really be camped by an entire linkshell like Nidhogg, and required linkshells to produce claim parties that could stop what they were doing, port out, cover 3 zones, and claim before their rivals. I think Tiamat makes for a good mob for discussion when it comes to why linkshells monopolized and how they were able to.

Ultimately, it just came down to motivation. Overly simplified? No. Anyone who was in a super-shell knows they dominated Tiamat and mobs like Tiamat because when the pop was announced in LS chat they were gone, on their way to the zone regardless of what they were doing, organized, ready to go. No exploit, not third party program, just pure, unrivaled motivation. If two linkshells had this same motivation and LS philosophy there would no one LS monopolizing and both linkshells would get their slice of the pie. If 3, the same, and etc etc.

Why did linkshells not get claim on mobs like these? Let's just clear the air in the interest of honesty. A lot of linkshells couldn't kill these mobs because they didn't have the practice or skill. If the reason was a lack of skill why they didn't get claim doesn't matter. If the reason was practice it was their own fault for a lacking motivation. Jormy was up 24/7 and if a linkshell can kill Jormy they can kill Tiamat.

So unmotivated linkshells, even moderately capable ones (doing sky, doing sea, etc) were simply not as motivated as super-shells and this, and this alone, lead to monopolization. If you walk away from content you cannot blame others for "monopolizing" it. That's absurd. Nor should you NOT design content because some fall into a state of defeatism easily and ignore it while complaining about those who don't.