An alternative to a new story start point. (Idea proposal and discussion thread)

[Fawkes]

I think after 8.0 they could probably put Shadowbringers and Endwalker in the free trial, so people can experience that whole story at their leisure without a subscription. Then I don't think there would be a need for a new start point really, but I suppose since the story is just going to get longer and longer they may want to do something to get people out of the free trial and into paying faster. If they do make one, ideally they would make a "previously on" style cutscene that shows a reduced version of all the story being skipped when someone starts at the later start point.

People who want to skip just to get to endgame ASAP seem like a different issue, I would hope anyone with that mentality also wants to be good at the game and is going to engage with systems like Stone Sky Sea anyway. I don't think they need a new start point since the skips already get updated every expansion to get you to the start of everything new.

[DamianFatale]

I think after 8.0 they could probably put Shadowbringers and Endwalker in the free trial, so people can experience that whole story at their leisure without a subscription. Then I don't think there would be a need for a new start point really, but I suppose since the story is just going to get longer and longer they may want to do something to get people out of the free trial and into paying faster. If they do make one, ideally they would make a "previously on" style cutscene that shows a reduced version of all the story being skipped when someone starts at the later start point.

People who want to skip just to get to endgame ASAP seem like a different issue, I would hope anyone with that mentality also wants to be good at the game and is going to engage with systems like Stone Sky Sea anyway. I don't think they need a new start point since the skips already get updated every expansion to get you to the start of everything new.

Do you have any idea how long it would take to get from here to Endwalker without any skips? It would takes months. A new start is necessary soon. They should of done one for Dawntrail.

[Fawkes]

Do you have any idea how long it would take to get from here to Endwalker without any skips? It would takes months. A new start is necessary soon. They should of done one for Dawntrail.

The free trial has no restrictions on playtime, so if they put Endwalker in it it doesn't matter if it takes months. Those months would all be free.

[GartredZW]

Do you have any idea how long it would take to get from here to Endwalker without any skips? It would takes months. A new start is necessary soon. They should of done one for Dawntrail.

I still haven't heard anyone say exactly why we need a new start point aside from just getting to the endgame faster. Instead of getting to endgame fast, bring the endgame to the player earlier. What's wrong with a story that goes on for a long time? Old players already have it completed, and new players shouldn't care what's new or old since it's all new to them.