Happy Alternatives

[OliviaLugria]

Gonna try bringing the positive junk out again

Yoshida has commented about playing other games, and encourages players to step away from FFXIV and return later as necessary. We also know Yoshi tried Elden Ring, WoW, EQ, and others. I've seen it said on these forums, often in fact, 'go play something else then.' It's a popular dismissal. I've seen people say that for the quality of content received at the pace we get it we 'might as well' play Genshin Impact, which has no sub by comparison but provides comparable (apparently?) experience and enjoyment.

So what is it you play in your down-time, or when FFXIV isn't making you happy? I'll list some of the alternatives I've seen mentioned below: Is yours missing? Why do you love the one(s) you play? What's special about them to you? Gush a little, convince me to give it a try! I'm curious to see what everyone's passionate about, and what brings them some joy when it can't be found here.

I'll add some of my own with asterisks, to out myself sufficiently.

Ze List

· World of Warcraft
· Monster Hunter
· Guild Wars 2
· Warframe
· Genshin Impact
· Honkai Starrail
· Baldur's Gate
· Death Must Die*
· Rimworld*
· Elden Ring*
· Lies of P*




Please, as always, try to be civil: this isn't an invitation to start flaming other games out of FFXIV pride or vice versa. We have enough friction in the other threads to fuel a fusion reactor as it is.

Imagining the elden ring playthrough of an average ffxiv player is a fun exercise.

[Sivante]

Imagining the elden ring playthrough of an average ffxiv player is a fun exercise.

Annnnnnd that's my new game for the weekend. Imagining FFXIV players first playthroughs of Elden Ring is delightful and I'm a fool for not having thought of it. Thannnnk you vvery much.

[LilimoLimomo]

Annnnnnd that's my new game for the weekend. Imagining FFXIV players first playthroughs of Elden Ring is delightful and I'm a fool for not having thought of it. Thannnnk you vvery much.

Honestly, I find so much joy in watching unskilled players play games. Gaming has been my main hobby for decades now so the conventions of games as well as the associated problem-solving comes incredibly naturally to me, and it can be easy to forget just how different that can be for people with different life experiences. Watching the way someone who lacks my skills and experience engages with the game really gets me out of my own head; it's both educational and grounding, and I get a genuine kick out of both of those things.

(Probably especially because I've worked as a game designer and have a passion for seeing how the design of games can either lead players towards or away from success in various contexts.)

[Sivante]

Honestly, I find so much joy in watching unskilled players play games. Gaming has been my main hobby for decades now so the conventions of games as well as the associated problem-solving comes incredibly naturally to me, and it can be easy to forget just how different that can be for people with different life experiences. Watching the way someone who lacks my skills and experience engages with the game really gets me out of my own head; it's both educational and grounding, and I get a genuine kick out of both of those things.

(Probably especially because I've worked as a game designer and have a passion for seeing how the design of games can either lead players towards or away from success in various contexts.)

100%. I don't say it with any malice or judgement, but watching a less versed player go up against a boss I'm stuck on really opens my head up. That and it's just downright enjoyable watching them experiment and go through the cycle of suffering, into formulating a plan, into executing it.

My play: Ret, Ret, Ret, opening, exploit -> trigger grease wire, punish, push, lost momentum begin to ret, ret, repeat cycle for opening.
Boring, Sterile, clinical.

Their play: IS THAT GOD? AM I FIST FIGHTING GOD RIGHT NOW? ... ... I guess I'm gonna go punch god.
Exhilarating, fresh, excited.

Let alone, yeah, seeing how the games design directs them and seeing if they caught it, or if the design didn't quite capture their attention enough.