Gameplay Video ( of the Presentation) is up!

[Skull_Angel]

Not flaming, just wondering what you're talking about. What Blizzard game looks this good?

The basic movement looks exactly the same. The way the camera seems to lock at points, but is also freely movable when moving (seems different from how it currently acts). The way they seemed to remove alot of the movement lock from actions...

It's not the graphics that look similar, it's the basic gameplay that looks the same.

edit; not saying it's a bad thing, but had to point it out.

[Stanislaw]

http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs...16_553498.html

Quick translation of the key points of the article above:

- August 15th was a 'business day', and hence was only open to the media and (I'm assuming) distributors. Tomorrow onwards it will be open to the public with up to three demonstrations a day, but it will cover the same topic/information.

- Gold Saucer confirmed as a 'casino' area, but will not be available immediately after launch. It will be implemented in the future.

- Confirmed avatars available for summoning/will be in story: Ifrit, Garuda, Titan, Leviathan, Shiva, Odin.

- Lots of content available in public areas for casual users.

- The 'Limit Break' system is indeed the replacement for the Battle Regimen.

- The demonstration was done through a private server located in Japan, played by Mocchi behind the stage at the Gamescom presentation.

- The specs for the computer running the demonstration was a 'high-performance desktop PC' (by today's standards). They did add that there will be no problem running the game smoothly if you can run the current FFXIV, however.

- The BLM Limit Break was, matter-of-factly, Meteor.

- Yoshi-P explains that the reason behind SE's decision to forgo an release of an official gameplay video was in part due to him not being totally satisfied with the current quality and to avoid neglecting the Japanese users/playerbase. He also adds: "please look forward to the Final Fantasy 25th anniversary event".


I predict there will be some rage over the last part, but take it what you will.

For a more through translation (although not complete yet), please refer to this post here, done by Snowy.

[Drazzan]

The basic movement looks exactly the same. The way the camera seems to lock at points, but is also freely movable when moving (seems different from how it currently acts). The way they seemed to remove alot of the movement lock from actions...

It's not the graphics that look similar, it's the basic gameplay that looks the same.

edit; not saying it's a bad thing, but had to point it out.

Many of them things you mention are a staple of Modern MMO User Interface Qualities.

People want quick response, familiar controls, and familiar User Interface elements in order to lessen the difficult and learning curve; while still providing a unique feel to the game.

Many of these things were brought to light before WoW or Blizzard as you so put; however, this does not make it the "same" game. Would you say all FPS are the same because they have Guns on the screen, and the bullets to the side?, Would you say that Age of Empires and Starcraft are the same?, Or how about Theatrhythm and Guitar Hero?
While comparisons can be made from both sides, it's what the game plays like, feels like and ultimately contains that really sets it apart from the competition.

[Jennestia]

Those are standard features of any game engine -- especially within the past 15 years.

[Archon_Diabolos]

Huh....so thats what would happen if FFVII and Skyrim had a baby together.

[Kallera]

Huh....so thats what would happen if FFVII and Skyrim had a baby together.

Only if I get to slay the town guards.

[Drazzan]

Only if I get to slay the town guards.

Skyrim? This environment looks much more pretty and varied! (Let us not mention the Skyrim Narrative either, or the clunky un-reactive feel to the combat! :3)

[Archon_Diabolos]

Skyrim? This environment looks much more pretty and varied! (Let us not mention the Skyrim Narrative either, or the clunky un-reactive feel to the combat! :3)

So true

[Skull_Angel]

Many of them things you mention are a staple of Modern MMO User Interface Qualities.

Quite true, but the current systems used in Crystal engine and what are on display in 2.0's build are markedly different. I was mostly stating how similar the new build is to WoW, as that is what it most closely resembles over any other current (MMO)RPG I've recently played.

People want quick response, familiar controls, and familiar User Interface elements in order to lessen the difficult and learning curve; while still providing a unique feel to the game.

Also true, and I agree. It's not often that new games in a similar genera have entirely different control schemes, the trick is trying to hide similarities.

Many of these things were brought to light before WoW or Blizzard as you so put; however, this does not make it the "same" game. Would you say all FPS are the same because they have Guns on the screen, and the bullets to the side?, Would you say that Age of Empires and Starcraft are the same?, Or how about Theatrhythm and Guitar Hero?
While comparisons can be made from both sides, it's what the game plays like, feels like and ultimately contains that really sets it apart from the competition.

It's all about hiding the similarities when it comes to making games "unique" these days, because (let's face it) the diversity of gameplay and gameplay mechanics has become smaller and smaller over the years. There are designs that work, and those that don't (most of which get phased out quickly or end up killing profits).

Content is the more important factor in it all, either way.

[Drazzan]

Quite true, but the current systems used in Crystal engine and what are on display in 2.0's build are markedly different. I was mostly stating how similar the new build is to WoW, as that is what it most closely resembles over any other current (MMO)RPG I've recently played.

I agree! Though I dislike it when people see this as a bad thing. They seem to forgot that, there is a reason WoW is successful, and that's because it did bring refreshing new design to the MMO market; like it or not, that cannot be denied. Perhaps it'll be time for ARR to do the same.

Also true, and I agree. It's not often that new games in a similar genre have entirely different control schemes, the trick is trying to hide similarities. It's all about hiding the similarities when it comes to making games "unique" these days, because (let's face it) the diversity of gameplay and gameplay mechanics has become smaller and smaller over the years. There are designs that work, and those that don't (most of which get phased out quickly or end up killing profits).
Content is the more important factor in it all, either way.

I think there is plenty of unique design, mechanics, style and love put into FFXIV:ARR; their biggest challenge is just convincing people to come back and give it a shot. A few clever things will go a long way to making the game successful though. Ideas such as Open Betas, and a Benchmark that perhaps include a Character Creation with the proposed "Character Trial" section of ARR; giving players a chance to run around and do emotes will certainly go a long way in helping this goal.