Exit survey when unsubscribing is laughable

[Mawlzy]

I recently unsubscribed from FFXIV.

After completing the process, a "survey" pops up. It contains one question with eight possible answers, of which you can choose one and only one to explain why you are unsubscribing.

None of these questions make any reference to game content. You can indicate you are taking a break, or have financial issues, or are leaving because your friends are leaving.

I could have chosen that last option, but I felt the more accurate response was

"I am no longer interested in the game."

How much useful information does that give to SQEX? My data point is, of course, irrelevant, but data from tens of thousands of departing players would be incredibly valuable in helping direct the game in a direction players actually want.

But I don't think SQEX really cares about the players. They have their templates and their schedule, and that is just the way it is going to be.

Anyone who has played the game for years, investing financially, emotionally and socially, does not unsubscribe without considerable reflection and sometimes pain. I am going to miss my WoL and the world she inhabits dreadfully.

Abandoning those investments and connections indicates a massive dislocation between the unsubscribing player and the game. Why doesn't SQEX have any interest in the reasons for that dislocation?

I recently reactivated my EVE Online accounts. I was sent a 20-minute survey containing over 30 questions that asked me how I interacted with the game. What content did I enjoy? What content would I like to see more of? Am I more interested in X or Y or Z rewards?

I've had a sour taste in my mouth for some time, produced by the apparent indifference SQEX, the director, and the devs show towards the players. Sure feedback occasionally has an effect. It took the 14-related internet to catch fire to compel SQEX to correct issues with FT, which would have never occurred in the first place if they understood their players and, arguably, their own game.

The funny thing is, had this so-called exit survey indicated the slightest interest in why I was leaving, I would have probably resubscribed for 8.0. Now? Never say never, I guess, but if I do come back it will be to see my WoL again, not because of this callous company.

[ServerCollaps]

does quitting include obsessively staying in the forums? Maybe dont interact with ff14 at all, if you dislike it that much

[Mawlzy]

does quitting include obsessively staying in the forums? Maybe dont interact with ff14 at all, if you dislike it that much

See, you're expanding on my point. Had they given me a little box to type "any additional feedback," I could have told them what I thought of a subsection of the community, and how that made my decision easier.

[brinn12]

OP got the typical "don't like it, don't engage with it" answer in record time. Guess reading comprehension will always be hard for some.

[Gurgeh]

I recently unsubscribed from FFXIV.
...
I recently reactivated my EVE Online accounts. ...
.

Can you see what you are doing Square Enix?!

That damage you are causing!

People are actually relapsing into Eve Online now! These are real people. With families and loved ones.

Just how many 100s or even 1000s of hours of League of Legends have you been instrumental in!

Something has got to give!
I just don't know how clear the message has to be until you act!

No, in all seriousness Mawlzy, genuinely really sorry for you. Your WoL represented a lot 'hope' and you cared for it and it's friends. It was a representation of how you cared for yourself. It became 'part' of yourself and then you have to leave that love for yourself behind. I'm confident I know some of how you feel.

(and I just know there are some sick F savage/FT players out there who like to grief once they've done their clearing. The same people who just shout 'get good' when you can't keep up with the Fate hunt, who genuinely find that hilarious. And yes, they will be the FTers. Because all the rest of the time they are silent in chat when not making people feel shit. Why? They are yapping away on discord to their 'sniper' resenting cronies about the contempt they have for their fellow players. "We will not heal you".)

- SE, when you 'forcefully' push people away from your game they 'have' to brutally stop caring about their 'WoL'.
- Then your whole game falls apart except for the 'gameplay'. Because so the rewards, the glams, THE RELICS, the hairstyles, the minions, the mounts, the collecting the furnishings you can't use, (I'm going to repeat that again) THE RELICS, ... they all become worthless.

Even when I resubbed I knew I wasn't interested in the relic. Relics are for your permanent subbers.
Not people who "play other games".

That's really bad if you are counting on it to bring people back after a drought.

ESPECIALLY if you are so MONUMENTALLY stupid as to not create an normal 'playable' set piece instance, for the now out of practice player.

[Mawlzy]

OP got the typical "don't like it, don't engage with it" answer in record time. Guess reading comprehension will always be hard for some.

Oh I don't imagine they read the OP.

[I]Can you see what you are doing Square Enix?!

That damage you are causing!

People are actually relapsing into Eve Online now!

Haha! I'd be the first to admit EVE is somewhat niche. But it is damning that someone would abandon FF14 to play PvE in a game known best for full-loss, hardcore PvP.

[Rein_eon_Osborne]

I recently unsubscribed from FFXIV.

After completing the process, a "survey" pops up. It contains one question with eight possible answers, of which you can choose one and only one to explain why you are unsubscribing.

None of these questions make any reference to game content. You can indicate you are taking a break, or have financial issues, or are leaving because your friends are leaving[...]

NGL, little bird told me that the exit survey is so terrible they're branded "might as well don't exist"-level, but I didn't expect for it to be that bad - it's just disheartening to confirm this.

It reminded me of the one survey they've sent out to me at some point in the past - the one that could be boiled down to "What would you like to see in our mogstation?" lol... Got any feedback to leave? Game tell us to come... here... It's just callous, insensitive, and unhelpful.

[Carin-Eri]

Oh I don't imagine they read the OP.

Could be worse. I mean, if you posted this on Reddit the 'thread' would simply be downvoted into oblivion.

That as an aside, whilst am not quite sufficiently offended to cancel my sub I totally agree with you. They're not going to actual learn very much with an exit poll which presents such a limited method of feedback - even a 'any additional information' box would be something, surely? Although I suspect the whole thing is just 'lip service' anyway, really.

And am going to miss you here, Mawlzy - you've demonstrated a level of understanding toward those who don't find the game very easy that was, frankly, incredibly refreshing in a sea of "get gud" mindsets. I sincerely hope you'll come back.

[Jeeqbit]

It is a little odd. I'm pretty sure every other MMORPG tries to catch unsubscribe reasons. It's a logical thing to do in order to quickly see why a mass wave of unsubs is happening.

But knowing SE as I do, I don't think they care about actual sub numbers (or other metrics) like other MMORPGs do. If they did they wouldn't say things like "take a break, play other games". They're pretty relaxed overall, and not obsessed with metrics, and they think being obsessed with metrics doesn't lead to a good place (I agree with them on this).

However, it would still be useful to catch feedback from avenues like that.

[TaleraRistain]

It's very odd they don't at least have an additional comments box so you can explain why your reason doesn't fit any of their preconceived reasons.