Please stop destroying the playerbase + fix blacklist

[yesnt]

I'm honestly heartbroken over the direction this game seems to be heading. After the ban of Mare, I've had multiple friends tell me outright that the game is dead to them. These weren’t "just" people who modded, they were dedicated players who raided, roleplayed, and built a thriving community around this game. Seeing them quit one after another is honestly devastating.

While I understand that the TOS was technically broken, I still think this was a bad decision. I've heard assumptions that Mare was removed because it collects player data in a similar way Playerscope did. But this issue will persist until player IDs are properly protected from within the game itself. Everything else is just a bandaid, and deep down, I think we all know that.

I might even dare to say the Blacklist feature is a failure in its current form. Blacklisted users can still read everything posted in (semi-)public channels. Players can still track the location of anyone on their friend list, even after that person removes them. What's the point of a blacklist if all it does is cover my own ears and eyes? I want to be invisible to them as much as they are invisible to me. We all know deep down, the problem is not the plugin, the problem is that the gates to player data are still wide open.

It feels like the joy is being chipped away piece by piece, and this latest decision was the final straw for many. I'm not going to repeat every complaint that has been voiced countless times here, but it adds to the recent events. It's painful watching a community I love fall apart like this.

I'm not sure where this is heading, but I sincerely hope the devs have some very convincing content and features ready to make this game worth the subscription again, because right now, yes, it feels like they're shooting themselves in the foot. Please, stop driving away the very players who have kept this world alive for so long and fix the issues that have been addressed multiple times before.

[Ath192]

I'm honestly heartbroken over the direction this game seems to be heading. After the ban of Mare, I've had multiple friends tell me outright that the game is dead to them. These weren’t "just" people who modded, they were dedicated players who raided, roleplayed, and built a thriving community around this game. Seeing them quit one after another is honestly devastating.

While I understand that the TOS was technically broken, I still think this was a bad decision. I've heard assumptions that Mare was removed because it collects player data in a similar way Playerscope did. But this issue will persist until player IDs are properly protected from within the game itself. Everything else is just a bandaid, and deep down, I think we all know that.

I might even dare to say the Blacklist feature is a failure in its current form. Blacklisted users can still read everything posted in (semi-)public channels. Players can still track the location of anyone on their friend list, even after that person removes them. What's the point of a blacklist if all it does is cover my own ears and eyes? I want to be invisible to them as much as they are invisible to me. We all know deep down, the problem is not the plugin, the problem is that the gates to player data are still wide open.

It feels like the joy is being chipped away piece by piece, and this latest decision was the final straw for many. I'm not going to repeat every complaint that has been voiced countless times here, but it adds to the recent events. It's painful watching a community I love fall apart like this.

I'm not sure where this is heading, but I sincerely hope the devs have some very convincing content and features ready to make this game worth the subscription again, because right now, yes, it feels like they're shooting themselves in the foot. Please, stop driving away the very players who have kept this world alive for so long and fix the issues that have been addressed multiple times before.

Business will only listen to money. If you want change you need to speak with your wallet. A store doesn't care how you feel about it if you keep buying their stuff does it?

Personally I want official change, not players jerry rigging the game to keep playing it. But if they are leaving and taking their money elsewhere that is sending a message and pressuring the company.

[yesnt]

Business will only listen to money. If you want change you need to speak with your wallet. A store doesn't care how you feel about it if you keep buying their stuff does it?

Did you even read my post or-

[Ath192]

Did you even read my post or-

I did, you are heartbroken, so I am responding to that and telling you feeling bad about it won't change it. Only numbers will.

[yesnt]

Well, I just stressed that another bunch of players announced quitting, so the numbers are going to speak.

I am still expressing myself here because I can.

[Ath192]

Well, I just stressed that another bunch of players announced quitting, so the numbers are going to speak.

I am still expressing myself here because I can.

Of course, just be aware that as long as you are subbed and paying for their services, you are rewarding the company with your hard earned money and support it.

I'll give you an example. I don't like the direction of the game right now. However, I am supporting the graphical update for this expansion, that is the only reason I am subbed. Next one may be my last. I strongly believed a graphics update is necesarry and rewarding them for that, and that only.

[Its_Kazzy_D]

Blacklist I agree with you on. It's still not working as well as it could and should be and really needs to be prioritised.

In regards to people leaving, I'm sorry your friends are leaving and completely understand the hurt. However, I can say fairly confidently that if people were needing Mare to enjoy the game, they were going to leave anyway. It doesn't make it any better, I know, but it's another thing where I think blame is being misfired.

[HyperiusUltima]

The only reason I'm still subbed is because of the friends and people I've met since I've started playing FFXIV. There's a lot of emotional value and achievements with the relationships I've made over time. Been a blast with the experiences and it's helped me grow as a person in some cases as well - though, the other reason I stay is because even if it's screaming into the void, I watch and read to understand the problems and make my own opinions as to why Square's been doing these things and criticize them where it's problematic - like with the Cash Shop.

Of course, labeling as a serial complainer isn't always great but sometimes it's necessary to point out the issue and bring it to light.

[theunhappypotato]

i'll let my sub run out cause the game has become so uniteresting and stale that my time and money is better spend elsewhere (liek spreading democrussy) and i hope many people come to the same realization

[Aelin_Ashryver]

I don't think the mare enjoyers number so many that they will make that much difference. Esp not when it's not like they will all quit. Modders should look only at themselves for this, people charging for mods is ridiculous, the mod also affecting others clients is cause for concern for SE I would imagine, it's not like others that affect only the one system. Then the constant shouts about it, it's in your profiles etc etc. And the amount of blatant ERP in public spaces is just ew. I can't even stand around in certain areas without some weirdo making weird comments at times.

I think the game will be better off without it, even then there is alternatives. SE needs to improve character customisation though.

I've got my share of gripes with the game but mare dying is good in my book. Maybe there is a shred of hope for RP community to be open to everyone again not just pc players.