Quote Originally Posted by Mikey_R View Post
If you were to choose between a fan fest that didn't show anything new and seemed just like the others, or, one where they showed they want to make massive changes, which one would you chose?
Not the person you quoted, but I think I kinda agree with them. And then to answer your question, I'd have not shown specific classes during the first fan fest until I'm ready to at least show 50%+ basically, importantly at least one of each role, some comparative examples (at least one pair of DPS and healer and tank from the same sub-role so I can show how they differentiate) and varied specific examples of combat not just the target dummy. It's okay if a fair few classes are still in the oven, but enough for players to get a more specific idea maybe.

And then before that - like this fanfest - I'd have talked in generics. With lots of "why" and info about the design process more. Show individual abilities if need be (like the Dragoon separated side positionals) but not whole jobs and not specific examples.

Although to be fair I don't see it as as big issue either. MMORPG communities enjoy doomchanting, hence any information at all would have had this effect of endless OMG THE SKY IS FALLING threads. But it'd be smarter from a communication perspective to go generics -> specifics -> whole classes over the three fanfests, IMO.