The Unknown!

[Rokien]

This is an interesting idea if the internet was resourceful as it was 15 years ago. With such an easy access to the internet, all you are doing is delaying people 2-3 minutes to find the location. Also, you do underestimate the power of the internet, people will put those small quests in their database, and achievement seekers will use it.

That's not the point I KNOW that people will use the interenet to look up stuff, that's not the point.

[Punainen]

Do you people just hate the feeling of discovery, or is it just Rokien spite?

Neither. I just have sense enough to know it wont work. If it would work, sure, but it most definitely will not.

[Rokien]

Neither. I just have sense enough to know it wont work. If it would work, sure, but it most definitely will not.

Why wouldn't it work? I don't see how it wouldn't work, and don't say "Because you can look it up on the internet~" You do know that TONS of games do secret stuff and they do get posted online, so that should stop from an online game from doing that as well? I just don't see your guys logic.

[Themis]

Why wouldn't it work? I don't see how it wouldn't work, and don't say "Because you can look it up on the internet~" You do know that TONS of games do secret stuff and they do get posted online, so that should stop from an online game from doing that as well? I just don't see your guys logic.

As a game play element, and on a personal level within the confines of the game, there's no reason why it can't work. It worked in XI (at least I don't remember seeing any markers/flags above NPCs heads); you weren't forced to use information from outside of the game. Where it doesn't strictly work is when you move outside of the game. As a whole community, once a single person finds a hidden quest/item etc and makes it known, then, technically, it's not a secret anymore, but the last time I checked a single person doesn't make up the community and so that particular secret is still secret to them. But that's being technical and isn't the point.

People are so used to looking up information and getting an edge over the metagame that a lot of things done in games are no longer fun or interesting. Take fights like Ifrit/Garuda or the raid events. Even when a person hasn't done said event(s) they already know what party setup is going to give them the better chance to win. The same thing applies when your trying to work out quests. Some people like the thrill of coming across a new area and getting to learn something about it and the people that may be there. One of my favorite memories from XI was exploring Pso'xja and coming across those colored bracelets and being surprised by 2 NMs spawning right behind me. The only reason I used guides was because the quest information was highly lacking. With these proper journals for quest details, there's no reason why quests shouldn't have enough information given in game to complete them. If you need guides, there's something wrong with the game play design and that needs to be fixed.

I think that quest flags are good when used as part of the learning curve of the game, getting players to talk to NPCs they meet; it's part of being an adventurer after all. After that , though, it should be optional at least.

What might be interesting is giving NPCs a bit of character and having some variety in how they alert the player to quests they have/help they need. For example, I personally wouldn't be shouting attention for help to random strangers, but I would ask friends and people I can trust to help. Having flags appear on NPCs who you've done quests for before, in which they were initially quiet about needing help, is a good implementation of this. Or, you could have a fame system like there was in XI, in which more and more quests would be flagged up as NPCs become more inclined to seek your help. This doesn't mean that said quests only become active at certain fame levels, for the most part those quests could always be obtainable (you may have level/class requirements to meet). This doesn't mean all NPCs have to do this, though. Some may need more than supposed popularity/fame before giving out quests.

tl;dr
I don't want to be led by the hand on everything the game has to offer; it should be optional at the least. Doesn't mean there can't be a bit of creativity in it's implementation, though. And nothing to say some quests shouldn't be harder to find than most.

[Krausus]

Why wouldn't it work? I don't see how it wouldn't work, and don't say "Because you can look it up on the internet~" You do know that TONS of games do secret stuff and they do get posted online, so that should stop from an online game from doing that as well? I just don't see your guys logic.

whats the point when people will just look it up? The more you are able to see it in game the less likely you are to be "playing" the quest database just as much as the game itself. Runescape is a decent time killer at work but I spend just as much time on the Runescape Wiki as I do on the game, almost feels like I'm not really playing the game. Keep in mind I'm only speaking about quests.

[Zephen_Kellen]

I get the point here. It is the fact that someone some where will have to find it. That person may be remembered for all tie or lost in a memory in a matter of minutes. There are those that do not like to play with too much online support. I like the idea. It would be a little something to look for. Would not be much different just would give people some more pride in the fact the found it and then did it. I would only make some higher level quests like that. No lower level. If you are high level you usually have more time.

[Hulan]

There is certainly precedent for this in FFXIV. More to the point, you say "quests" but this same itch can also be scratched with any number of "secret" content. For example, "secret" revealing conversations that give you insight into a location, person, or nation. For instance, did you know that the Amalj'aa dig up the bodies of dead, embalmed Ul'dahians, and cover their weapons in the embalming fluids to prevent them from rusting?

Things like the aforementioned Wandering Minstrel, Imperial Attacks, etc go to show that they do have some of this in mind already. Though mystery can be a double edged sword, posting obligatory FFXI reference:

[Rokien]

whats the point when people will just look it up? The more you are able to see it in game the less likely you are to be "playing" the quest database just as much as the game itself. Runescape is a decent time killer at work but I spend just as much time on the Runescape Wiki as I do on the game, almost feels like I'm not really playing the game. Keep in mind I'm only speaking about quests.

SO you are telling me EVERY SINGLE PLAYER game should not have ANY secrets.... Gotchya. Tons and tons of single player games have secret quests, items, everything, YOU CAN LOOK THOSE UP ONLINE! Wow, yet, they don't STOP making those secrets.

[Rokien]

There is certainly precedent for this in FFXIV. More to the point, you say "quests" but this same itch can also be scratched with any number of "secret" content. For example, "secret" revealing conversations that give you insight into a location, person, or nation. For instance, did you know that the Amalj'aa dig up the bodies of dead, embalmed Ul'dahians, and cover their weapons in the embalming fluids to prevent them from rusting?

Things like the aforementioned Wandering Minstrel, Imperial Attacks, etc go to show that they do have some of this in mind already. Though mystery can be a double edged sword, posting obligatory FFXI reference:

made me laugh.

[Rokien]

Nothing to see here. Keep moving on people.

Nothing to see here?
NPC探しではなく、クエストのストーリーを理解することなどに探究心を費やして欲しいと考えているため、現状のような仕様にしていますが、AF装備など、置かれている場所を探して欲しいものについては、探究要素を残していく予定です。
We have it set up this way because we want the players to spend time understanding the quests story more rather than spending time on trying to find the NPC, but for quests such as AF gear which we want you to find the location we are planning to leave features where you have to research.