[dev1008] About Jumping

[gifthorse]

Mmm... I'm sorry I kinda zoned out reading some of the responses. Though, someone mentioned jumping opening new game design avenues and such, which I'll respond to. D:

This ties in a bit with my previous post, but XIV handles a bit differently than other mmos out there, and tends to focus on other styles of play. Other games like WoW incorporate jumping into the gameplay by, as someone mentioned, using it to avoid attacks, solve platforming puzzles, and the like, something XIV isn't really built to do. While there is nothing necessarily stopping XIV from doing something similar, a lot about the way the game handles would need to be altered. The game world isn't very conducive to free-form jumping and a lot of the timing mechanics have to do with ability activation instead. It's not the kind of game that promotes platforming.

I'm having a bit of trouble exactly describing what I mean so... as an analogy, it'd be like adding platforming elements to an rts game. XIV would probably be much better off adding new gameplay features and complexity elements in other areas. Improving inter-player communication and cooperation, ability timing, expanding on the limb targeting mechanic, etc. While jumping in some games adds a level of depth, it'd be nothing more than a gimmick in XIV, since the game's philosophy doesn't appear to put a lot of emphasis on movement and more on placement and timing.

The idea of expanding gameplay so that new events and such can be created is a good one and should definitely be looked into. However, jumping doesn't seem, in my mind, to be the proper vehicle for that trip. XIV isn't a fast paced, platformer style mmo like a lot of others out there. It's slower paced and likes to put more emphasis on timing and combos.

Might have been a bit hard to follow what I said lol. I'm having trouble thinking straight at the moment, so forgive me if that didn't come out very clearly.

Oh right, one last point. I think jumping would be fine but only in a confined way. Free-form jumping wouldn't mesh well with the game. Specific trigger points, abilities that are defensive in nature and respond to certain attacks by jumping, and the like I think would be fine. Having the space bar make you jump whenever you feel like it however, ultimately, wouldn't add any amount of depth. =/

I think I understand what you're trying to say, but your whole point rests on your own interpretation of what FFXIV is as a game. And... to be honest, whether it's true or not, the fact remains that maybe nobody but a select few want to even play that game. The focus for combat in FFXIV is more centered on tactics and teamwork, which i agree with, but that has nothing to do with the mechanics of exploration, which is why I think jump should be implemented.

If your only resistance to jumping, which would add depth to exploration, is because it "wouldn't mesh with the game", then I have to ask why we would want to play a game that thinks exploration and linearity are compatible concepts?

They just aren't compatible. You can't expect to strike out on your own when the path only leads one way.

If you are placed on a flat, narrow, tunnel, with only one axis of movement, then how is that exploration? If you then add jumping which is automated and only in specific places, then that is also linear and limiting.

A fantasy MMO is supposed to be about adventure. Having the game dictate as to where you should explore defeats the purpose of exploration. Automatic jumping adds nothing and shouldn't even be implemented.

If the only reason it is to be implemented is to clear certain obstacles, then climbing would be more aesthetically pleasing anyway.