Please bring back surplus

[lackofwords]

From your account, WoW only switched terms around.
Extra Credits: Energy Systems
http://extra-credits.net/episodes/energy-systems/ @1m30s & 3m20s

FFXIV revamped their EXP system a bunch of times.
Not only did they get rid of skill points, which the amount you gain can vary greatly with the same mob,
in turn got rid of rank and just stuck with level and experience points.
They also added link bonus, chain bonus, and removed Guardian's Aspect which adding EXP bonus only on leves.
Removed as well the large EXP bonus by leve links with party members.

Anyhow, aside from all the changes, the current rested bonus doesn't even work nearly as close to surplus did. Surplus had a set timer where it would have reset regardless on a weekly timer. Rest bonus depends on how long you just stay at the inn, and not determined by any set server timers.

And like you've mentioned surplus would cut your skill point gain to 0 after a certain point. Literally forcing you to stop leveling that job. I think there was some way to mitigate hitting fatigue by leveling up another job, but that's aside from the point.

Purpose of the designs;

Design of surplus, they wanted players to take a break from the fatigued job and try out other jobs, not necessarily to stop playing the game. This was invasive, the game prevents you from progressing the fatigued job any further and dictates when or how you'll be allowed you to again.

Design of obtaining rested bonus is pretty much telling you to log off the game since the only other thing you can do in the inn is re-watch cutscenes, or sort your inventory. This isn't really invasive because when the player wants to just stop playing, they would stop on their own accord, and if they desire, retire their character at an inn.

Komoto's Official Explanation on Surplus Points
http://ffxiv.zam.com/story.html?story=23092

Job Fatigue article
http://ffxiv.gamerescape.com/wiki/Job_Fatigue

Letter from the Producer, V (03/03/2011) - mentions purpose of fatigue on Question #7
http://lodestone.finalfantasyxiv.com...16083b634f7678