Peripherial Gaming in ARR

[Charmin]

Hi all, I posted this in my Lodestone blog but I figure I'd make my first splash into the forum scene with these ideas as well. I would love to hear player feedback. I am especially excited because I know that community/SE staff read these posts. I really love that level of known involvement. So with that, I humbly submit my article "Peripheral Gaming in A Realm Reborn".

In our modern world we have seen the incorporation of a great many aspects of our life in a portable, digital fashion. How many of us have non-laptop mobile devices as compared to two, five, or ten years ago? We have also seen an age of user-created content being offered up to enhance or replace the mainstream. YouTube is replacing TV. Kickstarter is replacing older funding methods. Third-party mods replace traditional UI/HUDs in games like MMOs. So, too, then do apps replace or enhance functional or entertaining minutiae in our days.

So, in this proposal, I would like to recommend the design and implementation of an Eorzan application for mobile devices. Not content to just sit back and offer a broad thought, here are some specifics that would be nice to see:

1. Lodestone/SE Account Access. This could be a convenient way to direct players to use the site more than they do already. Blogs, news, or even a little "kweh!" (i.e. Twitter) box to chirp to your friends about what's going on. It can also be used for bill reminders, payment options, or to notify if maintenance is going on.

2. Active Experience. Somewhat like rested experience only this feature measures your steps (as most if not all mobile devices capable of running an app like this have an accelerometer) and rewards your in-game character with a bonus when you log in. It keep the game concise and casual and rewards players for going outside every once in a while.

3. Remote Tasks. Wouldn't it be great to sit down at your computer and just worry about bonking mosters, exploring the countryside, or doing an exciting levequest? Wouldn't it be nice to get all your crafting done at other times like lunch breaks, in the bathroom (admit it!), or on a car ride (don't craft and drive, folks). Remote tasks would allow you to craft, buy/sell from the AH, raise/breed a chocobo, or even gather (more on that below) during your down time so you don't have to feel like you are "wasting time" in-game staring at a glowing ball for hours. This could also help facilitate Free Company storage/distribution.

4. Literal Linkshell. Your device becomes your linkshell(s) with a built in feature akin to texting or tweeting. Talk with your friends, coordinate events, or just check in and see who is doing what. This would allow device-to-game communication for friends who are logged in to FFXIV proper. You can send tells, modify your friend list, or invite others to your linkshell/free company.

5. Quest/Achievement Tracking. Log off between quest parts? Not sure how many creatures you need to slay before you reach your next tier? This app can offer a checklist for you to see where you left off or to help make goals. The ability to make your own bucket list would be nice too by making your own schedule that your app can remind you the next time you log in so you don't forget/get distracted. From the dropdown menus you can choose some options like (can even be loaded with preset terms from the auto-translator):

[DO WHAT]------[WHOM/WHERE]------[WITH]------[FOR]
*Defeat-----------*Ul'dah------------*Linkshell----*Artifact
*Craft------------*Camp XYZ--------*Full Party---*Experience
*Explore----------*Gobcog-----------*Retainer----*Achievement
*Obtain-----------*Grand Company---*X NPC------*Gil
*Quest------------*Swordchucks-----*Y Friend-----*Relic
*Leve-------------*Garuda------------*PUG--------*Z Player
*Other------------*Other-------------*Other------*Other

6. Share With Friends. This app could allow you to expand, contract, and stay in touch with your social list as well as linkshell if you are of that authority. Additionally it can be used to show off screencaps to friends who do/n't play. Incorporating a service like Skype or GroupMe (we'll just call it LinkChat") for offline or even online communication would be beneficial as well.

7. Augmented Reality and Imaging. This technology is steadily creeping into our lives everywhere. The 3DS is a good example of this. This app can work in conjunction with your camera so you can take "pictures of yourself" in the real world. Wouldn't it be neat to pose with your character outside your house? Or to replace the background of a place with an image from the game? Maybe you can "equip yourself" as a player with the same armor your character wears? Think of the fun contests that could be added because of this (which is PR for SE and our community!).

8. Mini Games. Somewhat related to above but in its own category, this could allow for a lot of little FFXIV related mini-games to be made and played. Maybe you can parlay with friends for a sum of gil or item reward? What if you used the AR function to combine with point 3 above to "gather" from trees in your neighborhood while you are walking your dog and getting "active experience" as well?

I hope you all enjoyed these ideas. Maybe one day we can see them come to fruition? But as a player I feel I wouldn't be doing my job in adding my voice to the continued construction of this game if I didn't say anything!

[Starlord]

I cracked up when by the way I read this:

*Defeat-----------*Ul'dah------------*Linkshell----*Artifact

Defeat Ul'dah with Linkshell for Artifact! Haha!

Must... Kill... Ul'Dah!

[Rau]

Wii Fit Balance board integration. Get to it SE.

[Wolfie]

Careful there, you're steering into modern MMO gaming with your suggestions. We don't take kindly to those kinds of things here.

[moriandrio]

3. Remote Tasks. Wouldn't it be great to sit down at your computer and just worry about bonking mosters, exploring the countryside, or doing an exciting levequest? Wouldn't it be nice to get all your crafting done at other times like lunch breaks, in the bathroom (admit it!), or on a car ride (don't craft and drive, folks). Remote tasks would allow you to craft, buy/sell from the AH, raise/breed a chocobo, or even gather (more on that below) during your down time so you don't have to feel like you are "wasting time" in-game staring at a glowing ball for hours. This could also help facilitate Free Company storage/distribution.

This sounds to me like asking for a legal bot.

[Wolfie]

This sounds to me like asking for a legal bot.

If it requires human interaction it's not a bot.

[moriandrio]

If crafting/gathering etc should be done while eating lunch there is no human interaction and is exactly what bots do now. OP asking for a feature so he don't have to craft/gather etc. during his active playtime.

Anyway I don't think its a good idea to go too deep in this app line. It's fine for chat check AH but crafting/farming etc. no thanks...

[Scy]

OP, just run. Run now as fast as you can. Id give you a fire extinguisher but with a suggestion like that you likely have a conflagration coming your way. May The Twelve welcome you with open arms.

[Charmin]

Careful there, you're steering into modern MMO gaming with your suggestions. We don't take kindly to those kinds of things here.

Reckon we don't take kindly ta thems what don't take kindly, mmhmm! *spitoo*

If crafting/gathering etc should be done while eating lunch there is no human interaction and is exactly what bots do now. OP asking for a feature so he don't have to craft/gather etc. during his active playtime

I appreciate your feedback. In concept this is not a bot. Human interaction is absolutely necessary to do this as it would still involve a little minigame or haptic interface/button pushing. If it were to be implemented, it is an option that players can use to enhance their play experience and make better use of limited time online. This isn't meant to wholly replace traditional crafting. Sometimes kneeling in silence for hours at a time staring at a glowing ball can be relaxing. But what if I could simply craft an item here and there in my spare time? There could be limitations to extraneous things like this such as how much it can be used or a cap on items between physical FFXIV proper logins. Think of the PokeWalker as kiiiiind of an example. Or if you play an app-based game called Rage of Bahamut how there is a bar that must refill between actions before you can continue. I hope this clarifies my point.

OP, just run. Run now as fast as you can. Id give you a fire extinguisher but with a suggestion like that you likely have a conflagration coming your way. May The Twelve welcome you with open arms.

I'll have faith in my FFXIV Community to not whip this up into a poostorm the likes of which has not been witnessed since the first episode of PS&G haha!

[radstar88]

I like everything you have suggested :-)