[dev1034] One vision / wishlist for Grand Companies

[Amineri]

To start off with, I'll list the assumptions I'm making (which are based on what scant info has been released). See here for the details.

a) Grand Companies will be NPC entities, not player-run
b) Grand Companies will supply quests of 'epic' nature
c) Grand Companies will also offer soloable quests
d) Grand Companies will have interactions of some sort with linkshells

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Now, for my dream / vision / suggestion

Grand Companies off a wide variety of quests
Quests may range from defending a hamlet from on oncoming horde of beastmen, to attacking a Garlean Attack Force, all the way down to gathering materials needed to create Grand Company buildings

Direct Rewards for are Grand Company Marks
Gil will matter very little with regard to Grand Companies. Instead, characters prove their worth by completing quests for the Grand Company, and receive Marks to represent how much 'favor' is owed the character. Unlike other Marks in the game, I think that GC Marks will be trade-able, and hence can be bought/sold for gil.

Grand Company Marks are Used to Access "Guild" Features
If enough GC Marks are pooled to the leader of a linkshell, that linkshell can then purchase / rent facilities from the Grand Company that mirror features usually granted to guilds in other MMOs. This list could include:
a) Linkshell bank
b) Linkshell emblem on cloaks/shields that can be worn by linkshell members
c) Linkshell common hall
d) Linkshell merchants in hamlets
e) Linkshell sailing ships or airships
f) etc <help me fill this in!>

Grand Company Marks can be used by individuals
Solo players may complete quests and accumulate GC Marks, and so to not leave them out, certain things may be made available to individuals, including:
a) Purchase / rental of chocobo mount
b) Purchase of a house
c) Company-specific gear with a unique look
d) etc <help me fill this in!>

These are all some random, wishful thinking-type thoughts, so please feel free to chime in with suggestions or more ideas!

[Arcell]

They've already said that the Grand Companies of Eorzea will be NPC driven but that they are also examining player run companies. Yoshida doesn't want to put something like that in until they can develop and create a reason for it.

[Punxsutawney]

Those are some good ideas, Ami. I just hope they don't do them like the public quests in Warhammer. I think Amineri's ideas would keep them far different than Warhammer's public quests. The issue with the ones in Warhammer, was that the lower level ones, pretty much became deserted. And that is never fun. But if you are giving people incentives, other than exp and bad gear, you may be able to keep them a bit more populated, and not have zones that people never play in anymore. I think the LS upgrades would be an excellent idea, as well as the mount and house additions.

[Khaap]

Upgrades upgrades and more upgrades,

Working towards a common goal is always a great thing for a clan / guild / linkshell to do no matter what the game.

Vanguard did this fairly well with the houses / clan houses and also the ships. As you could work together to get everyone their own plot and also work towards the clan house, giving the entire game a great community feel around these areas and being a real selling point for a linkshell.

Warhammer did it well with the rank system for the guilds. Each member being able to contribute just by playing the game but the guild also being able to work to better objectives. Various levels giving more options for the guild.

A key part for a lot of people in an MMO is being in a good linkshell / guild. Working towards common goals brings those people closer together and strengthens the game in so many ways.

Admittedly linkshell targets on there own cannot be considered the be all and end all of MMO gaming but certainly on top of great content like we had in FFXI it would certainly make for a great overall situation.

I want the features like clan banks , linkshell emblems on gear, linkshell housing, linkshell special access / boats but all of those I want the linkshell to earn through various quests and mostly through general activity. Ideally I would love to see linkshell ranks having limit breaks so when we earned enough linkshell SP we would then need to complete some quest as a group in order to progress further. Perhaps some of those quests requiring us to pick our best 6 players to attempt the next instance? Others requiring every person to be available. Others still requiring a mix of our best crafters to attempt a challenge set within the instance and of course gatherers to gather the huge range of materials required but only possible via a special instanced zone where you have to hand in the special materials gathered to an NPC in the zone which would then go to your linkshell total.

[Ivar]

Working towards a common goal is always a great thing for a clan / guild / linkshell to do no matter what the game.

A key part for a lot of people in an MMO is being in a good linkshell / guild. Working towards common goals brings those people closer together and strengthens the game in so many ways.

Admittedly linkshell targets on there own cannot be considered the be all and end all of MMO gaming but certainly on top of great content like we had in FFXI it would certainly make for a great overall situation.

I want the features like clan banks , linkshell emblems on gear, linkshell housing, linkshell special access / boats but all of those I want the linkshell to earn through various quests and mostly through general activity. Ideally I would love to see linkshell ranks having limit breaks so when we earned enough linkshell SP we would then need to complete some quest as a group in order to progress further. Perhaps some of those quests requiring us to pick our best 6 players to attempt the next instance? Others requiring every person to be available. Others still requiring a mix of our best crafters to attempt a challenge set within the instance and of course gatherers to gather the huge range of materials required but only possible via a special instanced zone where you have to hand in the special materials gathered to an NPC in the zone which would then go to your linkshell total.

I think most of things I would like to see come out of so called "Companies". I am going to refrain from making suggestions because I have not played any other MMO's except this and FF11.