GM's and Their Questionable Habits...

[Wolfandre]

Before I begin, let me start by saying that I am posting on behalf of my better half. She is a nursing student and doesn't have a whole lot of time to play (keep this in mind) and doesn't frequent the forums (she gets her news from me and has been warned of all negativity we throw around in here). So let it be known that this is not a personal QQing thread.

Also, I do not wish to smear anyone at Square Enix, their employees, or any players. I post this because I want a better game and better service for everyone.

So, with that in mind, I will share my [girlfriend's] story.

So, my girlfriend, (in-game name) Adryad, and I play this game irregularly. I have more time to play than she does, being that she is a full-time student. The time we do play together we spend it with friends, accomplishing goals, and helping each other. She's not a power gamer, so she's just alright with playing the game and having fun with it. If there's an obstacle in her way that she's super passionate about, I embrace it because it's something in the game that she has found more than just a passing interest in.

This past week, we found ourselves in the projected path of Hurricane Sandy (for those wondering/worried, she hardly touched the part of Pennsylvania we live in). We, naturally, found ourselves with a lot of free time. We thought, "Why not spend this time grinding out the last bit of unobtainables we can feasibly get?" And so we did.

So around Eorzea we went. We farmed neglected NMs, walked in the Wanderer's Shadow, giggled at Hildebrand, and had a blast. Some things we had to let go, such as getting a win at Garuda (just really bad luck, for those that feel like laughing) among others. All around though, we counted down the last hours of the recorded game satisfied with our progress and waiting for A Realm Reborn with baited breath.

One of these things, the NMs, took a little maneuvering. As you may or may not know, some of these guys take a little extra oomph to take them down. With no static linkshell (getting back to the irregularity of our play times), we had to shout for help. That wasn't too hard; people were rushing about just like we were in order to get their unobtainables.

Now, we come to Haughtpox Bloatbelly. I took him down once before, and I was excited to tank him again for Addy's achievement. We gathered some people, which, for him, actually took much longer than expected. We head on out to him, caught him during the daylight, and took him down. It was a great time. As usual, we focused on his buddies before switching our attention to him. One by one, the gobbies fell, until finally, we were down to Ol' Bloaty himself.

He and I traded blows like old rivals. Addy zapped him good and our single white mage did a spectacular job and keeping me in the white nearly the entire time. Little by little his health bar dropped until, yes, it was gone. Everyone needed the kill in the party besides me. Some even had him as their twenty-fifth NM kill, and got two achievements. Nice job, everyone....

Except poor little Addy. I searched the log, hoping to take a screen capture of her achievement. But it wasn't to be found. She checked her list and saw that Bloaty was still unchecked. She logged out, back in, changed areas, even waited about an hour for the server to catch up. No dice. It wouldn't take.

Now, at this point, I am not surprised, nor am I angry. A little let down, I admit, but not any of the former. Games bug out, especially this one. No problem. I showed Addy how to contact an in-game Game Master to see if they could solve the issue. So, while the party dispersed after fighting the last of our quarry, we waited.

And waited.

No response. Finally, we got so tired (it was about four in the morning at this point) we just went to bed. The next day would be the final save. It was her last NM for the achievement. Where was the GM response? We hopped back on in the morning and she gave one more call. And so, we ran around and did more questing and such. And we waited.

And waited.

No response. We took matters into our own hands. We launched our final shouting campaign into Ul'dah. Through the spam of trolls selling Garuda wins for eight mil and people reminiscing over time spent in the game, we shouted. And, boy, were we nervous. If this was going to be as difficult to find people for as the previous evening, we were, by all accounts, very much screwed indeed.

It took a long time. And some begging bored friends. And camping our Friend Lists for people we whacked the Good King with a few days earlier. Finally, with the weight of Yoshi-P bearing down on us, we head out. Through the same process, and with many many fingers crossed, we deplete his health again. And Addy got the win.

Rejoice! Sound the trumpets! We beat the system!....but...Where were the GMs?

Turns out, a few days later they were Rick Rolling the kids in Ul'dah and trolling the players who were reading too deep into Kipih's columns.

For as invested into this game as I am and for how much I have loved this franchise since I was introduced to it, I was really disappointed, even betrayed, by this. The GMs were ignoring our calls when we really needed them and had enough gall to still mess around with the players afterward. (P.S. for anyone willing to doubt our claim, Addy got an automated "Rate your GM experience!" message.) I know the version is ending, but can we at least take it seriously?

TL;DR: In summation, with the reinvention of the game, I hope we reinvent some systems and public relations while we are at it. A bit more personal service would take this company a long way, and I mean that in earnest, not anger.

To a better Final Fantasy XIV,
Jivu Wolfasura (Wolfandre)

[Abriael]

GMs usually respond on an availability basis. When your girlfriend called them, they may have been busy answering other calls.

This past week, when they were "Rick Rolling the kids in Ul'dah and trolling the players who were reading too deep into Kipih's columns.", since there's no save going, and there's a lot less people online, they're probably much less busy answering calls, and had time to (oh my god the travesty!) generate entertainment for those that were still logged in.

To put it down simply, I'm sorry, but I don't think the GMs behaved incorrectly or "questionably" here.

[fusional]

you don't think these were outstanding circumstances? that someone made the call to rate interaction with the player base before final save higher than GM calls about a NM that's easy enough to kill again?

i'm not trying to downplay your story or anything, but it seems a bit egocentric given the timing.

[AmyNeudaiz]

I really don't see it as a big deal. If your character was bugged or something that kept you from playing the game it probably would of been different. This is so minor, so why fuss over such a thing? I'm not trying to talk down to you but GM's were more than likely swamped with more important issues like maybe preparing for these past and upcoming days.

[Rex]

With all due respect, every interaction I've had with square is nothing but personal and helpful.

[Gemma]

Idk it sucks that she didn't get the kill right away but if she got the achievement what's the problem?
And as far as the "Rick Rolling kids in Ul'dah" idk about everywhere else but that JUST happened today on my server.
So again what does that have to do with the bug you encountered?

Like everyone else is saying there was alot going on so waiting till the last minute wasn't a good idea to start with anywho

[Xmbei]

I am pretty sure I read that GM's don't deal with achievements or loot. Was like a year ago when I read a response on something to do with this. So it was very low priority and probably placed aside. Because as you said you did the kill again and she got it. What was so hard about that? And if it was a bug report like that they would of told you to post it on the forum anyways, or place a call on the support page. They don't deal with those things in game, they do deal with harassment or drastic problems on abuse on or by players.
Also pretty sure they would of told you if they did respond, Try the kill again and if it repeats then report it.
Sorry about the trouble but they don't have questionable habits as stated and known. the rickrolling and fun time GM's are for the no save game to give some livelyness in the event. I think its awesome to have live team's in game interacting with us.

[Mook_Mook]

As a nurse myself, I understand how busy she is. Keep up the good work, random guys girlfriend!

[Nix]

With all due respect, every interaction I've had with square is nothing but personal and helpful.

Pretty much this D:, GMs have always been awesome with me when I've needed something that you could say was 'worthy of their attention', if you're in deep crap and need them they're there... but your situation was easily resolvable D:

They can't hold our hands through everything, there's simply not enough of them and their work keeps them extremely busy! Even now with the final save long gone I can bet that they still have a bunch of stuff to do(maybe not as much as usual, but still) yet are still making this event special for everyone.

A good rule of thumb in the future is if you think the situation can be resolved yourself, whether it's killing an NM again, running a dungeon once more to get a drop that was meant to fall to you etc then do it since GMs won't intervene unless it is something you absolutely cannot fix yourself (and even then there are some things they can't do).
I do sympathize with you and your ladyfriend though, it does suck when things like this come up, and I'm glad you were able to find a solution!


(As an endnote; Thanks GMs for your hard work! and Thank you to [SGM]s Jhanaka and Qeepel, I'm really enjoying my new home on ragnarok! -Irina)

[Punainen]

I think the after-save behavior of the GMs is irrelevant. They were busy before save, and then before they got around to you, your issue was resolved. Now its after save and they aren't as busy.