The FFXIV Community

[Tigercub]

This is a topic about the most important feature of FFXIV: Us.
With all of the great work SE has been putting into this game to turn it around, its success still hinges in part on the kind of community we create. Frankly, I don't think that we, collectively (myself included), have been putting in our share of the effort. I think we have placed the weight solely on the shoulders of SE to deliver a great experience, but have forgotten that a significant proportion of that experience lies beyond their control and rests in our hands alone. To some degree, we have washed our hands of it.

I'm sure anyone who visits these forums knows that, like in most social internet spaces, there is a lot of hostility. While honest debate does exist, people are more likely to butt heads over semantics, topics inevitably get hijacked by an ongoing heated argument which usually has no wrong or right answer, and personally I feel like I have to choose words carefully to avoid being attacked or psychoanalyzed while posting, which usually happens in the end anyway. In game has been better, but it can still be a very cynical environment, and much of this does carry over.

So do any of us really want our hopes of what FFXIV could be to be overshadowed by the fact that the single largest part of the game, our community, is a minefield? People are likely to tell me that 'this is the internet', that I should 'accept it', but I don't. I don't feel that everything has to devolve into bickering. I don't hate any of you. I don't want to fight any of you. It doesn't really bother me that our opinions might be different. And as lame as it sounds, I actually want to enjoy the company of the people in this community, rather than be apprehensive about it. I've been a part of communities that weren't like this and I know they're possible.

I made this thread because I want to know what kind of place we all intend to make this in ARR and beyond. It is, after all, what we make it. Not SE. Not everyone but yourself. I'm no fool, I know this thread won't change our course, but I still want to know what some of you think. Do you feel that the FFXIV player-base is capable of becoming something really worth being a part of, something to look back on fondly one day, or are we destined to take the path of the pointed stick? I feel like there are already enough MMOs out there full of people who have no respect for each other, and that we can do better.

[Rau]

Except the forum is a small fraction of the community and most of the argument is between the same 20 or so people.

[Kiote]

Except the forum is a small fraction of the community and most of the argument is between the same 20 or so people.

Sadly, this is irrelevant. The forum community is the most Visible display of the players of the game. While most people will never actual read this page, any Serious gamer who looks in to games before he tries them will have his first experience be the opinions seen here. A lot of people who refuse the even try an MMO typically do so because of what they hear about the people who play.

[Warlock]

Sadly, this is irrelevant. The forum community is the most Visible display of the players of the game. While most people will never actual read this page, any Serious gamer who looks in to games before he tries them will have his first experience be the opinions seen here. A lot of people who refuse the even try an MMO typically do so because of what they hear about the people who play.

New players have no access to this

[Keisuna]

New players have no access to this

Players without active accounts can see the forums, but they cannot post in them.

[Syrokko]

Sadly, this is irrelevant. The forum community is the most Visible display of the players of the game. While most people will never actual read this page, any Serious gamer who looks in to games before he tries them will have his first experience be the opinions seen here. A lot of people who refuse the even try an MMO typically do so because of what they hear about the people who play.

Sounds like you don't know anything about "serious gamers", bro.

[Andrien]

The forum community is 3% of the player base.

[Jinrya-Geki]

It is kind of infuriating when you make a well put together post with lots of evidence to support it. The you get that one jerk who says no, it's wrong and your wrong with no support to their counterclaim. :/

[Thunderz]

more like 0.50%

[Tigercub]

In game has been better, but it can still be a very cynical environment, and much of this does carry over.

^quoting myself.

I know the forums are much worse, but from my experience I felt like the community was going downhill towards then end of 1.x. That is just my own experience. I'm more curious about how you guys feel about the community right now and its potential in ARR. If you've had good experiences, you could elaborate on those to add some contrast.