EorzeaReborn Column @MMORPG.com

[Aela]

Amazing reads, and I think I'll start following your posts. You both clearly have the experience and the objectivity needed to write credibly about the industry.

Thanks! I wanted to let you know that you can either register for the EorzeaReborn site, and get notifications of posts there, or you can follow our twitter (if you use it, I never did before starting up these sites) @EorzeaReborn, I always update there whenever something new posts on either our site or MMORPG.com.

[ZakarnRosewood]

While i agree with most of what he said in his articles a few little things bothered me and please feel free to correct me or clarify if I am wrong.

Based on the Alpha reveal videos and examination of various producer letters, it is apparent that a FFXIV:ARR player will have the option to advance their character to maximum level, on multiple jobs, through in-world story-driven questing.

What he says is accurate, to an extent, but it implies something that is as of yet unverified. The bold part, I don't recall where it was stated specifically that the quests alone could take multiple jobs to end game. I also think it is a litle premature to assume all the quests will be completely solo quests. I recall in FFXI there were lots of quests you needed to have parties to complete. Even in FFXIV 1.0 there were the GC quests that needed a party to complete them.

I agree that to have a completely solo'able MMO would be pretty pointless, I think it is a little premature to say that FFXIV:ARR will be like this. They have said it will be more solo friendly but that does not mean you will be able to solo every aspect of the game.

I also recall hearing that they are working on a "Level-Sync" system that will keep a challenge for high level players when they want to help out their lower level friends. I dont think it would be too difficult to extent this system to influence specific quest level restrictions. As well, there are Leve-Quests that you gain a better exp bonus with the Leve-Linking in a group. This will get you more bang for your buck when you have friends to play with.

I understand people have some legitimate fears for FFXIV:ARR after seeing what has been trending in the MMO genre, WoW, SWTOR, LotR, GW2, etc. I only hope that people can but these preconceptions of what they think it will turn out to be aside when they actually get to play the beta/full game.

[Zezlar]

If I remember properly. People don't have a choice when it comes to level-sync. It will be forced so people can't face-roll dungeons to power level their friends. I'm going to try and dig that article up.

EDIT: Took me a little while but I found it.

[Mocchi] How about the players who have leveled up already in the current version, what will they be doing in A Realm Reborn?

[Yoshi-P] There are two main options. We'll be making new content for current players to enjoy such as the Crystal Tower and introduction of new raid dungeons. Other than that, players can raise their chocobos. We'll also be implementing a lot of lower-level dungeons in ARR. New dungeons will have level restrictions. To accomodate all these low-level dungeons, we will be implementing a level sync system.

[Orophin]

@Zakarn:

There's nothing confirmed yet, but if I were to speculate it might be possible to take maybe three classes up to 50 by questing alone, assuming the XP awarded keeps scaling up accordingly as you move through the areas. Remember, we have the three city-states with their surrounding areas worth of quests to do, and who knows what they'll put in Coerthas and Mor Dhona.

[ZakarnRosewood]

Thanks for the info!

@ Zezlar:
I knew about the dungeon leve-syncing, i was just theorizing that it wouldnt be a far stretch to do this for improtant quests that the devs would want to always remain a challenge.

@ Orophin
That makes sense, Having three starting zones plus outlying areas, there will be lots of quests to help us raise levels. But as of yet, we dont know what the content of these quests will be. Once we get into the higher leveled quests (I'm guessing/hoping) they will start to introduce quests that require you to gather a light party to complete. I recall FFXI had a quest where you needed specific jobs with you to unlock a door. Stuff like this would be a fun questing/party mechanic.

Basically, its still too soon to know all the intricacies of what they have told us so far, let alone the things they are keeping as a surprise. It's apparent Yoshi-P likes to keep things under wraps until the last moment as with Dalamud and Bahamut. I'm sure he has more surprises in store for us.

[Aela]

Just wanted to post to this and let folks know the Feb 2012 MMORPG.com column will be coming soon. Ryahl already has the two companion pieces up for the upcoming article. The MMORPG piece will be specifically about FFXIV, while the companion pieces are more about MMOs in general.

They can be found here:

Of Hammers and Scales

Too Similar and Too Many

[Aela]

Additionally, there is a fairly in-detailed discussion in the comments Of Hammers and Scales between Ryahl and Raph Koster on his thoughts with SWG/UO crafting and the auction house interaction.