Infos on the Real game Direction? WHEN?!

[Meatdawg]

It's hard to bring up faults about game development or information on a board that pretty much only has fanbois left trolling it.

You are correct that not a lot of NEW information isn't out yet and the best reason is probably because it's only conceptual at this point.

I believe that while we will have a great product at launch, all that new fluff is going to get pushed to patches after launch. I really don't have an issue with this (since history has shown that Yoshi delivers on most of what he promises) but people are really kidding themselves if they think everything new is going to be ready at launch.

It will just be the old game remade with the groundwork for the new stuff. Again I have no issue with this because I don't want my new content rushed, take your time, listen to feedback and get it right.

[ZakarnRosewood]

It's hard to bring up faults about game development or information on a board that pretty much only has fanbois left trolling it.

You are correct that not a lot of NEW information isn't out yet and the best reason is probably because it's only conceptual at this point.

I believe that while we will have a great product at launch, all that new fluff is going to get pushed to patches after launch. I really don't have an issue with this (since history has shown that Yoshi delivers on most of what he promises) but people are really kidding themselves if they think everything new is going to be ready at launch.

It will just be the old game remade with the groundwork for the new stuff. Again I have no issue with this because I don't want my new content rushed, take your time, listen to feedback and get it right.

IMHO what many people lack is vision. Like you said, they are setting the groundwork and fixing the core systems. Its hard to make icing on a cake look pretty when you don't have a cake. Even at 1.0 launch I saw potential, that's why I'm still here. I can't wait to see Yoshi-P's vision realized.

Then again some people aren't happy unless they are complaining. Like my friend Eeyore.

[Cendres]

It will just be the old game remade with the groundwork for the new stuff. Again I have no issue with this because I don't want my new content rushed, take your time, listen to feedback and get it right.

Pretty much. Now I keep thinking about the 'new direction' the OP is talking about and am coming to this conclusion: People are worried it's going to be WoW in FF form, which is basically the SAME discussion we kept having before 1.0 where people were doing the exact same thing (Casualized, nerfed down, zomg!!). Which turns out that was the LAST thing people should have been worried about...

I'm just excited we'll have content....

[bobbygunz]

In regards to the OP, SE have already given details on the game direction: "WoW themepark with more FF feels." That's not a direct quote, but close enough.

I think the reason they probably don't talk much about the features the game boasts nor the general direction of the game is purely because there's nothing much to boast about. Again, many things won't make it to release either, so talking about a bare-bones game may not be worth speaking about and that's why there is dead silence.

I think SE definitely need to work on their pitch though to evolve it beyond "WoW with more FF feel" well before release time, even if it's a lie, simply because it will generate sales. They need to sell it to an untrusting audience.

Even FFXIV 1.0 devs launched a pretty sales pitch. The original FFXIV website was raving about its new Armory play-anything-you-want System, and the new active battle system where each weapon would have a different range, and tanks would active block, and there were even diagrams and everything, and the guildleve system was positioned as a new way to quest, etc. None of these ideals may have been realised in actuality, but SE certainly made a marginal effort to convince people the game was developed with a certain philosophy in mind that went a little deeper than "we increased the FF feel, kthx."

The current website just re-uses the same FFXIV images (which is tantamount to fraud since the graphical engine has been replaced so its no longer a fair representation) and is devoid of any meaningful info. The dev blogs spell nothing out about the game beyond superficial features. And maybe that's because the game is designed superficially. That's the take-away message I get.

[fusional]

ITT: info doesn't count as "real" info unless it's what OP wants to hear

[strallaalaa]

is funny cause the excuses here are kinda what they screwed up and did in the first place at launch of 1.0. they probably don't want us to know to much cause then everyone will be complaining about everything again. but this is what they should of done back at the first failure and not take every ones criticisms then. they don't want to hear it now then they shouldn't of listen to the idiots then lol.

[Velhart]

While I can't speak in others perspectives nor pretend to know how they feel of the situation, I will truly never understand why people over react when they see or obtain new information in regards to 2.0. Every day there is some discussion around "FFXIV becoming WoW.". While I think (remember...opinions folks...nothing more!) the best route the game can take is inspiration from a highly successful game as FFXI took inspiration from Everquest.

I would like you to go back and find truly original concepts from a Final Fantasy game. The only thing I can think of is the Active Time Battle system from FFIV, which may I remind you, derived from the turn based battle system which FF did not create. What Final Fantasy does is take what is good in the industry and puts their own take onto it. Final Fantasy takes what is good, adds neat features here and there to display it's own unique RPG concepts, and sticks a great story and characters on top of it.

I think FFXIV may have been the first time they went out of their way to be very unique, which bit them in the ass. Now before people start bringing pitch forks and torches, I do agree that not "everything" can be copied from WoW. This is in fact the reason that many MMO's are not succeeding today. They make a good game, but they don't provide features that you already get in WoW. However, contrary to popular belief, I know the FF team has a standard they have to uphold and cannot simply copy and paste another MMO and slap the FF name on it. They have to bring something that games like WoW cannot. So far I am seeing a lot.

* The Armory System itself is a feature not practiced in many MMO's. Being able to be whatever you want whenever you want as long as you put the work into getting the class/craft/gatherer stronger. This is a very strong selling point to new players.

* Limit Breaks and Skill Chains are a very unique feature, instead of just sitting there spamming a rotation all day, you rely on friends to perform chains to maximize damage potential. Meaning you have a stronger communication with your fellow team mates beyond the overall strategy. Not only that, communicating with 8 people to summon a giant meteor is pretty damn awesome! This was a major plus for FFXI and I am glad it is being brought back.

* Game is still at a more tactical pace than action. From what I see, yes, the game will require more movement and will be more fast paced than the previous titles, but from what I see (Alpha at least), the game doesn't look like a complete button spam fest. In WoW, as a Death Knight DPS, all I really do is spam two abilities and then waste my rune power with one ability. While WoW offers strategy in it's own way, its simplified to a point that I am just spamming so much my fingers get cramped. By the alpha video alone, it looks like you are more precise and take advantage of most abilities with the combo system in place, making that global cool down a potential good thing.

* Multiple forms of gaining EXP. I see many methods of gaining levels here that you could really just do what you like instead of doing fetch quests. You can do the quests, participate in FATE's, do guildleves, and grind through dungeons. You could possibly grind of mobs like the old days (Maybe, honestly I hope not, haha. ***opinion!****)

* Content and lore truly makes the experience. I know for a fact that they will deliver in this area, I don't think there is much to worry about on this. They said they are even in development of future content, even though the main game itself has not yet been released. Not only that, the nostalgia this game is going to provide will be more than enough to keep me in the game.

Do note, this is all simply speculation. However, it isn't completely fair to call this out, calling it a complete WoW clone when most of you haven't even really played it yet. You are within your rights to look at it that way, and honestly it does so far, which I cannot argue with you on. However, I am sure when beta comes around, opinions may change here and there.

So the direction I see it as gaining inspiration while bringing concepts you may not find from others. They proved us wrong with thinking FFXI would just be an Everquest clone. Lets see if they can do it again.

[Cendres]

So the direction I see it as gaining inspiration while bringing concepts you may not find from others. They proved us wrong with thinking FFXI would just be an Everquest clone. Lets see if they can do it again.

Lovely post thanks for putting it so well. \o/

[Sorel]

Truth be told, the fear many in the community hold (as do I to a small extent), is that FFXIV:ARR will be the latest failed World Of Warcraft clone in a long line of failed World of Warcraft clones. At least with FFXIV 1.0, it failed on its own unique terms. What is worse, failing a test using your own answers ... or failing a test copying answers from someone else??

Many of the previous MMORPG failures released after World of Warcraft fall into the category of "Copy World Of Warcraft + Add a Novelty/Gimmick".

IF FFXIV:ARR tries to do the same, it will suffer the same fate.

But if Producer/Director Yoshida can re-establish a foundation of well designed and redesigned features like the Armory System, Materia, Retainers, Crafting, Guildleves, FATE, Chocobos, and Airships ... at a certain point they stop being gimmicks and become unique content.

For example, chocobos can easily be considered just another gimmick; just a universe specific mount. A "horse-bird". Except in FFXIV:ARR, this "horse-bird" mount can fight along side you.

So it's a pet then ... that you can also use as a mount. Slightly more interesting now, isn't it??

Building off that foundation, maybe you can also have your chocobo compete in races at some sort of gambling amusement park ... shaped like a Gold Saucer because of the large racing track it has. Maybe you can even raise your own chocobos, and breed in either more combat traits (like strength and accuracy) or racing traits (like speed and control).

At this point, chocobos are no longer a one-dimension mount replacement gimmick. They are a cornerstone (one of many), of an interestingly different world. String enough of these cornerstones together ... and you have another Final Fantasy.

[Exn]

stuff.

Well said sir. And that is exactly is why I hold on to hope inspite of the overall direction ARR was taken. Time will tell if they pulled it off, or came up short.