Yoshida-san, Where's the Challenge? Where are the Real Changes? END GAME Content?

[Kiara]

To: Director Yoshida & Final Fantasy XIV Development Team,

I want to preface this by saying that I totally sympathize with you and the new team taking over the mess that was the original FF 14 game, and trying to straighten out this game. Thank you for the taking up the challenge!

I appreciate you being more open in communication and asking Players what they want to see changed in the Player's Polls (great).

And I understand that the core systems, the fundamental Battle System Changes you talked about after the Player's Poll #2, and an End Game Dungeon take time. Certainly.

BUT, on the opposite side, this game is now going into its 7th (SEVENTH) Month with no fundamental changes to the problematic Combat System, Physical Level (Ability Point Reassignment), intriguing World / Story, End Game Content and Fun Factor that should be the core principals of any great RPG.

I know you've only been on the clock for ~3 months or so, so you're under the gun. But I want to let you know that every day that goes by, you're losing more and more players, sadly.

We're caught inbetween a rock and a hard place: Players are demanding End Game Content NOW! and you want to make sure you're doing the job right (making sure the System Changes are right, etc.).

But there's a limit to everything. At some point, after too many months have passed, you'll have lost the Players forever. They'll just move on to another game.

I'm trying to be patient here, but a couple things worry me:

1. The IMPORTANT, Fundamental Changes to Combat are going to take a long time (your words). That's a problem.

You've mentioned it in your Letter from the Producer VIII, "The latter, such as overhauling the battle system, are planned for the long-term and don’t coincide with the pace of our regular patches." And in various interviews as well.

While the Combat is, of course, very important and the very core of the game, it's also THE core of the game that will make Final Fantasy 14 *FUN* and INTERESTING.

The longer you take to put those changes in, the more players you'll be losing (permanently) because they see no fundamental changes. Just something to think about.

I'd take the real, core, fundamental changes to the Combat System as you talked about after the Player's Poll, over another 20 mid-level NMs like the ones in Patch 1.17.


2. Lack of Challenge / End Game Content for Rank 50 and Hardcore Players.

I realize it can't all be about the highest level players, but at the same time, catering to the most dedicated players, the ones that have stuck with you the longest and are getting multiple jobs to Rank 50, is something that shouldn't be overlooked.

I know you've mentioned an End Game Dungeon that's coming for High Level Players. I just hope that it's actually *challenging* and more hardcore than what we've seen so far in the game.

Seeing the adjustments made in Patch 1.17 to the current 5 "High Level NMs" (Dodore, Haughtpox, Elder Mosshorn, Uraeus, Great Buffalo) is very worrisome. You've NERFED them so much, they're far too easy now.

I know the party size is only 8 people, but when you can TRIO Haughtpox, Elder Mosshorn and Dodore (and heck, you could SOLO Dodore before Patch 1.17), you've got a problem.

The game is far too easy now.

Where are this game's version of Sky (KIRIN)? Where's Sea (Absolute Virtue)? Where's a real, challenging Notorious Monster (HNM) that makes you think of strategies and is a real tough, brutal fight? One where you may not win all the time, but once you do, you feel REWARDED and SATISFIED?

When Dynamis first came out in FF XI (early years), it was brutal, and maybe having a 50+ Person Dungeon is a bit extreme, but currently FF XIV has NOTHING challenging (except the unbalanced Rank 60+ mobs running around the edges of the current maps (e.g., Doomvoid Guivres, etc.)).

It takes time. I know a lot of the great areas in FF XI were Expansion Packs later.

But right now, some of the biggest reasons you're losing so many Players is because of the 2 points above. Patch 1.17 saw the return of only 2 of my high level friends (and now they're gone again). Most high level players looked at the Rank 30 equipment and mid-level NMs and realized it's not for them. It's for the PS3 launch, or for those starting on a new Class perhaps. It's OK, it serves a purpose.

But just don't forget about your ever-growing pool of Rank 50 Players sitting around with nothing to do.

I don't mean to rant, but I say this in the hopes that we get some real, meaningful CHANGES and END GAME, CHALLENGING CONTENT soon! Please.

Thank you! _(._.)_

[Gramul]

I'd cut out a month due to the quake.

[Elexia]

1. The IMPORTANT, Fundamental Changes to Combat are going to take a long time (your words). That's a problem.

It's not a problem, things take time, you can't avoid this. If it's going to take awhile to redo something rooted into the foundation, time can't be shortened unless you want to cut corners or not redo it to the best of your abilities, otherwise video games in general would take only a month or two to create if it was easy to whip something good together just like that.

So all in all, it seems like this letter is saying you acknowledge it takes time, but it's a problem that it will take time. Rushing it out is the reason XIV was in the shape it was after all. They can start puttin in content for rank 50s, but what about rank 1-50? If you aren't captured when you start and the journey to end-game, you won't stay for the end-game content because you'll be bored and leave before then.

I'm sure end-game will be settled when they get the foundation redone, but the foundation and early-mid levels are just as important, if not more important because they don't want to necessarily build content ontop of a system that'll just no doubt change.

[zaviermhigo]

I'm understanding, I won't quit out right, but I take breaks so I don't get too tired of it. Those who aren't sympathetic and don't understand how making drastic changes will leave, and that's sad...

[Belial]

It has been stated that we can expect some sort of end game raid/dungeon during spring. So prior to June 21st, we should have something.

I'd like to point out to you though, that even though you may not have patience to wait, the vast majority of the playerbase voted that they were willing to wait, so I think the assumption that FF is losing players at this point is kinda played out. Anyone who would have quit and not come back, has already done so. Anyone who wants to come back when the game is complete, is waiting while patch notes are released every month to see what the game has to offer. Those of us here? Well, we know what we're doing. We're getting a jump on everybody who joins once the game reaches industry standards.

And to be honest, purely from a business standpoint, I highly doubt they care either way whether or not any of the current playerbase quits or stays.

[AshelyRiot]

It's not a problem, things take time, you can't avoid this. If it's going to take awhile to redo something rooted into the foundation, time can't be shortened unless you want to cut corners or not redo it to the best of your abilities, otherwise video games in general would take only a month or two to create if it was easy to whip something good together just like that.

So all in all, it seems like this letter is saying you acknowledge it takes time, but it's a problem that it will take time. Rushing it out is the reason XIV was in the shape it was after all. They can start puttin in content for rank 50s, but what about rank 1-50? If you aren't captured when you start and the journey to end-game, you won't stay for the end-game content because you'll be bored and leave before then.

I'm sure end-game will be settled when they get the foundation redone, but the foundation and early-mid levels are just as important, if not more important because they don't want to necessarily build content ontop of a system that'll just no doubt change.

You have a great point and agree but it seriously is taking way too long. Yeah yeah I heard things take awhile etc... and XIV was already rushed to begin with but that wasn't our doing, SE did it. I don't care they changed teams blah blah point is it's been 7 months and not one big fundamental change period that's for the better of the game. Sucks to say but game is just losing too many people and at an alarming rate because of boredom. Leves and crafting is all game has to offer which is boring after a few runs.

[Cairdeas]

From now on when ever someone says "Content for Hardcore players" I'm going to ignore everything they say.

[Belial]

From now on when ever someone says "Content for Hardcore players" I'm going to ignore everything they say.

You say that like any of us care. lulz.

[Vanguard319]

To: Director Yoshida & Final Fantasy XIV Development Team,

I want to preface this by saying that I totally sympathize with you and the new team taking over the mess that was the original FF 14 game, and trying to straighten out this game. Thank you for the taking up the challenge!

I appreciate you being more open in communication and asking Players what they want to see changed in the Player's Polls (great).

And I understand that the core systems, the fundamental Battle System Changes you talked about after the Player's Poll #2, and an End Game Dungeon take time. Certainly.

BUT, on the opposite side, this game is now going into its 7th (SEVENTH) Month with no fundamental changes to the problematic Combat System, Physical Level (Ability Point Reassignment), intriguing World / Story, End Game Content and Fun Factor that should be the core principals of any great RPG.

I know you've only been on the clock for ~3 months or so, so you're under the gun. But I want to let you know that every day that goes by, you're losing more and more players, sadly.

We're caught inbetween a rock and a hard place: Players are demanding End Game Content NOW! and you want to make sure you're doing the job right (making sure the System Changes are right, etc.).

But there's a limit to everything. At some point, after too many months have passed, you'll have lost the Players forever. They'll just move on to another game.

I'm trying to be patient here, but a couple things worry me:

1. The IMPORTANT, Fundamental Changes to Combat are going to take a long time (your words). That's a problem.

You've mentioned it in your Letter from the Producer VIII, "The latter, such as overhauling the battle system, are planned for the long-term and don’t coincide with the pace of our regular patches." And in various interviews as well.

While the Combat is, of course, very important and the very core of the game, it's also THE core of the game that will make Final Fantasy 14 *FUN* and INTERESTING.

The longer you take to put those changes in, the more players you'll be losing (permanently) because they see no fundamental changes. Just something to think about.

I'd take the real, core, fundamental changes to the Combat System as you talked about after the Player's Poll, over another 20 mid-level NMs like the ones in Patch 1.17.


2. Lack of Challenge / End Game Content for Rank 50 and Hardcore Players.

I realize it can't all be about the highest level players, but at the same time, catering to the most dedicated players, the ones that have stuck with you the longest and are getting multiple jobs to Rank 50, is something that shouldn't be overlooked.

I know you've mentioned an End Game Dungeon that's coming for High Level Players. I just hope that it's actually *challenging* and more hardcore than what we've seen so far in the game.

Seeing the adjustments made in Patch 1.17 to the current 5 "High Level NMs" (Dodore, Haughtpox, Elder Mosshorn, Uraeus, Great Buffalo) is very worrisome. You've NERFED them so much, they're far too easy now.

I know the party size is only 8 people, but when you can TRIO Haughtpox, Elder Mosshorn and Dodore (and heck, you could SOLO Dodore before Patch 1.17), you've got a problem.

The game is far too easy now.

Where are this game's version of Sky (KIRIN)? Where's Sea (Absolute Virtue)? Where's a real, challenging Notorious Monster (HNM) that makes you think of strategies and is a real tough, brutal fight? One where you may not win all the time, but once you do, you feel REWARDED and SATISFIED?

When Dynamis first came out in FF XI (early years), it was brutal, and maybe having a 50+ Person Dungeon is a bit extreme, but currently FF XIV has NOTHING challenging (except the unbalanced Rank 60+ mobs running around the edges of the current maps (e.g., Doomvoid Guivres, etc.)).

It takes time. I know a lot of the great areas in FF XI were Expansion Packs later.

But right now, some of the biggest reasons you're losing so many Players is because of the 2 points above. Patch 1.17 saw the return of only 2 of my high level friends (and now they're gone again). Most high level players looked at the Rank 30 equipment and mid-level NMs and realized it's not for them. It's for the PS3 launch, or for those starting on a new Class perhaps. It's OK, it serves a purpose.

But just don't forget about your ever-growing pool of Rank 50 Players sitting around with nothing to do.

I don't mean to rant, but I say this in the hopes that we get some real, meaningful CHANGES and END GAME, CHALLENGING CONTENT soon! Please.

Thank you! _(._.)_

Don't know if you were aware of this or not, but FFXI shipped in the US with it's first expansion, the JP players had no endgame content for the first six months. The truth is the game isn't quite ready for endgame content yet.

If you need something to do, try fighting higher level mobs, explore, push your character to it's limits and beyond, that's what I've been doing. (been soloing mobs 10-12 levels higher than me.)

[Cairdeas]

You say that like any of us care. lulz.

the "Hardcore" population of any game is usually under 10%, and they tend to leave as soon as something happens they don't agree with or another game peaks their interest as a chance to be better then everyone else from the start all over again.

In my opinion, their opinion is completely unnecessary in todays game environment as they wont even stay long enough to participate in the content they demand most of the time.