Any chance of an official data parser so we can test our character builds?

[Peregrine]

A data parser will give you data on your performance that can be calculated by the chat log such as:
Accuracy %
Evasion %
Avg. Damage per hit
Avg Damage per weaponskill
SP gained
SP/hour
XP gained
XP/hour
% party damage contributed

We use this information to see what the best builds are and to test new ideas with numbers that matter. So instead of "I have 13 more str" you can say "13 Str adds 7 dmg to my average melee hit damage on Braggodocios."

This data will help the players figure out how to choose between equipping or speccing strength, attack, accuracy, evasion...everything.

It's no secret that people will end up using parsers anyway. I would like to see Square Enix make a parser as they have made a windowed version. It would be quite innovative for a publisher to do so, and they could make more powerful parsers with better data than what we are comfortable doing. As it stands, the community will make parsers for the game anyway. That's less safe than Square Enix providing that service themselves in-house. Therefore, if there is a security argument, one has to argue that Square Enix creating the service is more safe than the players creating it, given the fact that it *will* be created because players want it.

A parser isn't about unfair advantage, even though it is a third party program (which is why SE should build one because they're great MMO content). It's about knowledge and using that knowledge for gameplay decisions and competitions or debates.

I'd like to see an Official Parser.