Letter From the Producer IX.

[Len]

Better find a new game, then, as FFXIV was marketed as casual.

Final Fantasy XIV has no identity yet - casual or otherwise.

[Gramul]

At the very least you can be happy that they're adding more variety to the world with these encampments.

[InuraBera]

I don't have any Rank 50 classes despite playing from launch Shiyo - closest is Botanist (just off 41, and my highest Combat is 27!), which if I had Behests etc no doubt would be maxed, but I understand your worry. I am hoping that the Quest Hubs, much like the current Side-Quests, are optional, and you do them if you want too, rather than it being the main, and only, way to level your character. I never played Final Fantasy XI for longer than a month, and have played World of Warcraft for six years, but I'm here to play something different.

Personally, I think our worries will probably be unfounded, despite the use of instanced dungeons and such - not all of World of Warcrafts instances have been easy, and many have been outright exciting. Instancing is also a good way to make good, solid, challenging content without having to worry about others 'stealing' your stuff or just outright removing the challenge due to sheer numbers in the area. I don't think they will go wrong with making dungeons as part of the Lore or just as something to do. My main worry would be the 'gear-treadmill'. Nothing dissapoints me more than gearing up, so that I can gear up - but we shall see.

My main fear is that we lose a lot of the 'choice' we have at the moment. I like being able to wander about as I see fit, and do what I want in various areas without feeling I'm 'missing' out on things such as Skill Points or Gear. I fear the pidgeon holing, the 'necessary' gear level, the constant runs for more gear, rather than for entertainment, and the things that gear and statting brings with it - both a game barrier for entry, and a social one as people are unwilling to help those 'lesser' than themselves, particularly because it takes time that they need for more gear.

I've played lots, and lots, of MMOs in my time - the last one I remember being as social and friendly as this game was Star Wars Galaxies - but we all know what happened to that when they decided to change it to appeal to the supposed mythical 'WoW crowd'.

Also, to quote from the Letter:

"Akihiko Matsui, our lead battle planner, will also be posting on the forums in the near future regarding some of the new battle concepts we have planned."

Looking forward to seeing that. Shame it will be Mid-June before things are implemented, but what can you do?

[Duelle]

WOW's design also isn't the pinnacle of MMO design either, but every MMO seems to think it is. So copying it is the new cool thing. I'm sick of WOW, I'm sick of casual games, I'm sick of single player lobby "RPGS", I'm sick of dungeon gear grinds, I'm sick of beating MMOs in a month.

You don't seem to understand that gamer demographics have changed in the last decade. You can't get away with super grinds, "non-casual" development and cockblocks anymore. It simply isn't feasible.

As far as "beating" MMOs in a month, you're just making me think of that top 2% of the players that whined that WoW was too easy during Wrath of the Lich King while I was happily working on hard modes and clears in Ulduar and ToC25. I assure you, there's working joes like me, moms, dads, grannies and retirees that take their time with things.

[yukikaze_yanagi]

I feel disappointed. Now we have a more certain date instead of "somewhere in spring", and you bring up another drama? Seriusly....

anyhow, this will be a long long moth
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...0176094389.jpg

[Corrderio]

Final Fantasy XIV has no identity yet - casual or otherwise.

Tanaka said in his interviews he was going to make this casual compared to XI. And from how the updates are going I'd say it's a pretty safe bet to say it's going to be casual.

[Ostia]

WOW's design also isn't the pinnacle of MMO design either, but every MMO seems to think it is. So copying it is the new cool thing. I want unique to be different and not play the same game until I die of old age. It shouldn't be unique just to be unique, it should be unique AND fun AND challenging AND awesome. I'm sick of WOW, I'm sick of casual games, I'm sick of single player lobby "RPGS", I'm sick of dungeon gear grinds, I'm sick of beating MMOs in a month.

It sucks, it really does.

It is not ? Then how come it has done 100% better than games before and after it ? It has been copied to death, but never outdone, you and others might not like the game, or have your difference with how it is developed, but facts are stubborn things, WOW has outperformed, outdone, outplayed, outdeveloped every single MMO in the market year after year, while still catering to almost everybody, the game is the game to beat when it comes to MMO's.

Just because something is in WOW does not mean it can be used by other MMO's in their own particular way, or improved. The wow hate that spawns in this threads just at the mere mention of implementing something that has worked well in wow, and could be adapted and shaped into something with a Final Fantasy touch has to stop, it the end it will hurt this game, and wow will just keep on rolling like it has done for the past years, year by year increasing its subs, breaking records in sales etc etc.

[Zenaku]

Once again what happen to the class system? sure the battle system sound fun but what about the class system? are we getting any more info on that? would it be release with the battle? or what?

The class system is what going to make or break the game for me so i hope they release some info on when that going to be release.

[BruceyBruceyBangBang]

Once again what happen to the class system? sure the battle system sound fun but what about the class system? are we getting any more info on that? would it be release with the battle? or what?

It is apart of the battle system, yes. I'd expect delays though. Redesigning the class system into a job system and starting development on it as early as Jan. sounded like it was too good to be true to release it this soon. At a development stand point it is a very big deal.

Maybe we will see companies this month in 1.17b? Perhaps I was right in thinking that all of these in game events happening recently would lead to companies. We'll see!

[Zenaku]

It is apart of the battle system, yes. I'd expect delays though. Redesigning the class system into a job system and starting development on it as early as Jan. sounded like it was too good to be true to release it this soon. At a development stand point it is a very big deal.

Maybe we will see companies this month in 1.17b? Perhaps I was right in thinking that all of these in game events happening recently would lead to companies. We'll see!

thank god someone replay thank you i can't wait then