Thoughts on Summoner Egi SizeFollow

The much-debated topic of Summoner Egi Size is being rationally discussed (gasp!) on the beta forums.



So they are requesting Egis to be more like this:



Thoughts?

There was also a poll on the subject:



This thread was also posted in the Japanese forums and it seems (from the rough Google Translate) that they disagree. It seems that it's a very American ideal that only Large things can be powerful, and that Japanese players don't equate size to power.

Unofficial Zam Poll (ninja Wint edit)



Edited, Jul 12th 2013 10:47am by Wint

I might be in the minority here but I'm more concerned with function over form when it comes to Summoner. Maybe I'm just jaded from the total lack of attention the job received for the better part of a decade from FFXI, but I don't really care what they look like as long as they're useful in some way.

I also want to add that I'm glad to see the player wont have to look at Titan's thong or have to endure his "brick ************** action animation in HD this time around.

Edited, Jul 12th 2013 11:56am by reptiletim

You know how I feel. As a Summoner fan (all Final Fantasy games), I'm disappointed with the summons both design and size-wise.

Ifrit looks okay design-wise, but he's too small. Titan? Needs a total redo - just awful.

I don't really like, or dislike, them. I'd rather get my hands on the arcanist and play with them to see animations and stuff before making judgement.

First I'd like to say (without getting into statistical snobbery) that a sample of 318 is probably not large enough to make a conclusion as to the "true" thoughts of the population.

Second, they do not disagree... 50% of them have an issue with the summons as they are.

50% of Japanese players, and a larger majority of American players having an issue with the Egi as it is currently designed means that some number >50% of your gaming community disagrees with a design element which could easily be fixed. It's not like we are asking SE to reassess some critical structural element of the game (unless of course they don't want to change the Egi size because they already have invested a ton into cinematic cutscenes.)

It's also fairly universal that "larger" is associated with more power, perhaps this doesn't apply to everything, however it's a simple rule of physics... objects which contain more mass have more power. The Japanese also tend to favor a more "cutesy" appearance in their gaming than is commonly accepted in American culture. One isn't necessarily better than the other, they are simple cultural differences...

In the end I suppose it doesn't matter what they decide to do, although I will say at least some part of my decision to play a class is based on how interesting the job looks... and currently you have 50%+ of your community saying the class doesn't really look as "awesome" as it could.




Edited, Jul 12th 2013 12:23pm by ClydesShadow

Egis shouod be fun to have. How much fun is having a spherical blob of color floating next to you? And while on the topic of pets, please give us wyverns back for our dragons!

Hey, there's nothing wrong with Lalafells! They're a lot of fun, especially when they panic dance--

Uh.

Oh.

You meant Egis.

Well, you could understand the confusion. After all, how could you think small creatures aren't powerful when you can watch a team of Lalafells take down the most powerful bosses in the game?

Seriously?

Maybe people would want them larger because Ifrit, Garuda, and Titan are always big, at at least as big as the player character, in the Final Fantasy series. Not runts.

Has more to do with Final Fantasy than anything.


Edited, Jul 12th 2013 1:26pm by Killua125

"Large Majority of American players."

... Zam polling says otherwise. When will people learn to just speak for themselves?

Hyrist you are very intelligent I can assess that by logical, thought provoking comments you generally make.... I made the comment based on the common sentiment I've seen on the forums I frequent, true... it's not scientific, but do you honestly believe the "Zam" poll above proves anything, beyond how to make a crappy poll?

First, the description leads you into picking a certain answer, by suggesting that the Japanese feel a particular way (which they don't... it's classic misinterpretation of another horribly made poll.) Two of the options describe descent against the Egi in it's current form and one of them favors it. No matter what happens in the results it will look like more people are for the Egi because the other options which think there needs to be some reworking are being deluded...

Anyways, you're right my comment was as presumptuous as the poll.

I take protest to the idea of 'common sentiment' the problem with this, as is with any forum, is that it can only represent the most vocal minority. Polling, however, is more anonymous and often can be done without coming under persecution, which, from my perspective, eases the availability to state opinion or share one's thoughts on the matter.

So while we can have what seems to be a large number of people decrying something, the larger number of people who are ok with it usually don't speak up.

This fails to be acknowledged when we seek confirmation bias - because we want to be 'right' as much as possible. This is where I get annoyed. We're too afraid as individuals to simply be wrong, or to simply stand on our own two feet in an argument these days, that we have to find some outside form of validation.

As far as the matter of whether or not the summoner's Egi's needs an adjustment? I feel apathetic on the issue. I am fine as they are, and my interest in Arcanist/Summoner has not changed. There should be no need for insulting or trying to assemble an intimidation crowd to bring what is effectively a personal aesthetic request.

I can understand the reasoning on SE's end for the down-scaling. I can understand the reasoning on the player's end for wanting them larger. My personal views on the matter is that I'm indifferent. I'm fine with the way they are, but I admonish the level of animosity and mob-forming being presented concerning them. This is not a matter to be outraged upon, in my opinion. The actual power of the class isn't being put into question, just the appearance of which. It does not feel like a consequential debate, but one of tastes.

It's like asking them to redesign Ifrit's spear because it's ugly.

Sidenote - grats on green Shadow.

Edited, Jul 12th 2013 2:22pm by Hyrist

Maybe it would be better if they were just called fire spirit? I think people put too much focus on the past. I mean, how much crap do the devs get for using fan-service hooks, and th nthe secodn they try something different they get "why can't it be the same!?"

Edited, Jul 12th 2013 2:50pm by Louiscool