An Important Announcement for FFXIV Fans

An Important Announcement for FFXIV Fans

Tonight, Square Enix managed to shock the subligars off of their entire Final Fantasy XIV playerbase with one email. In it, they announced several key changes to their gameplan for Eorzea, including:

  • A new producer. Yes, Hiromichi Tanaka has stepped down from his role as Producer.
  • The PlayStation 3 release of FFXIV has been delayed again.
  • The free trial has been extended again. Indefinitely. (no deadline given)
  • Eight other staffing changes on the development team.
  • An additional version update is now slated for December release.

Full details on the email available below the jump.

Discuss this on the ZAM forums.

From Square Enix President and CEO Yoichi Wada:

Thank you for your continued interest in and support of FINAL FANTASY XIV.

While more than two months have passed since the official launch of FINAL FANTASY XIV service, we deeply regret that the game has yet to achieve the level of enjoyability that FINAL FANTASY fans have come to expect from the franchise, and for this we offer our sincerest of apologies.

After thorough deliberation on how to meet those expectations, it was decided that the most viable step was to approach improvements under new leadership and with a restructured team.

To realize this vision, and in doing so, provide our customers with a better game experience, we have assembled our company’s top talent and resources. Taking over the role of producer and director is Naoki Yoshida, a passionate individual for whom customer satisfaction has always taken top priority. Not only is he one of our Group’s most accomplished and experienced members, Naoki Yoshida is also a charismatic leader possessing the skill to bring together and effectively helm a team which encompasses a wide range of responsibilities. We also welcome several new leaders handpicked from other projects to work with the existing talent on FINAL FANTASY XIV.

We realize time is of the essence and are fully determined to provide our customers with quality service. It is because of this that we ask our customers to be patient until we are able to confidently present them with a concrete plan outlining FINAL FANTASY XIV’s new direction. The free trial period will be extended until that time.

Regarding the PlayStation 3, it is not our wish to release a simple conversion of the Windows version in its current state, but rather an update that includes all the improvements we have planned. For that reason, we have made the difficult decision to delay the release of the PlayStation 3 version beyond the originally announced date of March 2011.

The FINAL FANTASY XIV team is working hard to bring our customers an unparalleled adventure, and we ask for your continued understanding and support as we march ever diligently towards that goal.


President and CEO, Yoichi Wada


The development and management teams would like to make an announcement regarding personnel changes.

[Organizational Changes to the Development Team]
To improve the service of FINAL FANTASY XIV, Square Enix has made the following changes to the development team:

Managerial Changes

Producer/Director
Naoki Yoshida

Section Leader Changes

Assistant Director
Shintaro Tamai (FINAL FANTASY X, Front Mission 5: Scars of the War)

Lead Game Designer
Nobuaki Komoto (FINAL FANTASY IX, FINAL FANTASY XI)

Lead Combat System Designer
Akihiko Matsui (FINAL FANTASY XI)

Technical Advisor
Yoshihisa Hashimoto (Next Generation Game Engine Development)

Lead Programmer
Hideyuki Kasuga (FINAL FANTASY XI, DIRGE OF CERBERUS -FINAL FANTASY VII-)

Senior Concept Artist
Akihiko Yoshida (FINAL FANTASY XII, Vagrant Story)

Lead Artist
Hiroshi Takai (FINAL FANTASY XI, THE LAST REMNANT)

Lead UI Designer/Lead Web Designer
Hiroshi Minagawa (FINAL FANTASY XII, Vagrant Story)

These members will make up the development team’s new core—a core dedicated to ensuring we achieve a level of enjoyability that will more than satisfy our customers. Under a schedule of more frequent version updates, the new leaders and their respective sections will strive for continued improvements to FINAL FANTASY XIV service operation and development.

[Extension of the Free Trial Period]
As stated above, the newly restructured team’s top priority is to bring about improvements to the game’s enjoyability, and therefore we have decided to extend the free trial period until we can provide a plan that outlines a level of enjoyment that will satisfy both us and our customers. When we are confident that we have reached that goal, we will notify our customers immediately.

[Future Version Updates]
At present, the development team is putting the finishing touches on the previously announced version update, which is still slated for release in mid-December. In addition, there is one more version update scheduled for release before year’s end. Details on the content and dates of these updates will be released in the near future.

[Delay of the PlayStation 3 Version Release]
Although the release date for the PlayStation 3 version of the game was previously announced as late March of 2011, we regret to inform that this date has been changed.

The PlayStation 3 release will be delayed until we are confident that the game has reached the level of enjoyability and service befitting the FINAL FANTASY name for users on all supported platforms. We offer our sincerest apologies to any fans anticipating the PlayStation 3 release, and humbly ask for your continued patience and understanding as both the development team and Square Enix as a whole strive towards making FINAL FANTASY XIV a truly enjoyable and unforgettable adventure.

[New Development Team Policy]
I would like to take this opportunity to greet all of you—those currently playing FINAL FANTASY XIV, those who have taken a respite from playing, and those awaiting the PlayStation 3 release—and offer a brief word by way of an introduction.

No doubt there are very few, if any, among you who have ever heard the name Naoki Yoshida. To be sure, I have never been in the fore on any of the titles I have worked on in the past. I am, however, honored and privileged to work alongside many talented and inspiring colleagues, and with their support have enjoyed making games for a number of years. I am aware that a great many people will think the responsibility of leading FINAL FANTASY XIV is far too large a task for someone so unknown. After all, even my very best may seem no more than a drop in the bucket when considering the sheer scope of FINAL FANTASY XIV. But working together with me are the very talented and very capable development and management teams, whose dedication and motivation are unwavering. I would like to ask you to please put to rest uncertainties that you may have.

Now, more than ever, myself, the development team, and Square Enix as a whole, are committed to furthering our efforts to provide a quality service.

Everything we do will be for our players and customers.


FINAL FANTASY XIV Producer/Director, Naoki Yoshida


First of all, I would like to apologize for our inability to fully satisfy our users with the initial release of FINAL FANTASY XIV. I take full responsibility for the game’s current situation, and have therefore made the decision to step down from my role as producer. A number of concerns that have been voiced by users, such as the design of the user interface, availability of tutorials and game content, and battle system functionality, represent key issues that must be addressed. While improvements are already well underway in many areas, we were unfortunately not able to incorporate player feedback as quickly as we would have liked. We are aware, however, that in many cases, addressing these issues will call for a reworking of game elements. As these changes are our first priority, they will be commanding our full attention and efforts. It is to that end that we have put a new organizational structure into place for the development team. Under this new system, FINAL FANTASY XIV will see changes and additions in line with the desires and expectations of players. Though no longer producer, I will be continuing to support the development team in other capacities, and personally hope that you will continue your adventures in the realm of Eorzea.


Hiromichi Tanaka

Comments

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FU Square Enix
# Dec 18 2010 at 11:54 PM Rating: Decent
This is such bs. There are people who wanted this game to fail before it even came out. So now PS3 players have to wait until PC gamers are pleased with the game. That's not possible, you can never please everybody especially the MMORPG community that's ******* about ANYTHING. I was really anticipating this game but now I ready to say FK this game AND Square Enix.
But.. but...
# Dec 11 2010 at 1:15 PM Rating: Default
I REALLY REALLY don't want a AH *sulks* :(
funny
# Dec 11 2010 at 9:56 AM Rating: Good
30 posts
If I just got an in game ebay and a way to mail stuff I'd be pretty happy at this point.
market ward/auction house
# Dec 10 2010 at 10:52 PM Rating: Decent
I think they should do something close to what lord of the rings online did with the auction house. Item stays on the AH for a limited time and you bid on it. Time runs out and the last person that bid gets it or if the buyer wants, can put a 'buy out' price on it also.
ffxiv
# Dec 10 2010 at 5:15 PM Rating: Decent
lets hope for the best
Great MMO.
# Dec 10 2010 at 4:51 PM Rating: Default
I think the game is fantastic, ****** market ward system aside. Don't understand the haters, totally loving it!
SE's lack of creativity and imagination
# Dec 10 2010 at 4:33 PM Rating: Good
Nice to see SE trying to get this game up to par. This game has major issues in all areas and need to be overhauled.

This game is a major step back from what FFXI. It's noticeable in every area of FFXIV.

That battle system is slow and not as responsive as it should be. Not to worried about no auto-attack tho i think the first attack you start with takes more stamina then it should. That abilities/weapon skills are dull and un-imaginative and very lame. The magic effects when casting fire or lightning or whatever are the same, extremely lame and no imagination for them.

Eye candy isnt much of a big deal but without it, most ppl in this day and age wont like a game to much if it's not in, that is why the magic's eye candy sucks and WS are lame and look the same for the most part and both are lame and have no imagination behind it.

An auction house would be better and make thing alot eaiser tho it doesnt bother me if a company wants to play around with a different idea. Just be sure to make it easy to find an item, regardless of a 'search' feature or not.

Content as everyone knows sucks alot. there isnt a story or a good one at that. Most of the monsters in the 3 main areas look the same with a few here and there that dont share the same mesh. I wont go into the different forms of leves except to say that most are lame and no imagination again and that a time limit and the limit on how many you can do is pretty stupid tho I do understand SE not wanting people to blow thru to lvl cap to fast but it'll happen anyways so up the exp needed to lvl. shrugs

Crafting is find to me other then I'm not to excited about the final item being eaiser to make then the components to make said final item.

Now over graphic to me is really a kicker, For being on a brand spankin new engine, the graphics are dull and again have no imagination to them, it's all copy and paste, with the chunks being rotated, etc. This engine should be capable of doing some extremely fancy stuff and excellent graphics. Aion's 3.0 version comes to mind of what NCsoft is bring out for that game. SE maybe should take a look to realize what they're new engine should be capable of.

SE has alot of vet. that have been around for many yrs. I think SE needs alot of new ppl to get they're lacking creative and imaginative side going again unless they like making dried up, lame and non-creavtive, unimaginative games like they have been for the pass 8yrs. FFXI was they're last good game.

Sorry, long and all but it's good to say what you think. flame away like some of you will.

*edit* From what i'm seeing of Naoki Yoshida involvement with different games is that those games didnt do so good so once again this isnt looking as good as I thought it would for FFXIV after all

Edited, Dec 10th 2010 4:38pm by Pyrien

Edited, Dec 10th 2010 4:39pm by Pyrien
SE's lack of creativity and imagination
# Dec 11 2010 at 12:57 PM Rating: Default
Really? just wow. One Lev quests beat the hell out of just grinding, as you would in most FF games, two the graphics are amazing, good for you to notice a few copy pastes, oh no this tree looks like a tree over there wtf!?!?! I suppose you want graphics more similar to 7? heh..
Another big kicker yes they have the same mobs as XI, and XI had the same mobs of the one before that and the one before that.. like come on guy.

Believe it or not not everyone wants a AH. I don't. I know a lot of other people who don't. obviously SE doesn't either or they would have added it by now.
why the japanise never say they are wrong
# Dec 10 2010 at 1:20 PM Rating: Decent
lol no doubt someone has committed supuku over this lol or whatever the Japanese call it when you skewer yourself lol. though btw the eq one and two is the one with the ridiculous amounts of expansions
...
# Dec 10 2010 at 1:19 PM Rating: Default
I don't really understand how people can't be having fun, a few glitches here and there that are obviously going to be fixed aren't enough to stop me from enjoying the game. The need for an AH has been thoroughly explained and discussed obviously changes to the market wards are on the way. It seems that so far they have been doing a great job at catching up to where they should have been and I approve of them making sure that the content and patches they are implementing are actually benefiting the game. This email doesn't scare me and it shouldn't scare anyone else, they aren't going to overhaul the game they are just trying to expedite the required changes so that they can start making money off a quality product. The fact that they aren't charging us until they have a solid time line for completion is amazingly generous in my opinion and in no way means that the game is going downhill, otherwise they wouldn't bother.
how many future PS3 users give up now?
# Dec 10 2010 at 12:27 PM Rating: Decent
Originally the game was to be a world wide release on PS3 and computer,ha,screwed the pooch on that one,PS3 delayed 6 months.
Ok,I'll wait it out,plus 6 months to tweek it,now there is no knowing or even a possible date for release on PS3(yeah,I know those of you on comp could give a crap less about us on consoles,but guess what,we will end up being SE's saving grace considering that way the game is getting slammed right now with bad press and word of mouth).
I played 11 for 6 years loved it,I was not much of a party person,took Whm to 75 and went Bst rdm blm thf and warr solo,(that is the kind of game I was looking for here(party if you want not cause you have to).
I was really looking forward to 14 in afew months,but now who knows when.
Right now the only thing that can even hope to save this game is PS3 as the word is out on what a piece of crap it is on comp,most wost come back and very few will even try. thats my 2 cents rip me up now
Hopeful
# Dec 10 2010 at 9:48 AM Rating: Good
37 posts
Needless I'm pleased - and now hopeful.

It may not have been Mr. Tanaka's fault entirely but he was responsible for the overall direction of the game and guiding the team. This is SE's first real admission that they well and truly dropped the soap and are now giving a real and honest attempt to fixing their blunder rather than just putting little bandages over a gaping wound.

There are moments where I really do love and enjoy FFXIV followed by moments near incoherent anger where I could throw my monitor at the wall because the game has decided to do something stupid (usually crash during a leve).

I really do hope one of their first fixes is to end the 'failed leve on crash/dc' I mean... that would suck if it was one of those NM leves.
Hopeful
# Dec 11 2010 at 1:02 PM Rating: Decent
Though it does suck and it has happened to me in way of the NM levs, you most likely wont be soloing it. If you crash in a lev with someone in your party doing it, they keep the lev, and if you log back on to join them, and click the aetheryte you get the option to recontinue your lev. Its not the best, but a good reason to team up.
re: An Important Announcement for FFXIV Fans
# Dec 10 2010 at 9:36 AM Rating: Default
While I am happy that they dont want to charge me for playing when the game is still in Beta, it makes me worry for the future of the game.

For me, and because I am not worried about reaching max level anytime soon, I have currently 3 problems with the game. I will worry about endgame/mid level content later on.

1) Storage is a problem. For a game that advertises crafting as equal to a battle job, and encourages taking up many crafts at once, I find it very difficult to have enough storage. I have all DoH jobs to minimum of lvl 15, and I cant use sub tools because I dont have room in my bag to hold one for every profession. So a separate bag for equipment in my opinion would really help with this. There is already a separate bag for Crystals (which anyone who played FFXI would remember that keeping crystals in your inventory while crafting would take up sooooo much room!)

2) The repairs system is problematic. Having to unequip an item, change to the correct job, go to the inventory, select the item, select repair, wait for the animation (at this point I often remember that I made the item with Armorer not Blacksmith like I thought, meaning I need to repeat steps), then open the inventory and have to sort through all my non equip items to find the material.

A good change for this would be to have a "Repair Mode" where you just select the item, and, automatically switch to the right job and use the right material (if its in the inventory). If you dont have the right job to a high enough level, then you get an error message but that cuts down so many steps!

3) Market Wards. I dont need to go into this any further, as, whatever I say here is redundant, already said and getting dull for people to read.

I am sure I would have other problems as I play through, but I am not qualified to comment on those yet :)

(Oh an P.S, just because I dont have any job to lvl 20 yet, does not mean I dont play alot. I have Physical lvl 36, which takes alot of time to achieve. I have all jobs 18/18 over lvl 10, cause I enjoy playing this way while there is no game content yet.)

[edit]Please ignore my previous edits, I thought I posted this in the wrong place.[/edit]

[edit] I reposted this on the below link, please feel free to delete this post. Thank you.
http://ffxiv.zam.com/forum.html?forum=152&mid=129196546033572345&page=3#m1291997039325183810 [/edit]

Edited, Dec 10th 2010 10:37am by Drakenabarion

Edited, Dec 10th 2010 10:38am by Drakenabarion

Edited, Dec 10th 2010 10:39am by Drakenabarion

Edited, Dec 10th 2010 10:40am by Drakenabarion

Edited, Dec 10th 2010 11:05am by Drakenabarion
The glass is half full or...
# Dec 10 2010 at 8:36 AM Rating: Decent
26 posts
It's a matter of perspective. To do what they are doing for a few people seems like desperation. To others it shows a level of commitment to something they believe in. They want to make it right and to admit failure on any level for themselves is an extremely hard thing to do. So no matter how you feel about the game in it's present state you have to give credit where credit is due. You've got a free ticket and a front row seat to the creative process.
Yay or nay?
# Dec 10 2010 at 7:48 AM Rating: Decent
**
513 posts
I have mixed feelings about the crew changes. Nobuaki Komoto apparently went from director to lead game designer and I wonder how that's going to affect development. He directed Chains of Promathia for FFXI, which is easily the best MMO expansion ever created, so I have much respect for the man despite the state of FFXIV.

Patience will be rewarded?
# Dec 10 2010 at 6:54 AM Rating: Decent
33 posts
Seems that some people still fail to read the announcement properly. The only person that has been replaced is Tanaka (not sure if he's out completely or been reassigned to other duties). The other positions, as far as we know, are newly created. No one else has been dropped from the team according to the letter.

Anyway, we'll see what new directions this shift will bring. FFXIV has no where to go but up, and the updates have been steady so I'm hopeful.
Patience will be rewarded?
# Dec 10 2010 at 10:19 AM Rating: Decent
atsalaz wrote:
Seems that some people still fail to read the announcement properly. The only person that has been replaced is Tanaka (not sure if he's out completely or been reassigned to other duties). The other positions, as far as we know, are newly created. No one else has been dropped from the team according to the letter.

Anyway, we'll see what new directions this shift will bring. FFXIV has no where to go but up, and the updates have been steady so I'm hopeful.

It can go sideways.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
# Dec 10 2010 at 6:34 AM Rating: Default
Ken Burton's Reject
*****
12,834 posts
AAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

That's.. really all I have to say!
____________________________
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Olorinus the Ludicrous wrote:
The idea of old school is way more interesting than the reality
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
# Dec 11 2010 at 2:48 AM Rating: Decent
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! Oh wow...that made my day. Knee-jerk reaction to WoW Cataclysm (which is amazing) IMHO. Stepping down/replaced is a nice way of saying they fired him and the others. There is nothing they can do to save this game. The damage has already been done. Most people have moved on to better games or are waiting for better games to come out. This isn't going to make me reactivate my account and I know for a fact that I'm not the only one. Well at least SE admits they messed FFXIV up.
Interesting ..
# Dec 10 2010 at 6:22 AM Rating: Decent
*
84 posts
Maybe this will prompt me to reinstall the client ... especially if it's going to be free for a while (read: indefinitely). I'm curious as to what this new team plans to do to "overhaul" the game. What does this overhaul entail ... and will it be enough to keep me interested in actually paying for it on a month-to-month basis?
At least someone finally gets "it."
# Dec 10 2010 at 6:01 AM Rating: Decent
Games need to be fun to play. FF14, as it currently exists is not fun. When things goes as badly as they have, changes have to be made. I stopped playing 2 weeks after I got the CE version. I've even started playing WoW a bit. Guess what? It's actually fun to play. I still would prefer to play FF14, and plan on doing so-when it's fun to play.

Given SE's willingness to indefinitely extend the free trial period and delay the launch of the PS3 version, I'm expecting more than simply added content. I read this to be an acknowledgment that FF14 in its current form was not going to work, and that significant, fundamental changes are needed and therefore forthcoming. SE simply doesn't yet know what they will be, and thus how long they will take to implement. This is great news to all of us who stopped playing and have been waiting for a sign that we can come back and enjoy playing FF14.

It's only a guess and/or my desires, but I suspect we'll see the following:

1. AH. The market system was the worst experience many of us have ever had playing any game, let alone an MMO, let alone a cutting edge MMO which is what 14 should be. THROW OUT THE ENTIRE CONCEPT. There is no need to reinvent the wheel on every aspect of an MMO. Make it fun to play.

2. Battle System. Say goodbye to spamming darts. It's a take on the a mash, and several step backwards from FF11, let alone the main competition - WoW. Additionally, the in battle graphics are weak given the games technological requirements. So put simply, the battle system needs to work equal to or better than FF11, and look better. Their work is cut out for them here. Every FF title tweaked the battle system to my memory (I don't recall all of them. I loved 7, played some of 8 & 9, really enjoyed 10, loved 11, missed 12, and stopped playing 13 after 2 hours because it was an A-mash). So I see a parallel here between 13 and 14 and it's not good- a mashing. One of the best parts of 11 was the battle system, and how the various jobs/sub-jobs collaborated to take down the mob. Get to work SE, this is needed in 14. And with better graphics.

3. Repair system overhaul. Here's where you could somewhat use the existing market system: as a flea market for crafters to either craft or do repairs. The NPC needs to be able to repair to greater than 75%. Perhaps 90%? But the degrade rate needs to be tweaked. Again, playing should be fun, not arduous. We have real life, and real life work for that.

3. Better communication. How is it that 14's linkshell pages offer less information, and are less useful than 11? Go back, look at 11, start there (member's locations, ability to kick ppl, jobs, ranks, etc.)

4. Better interface.

5. A LOT MORE CONTENT. Someone in the new team should be tasked with creating quests. No, not major story line quests, just simply quests to can be done for fun, experience, equipment, etc. This is sorely missing atm. Moreover, what's done now, can lead to sub plots in expansions, updates, etc in the years to come.

6. More overall story development and integration - from the outset. I quit after a couple weeks and my conjurer is somewhere in the early teens, 14 I think. I have no clue what the game is about (Gridania. I had some kind of hate and did a dance, still have hate. Not fun, not satisfying. Confusing with no feeling of understanding, meaning or accomplishment. In 11 (Elvaan in San'Doria), we knew there was a great war, and the old enemy was nearby. Orcs were present from the first time you left the safety of the castle. Orcs were bad, the kingdom was in trouble, etc. A story/background was there from the outset, and integrated in the missions/story development. This is needed.

Flame me if you want, my two cents. But for what its worth, I'm happier today and looking forward to improvements-and hopefully, being able to enjoy playing FF14-something that until this announcement, no longer seemed likely. I'm playing WoW now, but will switch the moment 14 is playable and enjoyable.

I suspect I'm not alone...

FF11
Caitsith
Haldier: 78 thf, 75 pld

Wow
Stormrage
Arvn 72 mage (was 60 when I loaded it on to my new computer and reactivated an account after years).
#KiranRedtail, Posted: Dec 10 2010 at 5:52 AM, Rating: Sub-Default, (Expand Post) I'm liking my time in FFXIV, and not the same way I have in many other games. Many other games use this crazy reward model that's almost narcotic, giving you fancy gear or massive XP for every little thing you do, triggering endorphins when you complete each task and massive disappointment when you're unable to. You sit there, hour after hour, unable to pull away because of the promise of some shiny new carrot just around the corner.
Well, crap!
# Dec 10 2010 at 5:31 AM Rating: Decent
Man! I've been waiting so patiently to play this game, flaws and all. I don't have a fancy enough computer to play, nor willing to shell out the money to get one just for one game, especially when i have a PS3 already. But now I have to wait indefinitely for the PS3 release? *sigh* I appreciate SE for trying to right their wrong of a premature release. I also understand that MMO's take a while to develop all the content and features we come to love when playing. I just don't want to wait another 6, 9, 12 months until I finally get to play. (Nor waste my time on another MMO I'm just going to leave when it finally does release to PS3)
Well, at least it will be that much better when it does come out. I'll just have some catching up to do to where I could have been.
Thank you, but Dang You SE!!!
the bell tolls for thee...
# Dec 10 2010 at 5:19 AM Rating: Default
and so the long slow death of FFXIV begins.... oh well, it was a nice idea.
Market ward
# Dec 10 2010 at 5:12 AM Rating: Decent
Well... Before thinking the AH, i suggest some changes in the Market Ward. The conception is not so wrong, but there is some big fault in it.
- 5% tax, if you are selling in the wrong area.
Okay, thats is soo laughable. In this game, where can collect Gil like shells in the shore. Where - just for example - the T1 Marmot drop a pelt, which is sold about 500 Gil.
And if i sell in the correct place, it is 2%. So, the sellers don't care, where they sell - mostly in the first area - and this is, where the whole concept is fail.
Try to raise the tax 50% (if you are sell in the wrong place), and i think, the owercrowded Battlecraft area is back to normal. Just an example.
Searching in the Market
even if we are in the correct area, there is a lot of retainer. Why is must browse everyone, not just those, who have the item?


Wow
# Dec 10 2010 at 4:59 AM Rating: Excellent
*
203 posts
Wow. And I don't mean that other game.

I think this is what everyone said would never happen. I think FFXIV has all but officially gone back into beta.
ding dong
# Dec 10 2010 at 4:08 AM Rating: Decent
**
763 posts
Ding dong, the devs are gone, the wicked devs, those wicked devs, ding dong the wicked devs are gone! High ho, the merry-o, ha ha ha, ho ho ho.. ::dancing like I've never danced before::

XD
Stunned
# Dec 10 2010 at 4:03 AM Rating: Decent
*
136 posts
I hope they don't waste their time overhauling too much.
The game could use more content, they need to have teams developing content independent of the creative directors vision.
If they have to slow down on development to make room for character adjustments and polish how can they expect to keep up with other MMO's?

You can't expect to design a game that looks next gen without having any next gen elements. Having a game that is just a nicer looking version of basic MMO concepts is the same as a WOW clone with tweaks.

Players are surprisingly aware of advanced design concepts. You can't expect people to keep falling for the same tricks MMO generation after generation. While I hate WoW's core combat structure its environmental design structure certainly raised the bar for every other MMO, if FFXIV wants to succeed its going to have to do the same even if they plan to avoid competing with WoW by putting the game on a console.

A players reaction to an MMO is easy especially in an game play environment where "enjoyment" can be so easily measured. Players enter the MMO genre with expectations, if your going to try and re-define them your going to need an unreasonable level of design that's just unreasonable with such a large inflexible team.

I wish SE the best but unless they have a few design elements that can act as ace cards i don't think they stand a very good chance. Rehashing old ideas like NM's, an AH, or chocobo's aren't gonna jump start a heart that isn't getting fresh oxygen. Riveting story's, great graphics, a rich environment, and long term goals aren't exactly things that instantly grab new players and keep them logging in on a daily basis.
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