Dreams, MMOs

[thistlechaser]

Lots of dreams last night. One was about being able to use my WoW flying mount to get to FFXI's sky (so handy!), and another was that my WoW guild asked me to go on some raid with them (even though I'm 10 levels below everyone...) and it involved fishing (maybe that's why?) but I couldn't deal with handling fish guts, so we failed. :P

I've been resisting posting negative stuff about FFXI even though it's sometimes very hard, but I ran into a post on ffxiljcommunity that just boggles me. They changed Beastmaster so that your pet can no longer fight while you do anything else. (So if you send your pet to fight and try to harvest, open a chest, whatever, the pet now stops fighting and walks back to you.) It just boggles me, outright boggles me, how anti-player FFXI is. (And what boggles me even more is there was a time I used to think that was a good thing, I defended it.) I tried to imagine how my Hunter would change if that pet-behavior was put into place on WoW -- it'd cripple me. How often I've used my kitty to distract/hold/whatever monsters so I could do something else!

I feel sort of like I finally got out of an abusive relationship and only now am I seeing the situation through clearer eyes. I don't understand the point of so much of what SE does. The BST change, ACP's losing your (damned annoying to get) key item if you lose the (very hard) BC... Why does FFXI fight against the players?

It always annoyed the hell out of me when other people said this, but: WoW is fun. Easier? Sure, but know what? That's not necessarily a bad thing. It'd nice to play a game that likes me, instead of one who, the moment it sees I'm succeeding, changes things to make it harder for me. (See also: All the farming nerfs, the fishing change, all the endless supposed anti-gilseller crap that hurts the players but doesn't stop the gilsellers...)

I used to wonder when my love of FFXI would return, but now I'm starting to wonder if it will... (To be fair, the fact that I'm RPing on WoW gives the game an amazing boost. It's like two games in one (MMO and MU*) instead of just one.)

*rereads post* I wonder if I'll delete this an hour from now. :P I tend to do that with my more negative posts.

Comments

[kelen.livejournal.com]

I went through much the same thing when I switched. In as much as I was kind of forced to change games, thanks to FFXI nearly crippling me, I found WoW to be highly enjoyable. Little by little my want to go back to FFXI faded. Sure WoW isn't as challenging as I'd like, and aspects bug me after being in FFXI's detailed environment, but that doesn't make it bad.
Been more then two years now, and I don't mind not having FFXI anymore. My arms certainly don't miss that pain. @.@

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

*snugs* I only wish it had been by your choice! ...and I'm glad you're on WoW with me. :D

[draymor.livejournal.com]

If you're still walking to sky after finishing CoP, check this (http://wiki.ffxiclopedia.org/wiki/Sky_Teleport) out. Instant Sky port from any of the 3 main crags. I always keep a tele-port ring in case I have go be in sky lickity-split on my non teleporting jobs.

As for the way FF treats its players... I don't know. While there are odd things here and there that are baffling (like reduing sleep/debuff duration), I feel that 95% of the player base overreact to any changes made to the game. Like I said in the FFXIljcomm post, pets returning to their master is "normal" behavior for some jobs under certain situations. It might just be possible that this was broken inadvertently in the same way PUP ranged attack or BST charm on some mob families was. Also, even though the pet returns, it's not like its target magically turns to you; you can still do w/e it was you were doing, your pet will just stand there taking hits. I don't see how that would break the "distraction trick" given that HELM takes all of 5 seconds and after that people are free to swap pets. If anything it's more dangerous for SMNs/PUPs who need time to resummon or get one pet every 20 minutes, and we've been dealing with that for god knows how long.

People also like to overlook improvements SE made to the game in their complaining. The last two/three years have been filled with little game-improving tweaks that people have asked for. Sky-ports (thought some people to this day are self-admittedly still to lazy to get them), mog locker access from all areas, UI changes, the INNUMERABLE BST tweaks to make them more PT friendly (debated by the hard-core soloers) plus other huge job adjustments, security token and mog satchel...

It just never ceases to amaze me how quickly the lynch mobs form with every little thing that gets broken/changed. Suppose I'm just the type that rolls with it, or at least wait and see, rather than complain complain complain outright when things go wrong.

(I don't know about you but it took me just 30 minutes to solo the tower climb on NIN with ~15 of each stealth tool. It's nothing compared to say... the climb up U.range for the ENM item then waiting for ice weather to drop before the ENM arena even opens. I haven't had time to do the final BC but from what I heard it isn't hard either with the right setup either.)

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

If you're still walking to sky after finishing CoP, check this out. Instant Sky port from any of the 3 main crags. I always keep a tele-port ring in case I have go be in sky lickity-split on my non teleporting jobs.

I haven't been to Sky since finishing CoP and I doubt I'll be going again anytime soon. (If that changes I'll do it for sure though!) I basically stayed active in FFXI just for CoP... or rather for my CoP static -- me quitting would have screwed them over.

As for the way FF treats its players... I don't know. While there are odd things here and there that are baffling (like reduing sleep/debuff duration), I feel that 95% of the player base overreact to any changes made to the game.

I don't know either, but I look at the game now and see Issues all over the place. 15 minute wait for an airship? How many hours wait for a Besieged? Why? Why not have airships come every minute or so, like in WoW? Why not have Besieged going on 100% of the time, like some places in Northrend on WoW?

It might just be possible that this was broken inadvertently

Perhaps. But would it not be typical SE behavior to nerf it?


People also like to overlook improvements SE made to the game in their complaining. The last two/three years have been filled with little game-improving tweaks that people have asked for.

Not overlooked (at least by me), but the improvements are there for a reason: Because for years (YEARS) these things were a problem. It's taken them years (YEARS!) to start to address some of these things... That's just damned sad.

It just never ceases to amaze me how quickly the lynch mobs form with every little thing that gets broken/changed.

If you kick a dog every day for a week, then draw back your foot next time you're near him, what will the dog do? People behave this way because of SE's record thus far. If (for example) that pet change happened in WoW, I would not froth at the mouth, I would expect 1) it was a mistake, 2) We'd get a timely written explanation from Blizzard as to what happened, how it would be fixed, and how people would be compensated who experienced that issue. 3) The correction would be made. Which of those things would SE do?

(I don't know about you but it took me just 30 minutes to solo the tower climb on NIN with ~15 of each stealth tool. It's nothing compared to say... the climb up U.range for the ENM item then waiting for ice weather to drop before the ENM arena even opens. I haven't had time to do the final BC but from what I heard it isn't hard either with the right setup either.)

I haven't tried it (and likely won't), but that's how I would do it as well. However, on the BC, the "right" set up is very limited. I hope you know 3-4 RNGs or MNKs... I hope you're not someone with just one "useless" 75 job like the majority of my social LS...

[draymor.livejournal.com]

I don't know either, but I look at the game now and see Issues all over the place. 15 minute wait for an airship? How many hours wait for a Besieged? Why? Why not have airships come every minute or so, like in WoW?

It's unrealistic. Unless you're talking about mass transit systems you will NEVER see public transportation with schedules such as that. If there's anything FFXI tries to be is realistic, not - unfortunately for some - convenient. Whether of not it's something you'd like to see in a game is up to you. Airships are not the only methods of transportation (in fact it's one of the most archaic) and there are much faster ways to get around. Personally I look at ship/airship rides as perfect opportunities to AFK or take a break.

Why not have Besieged going on 100% of the time, like some places in Northrend on WoW?

It's called Campaign.

Perhaps. But would it not be typical SE behavior to nerf it?

No. It's actually more like typical SE behavior to break it by accident. Yes it's not as smooth as what Blizzard may have done, but SE aren't raving lunatics going around changing things willy nilly either. OR, like the other thread pointed out, it could be that some people just don't pay enough attention and it's wasn't even changed in the first place.

You know, for someone who's leveled EVERY craft, CAMPAIGNED WHM to 75, I didn't think a lack of patience or unwillingness to jump through SE's hoop would be a problem for you, but I guess there's a limit to everything. I didn't think you'd have as big a reaction for something as irrelevant as /BST HELMing either.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

It's unrealistic. Unless you're talking about mass transit systems you will NEVER see public transportation with schedules such as that.

Realism isn't the be-all and end-all though. Is riding giant chickens realistic? Is not dying when chomped on by a dragon realistic?

And yes, NOW airships are old, but there was a time when they were the only option, other than chocoboing. When/why would it ever be acceptable to make your players stand around 15 minutes to wait for a ship?

Why not have Besieged going on 100% of the time, like some places in Northrend on WoW?

It's called Campaign.

Campaign is far, far, far from 100%... You could annoy yourself by chasing it around the map, but you'll still miss attacks, arrive just as they're retreating, etc.

You know, for someone who's leveled EVERY craft, CAMPAIGNED WHM to 75, I didn't think a lack of patience or unwillingness to jump through SE's hoop would be a problem for you, but I guess there's a limit to everything. I didn't think you'd have as big a reaction for something as irrelevant as /BST HELMing either.

I think it's a combo of things.

1) I'm stubborn/too stupid to give up on things. The WHM to 75, craft after craft, FFXI for five+ years... I get it into my head that I HAVE to do something, and I just bull-headedly push my way through it.

2) Like I said in my OP, I think going to WoW opened my eyes. I hadn't been able to see just how horrible the flaming hoops I was jumping through were.

3)... hm. There was a 3, but I can't remember it now and must get ready to go to work! :D

[mediagoddess.livejournal.com]

You are a kindred spirit to me, it seems. I left FFXI not long after the huge NPCing nerf back in the beginning of the year, and have been playing WoW constantly with little regret.

The only thing I can think of is that Blizzard has its finger on the pulse of what more Western gamers want, as opposed to whatever the hell it is that SE is doing.

Seriously though, reading this post of yours is like reading one of own. You are definitely not alone in how you feel here.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

:} That's nice to hear.

The only thing I can think of is that Blizzard has its finger on the pulse of what more Western gamers want, as opposed to whatever the hell it is that SE is doing.

I think the biggest difference between the two companies is that one listens/talks to its playerbase and the other tells them to take a flying leap, actively attempts to hide any and all details of how things work, etc. Communication counts for so much...

[mediagoddess.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the communication aspect is the biggest difference between Blizzard and SE. I mean, just compare the patch notes for each of the recent patches- Blizzard breaks everything down and tries to leave nothing open for interpretation while SE seems to revel in making things as obtuse as humanly possible. Once upon a time I used to think update days on FFXI were fun- reading through DAT info was always kind of a highlight for me- now I ust find it annoying that SE can't break things down and stop playing stupid mind games with the playerbase.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's what I meant by working against their players (or at least part of what I meant!). I love Blizzard's patch notes! They're so interesting to read and full of info!

[voidmagus.livejournal.com]

I want to play FFXI...but I don't want to play FFXI. I want to feel how I used to feel playing it. I guess it can be likened to an addict longing for how the drug used to feel, before their system built up a tolerance.

I play WoW a little each week, maybe enough to get a level or 2 per week. I play FFXI long enough to make a pile of stuff and AH it. But when I start thinking about going out to XP, there's a sense of dread. I forced myself to the other day...after 4 hours of seeking on 21COR with no invites, I gave up.

What really amazes me is FFXI came out, what, 6 years ago? 7? While I was still in college. WoW hit beta shortly after I graduated (though I can't remember if it was before or during my time in grad school). I've been in the workforce for 3 or 4 years now...And none of the competing MMOs have come close to holding my interest like FFXI. WoW doesn't, though it is at least fun for a few hours a week. I played Age of Conan at launch for about 6 months...and while the atmosphere was great, there was nowhere near enough content. I played a whole host of other games while they were still in beta, and none of them even interest me. When the hell will someone create a new game with current tech that is actually fun and engaging for years worth of play?

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I want to play FFXI...but I don't want to play FFXI. I want to feel how I used to feel playing it.

That's exactly how I used to feel. Up until yesterday, I was unsure I wanted to feel that way anymore. Today, with the Beanie Crap, I'm pretty sure I never want my love to return.

When the hell will someone create a new game with current tech that is actually fun and engaging for years worth of play?

Yes please!