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  1. #1
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    Letter from the Producer, XXIX (06/04/2012)

    http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/threads/46936

    Hello again, all you FFXIVers out there! Today I’m sending you my 29th letter, which doubles as the second half of my analysis of the third Players’ Poll. There’s a lot to get through, so I’ll jump right into it. (In case you came in late, here’s the first half of my analysis.)

    To begin with, let’s take a look at the Battle System and Combat Classes section.

    Q1. What type of jobs/classes would you most like to see added? (Up to 2 answers allowed)


    First up, we have the players’ wish lists for new classes and jobs. A pet class took the top honors, with an original class and an assassin-type class trailing not too far behind in that order. This data will be very useful to us for version 2.0—it’ll be interesting indeed to see what gets implemented!

    Q2. What do you think about the combo system that was released in version 1.20?


    As you can see, player opinion on the combo system is quite spread out. Those who indicated dissatisfaction were asked to elaborate in question 3. Many of you said that combos are too restrictive, and we’ll be taking this along with the most prominent response, “I'm looking forward to new actions and combos,” into consideration as we move towards version 2.0.

    We also received many comments that character positioning is bothersome and difficult. Such comments often go on to add that server delay and UI issues also have a big impact. We’ll be sure to keep these points in mind when making adjustments in the future!

    Next, we have the Synthesis section.

    Q1. Do you have a Disciple of the Hand class at level 40 or higher?


    This section of the poll measures players’ familiarity and experience with crafting. Around 20% of poll participants indicated that they have a Disciple of the Hand class at level 40 or above. 30% have no interest in crafting, which leaves 50% of players somewhere in between. With these figures in mind, let’s take a look at the results for the next few questions.

    Q2. What bothers you most about the current synthesis system? (Up to 3 answers allowed)

    This question identifies the various complaints players have with regards to crafting. With up to three answers allowed, the result is somewhat divided, but it’s clear enough that the criticism is centered on process, abilities, content, and recipes. We began implementing measures to address these issues back in patch 1.21, and are looking to overhaul the system for version 2.0 based on your feedback.

    Q3. Right now, only the class used to craft an item can repair that item. What do you think of this?

    I found the result here quite intriguing. From the standpoint of convenience, it’s clearly better to do away with class restrictions for repairs. However, an overwhelming number of you—nearly 80%—said that you’re fine with things the way they are.

    Question 1 under the Synthesis section revealed that around 70% of players are interested and/or involved in crafting. On the other hand, 80% indicated that they are fine with the current class restrictions for repairs. We can take this to mean that a third of the 30% who have no interest in synthesis prioritize immersion over convenience. We were thinking to do away with class restrictions depending on demand, but in light of this result, we’ve decided to stay our hand and keep an eye on trends for a while.

    Q4. Right now, only the class used to craft an item can affix materia to it. What do you think of this?

    The result here is similar to question 3, though slightly more players would prefer greater freedom. Materia melding is an elaborate process compared to repairs, and so I think it’s natural that convenience is given emphasis. Apart from obtaining materia, players must also consider gear compatibility. Then there’s the challenge of attaching multiple materia to an item. We’ll keep an eye on trends for now, with a view to improve usability.

    Q1. Do you have a Disciple of the Land class at level 40 or higher?


    Q2. What bothers you most about the current gathering system? (Up to 3 answers allowed)


    As with question 1, here we wanted to identify trends in gathering. There’re more gatherers than crafters out there who are level 40 or above, with almost 30% of you answering in the affirmative to the question. On the whole, more players have an interest in gathering than crafting.

    Riding on the above result, player response for question 2 is all over the place. The most common complaint is lack of game content, with lack of gathering points and difficulty in leveling rounding up the top three.

    Being the sector of the game economy focused on obtaining natural resources, gathering is classified as primary industry. It’s simple by nature, and is reliant on the existence of crafters in order to thrive. For this reason, it’s very difficult to create standalone content for Disciples of the Land. I’d like to assure players, though, that we intend to secure a place for gatherers within the circle of contents the game has to offer, both pre- and post-version 2.0. In particular, things are set to change dramatically system-side when version 2.0 arrives. Please look forward to that.

    The next section of the poll takes us out of the game and into the Lodestone and the official forums.

    Q1. Do you read player blogs on the Lodestone?


    Q1. Do you read player blogs on the Lodestone?


    In question 1, more than 30% of players answered that they never read player blogs on the Lodestone. I must say I’m concerned with this result. I make it a point to read anywhere from 20 to 30 blogs daily, and believe that we need to put effort into boosting visitor numbers to the Lodestone. Players will also note the disparity between Japanese figures and those of other regions.

    Likewise, the result for question 2 is a cause for concern. In this day and age, there’s no end to the number of channels through which people can disseminate information, and specialized blogs like FFXIV’s face stiff competition in the form of Twitter, Facebook, and the list goes on. This is especially true outside of Japan, where these two social networking services are dominant.

    With the arrival of version 2.0, the Lodestone will undergo full renovation. We’ll be exploring ways to tie up service with Twitter and Facebook as well as the game itself. Keeping our players’ feedback close to heart, we will strive to deliver a more user-friendly and accessible community site!

    Q3. Do you view the official forums?


    Q4. Do you post on the official forums?


    In contrast to blog results, more players outside of Japan are making use of the official forums. 84% of Japanese players do not post on the forums, a much higher figure than the 54–58% of North America and Europe.

    Taking your comments in question 5 into consideration, the most important element here appears to be atmosphere. By doing things like hosting forum events with our community reps, we hope to provide you with an atmosphere that is more conducive to interaction—a place where everyone’s opinion is valued. We hope we can rely on your cooperation in this endeavor.

    Q1. What are your greatest expectations for the game's relaunch with version 2.0? (Up to 3 answers allowed)


    Players are most looking forward to the new graphics engine, new maps and level design, the new UI, and new classes and jobs, and the ratio for each is roughly the same across all regions. Interestingly, Japanese players are the ones who’re most looking forward to the new housing system—a national trait, perhaps?

    We’ll soon be releasing screenshots and videos showcasing the new graphics engine, which will be optimized to support both high- and low-end PCs. I trust you won’t be disappointed with that, nor the PS3 version.

    With regards to maps and level design, both the art and modeling teams are working at full tilt to produce vast quantities of new material. We’ll be putting cool stuff up on the version 2.0 promotional site, so do keep an eye out for that, too.

    Things are also proceeding well with the UI, which is being rebuilt from the ground up. I must say I’m anticipating the public’s response to the PS3 version’s action bar layout with equal parts excitement and dread.

    Q2. What type of race or clan would you most like to see added in the future?


    Mammalian demi-beastmen proved to be the most desired new race, though I wonder if they received an unfair advantage because I dropped the name “Viera.” For some reason, reptilians are relatively popular among French players, at 18%. On the whole, races of mixed heritage are equally sought after across all regions.

    In contrast with other MMORPGs, I’m seeing a trend towards…shall we say, FF-ness? Ours being a Japanese game, the result seems to tell us that players are prioritizing cuteness, something which I noted with great interest.

    As I’m sure you’ll appreciate, adding a completely new race is not a decision to be made lightly. But rest assured that your feedback will factor greatly into our consideration!

    And that concludes the second half of my analysis of the third FINAL FANTASY XIV Players’ Poll. I’m sorry that it took so long to put together. We intend to keep on holding player polls even after version 2.0 is launched, and look forward to hearing more of your thoughts when the fourth poll comes around.

    The next letter is scheduled for after E3, and I’ll be writing about patch 1.23 as well as version 2.0.

    See you next time and/or on the forums!

  2. #2
    Sea Torques
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    Question 1 under the Synthesis section revealed that around 70% of players are interested and/or involved in crafting. On the other hand, 80% indicated that they are fine with the current class restrictions for repairs. We can take this to mean that a third of the 30% who have no interest in synthesis prioritize immersion over convenience. We were thinking to do away with class restrictions depending on demand, but in light of this result, we’ve decided to stay our hand and keep an eye on trends for a while.
    This is what happens when you let the masses decide how to keep crafting classes relevant. Hopefully SE realizes their repair system is bothersome and anti-fun, even if the majority thinks inconvenience for the sake of inconvenience is necessary.

    If SE fixes the repair interface (why must you change your class to repair each item you have; if I have the required level, just let me repair my stuff nghgjfjrbfj) it'll certainly be less bothersome, but the current restrictions seem like they simultaneously want to make the system better while keeping it the same (which I would not be ok with, but would be less not ok with it). Also, NPC repairs to 99% make me sad.

    Inconvenience is not the way to make crafting relevant. Please, try another path.

  3. #3
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    exactly. When 70% of the playerbase likely have more than 3 crafts at max lol

  4. #4
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    The last part of that poll shows that they need to start distancing themselves from what the players want and what is actually good or the game. Especially considering a new mage class which we're in dire fucking need of was second to last on the list.

  5. #5

    Problem I see with the latest polls is that both were made by active players. I feel the game needs someting to attract the attentions of new, different users, not to please hardcore FF fans in love with FF11 dated mechanics.

  6. #6

    This is why you don't listen to your player base. The majority of them are idiots.

  7. #7
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    The only worthwhile part

    We’ll soon be releasing screenshots and videos showcasing the new graphics engine, which will be optimized to support both high- and low-end PCs. I trust you won’t be disappointed with that, nor the PS3 version.

  8. #8
    Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.
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    The repair and affixing materia questions were by far the most rage inducing to me. Who the fuck really wants to switch between multiple DoHs just to repair shit?

  9. #9
    Banned.

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    Ugh, I hate the XIV community.
    I swear... I hope Yoshi-P is just writing this to placate the people and just scraps all of this shit.

  10. #10
    Ridill
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    I'm pleased with Summoner/pet jobs getting the most votes but the crafting.... those "immersion" guys can go die in a fire.

  11. #11
    F5 Like A Boss.
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    God I hate the XIV community... What a bunch of morons.

  12. #12
    Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.
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    At least Yoshi has a redeeming quality where he also thinks that people are fucking retards. At least he's still planning on making stuff more convenient despite what the poll said in regards to materia and repairs.

  13. #13
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    Oh boy maybe the next poll should just be sent out to people with deactivated accounts~

  14. #14
    Ridill
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    Quote Originally Posted by Burningthought View Post
    At least Yoshi has a redeeming quality where he also thinks that people are fucking retards. At least he's still planning on making stuff more convenient despite what the poll said in regards to materia and repairs.
    His analysis sure implies that this is the case. Let's hope he actually does change things.

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Burningthought View Post
    At least Yoshi has a redeeming quality where he also thinks that people are fucking retards. At least he's still planning on making stuff more convenient despite what the poll said in regards to materia and repairs.
    Yeah, when I read that, I had hopes that he was still considering scrapping that requirement. Here's to hoping that we're not giving him too much credit.

    I thought that the previous letter implied that the 2.0 website would be coming outer rather soon, but from this letter, it seems like it may still be a bit off. Did they give an estimated timeframe for the 2.0 website?

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tidane View Post
    Yeah, when I read that, I had hopes that he was still considering scrapping that requirement. Here's to hoping that we're not giving him too much credit.

    I thought that the previous letter implied that the 2.0 website would be coming outer rather soon, but from this letter, it seems like it may still be a bit off. Did they give an estimated timeframe for the 2.0 website?
    They said shortly after E3 which starts today. I'd guess next week though.

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by Burningthought View Post
    The repair and affixing materia questions were by far the most rage inducing to me. Who the fuck really wants to switch between multiple DoHs just to repair shit?
    The way it works with specific crafts needed is fine to me, what needs to be changed is what I've bolded. I shouldn't have to BE on the crafting class in order to make repairs, because that is the part that is tedious.

    I do not want to have to be on the appropriate class to make repairs. That is the only problem I have with the repair system.

  18. #18

    Quote Originally Posted by Raldo View Post
    The way it works with specific crafts needed is fine to me, what needs to be changed is what I've bolded. I shouldn't have to BE on the crafting class in order to make repairs, because that is the part that is tedious.

    I do not want to have to be on the appropriate class to make repairs. That is the only problem I have with the repair system.
    I agree, make it so that you need the craft leveled to repair the gear, but also make it so you don't have to swap to that job to repair it.

  19. #19
    the whitest knight u' know
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    The groundwork for that mechanic already exist since the game currently acknowledges that your level is high enough for melding/repairing an item regardless of what class you're currently on. I bet they'll eventually do it.

  20. #20
    Yoshi P
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    One step further with what Raldo is saying, but it would be nice not to blow my quarter hour ever time someone needs repairs during an event as well. I'm not THAT hopefully that they'll let us doing from a DoW/DoM class, but god that would be nice to have the ability to.

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