Bored on Pandemonium - LJ Quality Bitching

[Kohan]

All right, time to shit on the forums. Consider yourselves forewarned, this is long, and I didn't have any hilarity to pepper it up with. I needed to dump this somewhere because it's frustrating me endlessly, and couldn't figure out which forum was best, so to Standard it goes.

I could make a post like this on my linkshell forums, but it'd receive the same, typical, tired response -- "please don't leave us," "we'll miss you," so on, so forth. Yeah, I've heard all that, but if people actually gave two shits, they'd try to drop me a line and see what was up with me. That shit doesn't help, it's just empty guilt tripping.

Believe it or not, the excuse of "I play for my friends" actually does apply to me -- it's the only reason I log on -- but it doesn't hold true for a lot of them (the exceptions know who they are). They're gradually disappearing, whether through applying to different shells, switching servers, or quitting FFXI altogether. What was once a healthy social shell is now only livened by a tumbleweed blowing by.

On top of that, I can't get into any reasonable endgame shells, which prevents me from moving on myself. After all these years, I still have only one job at 75. It's reasonably geared -- not awesomely, but reasonably -- but nothing more, since the last time I'd regularly participated in endgame events was well before ToAU.

Additionally, I can usually only play for a few hours a week at best because I'm so busy with my job -- when I'm actually between projects with plenty of free time, I have nothing to do with it on FFXI. Don't care that it makes me sound like an ass -- I don't want to waste time with the majority of the shells that would actually let me in. I'm not hating on all of them, but Retard #3's Fly-by-Night "we only do sky but pretend we do other shit too" shell isn't something I want to bother with. I have the knowledge to do better, but I don't have the equipment or references to back me up. I am one faithful mother fucker -- when I actually have time to play, I'll be there -- and I am not going to dedicate myself to halfasses.

So, why do I still have an account? I don't want this to just be a thread about whining, but fuck. What will make me feel like keeping my account is worthwhile? Logging on to putter around with friends doing the same shit we always do isn't all that great, especially when I'm almost always the only one trying to be enthusiastic about it. Would be fun if people actually joked around and chatted, but half the time you'd think it's a chore for them.

I'm still in the days of 5k per hour merit parties, slow sky kills, so on, so forth. Every single damn time I play. It'd be worth it if it was fun, but it's not. Miss the days of being drunk with friends, screwing around in Qufim and laughing at everything.

Anyway, I know I could have posted this on a journal or something, but for one, I don't have one -- can't stand them usually -- and for another, if no one else who plays/played FFXI reads it, I can't get any worthwhile advice. Coincidentally, one of my editors asked me if I could blog about FFXI regularly since seemingly no one else did (aside from Milkman), but I couldn't take him up on the offer -- I don't have shit to write about.

God I feel like such a whiny bitch. Guess I need to act like one occasionally. Genetic requirement, meeting my quota.

TL;DR: How the hell can I get out of this rut of not wanting to play this freaking game? Should I just quit no matter what anyone says? Am I fucked for missing the boat years ago? Should I kill myself for actually giving a damn? Razor blades at the ready, bitches. SAVE ME OR I'LL END IT ALL

[Seraph]

ITT: "I'm bored but don't want to take the risks or put forth the effort necessary to possibly start having fun again."


Dicking around in an old dead social shell wanting the finer things in FFXI, but not wanting to actually work to participate in them isn't going to get you anywhere. If you are that bored, and turned off by endgame, level another job to 75. Try something different than what you leveled the first time.

[Mojo]

FFXI was always more fun when you were a newbie, at least to me. In all seriousness, don't feel obligated to keep on playing.

[Mizango]

lolpandy? Sorry Kohan but I know all too well what you are going through It was one of the factors that made me leave. My FL is still peppered with all of my friends from there, I just send them POL messages instead of tells now :3


inb4 Rida jocking my cock.

[Karshe]

Sounds lame but if you're not enjoying the company you keep then I don't know how much you're going to enjoy the game. In all honesty, this game is generally monotonous and boring as hell, and it's the friendships and interactions that keep it going (for me, anyway). If you've lost that, then you either need to make a drastic change in play style or give it up.

[GeneJackit]

The fact that you are even arguing with yourself about what you wanna do should be a great indicator that it is time to take an extended break away from the game (distance makes the heart grow fonder) or just hang up the sword and shield...hell, it isnt going to last forever anyways and you can move on.

I think If the two close friends I had in the game left I wouldnt have any hesitation just leaving myself. This game is a house of cards; all your accomplishments are essentially meaningless, and the game should only be there for fun...if it isnt fun, then quit. If my feelings about possibly quiting were as strong as yours i wouldnt even hesitate canceling the account and moving on.

[Mici]

I was in about the same rut, so I joined a Dynamis LS. Don't spend to much time doing it, made some new friends, and mostly I was just doing something.
I started doing Limbus too, like 3-4hrs a week and some decent gear out of it.

[Kohan]

ITT: "I'm bored but don't want to take the risks or put forth the effort necessary to possibly start having fun again."

Don't be stupid. As mentioned, I'd love to join a shell that will have me, and I'll be faithful as hell. Problem is, most of the shells on Pandemonium are "My First Endgame Linkshell" quality, and those which are better won't take me due to the lack of jobs.

Now, I do agree that having another job at 75 would be useful -- my BLM is almost there. Unfortunately, it has mediocre equipment. Problem is, missing the aforementioned boat means I don't come pre-geared, and Pandemonium doesn't have any "entry level shells" that don't suck balls. So, what to do? Conundrum.

lolpandy? Sorry Kohan but I know all too well what you are going through It was one of the factors that made me leave. My FL is still peppered with all of my friends from there, I just send them POL messages instead of tells now :3

Yeah, I figured you'd know what it's like. This place is freaking terrible. I want to stay here for my friends, but the feeling doesn't seem to be mutual as far as most of them are concerned. Those who feel similarly are also not playing as much.

I think If the two close friends I had in the game left I wouldnt have any hesitation just leaving myself.

Coincidentally, this is practically the same boat I'm in. I have more than two friends on Pandemonium -- else I wouldn't play at all -- but two is the magic number. There are a couple of people on the server who mean a lot to me that I don't want to leave behind.

[Seraph]

Don't be stupid. As mentioned, I'd love to join a shell that will have me, and I'll be faithful as hell. Problem is, most of the shells on Pandemonium are "My First Endgame Linkshell" quality, and those which are better won't take me due to the lack of jobs.

Now, I do agree that having another job at 75 would be useful -- my BLM is almost there. Unfortunately, it has mediocre equipment. Problem is, missing the aforementioned boat means I don't come pre-geared, and Pandemonium doesn't have any "entry level shells" that don't suck balls. So, what to do? Conundrum.

Not a conundrum at all. Level a new job to 75, and while you do that, in the off time, participate in one of the suck ass shells to get a few pieces of gear and possibily network a little bit too. Once you get your face out there, and hopefully get a reputation, it would be easier to get into a different shell. Be 'that one guy in linkshell X that doesn't suck ass'.

If that's too much work, then quit the game.

[Sephiroth_Owa 13]

Sounds like you need a break from the game or just try something new...and yes the game gets really boring once you're 75....
I kinda miss the lowbie days of seeing new areas, fighting new things and when getting rank meant something. Game was really fun back then.
And I can understand your part of being a once thriving LS that's almost dead now but for some long time members.

I'm kinda in the same spot but also have time limits cause I have a six month old baby. Now a days I just get on my War and do camps for exp/merits. It's prefect for me.

But get out there try new things and if you're still feeling the same way then it's time for break. Just don't the mistake the I see a lot of people doing...
Give away gear and gil then come back a month later...

Most of all this is a game that you pay to play monthly....if you're no longer happy with it then quit and save yourself whatever your monthly fees are. Just make sure it's the right choice for you and no one else, yes I can understand playing for friends but there comes a time when you just need to move on for yourself. If they really good friends you guys can always keep in touch via e-mails and texts.

[Mizango]

I understand completely, I left and haven't been happier. If you recall I quit for well over a year (close to 16 months or so actually) before coming back once they opened server transfer. I just wish I didn't give items and gil away lol, had they not opened server transfer I would never have come back. I can say that with absolute conviction.

That was my only one saving grace. Sometimes the friend thing does seem one sided as hell. It sucks but you have to weed people out as you go.


Let's talk about the days of yore and cut and be emo as we do so.

(-.\\) sup.

[Sephiroth_Owa 13]

Pandy does suck...I'd switch but do have the fews I don't want to leave....and a kick ass dyna shell, those are the only things keeping me on Pandy myself.

But hey OP maybe you need to do what Mizango did, sounds like he is worlds happier.

[Isiolia]

TL;DR: How the hell can I get out of this rut of not wanting to play this freaking game? Should I just quit no matter what anyone says? Am I fucked for missing the boat years ago? Should I kill myself for actually giving a damn? Razor blades at the ready, bitches. SAVE ME OR I'LL END IT ALL

If you don't want to play, then quit. Sure, some people may miss you, but everyone leaves eventually. They'll get over it.

Having demands placed on your playtime with an endgame shell or other commitments doesn't make the game suddenly better. You just go from bored of doing little to being bored of doing what you're "obligated" to do, or frustrated because it's taking up all of your game time. I've seen plenty of the latter.

There are plenty of things you can potentially do within short playtime. A lot of it does depend on what you've already done, of course, or would have any real reason to do. Doesn't take a whole lot to work on getting Captain or climb Nyzul floors or something, if those are things you've yet to do.

Instead of beating yourself up about stuff you can't do, look at stuff you potentially could and make it happen. Don't worry about things that are unreasonable for you to do/get at this time (or ever), 'cause that doesn't get you anywhere.
A new job usually can make things fresh, at least for a time. Also can open up more "possible" gear to pursue, WS to unlock, etc if you've got nothing to really strive for on your job now.

To an extent, you can't rely on other people to make things better for you. Sure, as friends you'd think they'd help you out or whatnot...but you also can't be too sell-centered about it. Not saying you are, more that I've seen it happen. All the more reason to try and set things up in statics or something, so that you're not logging on hoping that people feel like doing something in the few hours you can play.

If there's really just nobody in your social shell to draw from, maybe find another to hang out in part of the time.

[Mici]

Why dose everyone hate Pandy?
Sure its kind of small, but you always know who you need for what, and low numbers in shells seems to work better to me.

[Isiolia]

Why dose everyone hate Pandy?
Sure its kind of small, but you always know who you need for what, and low numbers in shells seems to work better to me.

Grass is always greener, and, it does depend on who you know. If you're not one to expand your social circle the latter could be a problem...

[Fievel]

Pandemonium is the problem, and no I'm not just trying to be funny.

Pandy has two, maybe three actual end-game shells and they all have way to many members or simply aren't recruiting. Every other "end-game" shell on the server is some new player who just hit 75 or just bought a character shouting in whitegate saying that they do every event in the game when in reality they probably have only poped Genbu, and wiped.

A few friends and I are currently working on getting off of Pandy. New server, new friends, and hopefully not so many scrub LS's. I recommend you do the same.

[Mici]

I would never leave, day 1 and all that blah blah.
I geusse I don't care that much because I don't do any endgame that you don't get the whole zone for, only Limbus Dynamis Salvage

I never really get board either, but that's because there is always someone shouting for something, and I like doing random things with random people.

[Demosthenes]

Having no fun? Quit. All my irl friends quit back in the lowbie days. Only thing that kept me going were other irl friends on bahamut. Sadly they've quit too, with the exception of Niro. I got close to quitting again, and out of the woodwork. irl friends from the newbie days came back. I literally only play the game with them. I think there are 16 of my friends back in the game. I can completely understand the playing for friends angle. In all my years of playing I have never done endgame, didn't have irl friends to do it with. Seems very possible now.

[Kohan]

Not a conundrum at all. Level a new job to 75, and while you do that, in the off time, participate in one of the suck ass shells to get a few pieces of gear and possibily network a little bit too. Once you get your face out there, and hopefully get a reputation, it would be easier to get into a different shell. Be 'that one guy in linkshell X that doesn't suck ass'.

I understand your advice, but it really doesn't apply to Pandemonium. I know what you're thinking -- it's just an excuse -- but the others in this thread have been there (or are still).

Joining the average startup shell on Pandemonium is basically asking to farm sky, fight Genbu, and then do nothing else until the shell breaks. You won't gain any worthwhile contacts out of it, because practically everyone decent is either A) in one of the non-recruiting shells, or B) on another server (like most of those posting in this thread).

I know it sounds like I'm being a hard ass, and considering that I started this thread asking for help, let me apologize for that. It's frustrating when someone asks for help, and as soon as they're given advice, they say "OH HAY WELL I DON'T LIKE THAT IDEA ANOTHER PLEASE." That's not what I'm trying to do, here. Just trying to paint the picture that is Pandemonium.

Sounds like you need a break from the game or just try something new...and yes the game gets really boring once you're 75.... [...] If they really good friends you guys can always keep in touch via e-mails and texts.

That may really be the best answer. If I switched servers, they'd feel abandoned, but if I stick around, I'm just not having a good time. The only thing I'm thinking about now is, perhaps, getting all my friends to go with me -- but my significant other just got into an endgame shell (they have several jobs at 75 and a decent collection of gear). They're not actively recruiting, but they happened to get in nonetheless. Naturally, that leaves me with even less to do when I log on.

I understand completely, I left and haven't been happier. [...] Let's talk about the days of yore and cut and be emo as we do so.

(-.\\) sup.

Hell yeah, sir. Did you know Royalassassin? Some of the shit he used to say when he and I were in Kara was so very wrong. He came back as Nyne for a while, and I think he might be playing again... not totally sure.

Help me think of more classics, I'm drawing a blank here. What was that one post on the Alla forums too, formerpresident or something?

If you don't want to play, then quit. Sure, some people may miss you, but everyone leaves eventually. They'll get over it.

[...]

There are plenty of things you can potentially do within short playtime. A lot of it does depend on what you've already done, of course, or would have any real reason to do. Doesn't take a whole lot to work on getting Captain or climb Nyzul floors or something, if those are things you've yet to do.

[...]

If there's really just nobody in your social shell to draw from, maybe find another to hang out in part of the time.

Alas, that's pretty much the situation. I'm pretty determine to arrange events, and I've tried a lot in the past. This is just one example of that: http://www.bluegartr.com/forum/ffxi-...assurance.html

Then I remind people -- though not so much as to be annoying -- of run times, and I encourage them, and I'm there to run the events... and then one or two people don't show, and nothing happens. I literally did this two nights a week for several months, and the vast majority of the time, we'd be left with four or five people with nothing to do. We'd wait, and wait, and nothing.

Pretty awesome, especially when you're willing to make graphics, write out strategies, et cetera.

Pandemonium is the problem, and no I'm not just trying to be funny.

Pandy has two, maybe three actual end-game shells and they all have way to many members or simply aren't recruiting. Every other "end-game" shell on the server is some new player who just hit 75 or just bought a character shouting in whitegate saying that they do every event in the game when in reality they probably have only poped Genbu, and wiped.

This is the truth. That's Pandemonium in a nutshell.

Well, I think I know what I'll do. I'll finish leveling BLM, and I'll see if I can squeeze myself into an endgame shell somewhere. I actually like things like sky, sea, and all that -- weird, eh? -- and I always have. Even after going through several of those shitty newbie endgame shells, I still love it. It's amazed my friends, as they've asked me, "don't you get tired of joining crappy shells to do sky all the time?" Yeah, I'm sick of the crappy shells, but no, I'm not sick of sky. Or sea. Or Salvage, I fucking love Salvage. Or Limbus...

[Vedder]

Isn't Wopa on Pandy?

If you're so bored, just follow him around for awhile. That's gotta be some good fun right there.