Patch 1.15a Outline (01/27/2011)

[Hiroishime]

http://lodestone.finalfantasyxiv.com/pl/index.html

Patch 1.15a Outline (01/27/2011)
Several of the scheduled improvements mentioned in last week's letter from the producer are nearing completion. The following is a list of some of the most significant changes:

*An official patch release date will be announced shortly.

Content

Improvements to Log Usability
Changes to behavior of windows when moused over
The implementation of an automated log text show/hide feature
Revisions to text color

Improvements to Dialog Windows
Changes to increase the amount of on-screen data, reducing the need for multiple pages

Improvements to Combat Damage Display
The assignment of different font colors to player and enemy damage
Adjustments to prevent overlapping of combat text

Improvements to Map Usability
Increased data refresh rates allowing for more responsive maps

Improvements to Minimap Usability
The addition of a PC's field-of-view (camera direction)

Improvements to Guildleve-Related Information
The implementation of an in-game command which displays time remaining until the next leve renewal

Adjustments to Item Stack Sizes
A significant increase in stack sizes (from 12 to 99) for several existing items

Improvements to Gathering
Changes to the frame rates of action animations to speed up gathering activities

Improvements to the Item Search Feature
The addition of prices displayed together with search results

Addition of a Head Gear Display Feature
The addition of a feature allowing players to graphically toggle on/off their headgear (without physically removing the item)

Adjustments to Skill Points
Improvements to skill point acquisition for parties

Further details will be revealed in forthcoming Topics posts, as well as the post planned for release in conjunction with the patch.


FUN FACT:
As of today, game versions will be assigned alphanumeric values (eg. 1.15a). In addition, what for the past decade have been known to players of online FINAL FANTASY titles as "version updates" shall henceforth be referred to as "patches."


oshiz sp party fix

[Egon]

Finally a "patch!"


But yea, SP PT fix :D

[The Q]

Hope for fix. Lets hope it's a real fix.

[Blasta]

This is nice n all, but I want another Producer Letter asap . Reading the previous one made me cry, because It actually seems as if a human being wrote it.

Yes you can Yoshi-P!

[Hyan]

As of today, game versions will be assigned alphanumeric values (eg. 1.15a). In addition, what for the past decade have been known to players of online FINAL FANTASY titles as "version updates" shall henceforth be referred to as "patches."

first overhaul

I liked VO's better tbfh. *goes to qq in the corner*

[Grey Jorildyn]

SP fixes woot. Making me want to level THM that much more now that glad is done. Looks good so far but want more specifics!!!

And lolpatches. Thanks for getting with the times SE. Now bring the rest of the game with you.

[Vimes]

Think they're calling it "patches" so they can roll out changes to the game more frequently and do quick fixes.

Let's see when they'll schedule the first.

[Hyan]

Adjustments to Skill Points
Improvements to skill point acquisition for parties

This is the deciding factor. If they can get this right (which is not easy at all), they can get the rest of the game right.

[Seiji Okita]

Twelve be with you Yoshi-P and dev team, twelve be with you... you will need it! or else i have a feeling the starving opo's and watchdogs my be let loose in the dev studios XD.

[reccaa]

Finally party sp fix... I was almost gona believe that it was "working as intended" >_>;;;

Nice patches, and good news for DoL, potentially...

[Darkyrm]

Seems like minor fixes, now when can I get to map the camera in arrow keys? >_>

[Blasta]

This is the deciding factor. If they can get this right (which is not easy at all), they can get the rest of the game right.

What are you talking about? What does balancing SP correctly have anything to do with them being able to fix the whole game?

It's not easy to balance SP, but It's not that hard to re-adjust it. I have to say that your statement is pretty damn bold, when there are much higher problems to fix. Few examples would be deciding the future of battle-system / class system. No matter what you end up doing in the game, you are constantly going to be "in contact" with battle/class systems. If they suck, the game will suck.

P.S, It's good call to fix the SP first, but getting it right won't guarantee that they are able to fix the whole game.

[Hiroishime]

if they get it right, it will buy them some time

[Hyan]

P.S, It's good call to fix the SP first, but getting it right won't guarantee that they are able to fix the whole game.

I'd say that it guarantees that as far as the game mechanics go, they can get their shit right. Lack or inefficient use of funds may still make them fail of course, but so far it looks like they're not gonna give up before PS3.. so I'm not that worried.

Finally party sp fix... I was almost gona believe that it was "working as intended" >_>;;;

Sure it was.. but still not balanced enough.

[Meko]

Looks like they are even working on changing the terminology to be more "western" or "conventional".

[Hyan]

Too bad they can't please everyone with the SP change. All I hope is that they tweak it in a way that will be more beneficial for the game later on.

/speculation

In line with the above results, we will be bringing quests and miniquests to Eorzea sometime after the beginning of February.

This is patch 1.15b and comes a week or two after 1.15a.

[Karinastar]

As long as they don't nerf solo/duo SP in exchange for a boost to party SP, this probably won't be a bad thing. I went from 30-50 in a duo, and the speed was just fine for small group. As long as they don't adjust the curve so that you need large parties of 6+ just to gain decent SP I think I'll be happy with this.

Oh and hide helmet yay! I got tired of SE's ugly headwear years ago (though admittedly the hats/helmets in this game aren't nearly as bad).

Everything else, eh. Improvements but not really things I was concerned about in the first place. An in-game leve reset timer will be nice, but I'm to the point where I pretty much always know when the next reset is.

[Kuya]

Where's the link?

[kisada]

where's my jumping? i wanna see the trolls get worked up for no reason.

[The Q]

Honestly I feel the change from "Version Updates" to "patches" is detrimental and a waste of dev time.