The FINAL FANTASY XI Team Answers Your Questions! (02/04/2011)

[Yugl]

You mean like the motivation of most end-game players? You are basically saying that everyone should just unsub until the 99 cap. Which by your logic is dumb because new gear will come after that too...

Your assumption that it is the motivation for most end-game players requires a narrow and almost tautological definition of end game players and has no empirical backing. There is a large number of end-game players that get gear on the basis of enjoyment rather than maximum utility. In fact, Alla and BG Media corroborate that notion quite nicely. He's not saying everyone should unsubscribe until 99. He's saying that the nature of the level cap adjustments, something that ceases at 99 (Which is why your subsequent point is false as well), renders most gear obsolete within the next two updates. While this statement is questionable, if it is true, it does not necessarily follow that gear will be replaced as rapidly once the level cap reaches 99.

If you wanted to make a smart rebuttal, you would have mentioned that it takes gear to make gear. The implication being that an army of gearless people is incapable of defeating certain enemies. Another point would be that a lot of AF3+2 gear is specialized gear, and because of that, is difficult to replace compared to stat gear. For example, DRG AF3+2 hands have Enhancing spirit link. So does DRG AF+1 helm. These are pieces unlikely to be replaced because they perform specific utilities.

[Karbuncle]

Your assumption that it is the motivation for most end-game players requires a narrow and almost tautological definition of end game players and has no empirical backing. There is a large number of end-game players that get gear on the basis of enjoyment rather than maximum utility. In fact, Alla and BG Media corroborate that notion quite nicely. He's not saying everyone should unsubscribe until 99. He's saying that the nature of the level cap adjustments, something that ceases at 99 (Which is why your subsequent point is false as well), renders most gear obsolete within the next two updates. While this statement is questionable, if it is true, it does not necessarily follow that gear will be replaced as rapidly once the level cap reaches 99.

If you wanted to make a smart rebuttal, you would have mentioned that it takes gear to make gear. The implication being that an army of gearless people is incapable of defeating certain enemies. Another point would be that a lot of AF3+2 gear is specialized gear, and because of that, is difficult to replace compared to stat gear. For example, DRG AF3+2 hands have Enhancing spirit link. So does DRG AF+1 helm. These are pieces unlikely to be replaced because they perform specific utilities.

And pretty much the entirety of any pet job Empyrean... The bonuses on those will likely never be replaced for their uses.

For instance, i don't see a perp-5 SMN body any time soon.

[ringthree]

Your assumption that it is the motivation for most end-game players requires a narrow and almost tautological definition of end game players and has no empirical backing. There is a large number of end-game players that get gear on the basis of enjoyment rather than maximum utility. In fact, Alla and BG Media corroborate that notion quite nicely. He's not saying everyone should unsubscribe until 99. He's saying that the nature of the level cap adjustments, something that ceases at 99 (Which is why your subsequent point is false as well), renders most gear obsolete within the next two updates. While this statement is questionable, if it is true, it does not necessarily follow that gear will be replaced as rapidly once the level cap reaches 99.

My assumption is pretty sound for people that do end-game, not hang around in Port Jeuno all day. Most people get gear for a combination of enjoyment AND maximization.

There are these games out there, they are called MMOs. I thought you would have heard of them by now.

[Yugl]

My assumption is pretty sound for people that do end-game, not hang around in Port Jeuno all day. Most people get gear for a combination of enjoyment AND maximization.

There are these games out there, they are called MMOs. I thought you would have heard of them by now.

Your assumption that it is the motivation for most end-game players requires a narrow and almost tautological definition of end game players

Do you have anything besides "Endgame players are the players that do endgame for the combination of enjoyment and maximization"? If, not, see the above.

[Skylark]

Are you looking into putting any more HNMs in the non abyssea zones to reduce the abyssea-dependent player base?

[Michelob]

I think at least 90% of players after Heroes release were so happy with the idea of non-stressful and relatively fast ways of acquiring gear they could care less whether or not Salvage gear could be upgraded.

Are you trying to say that you were unhappy with FFXI until abyssea came out? If so, why the hell were you playing? Abyssea is a nice change of pace and a lot of fun for sure, but this pace won't last. Mostly because it can't.

Making old gear/events obsolete works if you are targeting a big group of casual players with constant influx of new subscriptions. Contents that offer better reward for less time/effort get boring fast, and need to be replaced on regular basis. I'm not surprised SE is trying to revive old events, seeing that the game is not attracting any new blood and existing subscriptions are not going to meet the cost of developing new expansion.

This is more or less what I was trying to get at. They HAVE to make the old content usable because they can't afford to pump out new content at the rate which it has been coming out, they simply don't have that large of a playerbase (not to mention this game isn't exactly friendly to new subscribers at all at this point, either). Even more importantly, the game won't survive in the long run with the current reward to time ratios. You can literally fully clear and get everything possible from any given abyssea zone in under a week, if you so wished to do so.

I'd put my money on the reward to time ratios being scaled back once abyssea is done.

If you don't like the fact that your gear will eventually be replaced you just shouldn't play MMOs.

I really could care less if my gear gets outdated. I had fun getting the old gear, I had fun getting the new gear, and I will continue to have fun getting future gear I'm sure. It doesn't change the fact that most intelligent people still saw this coming.

[Hyan]

They HAVE to make the old content usable because they can't afford to pump out new content at the rate which it has been coming out, they simply don't have that large of a playerbase

What are you talking about, a new boxed expansion is coming because SE likes to throw more money at a game with no chance of getting their investment back. I think they will do it out of good will and because they appreciate the playerbase.

And if they don't do it, they are lazy.

[Karbuncle]

What are you talking about, a new boxed expansion is coming because SE likes to throw more money at a game with no chance of getting their investment back. I think they will do it out of good will and because they appreciate the playerbase.

And if they don't do it, they are lazy.

why are half your posts on FFXI content shitting up the good threads with sarcastic posts?

Wouldn't you be better off spend your time playing FFXIV :O?

[Hyan]

If you're truly skilled at multitasking, you can do both!

[Sagacious Sundi]

One thing that's been bugging me since WotG came out is how Fort Karugo-Narugo is spelled the NPC way (with the - and second part capitalized), yet Sarutabaruta, Toraimarai, and Buburimu are spelled the way player names limit it. I had my own explanation that those were just masculine words and not named after actual Tarus whereas Karugo was, but now this ruined that.

[Yugl]

Are you trying to say that you were unhappy with FFXI until abyssea came out? If so, why the hell were you playing? Abyssea is a nice change of pace and a lot of fun for sure, but this pace won't last. Mostly because it can't.

A lot of people came back to the game because of abyssea dumbass.

This is more or less what I was trying to get at. They HAVE to make the old content usable because they can't afford to pump out new content at the rate which it has been coming out, they simply don't have that large of a playerbase (not to mention this game isn't exactly friendly to new subscribers at all at this point, either). Even more importantly, the game won't survive in the long run with the current reward to time ratios. You can literally fully clear and get everything possible from any given abyssea zone in under a week, if you so wished to do so.

Get all the gear possible (Including Empyrean weapon/armor related items) in Vunkerl in less than a week. I comic sans dare you.

I'd put my money on the reward to time ratios being scaled back once abyssea is done.

[Taruking]

A lot of people came back to the game because of abyssea dumbass.

Does this statement only apply to certain servers? As far as I can tell more players have actually left the game since abyssea release.

I think SE is trying to bring back those who will resubscribe if they don't have to engage in abyssea related activities. It also explains the exp adjustment in non abyssea zones. Upgraded version of Salvage/NI gear will probably match AF3+2. Both are likely to receive similar upgrade in the future so that players who do not wish to purchase abyssea expansions will be able to keep up.

[Clash Perez]

Does this statement only apply to certain servers? As far as I can tell more players have actually left the game since abyssea release.

I think SE is trying to bring back those who will resubscribe if they don't have to engage in abyssea related activities. It also explains the exp adjustment in non abyssea zones. Upgraded version of Salvage/NI gear will probably match AF3+2. Both are likely to receive similar upgrade in the future so that players who do not wish to purchase abyssea expansions will be able to keep up.

I believe you're the only person I know who has cited Abyssea as the reason for quitting. I can't blame you for having your opinion, since you quit when the only Abyssea zones were the of the Visions variety. Abyssea has improved substantially since then, and I suspect that if you were to come back now and try Scars/Heroes along with Visions (with the 200+ stones you'd have by now), you'd form a different opinion. That assumes you can give it a real try without allowing preconceived notions to rule your thoughts on it.

[Rocl]

Does this statement only apply to certain servers? As far as I can tell more players have actually left the game since abyssea release.

In my personal experience, my personal group of friends and acquaintances, I know no one who cites Abyssea as a reason for quitting. However, I don't have enough fingers on my hands to count the people who have come back to the game because of it. (The number is 11)

[Not Kuno]

In my personal experience, my personal group of friends and acquaintances, I know no one who cites Abyssea as a reason for quitting. However, I don't have enough fingers on my hands to count the people who have come back to the game because of it. (The number is 11)

Me neither but I hear abyssea is a big reason as to why people quit 11 to go to 14.

Spoiler: show

But that can't be true because nobody plays 14.

[JigglyJam]

Me neither but I hear abyssea is a big reason as to why people quit 11 to go to 14.

That doesn't even make sense.



When they say "mid-February" does that mean around the 14th? SE has like a different concept of time than I'm used to. The update has got me excited.

[Not Kuno]

That doesn't even make sense.

What doesn't make sense? I don't know anyone personally that quit 11 for 14 due to abyssea but on different forums (and in 14 section here too maybe, but idk since I never read it), people cite abyssea as to why they quit. Fuck if I know why. I don't associate with people that play 14.

[Aihree]

What doesn't make sense? I don't know anyone personally that quit 11 for 14 due to abyssea but on different forums (and in 14 section here too maybe, but idk since I never read it), people cite abyssea as to why they quit. Fuck if I know why. I don't associate with people that play 14.

I can't speak for anyone else, but the guy in my LS who I respected who did this said that after spending 7 years getting the best of equipment and being at the top of the game, he couldn't deal with starting from ground zero again on the same game. As long as he's going to start from ground zero, he'll do ground zero on totally new ground. Such as it were.

Last I heard, he's waiting for old republic now that ff14 proved itself to be a loss.

[Priran]

One thing that's been bugging me since WotG came out is how Fort Karugo-Narugo is spelled the NPC way (with the - and second part capitalized), yet Sarutabaruta, Toraimarai, and Buburimu are spelled the way player names limit it. I had my own explanation that those were just masculine words and not named after actual Tarus whereas Karugo was, but now this ruined that.

In the ancient Tarutaru language, "Sarutabaruta" means "the land of prophecy."

Also, I think it's mentioned somewhere what "Buburimu" means but it's definitely not a name because it doesn't fit Tarutaru naming conventions, male or female.

[Rocl]

I realized I may have misinterpreted a previous post. That said, anyone who quit after seeing the 75->80 patch and going NO, THE GAME IS WIPING MY DATA, is retard.