Comments from the Devs

[Cichy]

This is what I'm hoping for, but at the same time skeptical. We're still somewhat in the dark with 2.0 and all that will change. All we know about it ATM is it's going to be less demanding on systems, better server optimization, and an overhaul to the UI.

The patches ATM aren't too bad, but they lack long term content. I don't want anything as asinine as Dynamis relics or HNM drops, but I'd like something that I can work for depending on how much time/effort I put into it and it can't be breezed through with X setup in a matter of weeks.

Same here, I have a Pick of the Luminary and I wish it would been better because I put 2 months of work into it. I wish there would be weapons gotten through achievements that would just require honest work.

[Lucavi]

It is a shame, and I agree, that XIV basically only caters to previous XI players. The population will simply continue to be relatively low and that'll just be how it is.

However if 2.0 brings with it sweeping, familiar changes, perhaps modern mmo masses will check it out. Either way, at this point the game will never attract more "hardcore" players in any significant number imo. Those people are already playing.

I think the rough part about that is that you have this large chunk of the current player-base that played XI for years and has this chip on their shoulder because of it. You've got people on the forums screaming to the high heavens about how XIV doesn't "need new players that are just going to complain about the way XIV works", and that's never good for a game that's trying to get itself taken seriously on the market.

I think SE's done a good job lately of weeding out the voices that don't contribute anything more than "KEEP DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING BECAUSE I'D PAY FOR THIS GAME NO MATTER WHAT ITS LIKE!!" and is listening to those with viable concerns or suggestions. We'll see how they handle this class/jobs issue, but I wouldn't be against a full merging of the class/jobs with a greatly expanded moveset for each, come 2.0.

[Corrderio]

Speaking of classes/jobs, I do wonder if Yoshida was pressed for time on the idea. I made up my own skill tree last night and wasn't too difficult to add 2 jobs per class.

[miokomioko]

When I first read about the job system, I immediately had the assumption that there would be two jobs per class... it just made more sense.

[Kaylia]

When I first read about the job system, I immediately had the assumption that there would be two jobs per class... it just made more sense.

It's probably the long term plan, but easier to start with one, balance it, then add more.

[Corrderio]

It's probably the long term plan, but easier to start with one, balance it, then add more.

Eh, I dunno. Seems odd DRK will come from PLD and it will lock out PLD instead of being a branch off of GLA.

EDIT: To clarify, the concept Yoshida was going on about. Not set in stone, but seems odd he wants one job to come from another job and lock you out of the previous job. Seems pretty backwards since PLD and DRK are exact opposites of each other.

[Lucavi]

Oh yeah, quick question. The new Warrior class and its AF; is that actual fur on the AF around the neck, and if so, does it have any sort of movement effect tied to it? Obviously I'm not playing, so I can't see for myself. Was wondering if the wind would make it ruffle or anything.

[Spider-Dan]

I can see a newbie player trying the game and aiming to be a Paladin (kinda typical, kids love Paladins).
Ok, so he has to start as Gladiator, that's nothing like the class he wanted. He also have to level Conjurer, who has a wand and wears a tunic.

Well, first off, I wouldn't agree that GLA is "nothing" like a PLD (at least, a FF PLD). Second, if your expectation was to play this game and never have to level any other classes/jobs (note: someone please come up with a term that covers both), then you are going to be fundamentally disappointed, no matter how you slice it; even if PLD didn't have a CNJ unlock requirement, you'll still be expected to level CNJ and MRD for their abilities anyway.

Once he finally becomes a Paladin, he still have to go back to Gladiator when he does his Leves because, he's been told, his Paladin sucks when he's all alone by himself. Or with a friend.
That's the kind of odd situation I'm referring to.

He doesn't "have" to go back to GLA for soloing. If he wants to bash his head against the wall soloing on PLD instead, who'd going to stop him? This is a case where the problem solves itself.

It would had worked the other way around, probably. Starting as Black Mage (something *a lot* of players would like to do) and then, later in the game, developing some kind of highly specilized "role" for raid situations. Something that endgame players would happily toy with.

So if they swapped names of BLM and THM, would this issue be solved?

[miokomioko]

Eh, I dunno. Seems odd DRK will come from PLD and it will lock out PLD instead of being a branch off of GLA.

I'm pretty sure that chunk of info (including plans on pet job and details on Arcanist) was part of that "leaked" info that SE devs would not acknowledge the legitimacy of... wasn't it?

[Spider-Dan]

MMO1: Heres your class, go level.
MMO2: Here is your class, go level.

FFXIV: Here is your class, its good anywhere between solo and a couple of players. You need to have x job unlocked to get into serious parties because jobs are the accepted way of playing, don't have x job, you're gimped/not worth a party slot. FF player base = 1 track mind, this is the accepted way, do it or have fun solo grinding to cap.

Sounds like a fantastic system thats already contradicting their intention with having to already buff PLD to put it over GLA. What was wrong with the job system from FFXI? it was clear cut, sure it was never balanced the way it needed to be but its a shit load better than this nightmare they created.

You could say the same thing about SJ requirements in XI. Why does that game make you level completely different jobs you have no interest in (e.g. RDM/DRK) just to be accepted at endgame?

The fundamental gameplay difference between FF and other MMOs is the ability to class-change and utilize abilities from other classes you have leveled. I daresay that this is the defining have-this-or-just-cancel-the-game feature that XIV must retain. So if you don't like the idea of leveling multiple classes/jobs, then FF just isn't going to be for you.

Trying to make XIV work for people who don't want to level different classes is like trying to make Star Wars work for people who don't like fighting against lightsabers. It defeats the purpose.

[Corrderio]

I'm pretty sure that chunk of info (including plans on pet job and details on Arcanist) was part of that "leaked" info that SE devs would not acknowledge the legitimacy of... wasn't it?

Not sure, all I know it was a quite awhile ago and there's no way in hell I'm digging through that cesspool of a forum to find it. Already managed to break my habit of going there.

[Rocl]

I'm pretty sure that chunk of info (including plans on pet job and details on Arcanist) was part of that "leaked" info that SE devs would not acknowledge the legitimacy of... wasn't it?

I'm almost certain Yoshida mentioned unlocking DRK from Gladiator and locking you out of Paladin as an idea (not a surefire thing). Arcanist/Sheperd/Fencer etc were/are in the DATs and mined from Beta/Alpha/Early Release, I don't remember which, but there definitely came from two separate sources afaik

As far as SE not acknowledging the legitimacy of the datamines, I'm p. sure that's true

[miokomioko]

Oh yeah, quick question. The new Warrior class and its AF; is that actual fur on the AF around the neck, and if so, does it have any sort of movement effect tied to it? Obviously I'm not playing, so I can't see for myself. Was wondering if the wind would make it ruffle or anything.

Naw, it's just a solid part of the model with a fur-ish texture slapped on it. I've only seen movement from obviously draped fabric type things, like the long feather on Monk's crown or the sashes on the Bard shirt.

[Makwa]

I'm sure when he mentioned DRK locking out PLD he meant that you couldn't use PLD abilities or vice-versa. I just don't think they'd have you disable a job on your character, unless it can be undone easily.

[Cichy]

Ya I dont think he's foolish enough to make us lock into one. Just imagine the response from the community.

[Niiro]

Half of the player base would quit and the other half would open 2nd accounts to play both jobs.

Clearly an idea that came from a certain someone.

Spoiler: show

[Corrderio]

I would not be surprised if he was pulling at the strings behind the scenes.

[blindSharingan]

I'm almost certain Yoshida mentioned unlocking DRK from Gladiator and locking you out of Paladin as an idea (not a surefire thing)

This was from a ConnectOn interview and the NA devs made sure to post that these were some really early ideas that were in no way finalized. Even going as far to call them delusions...

Hey gang,

I wanted to step in and let you all know that what was written in ConnectOn interview were just a few of the random ideas (or delusions ) that Yoshida was kicking around in his head, none of which are finalized concepts.

I just wanted to give you a heads up so you don't get too involved one way or the other about what you've been reading!

From here.

[Lucavi]

Naw, it's just a solid part of the model with a fur-ish texture slapped on it. I've only seen movement from obviously draped fabric type things, like the long feather on Monk's crown or the sashes on the Bard shirt.

Boo~!!

[Tomino]

Well, first off, I wouldn't agree that GLA is "nothing" like a PLD (at least, a FF PLD).

Truth is, a lot of players pick classes because of how they look and feel.
From this point of view, the concept behind a Paladin (knight, defender of innocents, casts holy heals) is completely different from that of FF14 Gladiator (fights in arena, blood and sand, slight roman inspiration). Of course, you're free to disagree.

Second, if your expectation was to play this game and never have to level any other classes/jobs (note: someone please come up with a term that covers both), then you are going to be fundamentally disappointed

Point isn't playing just one class, or multiple ones. It's playing what *you* wish to play.
In FFXI, you only needed 1 basic job to unlock all advanced ones. That was a fair price to pay, since you'd also use that basic job for subjob purposes anyway.
What matters is to give players choices, opposite to force them into pre-determined grow paths.

He doesn't "have" to go back to GLA for soloing. If he wants to bash his head against the wall soloing on PLD instead, who'd going to stop him? This is a case where the problem solves itself.

Great. I'm sure he'll keep subscribing for months just because he can't stop having fun "bashing his head against the wall". Or that he'll be glad to be mocked by other because he's using PLD for solo play.
That's the kind of design that keeps games into a niche.

So if they swapped names of BLM and THM, would this issue be solved?

Solved? Not at all.
My point was simply statistic. You wish to bring people to the game? Let them pick (and use) the jobs they like the most from the start.
Endgame, you can create all kind of branches/alt-jobs to appeal the true rpg lovers.