Comments from the Devs

[Lordender]

Is anyone really surprised though?

SE probably has their own division of Ninja's who will assassinate anyone who gives solid info about anything thats being developed.

[Hyan]

It's certainly fascinating how the amount of random bitching increases in relation to the time it takes to post a letter/patch notes.

Each and every time.

The man can't/won't hype a patch, that's for sure tho.

[ascalon]

The one thing I like about gathering and crafting in FFXIV in potentia is the fact that you can do everything should you so desire. I hate how in other MMOs I've played you are always limited to maybe 2 or 3 crafts, and then have to make an alt to try out the others. I like to be pretty self sufficient.

This doesn't mean that I find gathering or crafting fun in FFXIV. That's a different topic entirely. But I appreciate having the choice!

[Alderaan]

Seconded. Just answer one question to the best of your ability a week, if nothing else. No "we'll look into it" bullshit; write a few freakin' paragraphs and go in-depth.

I never understood this about a company like SE. They make it seem like they don't know anything that we don't. You're the freakin' creators of the game; you have ALL of the resources and information about the game. There is literally -no- way you can know absolutely nothing about a legitimate question that someone is asking. To see them dance around questions and issues with this pedantic and patronizing reverse psychology responses ("Ah, really? Wow, we'll take that back with us!") is incredibly annoying. They make it seem like its a chore to do; that's not the attitude that a company that has failed this hilariously in little under two months after their release should be adopting.

If you look at some of the past responses, they all look like "we'll inform the person in charge of that aspect". I seriously don't think the different departments communicate this shit to each other. It seems like every little thing is sectioned off and no real feedback is given at an honest level to the person making the executive decision. "Hey guys, that thing you wanted in game turned out to not be very fun when we got to play with it in game".

This is what happens when you don't have a core group of gamers making your MMO. The culture is not there to foster open communication between the devs so why would anyone expect any better communication with us? This is just how i see it and could totally be wrong, but i guarantee i'm not.

[Tomino]

Most of the issues related to their bad Q&A or dissapointing communications come from the fact this is all new for them, it's clear they have issues themselves in handling this new form of customer interaction.
I can imagine them being ordered to "do like other MMO staffs do", like collecting feedbacks and suggestions. But at the same time, since they're not used to this, at all, the result tends to be hilarious, or dissapointing.

There's no way something "suggested" by a forum user can even be implemented in less that months (unless it's something VERY basic, like 0 anima cost return), so I still can't get why they keep putting their smiley face on and keep answering they'll make good use of all new ideas.

The point here is not making playerbase happy with *promises*, it's about delivering the content SE decided to make. I want to play a game designed by Matsui, not a collective frankestein forum designed game.

[Lordender]

My biggest issue with the whole thing is if you're not going to do it right then why do it at all? Yoshida's team has NO room for error, one slip up could turn this thing from having a chance to no chance in hell. Half assing Q&A's is bad, don't do them until you have a clear direction of where your going with it, cover your basis from top to bottom. The only thing driving this game right now is hype that the battle reform, two dungeons will be enough to carry the game until they hammer out more content.

Bad Q&A does a hell of a lot more bad than good, "We'll look into it." is a horrible cop-out, it makes them seem like they have no credibility on what vision they have for the game. I just see no point in holding these if you don't have a clear vision of concrete info of where these systems are being taken too. I rather them just release statements or blueprints about x,y,z systems instead of holding a worthless Q&A about them that just pisses everyone off even more.

The new staff has been in place for awhile, you mean to tell me they have dreamed up an entire materia/job system but can't give concrete info on their vision for gather classes? lol that blows my fucking mind. I do agree some of those questions were completely retarded, but I feel even more confused after reading those Q&A's.

[Reapz]

3 weeks of silence, what are they playing at? This upcoming letter better be nothing short of amazing

[Meko]

Man...I was sure something would be up today. I feel like Forrest Gump waiting on his dad to come back from "vacation". It just ain't happening.

[Zettofaia]

Probably nothing until Monday then.

I was almost certain the letter would be up today too...

[Hyan]

It will take some guts to delay the patch after the silence, LOL.

[CrstyCptSteveWitherspoon]

Wow still nothing... Like someone else said, we're kinda back to 'square one' (lol) with this communication. How can you bring up game changing/revamping patches months ago, say it'll be patched in probably mid june, and still not talk about it two weeks into june?

Oh, and learn to Q&A right or don't Q&A at all. Geez. You're just wasting everyone's time.

[Kaylia]

Most of the issues related to their bad Q&A or dissapointing communications come from the fact this is all new for them, it's clear they have issues themselves in handling this new form of customer interaction

Basic Human Interaction 101


No, but seriously. Anyone could tell them what is wrong with their methods. There is probably a logistic issue involved, but it shouldnt be an excuse.

[Katlan]

It's certainly fascinating how the amount of random bitching increases in relation to the time it takes to post a letter/patch notes.

Each and every time.

The man can't/won't hype a patch, that's for sure tho.

Well when a big patch like this is due in 1-2 weeks.. and in XI they always put up teaser notes leading up a patch about a month before.. definitely 2 weeks+ before, I think it's extremely odd no info, not even a letter, has been given in the last 2 weeks to mention anything about what exactly is in this patch.

For me, speaking personally, I was looking forward to this patch because I wanted to log into a game I hadn't touched for 5+ months and see what they have done for the better. I was waiting for this patch to make a decision. But no info at all has me losing hope for anything decent

[Meko]

Maybe they are trying to decide on shutting it down or keeping it going. I'm sure at this point, it's running on like 10k subs or less, even being f2p.

[Hyan]

Well when a big patch like this is due in 1-2 weeks.. and in XI they always put up teaser notes leading up a patch about a month before.. definitely 2 weeks+ before, I think it's extremely odd no info, not even a letter, has been given in the last 2 weeks to mention anything about what exactly is in this patch.

Oh yeah, not saying it isn't odd.

Either way, like it makes a difference whether there are 30k or 10k active players right now, lol. As long as somebody is giving them feedback.

[Gadritan]

I was waiting for this patch to make a decision.

^

This is where we're supposed to see some real change. If they go weaksauce I'll walk away until the game is finished, then see if it actually gets more positive than negative reviews.

and still not talk about it two weeks into june?

It's not two weeks into June yet. Semantics etc and so forth.

[Lucavi]

Oh yeah, not saying it isn't odd.

Either way, like it makes a difference whether there are 30k or 10k active players right now, lol. As long as somebody is giving them feedback.

A glaring lack of communication will piss any customer off, regardless of the medium, especially if said communication is really the only way that the customer can "verify" that the company is actually attempting to do something about the problem.

We can't simply walk into the SE store and yell at some pimply-faced 18-year-old behind the counter. Nor can we all hop on a plane and picket SE's offices. Communication (either directly through them, off-hand through their "community reps", or interpersonal through forums) is literally all we have. It shouldn't be so surprising, then, that people get increasingly incensed the longer time goes on without a fresh update to that communication link.

Also, your avatar has soulless eyes that draw me in whenever I look up there. Goddammit, my body is ready.

[Hyan]

Yeah, I don't really understand the rationale behind getting so emotionally invested about the game at this point. On the other hand, seeing little siatdiat-juniors popping up is comical.

Maybe it's because I don't play? I don't understand why they do though, if only the constant communication is keeping them going.

Surely we aren't assuming they are sitting on their ass though?

[Spider-Dan]

"Mid June" = June 28

Surely this is not your first day at the Square-Enix rodeo?

[Gadritan]

And what, 10 of 30 = "mid June?"

OMG GUYS IT'S NOT EARLIER THAN THEY SAID IT WOULD BE I GUESS WE HAVE TO WAIT BECAUSE WE HAD NO LETTER SO THE UPDATE MUST HAVE BEEN DELAYED BY WEEKS