Letter from the Producer X (5/20/2011)

[Gokulo]

That makes me think we will have mounts other than just chocobos.

I wouldn't get easily mislead by the big words they might be using.

[Crizto]

Materia crafting huh? Is Yufi gonna steal it all again?

[Kensaki]

They weren't even considering a job system before Yoshida took control of the situation. Ifrit himself says that we have the power to summon them so why wouldn't Summoner show up?

Because they've never said there wouldn't be summoners. I don't know where he gets that statement from.

[Corrderio]

They weren't even considering a job system before Yoshida took control of the situation. Ifrit himself says that we have the power to summon them so why wouldn't Summoner show up?

Spoiler: show

The only real issue I see ATM with summoner is how the gods seem to be at war with each other. During the Ifrit quests doesn't he say he'll spare you as long as you and your companion promise not to release Titan?

[Kaiyoko]

Because they've never said there wouldn't be summoners. I don't know where he gets that statement from.

I agree, I don't get why anyone wouldn't believe you couldn't summon.

Being they are trying to make everything more Final Fantasy, there should be no reason we wont have summons in some form or another. Through a job or some special ability you can be assured summons will most likely be summon-able. Just remember this is a FF game, since they've been introduced, what game have they not been usable in?

Edit: Rephrased something, after reading again.

[Alkar]

Spoiler: show

The only real issue I see ATM with summoner is how the gods seem to be at war with each other. During the Ifrit quests doesn't he say he'll spare you as long as you and your companion promise not to release Titan?

Spoiler: show

Well if we defeat them that's a different story. Avatars in FFXI don't really like or care about each other that much but we can still summon them because they happen to share a goal. We can even summon both Odin and Alexander and they obviously wouldn't want to team up <.<

[Gokulo]

Because they've never said there wouldn't be summoners. I don't know where he gets that statement from.

Before the game release they said they are not planning for any pet classes at all. But what does it matter anymore.

[Kaylia]

Before the game release they said they are not planning for any pet classes at all. But what does it matter anymore.

They said no pet class at the release, they didnt say never.

[Lordender]

I doubt we'll see pet classes anytime soon, they utterly failed with them in XI when you compare it to other MMO's especially WoW. A warlocks felguard is absolutely rape, hunter pets(depending which you use) buff the entire raid while the pets out.

[CrstyCptSteveWitherspoon]

D2 fishymancer yeaaaaaaaaaaaa. Favorite pet class ever.

[Corrderio]

Spoiler: show

Well if we defeat them that's a different story. Avatars in FFXI don't really like or care about each other that much but we can still summon them because they happen to share a goal. We can even summon both Odin and Alexander and they obviously wouldn't want to team up <.<

Spoiler: show

Good point, I can't remember all the storyline during the Ifrit so I didn't know if a clan could only summon one god or not. All I know is the gods are at wart with each other for control, which Ifrit currently has. They really need to add goblin footprints back into the game.

[Alkar]

Spoiler: show

Good point, I can't remember all the storyline during the Ifrit so I didn't know if a clan could only summon one god or not. All I know is the gods are at wart with each other for control, which Ifrit currently has. They really need to add goblin footprints back into the game.

Spoiler: show

Each clan or tribe has one primal, I think it's mentioned in the Sylph mission for the first time. Anyway there are so many ways they could add summons in this game that it barely matters.
Yoshida wants to add that FF feel to this game and Summoners+ summons are part of it. Not sure if this is mentioned in-game but I suppose Leviathan was summoned by the Sahagins.

[Draylo]

I doubt we'll see pet classes anytime soon, they utterly failed with them in XI when you compare it to other MMO's especially WoW. A warlocks felguard is absolutely rape, hunter pets(depending which you use) buff the entire raid while the pets out.

Not really, they had their uses. In the old days of XI, SMN were very useful for a good majority of end game fights. Now they are just PD whores for most part, but that serves a purpose still.

[Biggie]

Really they said in a interview that we will never get SMN because the primals are the gods of the world and they would have to nerf them down for players to have them. This was in an interview before beta, I think during Alpha. But again, doesn't really matter now, since Yoshi is in charge, and he hasn't said anything about it. But, it was the plan from the old dev team, that we would never have SMN as a class/job. If I wasn't so lazy I would try to dig up the old interview, but fuck that, not really important. But who knows what the plan is now, but again, I'm not getting my hopes up until I hear from Yoshi that they will add SMN. I can't be the only person here who remembers that interview.... There was so much QQ on these forums when that interview came out over it also, short-term memories maybe?

[Draylo]

That would be extremely odd, every single FF game has had summoner in some fashion.

[Alkar]

Spoiler: show

Again, Ifrit in-game outright tells the player that he/she has the power to summon the primals and he's actually surprised that you aren't doing it. He then somewhat offers his powers if you submit to his will or something like that.

[Kensaki]

Really they said in a interview that we will never get SMN because the primals are the gods of the world and they would have to nerf them down for players to have them. This was in an interview before beta, I think during Alpha. But again, doesn't really matter now, since Yoshi is in charge, and he hasn't said anything about it. But, it was the plan from the old dev team, that we would never have SMN as a class/job. If I wasn't so lazy I would try to dig up the old interview, but fuck that, not really important. But who knows what the plan is now, but again, I'm not getting my hopes up until I hear from Yoshi that they will add SMN. I can't be the only person here who remembers that interview.... There was so much QQ on these forums when that interview came out over it also, short-term memories maybe?

I'm calling bullshit till I see this article no one else has ever seen with an interview with the devs.

[CrstyCptSteveWitherspoon]

I remember the article. Was like a year ago, but they said SMN was out due to primals being too powerful. With Yoshida in charge maybe that'll change.

[Biggie]

I remember the article. Was like a year ago, but they said SMN was out due to primals being too powerful. With Yoshida in charge maybe that'll change.

Thank you! And I'm sure Hyan, Kuro, Miko and a few others will remember also, they were active a lot at that time.

Spoiler: show

Again, Ifrit in-game outright tells the player that he/she has the power to summon the primals and he's actually surprised that you aren't doing it. He then somewhat offers his powers if you submit to his will or something like that.

Well that kind of sums it up, how can I expect you to remember an interview from a year ago, when you can't remember text from a quest from maybe a few months back.

Spoiler: show

Ifrit: You avow yourselves blessed by gods, yet lack the capacity to summon them to your aid. To which do you kneel mortals.
Player: I kneel to no false gods.
Ifrit: Vow that you shall forsake the summoning of another. Do so and you will be absolved. Refuse me and your soul will burn for eternity.
Amajaa: On your knees heatherns and give your oath. In the name of Ifrit Almighty Lord of the Inferno.
Player: What is this? Do you imply that we possess the power to summon? You must tell me....

Sure, I guess you could take it as him telling you that You yourself can summon.... But that is not how I took that cut scene, I took it more as the Human Tribe (guess that is what you would call the city-states) can summon them. Just like how all the best tribes have a primal that they can summon, but most do not because they fear the power of the primals, and are unpredictable. But, no where does Ifrit say we have the power to summon primals or offers his powers. He just warns not to summon any other primals (you just summoned him with the beat tribe) or he will burn your soul from eternity.

There is nothing more that I want in this game besides SMN, and I hope that Yoshi changes the plan from back in the day. But, again, the original plan was for no SMN class/job ; ;

[Kaylia]

I seriously hope they don't add SMN in FFXIV because I'm not sure I want another 6 years of "moar summon, SE doesnt love us"

[edit]
Not that FFXIV is going to last 6 years.