Letter from the Producer, XVIII (09/21/2011)

[Waraji]

Hello everyone, Yoshi-P here.

First of all, I have to apologize for the briefness of this letter. Things are pretty hectic here, what with work on patch 1.19 well into its final stages, and I ask for your understanding. (I promise to write a nice, beefy letter next time!)

But let’s talk about 1.19. The team has been working like a whirlwind to get things done on time, focusing mainly on bug fixes and balance tweaks. I’ve been getting my hands dirty as well, test-playing all aspects of the patch.

I realize that many of you were expecting the patch to arrive this week, but right now the team is looking at a September 30 release. Certain contents are a bit iffy to make to the deadline, and because of this, there’s a chance that the date will get pushed back a few days. We want to deliver as much content as possible to you, but at the same time want to make sure that everything gets enough QA and balancing time. I’m really sorry we’re cutting it close, and ask for your patience for a while longer.

Now, I know this won’t make up for much, but I’m planning to release the patch notes early this time. Just for good measure, here’s a little preview of what’s coming in 1.19:

* An additional hundred item slots per character
* An additional fifty item slots per retainer

Details are on the way, so stay tuned!

Ah, I should also mention that FINAL FANTASY XIV will celebrate its first anniversary on September 30. To mark this momentous occasion, I’m planning a Letter from the Producer that’s “livelier” than usual. Will have more to tell soon!

Alright, I better get back to work. Talk to you again soon!
Yoshi-P uses Chocobo Dash!

Bitching about Inventory space being too large, commence.

[Darte]

Fuck yes moar inventoryyyy! Been walking around pretty filled up these days but no more! (At least for a while now)

[Hyan]

When he says end of September, he sure means it!

[Ropeydonkey]

Aww no patch this week. Wondered why the patch schedule wasn't up. I though there was an event starting this week though?

Inv space is a nice surprise - especially after his waffly explanation as to why they couldn't do that kind of thing (server storage limitations etc - rubbish if you ask me...).

[Kaiyoko]

New space is good but it makes me think that the update is gonna be shit. New inventory space always makes people better mood about things.

[Kensaki]

here have more inv space so you may not kill me when you see what we actually got time to put into to the patch!

[Nilheim]

Always with the negative waves.

[Tomino]

New space is good but it makes me think that the update is gonna be shit.

Hadn't patch content been pretty much revealed?

- Transportation improvements (Chocobo, Airships)
- Craft recipes overhauls
- Leve system revised with the 99 cap.
- Chain exp bonus, probably a way to bring back grinding parties and have Leve for soloo play?
- Materia system
- Caravan escort -> Grand Companies seals farm
- Beastmen strongholds (paired with the Link system rewards, maybe new exp camps?)
- Ifrit Battle (could always slip to 1.20)
- UI fixes

[Corrderio]

Fuck yeah for new inventory, but I'm still waiting for his letter about the changes coming to classes.

[Elcura]

Hadn't patch content been pretty much revealed?

- Transportation improvements (Chocobo, Airships)
- Craft recipes overhauls
- Leve system revised with the 99 cap.
- Chain exp bonus, probably a way to bring back grinding parties and have Leve for soloo play?
- Materia system
- Caravan escort -> Grand Companies seals farm
- Beastmen strongholds (paired with the Link system rewards, maybe new exp camps?)
- Ifrit Battle (could always slip to 1.20)
- UI fixes

None of that matters because clearly they're tricking us with inventory space.

[Patriarch]

Due to past experience, I refuse to get excited about any of this.

[Charismatic]

So... the official forums has people bitching about getting extra inventory spaces.
I don't understand.

[Wulfgang]

$5 materia system doesn't make it in

[Hyan]

Due to past experience, I refuse to get excited about any of this.

Since 1.18 was suuuch a let down of expectations wasn't it?

Well, that is subjective of course. The angels did not descend from the heavens to give us all a blowjob.

Hadn't patch content been pretty much revealed?

That's the general outline (you forgot the overall battle overhauls though), but as we can see here, they aren't mentioning all the details.

[Charismatic]

Since 1.18 was suuuch a let down of expectations wasn't it?

Well, in my opinion 1.18 left almost as many things in disrepair as the number of things it fixed.
We saw a lot of improvements but it completely destroyed Behest among other things... so while it was an okay patch I can see why some wouldn't get excited about upcoming ones.

[Patriarch]

I'll be excited when the game is worth paying for.

A year in and we are still in beta stages, I'll postpone my excitement. Albeit, this looks good and hopefully will get things crankin.

[Hyan]

Well, in my opinion 1.18 left almost as many things in disrepair as the number of things it fixed.

I can't sign that notion.

But fuck talking about opinions.

[Kurokikaze]

Hmm.. I'll take the extra inventory.

[Kaisha]

Here's to hoping the inventory window will eventually have two columns so we have less vertical scrolling to do....

[Kurokikaze]

True that. That could be a bit annoying especially with the menu lag still present.