Blizzard is smarter than Square

[Xavier]

FFXI for PC if i remember correctly uses mostly your cpu.

How is that any different than me saying the PC is slower because the cpu has to deal with other operations at the same time while the PS2 doesn't.

It is different because SE is such a noob PC developer that they do not take advantage of the power of modern day video cards. The CPU pulls all the weight in FFXI, if they had taken advantage of video cards the game would run 10 times smoother.

One more time. How is that different than what I said? I already knew the CPU pulled the weight in FFXI, not the graphics card, isn't that pretty much my entire point? The PC is slower because the CPU's only function isn't to run FFXI, while the PS2 has nothing else to do but run FFXI.

I don't see the difference. I said the PC is a bit slower than the PS2, and it is because of the way the game was programmed for the PC. I don't see how bringing up that a PC could be faster if it used the graphic cards to power the game is relevant, because the game doesn't do that.

FFXI's problems lie in poor itemisation and poor endgame content. The PS2 doesn't stop them from fixing these problems, so maybe you should cry about them fixing them and not dumping hundreds and thousands of players just so you could have another gobby bag?

The PS2 is also the cited reason 70% of all gear in the game looks the same, or is identical except for a color switch. It limits a lot more than mog space. And I'm pretty sure Square would blame the PS2 for not being able to instance every fight in the game too (which shouldn't be the reason, but I'm sure they'd use it as one).

[kareface]

There is one simple fix they could make that would solve the inventory problem forever. I've said it 100 times but I guess I'll say it again.

Make Ex items able to be traded

This wouldn't break anything, because you could still achieve the exact same effect as Ex by doing the following.

1) When you get an Ex item, it is automatically "bound" to you. This happens the second it is distributed from the treasure pool, the second you see the message "Obtained: item", etc. Basically right before it enters your inventory.

2) Ex items have text, similar to signature text but maybe a different location to avoid confusion, the name of the player whom it is bound to.

3) Ex items can be traded, dboxed, and /tossed, but not bazaared, sold on Auction House, or sold to NPC.

4) If you are not the user to whom the Ex item is bound, you also cannot /toss it and you can only trade it or dbox it to the person who it is bound to. You also cannot equip it, or "Use" it like if it's food or something.

Inventory problems solved.


The other solution would be to make every single individual item in the game storable by the storage NPCs.

Or expand the NPC storage for rare/ex items to more sets. Helping pull more money out of the economy and forcing people to lot on their "shit" af2's just so they could store the set.

[divisortheory]

Sets are ok, but there's plenty of stuff that doesn't come in a set. Hornetneedle, Arondight, Jailer torques and weapons, ridill, swift belt, etc. They just need to bite the bullet and make every single last piece of equipment storable.

[vudoodoodoo]

Remember those old FF games that had like infinite inventory space? ;o

[Zigma]

FFXI for PC if i remember correctly uses mostly your cpu.

How is that any different than me saying the PC is slower because the cpu has to deal with other operations at the same time while the PS2 doesn't.

Let me try to explain this in a way that you would understand.

It has nothing to do with what the system is running and what the system can handle. The reason why It loads up faster on ps2 is because it was specifically coded for that platform and then ported over to the PC.

A good example of this is the port of Halo for the PC.

I think in order for you to understand more, you'll prob need to know how to program, or at best know how code is written.

[FFXIFlux]

The reasoning behind not bringing the game to the console is that when PC games are ported to other platforms, the process often compromises the game.

WoW is already ported to a platform other than the PC, it's on the Mac. I guess that explains why WoW is a compromised game that is repleat with bugs and constantly needs massive patchs, rebalancing and loot overhauls, and is low polygon with low res textures?

A second reason for not porting the game is Microsoft's use of Xbox Live. According to Sams, Xbox Live is "too protected from outside influences, so play between 360 and PC owners would be difficult. Without overcoming that issue a 360 version is not going to be considered."

And yet Square is able to do what Blizzard says is too difficult. Why is this thread called "Blizzard is smarter than Square"? Sarcasm?

The only reason PS2 loads mobs faster is that its processor is only running FFXI.

That has nothing to do with it. Lower your res, upgrade your CPU, they'll pop at the same time on a 2Ghz at 2048 as a 3Ghz dual core at 640. It's how they want it to work. Windows is not ganking your CPU for 95% of it's cycles, it has nothing to do with what you have in the background assuming you're not being a total goof. It's a bug or a bad design decision, right up there with losing chat while zoning or being stun-locked while drawing a weapon if someone casts a spell on you, or seeing treasure in your treasure window several seconds before it scrolls in your text window. Install FRAPS and look at your FPS. If you've hit cap at 30, thats as good as it gets, the game is working as intended, improving your CPU WILL NOT do anything once you're there.

The PS2 is also the cited reason 70% of all gear in the game looks the same, or is identical except for a color switch.

It has nothing to do with the PS2. They haven't stopped adding gear, monsters or zones. The only real limit for gear right now is development time.

FFXI has a HUGE amount of very good looking gear. WoW and other games really aren't even in the running. The only thing FFXI really lacks is customization like the dye system from DAoC and EQ, but while that sounded like a cool idea, it was crap and games are better off without it. I don't need to see neon pink/orange/yellow paladins, and flaming red cod peices everywhere.

4) If you are not the user to whom the Ex item is bound, you also cannot /toss it and you can only trade it or dbox it to the person who it is bound to. You also cannot equip it, or "Use" it like if it's food or something.

Square might like that solution because it would promote more mules, but I don't. I don't believe they have any inventory constraint problem on their end that would stop them from putting containers like backpacks into the game. I think they just see 60 slots as a constraint players have to work with, along with their vast array of situational gear that makes you want to carry 10 items per slot.

[Zigma]

http://www.automotoportal.com/article/W ... nnel_video

[Ryany]

Didn't someone say that at Fan Festival they were releasing some kind of groundbreaking announcement about the future of FFXI that was one of the most exciting announcements to date? Maybe they're announcing that the PS2 can go suck a dick and they're dropping support for it

It's probably something like new emotes for your NPC.

[Septimus]

Honeslty, I wouldn't mind keeping the mule system the way it is where you pay extra for them as long as I could access my mule's inventory/mog safe/storage from my mog house or rent a room.

It would be fairly awesome to get gear from my mules (like all of the crap we have to store for level capped zones) without having to run to the delivery box, log on to mule 1, send stuff to mule 2, log on to mule 2, send stuff to my main, log onto mule 1, send stuff to my main, log onto main, store main equipment in the delivery box, run back to my mog house, shift through stuff cluttering delivery box, takes stuff out from mules, run back and put more stuff in the delivery box...

[Iggystar]

fuck you Square for what I thought!

[Tahngarthor]

WoW is already ported to a platform other than the PC, it's on the Mac. I guess that explains why WoW is a compromised game that is repleat with bugs and constantly needs massive patchs, rebalancing and loot overhauls, and is low polygon with low res textures?

Macs are not consoles. In fact, now, macs are PCs with a different OS software being used. CONSOLE vs COMPUTER is what we're talking about here, not MAC vs WINDOWS. Consoles limit a game due to lack of upgradeability (mostly). With PC games, they can be updated and improved as hardware does, because you can still run your software on the new + improved computer. With consoles, in many cases, you're stuck. FFXI wont work on the PS3 (or so it's been said). So while PCs continue to advance, the PS2 continues to be the same crappy peice of junk. console vs. computer is not the same thing as mac vs pc. They are capable of updating and upgrading the mac version right alongside the PC version. Which cant be said about PC ffxi vs PS2 ffxi.

and regards to polygons and such.... wow displays many many more models on the creen than most other games, so they have to be somewhat limited in polys or no one will be able to play the game. WoW's graphical prowess is decent. the texture resolution isnt bad either, it just often gets applied to really huge surfaces (take the dire maul hallway for example).

Make all the models in WoW have the same level of detail as models do in Unreal Engine 3... then try to play the game with as many models on the screen as WoW normally does. your video card will beg for mercy.

[Bond_Savingsbond]

Sony owns a small percentage of SE just like EA ports SE games to the NA. this could be why FFXI came to the PS2 in the 1st place.

One more thing EA has the tendency to place one videogame on as much platforms as possable. (and if anyone knows EA's track record for support........played Battlefielf 2 anyone? it got nerfed and some problems still have not been addressed(sp).)

[aurik]

EA no longer helps publish SE games in the US, which was the extent of their relationship -- they didn't help port it at all.

[Bond_Savingsbond]

My bad. (._.) guess it ended with FFX

[BRP]

What you mean to say is that FFXI should of stayed PS2 only, and not console hop to PC? Because thats what it looks like with all this being 'smart' and 'dumb'. FFXI is a PS2 game first. However, this game could last a lot longer if they dropped PS2 support within the next two years. If people can't update to a new gen console in 7 years... thats not good.

I don't think SE wants to put down FFXI(advertisements, Xbox console hop, and more solo content), but they are sending mix messages wanting to release 4 or 5 online monthly games(two or three of which are MMORPGs). Why doesn't SE just turn Playonline into a Xbox Live for their games, with one fee?

[aurik]

Why doesn't SE just turn Playonline into a Xbox Live for their games, with one fee?

Playonline actually is a lobby system, one that completely failed when SE failed to provide any good reason to use the system beyond a mandatory frontend for FFXI.

[BRP]

I like Vana'diel Tribune ;/

[Ichthyos]

Why doesn't SE just turn Playonline into a Xbox Live for their games, with one fee?

Playonline actually is a lobby system, one that completely failed when SE failed to provide any good reason to use the system beyond a mandatory frontend for FFXI.

Tetra Master!!!11

(sarcasm intended, in case you weren't sure.)

[Vinen]

Why doesn't SE just turn Playonline into a Xbox Live for their games, with one fee?

Playonline actually is a lobby system, one that completely failed when SE failed to provide any good reason to use the system beyond a mandatory frontend for FFXI.

I fail to see why it failed... its used to launch other games which are in beta and or not released in the US. It offers a way to send messages between friends between games. You just don't use it to its full extent. You fail to provide yourself with a reason to use it.

This isn't to say it isn't the most annoying fucking frontend ever developed.

[layoneil]

This isn't to say it isn't the most annoying fucking frontend ever developed.

that's why it fails imo.