Travialce's Report on the State of the Empire (03/06/2007)

[Lordender]

Sounds like the story is about to get complicated so they put this out >.>

[Lordwafik]

That way, people like Wafik don't have complain about "content" being wasted on story, because its pretty much entirely optional to click on those articles and read them.

Bitter much? Because someone's not too interested in the story? I loved the tribune, but dedicating the space where update notes should be is kinda lame (same with how they did it for halloween, when they could have just stuck it in the tribune and all would have been good).

[BRP]

That way, people like Wafik don't have complain about "content" being wasted on story, because its pretty much entirely optional to click on those articles and read them.

Bitter much? Because someone's not too interested in the story? I loved the tribune, but dedicating the space where update notes should be is kinda lame (same with how they did it for halloween, when they could have just stuck it in the tribune and all would have been good).

What are you even talking about, don't you see we are agreeing?

[Lordwafik]

agree or disagree, i sense a snide tone. Kinda like a "those people" argument when talking to a certain race

But yar, It is really retarded waiting for update notes (especially this close to the update) and then seeing some story. Let down +1

[FinalJustice]

I\'m kinda annoyed at the rate we get the story and new area to explore.

Im kind of annoyed too. We practically explored all ToAU areas in one week, thanks to the slow pace they release the content this time around. I wonder if Far East content coudl be a part of this expansion, or if it will be another all together...

But i do think story wise think will just about heat up in ToAU. It seems like its the longest story in FFXI history. We are on mission number what... 20? And it hasnt even started yet. (ie hasnt even gotten interesting)

[Celeras]

Trolls and Gigas are both allies, they are practically the same. If we go to the North, we will likely find Troll Mercenaries up there.

I hope next expansion does two areas at once. I mean, the North can't be that big and unique, so why not just slap it on as two regions in the next expansion. This game can't go on forever, and we need like what, 5 expansions to go at least?

I kinda wish at time they would sell a 20$ new expansion every 6-9 months with a "complete" new set of story/mission (and maybe one gimmick/end game feature)

I'm kinda annoyed at the rate we get the story and new area to explore.

"We know our content updates are few and far between, so allow us to remind you who these NPCs are before further delving into the story."

[Pergo]

notice how they put aphmau as Confidante with a question mark.

maybe she's the empress or daughter of the empress... i would think the daughter would've been mentioned somewhere before though if she existed

[Kaylia]

Trolls and Gigas are both allies, they are practically the same. If we go to the North, we will likely find Troll Mercenaries up there.

I hope next expansion does two areas at once. I mean, the North can't be that big and unique, so why not just slap it on as two regions in the next expansion. This game can't go on forever, and we need like what, 5 expansions to go at least?

I kinda wish at time they would sell a 20$ new expansion every 6-9 months with a "complete" new set of story/mission (and maybe one gimmick/end game feature)

I'm kinda annoyed at the rate we get the story and new area to explore.

To be honest, I'd happy if they would bring back Vana'diel Tribune... well, the good parts of Vana'diel Tribune, not the interview a crafter crap, and made it weekly. Character profiles and more information on stuff we should know already(how long do Tarutaru live for example). And have it have some small effect on actual gameplay. Like they hype up this big monster for a couple of weeks and it appears in an update as a cool and tough HNM.

That way, people like Wafik don't have complain about "content" being wasted on story, because its pretty much entirely optional to click on those articles and read them.

I liked that thing too. Read them all. thought I was the only one who did, so wasnt really surprised when they removed it

[Vobent]

agree or disagree, i sense a snide tone. Kinda like a "those people" argument when talking to a certain race

Freakin' aussies.


ToAU seems too small to be one expansion, unless there some undergournd/sea/above ground that is huge, they'll have to put in the 'far' east.


<edit> Since they still have to put in the other wards (other areas of the town), they'll probably open both at the same time. Maybe have a besieged (lol) with the Far East with the Eastern Captial.

[Lordender]

i don't want to derail this but it seems like SE is trying a little harder in this patch than others, I wonder if it started to sink in yet :D.

[RuBP]

i don't want to derail this but it seems like SE is trying a little harder in this patch than others, I wonder if it started to sink in yet :D.

but they left out chocobo racing!

I just hope that Drain II is moderately powerful otherwise it's just Nyzul Assault and that's it.

[Vobent]

i don't want to derail this but it seems like SE is trying a little harder in this patch than others, I wonder if it started to sink in yet :D.

but they left out chocobo racing!

I just hope that Drain II is moderately powerful otherwise it's just Nyzul Assault and that's it.

Just like the salvage update ;o

[LD]

Why am I getting the feeling SE got too many "CoP IS TOO COMPLEX" complaints in the past and are now kind of spelling everything out for everyone. Still cool though, really like the chart.

The time inbetween cutscenes is ultimately what hurts understanding CoP's plot. (This is more or less a personal reason, obviously someone with a better memory would be less affected.) By this, of course, I mean the simple fact that that you typically do one or two missions in one sitting due to everyone's time restrictions.

In either case, I'm surprised that they'd do that for these missions which have been extremely simplistic thus far compared to CoP (in my opinion).

However, one thing is clear: Her Magnificence is no simple puppet under the control of the Grand Vizier. This is evidenced in her decision to authorize the establishment of the mercenary company "Salaheem's Sentinels," despite vehement protest from her closest advisors.

I think that wording is interesting given our current suspicions about the court puppetmaster. It probably has no real significance.

I agree with this 100%.
It's not so much that COP was difficult to understand, it's that you focused more on the dungeon crawling, NMs, and BCNMs.
Not so much to distract from the plot, but enough so it wasn't a seamless progression.
Updates for that would have made much more sense, and honestly, that's probably where SE got the idea.
They're using it now, after what I imagine to be thousands of player complaints about how difficult COP was to understand, despite the fact that TOA's narrative is MUCH easier to follow.
Whether it's because of the story line itself or the lack of battles might be up in the air, but it definitely seems to go down smoother.

The regional map is far too small for it to just stay like that, there's lots of empty space that should be filled.
Either content will be added to the current map, or it will 'zoom out' and show more of Aradjiah.

On the other hand, it could be that size because it's a regional map for Besieged.
Besieged only seems concerned with everything directly west of the Capital, so even if they expanded east, there would be need for a new region map.
I am SO hoping for war, man. I see it as a PvP/Conquest affair.
Killing opposing players and NPCs for dominance on a sprawling war-torn landscape for money and equipment.

At any rate, lets just hope this is a continuing trend.
Stories get more complicated, people get more impatient/lazy, best to have this so people can just read it, instead of area hopping to re-watch Cut Scenes.

[Judah]

the dumb puppetmaster is the empress, but she speaks via a puppet hiding behind the curtain - safety n bullshit.

kkthx i win the game.

edit: please let the new assault drop everything kings do, so that it can be on individual groups of 6 to obtain shit instead of wasting 150 peoples time at once for a JP bot ls to claim with 8 people. amen.

[Sagacious Sundi]

Personally, once ToAU gets more interesting, I think it might get more complicated than CoP, which I don't think was too "complex", just too much characters (who have their own little side stories) and, like others have said, time in between the most important missions. Some stuff were also left for you to put togethor or interpret.

Regarding that chart, for some reason I think the Ashu Talif will try to get all of the beastmen on their side much like how the Kindred tried the same. But I also think the Trolls and the Lamiae might join each other, since they both have flan and soulflayers (fallen BLUs) respectively, and it seems the Mamool Ja and the Fomors are together in something. Plus, these forces share Salvage cards, although that's probably just the ruins' design.

I agree with Rocl or whoever said that the Undead Swarm is going to play very little role in the story. I'm guessing Talacca Cove is going to be used for a battle that gives more information on the Dark Rider/Odin.

For some reason, I see this as the battles remaining in ToAU:
~This update~
Mamool Ja battle in the Jade Sepulcher
Odin battle in the Talacca Cove
Battle using "Royal Painter Escort"'s layout in the Ashu Talif

~Next update~
Perhaps some battle against a spawned dahak NM on the non-tablet island on Mount Zhayolm?
Mamool Ja battle on Hazklah Islet for Zhayolm's AC
Troll battle on Mount Zhayolm's tablet island for Bhaflau's AC
Lamian battle on Sharug Isle for Arrapago's AC
Final battle using "Targeting the Captain"'s layout on the Ashu Talif

And personally, story is the my favorite part of the game.

[Dank]

agree or disagree, i sense a snide tone.

I agree. Keep it up BRP, you'll be in banville again.

[BRP]

agree or disagree, i sense a snide tone.

I agree. Keep it up BRP, you'll be in banville again.

My lord, I don't know what's worse. You are either an internet version of those kids who yell "fight, fight, fight!" or worship Wafik. That comment wasn't intended to be snide, even if it it appeared so. You seem to care a lot more than anyone involved.

[Xavier]

Im kind of annoyed too. We practically explored all ToAU areas in one week, thanks to the slow pace they release the content this time around.

Speak for yourself there buddy. ToAU came out, and I rushed to the new lands to explore. I entered Whitegate, and I haven't been able to exit the zone yet. I'm sure theres exciting content out there, but I'll never know because it takes 10 minutes for my inventory to load everytime I log on.

[FinalJustice]

lol
Dont worry, theres not much to explore really. The region is very small. So im hoping the new missions add some new zones and possibly more exp camps.

[Rocl]

Im kind of annoyed too. We practically explored all ToAU areas in one week, thanks to the slow pace they release the content this time around.

Speak for yourself there buddy. ToAU came out, and I rushed to the new lands to explore. I entered Whitegate, and I haven't been able to exit the zone yet. I'm sure theres exciting content out there, but I'll never know because it takes 10 minutes for my inventory to load everytime I log on.

REMEMBER THAT DORGEWEROER THE ASTUTE NM OR WHATEVER LOL

That will forever be imprinted on my mind as Aht Urghan outside Whitegate.