¡Especulación! Chocobos, perra.

[LD]

I was going to make this a combined transportation thread, but the airship thread was made before I could, so I'll do it this way.

As the forum Gestapo has dictated, this is not wild (baseless) speculation, but at least vaguely rooted in official information.

I'll attempt to strike the tone thusly:



The feeling towards FFXI's chocobo systems are difficult to pin down, at times, but is generally less than positive. Racing is almost universally shit on (with reason), the raising/breeding itself is seen in a better light, but lacks real practicallity, and the whole thing is just seem as an unecessarily insubstantial disappointment. Even in its glowing moments, there's a prevading feeling of 'why bother' with there being superior forms of transportation of money-making.

SE made it clear that FFXIV's chocobos will be different, but what does that mean? Are they going to fix what's broken or completely ditch the concept? I believe they might lean towards the latter, and imo that's a mistake.

Please forgive the use of the ouch word, but WoW's mount system had the strength of accessibility, but always lacked the tactile sensation of actually interacting with your creature. You don't even feed them like hunter pets, you just obtain them and go. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it was SE's opportinuty to exploit one of WoW's few (admittedly minor) weaknesses.

With all of SE's promises of doing better this time, they may lose things they did right.

[Ryuushin]

I predict chocobo raising again, not sure how they'll do it though.

[Fawkes]

I think mounts are an outdated concept. Mounts are just a slight movement speed increase. Being able to instantly teleport where you want to go, while less scenic, saves hours of travel time. Runic portals and campaign teleporters are recent examples of SE realizing the need for fast travel. Imagine how much fun assault or campaign would be if your only option was to ride a chocobo to get there. From what they've said about being able to log in, do your stuff, and be done in 30 minutes mostly says to me they've taken a big slice out of travel times.

From the look of the trailer, no one is riding the chocobo and it looks more like a pack mule. I would suspect from this that they'll be like a portable mog safe.

[Riki]

If Chocobos are not for transport, i guess the'll use them as pack-mules.
I hope they will still be for transport though.
I mean...what kind of Final Fantasy would that be without the option of riding a Chocobo?

[Kurokikaze]

- Better not take over a month to get something you can actually ride.
- Better not require some omg detailed breeding procedure to get a chocobo that is just slightly faster than rentals. Chocobos bred by players should automatically be faster than rentals (unless starved/mistreated), how much faster determines on how well its raised/stats.
- LET US ACTUALLY RACE. They have the groundwork set on FF7, just take that an expand on it. Not hard. And don't make the race tracks an instance of sorts. Race out in the vast world so that other players can see.
- Chocobos depending on breed/stats/colors should have abilities or advantages in the environment. Green = Jump onto ledges 6ft ledges. Blue = Walk on water (not too deep). Gold = Speedhax. etc. Again this is something that was already done in FF7.

Just some things I would like to see with Chocobo Raising/Racing. Is that asking too much? I don't think it is.

[Recaldy]

The chocobo in the Trailor had bags on it so it could be related to inventory space. Could be like the Mog Satchel but you need to be near/on your chocobo?

[Elcura]

Just some things I would like to see with Chocobo Raising/Racing. Is that asking too much? I don't think it is.

I disagree, I think it's quite a lot to ask for. Not saying it wouldn't be good, but be realistic here...

[Rowe]

a long time ago at alla I did a series of posts of things I'd like so see in the game (kgav's crazy ideas) and long before the chocobo racing I suggested chocobo racing where you select the food while riding, some foods enhance endurance other foods like Kahzam Peppers would make the chocobo run faster but if you abuse it you get bucked off the chocobo.

I like the pack mule idea, makes for long treks into the wild.

[Volition]

The chocobo in the Trailor had bags on it so it could be related to inventory space. Could be like the Mog Satchel but you need to be near/on your chocobo?

You know what? It might be a mount you have with you at all times and your inventory at the same time. Simply because SE stated this game is heavily dependent on bag space due to all the armor and weapons, and they are trying to fix the transportation. According to the main site you can't use the teleporters all the time, and if this game doesn't have instanced zones (please God), then a 24/7 chocobo might be needed.

[ringthree]

You know what? It might be a mount you have with you at all times and your inventory at the same time. Simply because SE stated this game is heavily dependent on bag space due to all the armor and weapons, and they are trying to fix the transportation. According to the main site you can't use the teleporters all the time, and if this game doesn't have instanced zones (please God), then a 24/7 chocobo might be needed.

I agree with pretty much everything here. Chocobos could end up being your mog house.

Also, it might be noted that the new teleporters could be instance entrances and not just teleporters.

[Dakana]

I agree with pretty much everything here. Chocobos could end up being your mog house.

Also, it might be noted that the new teleporters could be instance entrances and not just teleporters.

That makes alot of sence and would be a good way of having "storyline" lockout timers that FFXI uses rather then no real explination of the timer.

[Averrinicus]

I agree with pretty much everything here. Chocobos could end up being your mog house.

Also, it might be noted that the new teleporters could be instance entrances and not just teleporters.

that would be nice, as I hated my Mog house. the only thing I would miss is the Mog house short cut between city zones which shaved a few minutes off which was always nice for me in Bastok, and Jeuno.

[eunhye]

the creation of chocobos is merely for you the consumer to walk from point a to point b faster. why would SE want to make you finish the game faster?

[Avanarius]

You guys sorta missed the point with chocobos.

When FFXI first came out, it was a vastly unexplored world with large open areas that many players were unfamiliar with. The reason for the addition of quick teleports was that all the areas had been discovered in the later life of the game, or newer areas were simply rehashes of old areas (WoTG). A majority of these teleports added were in realization that players did not want to spend time going through areas again and again after they had essentially been discovered.

Now imagine in FFXIV if all the game had was a bunch of random ass teleports that took you to random places with essentially no explanation of where you just got sent to. It would not be a very fun game. Slow travel is essential for the discovery years of an MMO.

[Tekoa]

Chocobo as a pack mule is a great idea that would go to support SE's statements about the importance of gear and a large inventory space.

Definitely want to see player housing make a comeback with some revamping and additions.

[Priran]

unless the teleport system is limited and/or expensive, and unless the mounts can do something players couldn't other than just move faster, there's really no point. my guess is, they'll probably include chocobos anyway as a matter of course. it's a final fantasy game, they kind of have to.

[Komm Suesser Tod]

I think if they did it where the chocobo was an inventory item that would let you summon your chocobo, and was only usable outside of combat, then it would work great as a secondary inventory. You could use him to quickly get from point A to point B with limited risk, switch around items between fights, and not worry about filling up on crystals or what not and not being able to pick other stuff up in XP parties.

[Akiyama]

Chocobo as a pack mule is a great idea that would go to support SE's statements about the importance of gear and a large inventory space.

Definitely want to see player housing make a comeback with some revamping and additions.

I like this idea. Call Squeenix and get a job with them.

[izembo]

im thinking the teleport system will be kinda waypoint related, where you can only teleport where you've been and activated the stone

[Volition]

im thinking the teleport system will be kinda waypoint related, where you can only teleport where you've been and activated the stone

I hope so, otherwise it makes the world seem really small.