FFXIV Random Speculation/Question Thread XI: "How you liking that Beta Phase 5?"

[Greedouw]

Why do I feel like we're giving SE way too much credit here? Based on their track record, whats to say that they don't just release this "awesome" patch AFTER trials expire?

[bruiser]

Why do I feel like we're giving SE way too much credit here? Based on their track record, whats to say that they don't just release this "awesome" patch AFTER trials expire?

Maybe they will, but that seems a little retarded, even for them.

[Ruin]

Efts out near Nine Ivies is a good spot for SP, 4-6 in party at that level.

what about doing those efts as duo or trio? like 29-30 gla thm pug

[Greedouw]

Maybe they will, but that seems a little retarded, even for them.

Heh, I dunno man... wouldn't be too surprising ;-P

Anyways, I wish they would make the leve reward system a little more consistent. "Make more, cut less" could fetch me 12k gil in rewards one day... then 5k the next (for the same level)

[Grey Jorildyn]

what about doing those efts as duo or trio? like 29-30 gla thm pug

probably be ok.

[Sephiroth]

I couldn't care less when they release it as long as they get it out in November. If you don't like the game enough to play it right now you're going to be disappointed when the patch comes.

And like I've said before, you can cancel your account and re-activate it if the patch is good enough for you.

I don't want them to rush it to get it out next weekend and release it with bugs and things missing that they said they would add.

[Aratharn]

If they can't produce a GOOD update by the 22nd they need to extend the free trial... Kashuan averages 600-800 people online I can't imagine how much populations would drop globally once people are forced to pay to login to the game in it's current state.

[Sephiroth]

Well, let them cancel for a few days and fall behind their friends if they don't want to pay the $1 or whatever it could be between the 22nd and the patch date. It's either going to come on the 19th or the 26th, maintenance is usually a Thursday.

I don't get this "I want it now" attitude. If people weren't prepared to give the patch a try they'd have quit already. Waiting patiently for it and then quitting a few days before it is distributed because SE didn't rush it out for you is retarded. Do you want a week of emergency maintenances following it because they didn't have time to do enough testing?

You can't have it both ways when it comes to software development. To increase development speed you either sacrifice quality or increase costs through hiring more staff. Due to the time scale involved here they won't have had time to hire and train staff. Doing so would actually be a disadvantage due to taking time out to train them. Longterm that's the better option however.

[miokomioko]

No sympathy for those who pre-order games. Patience is a virtue, kiddos.

Either way, it would probably be a good idea (financially) to push free trial out to the end of the year, especially if that scheduled update is still going to land in December.

[Grey Jorildyn]

Well if those are the two options then they need to deal with what's in front of them now with what they have on staff, and then transition development onto a more encompassing, long-term path. I don't doubt SE has the means to do this, and if/when it all happens, the game's current version should be a thing of the past.

What this game is and what it could be are unrecognizable from one another, as it ought to be. This is clearly a beta build.

[Sephiroth]

People lack patience in general with this game. Which is strange because a lot of MMO content in any game requires a lot of it. If people can't handle a few days wait for a patch how are they going to handle a few months/years wait for godly gear they spend every night trying to get?

[goodr]

While I think the responsibility for hurrying the hell up is completely on SE since they chose to launch the game when they did, I think it's a bit ironic that it's the same audience that loudly identifies the game as being released way before it should have been is clamoring for them to hurry up and release more stuff.

Again, I do believe SE needs to hurry and take full responsibility to replenish the goodwill entrusted to them by their fans. I'm just also entertained by the irony of the situation.

Also, I'm not of the mindset we need more 'content' as much as we need to improve the 'quality of life' of the players by doing various things that mitigate the frustration while underscoring the real, fun gameplay (which may or may not yet exist in game). I'm not looking for more leves, more areas or more classes/races or any of that jazz that typically comes in large content patches. I'm hoping they refine their core loop and improve the quality of life for those of us who still log in. Mailboxes, market improvements, travel options, ui overhaul will all contribute to those sorts of issues.

[Sephiroth]

Totally agree it's paid beta. Wada is hoping to have the game sorted for the PS3 launch according to the comments recently posted on Zam. But that's obvious. The November and December patches can only do and add so much. Then they'll start work on the March patch witch will be equally big. Although I think they said they'll be fixing some things in the new year too so we may see something good in January too.

[miokomioko]

You should not have hurried this game! Now hurry up and fix it! Also, hurry up and add more stuff! HURRY.

[Grey Jorildyn]

If anticipation for the november and december patches are any indication that carrot-dangling works well on the community, then my opinion is they're going to have to evolve this game via a series of monthly patches until march. People will keep playing (and paying) regardless of a patch gap, but they can certainly improve the happiness of players by giving us a monthly outlook on things from the end of this month up until march of next year. If they do this right, they may even draw some people back. Time will tell on this one.

[Sephiroth]

One problem is they needed such harsh criticism to realise how bad the game is. The criticism in beta mustn't have made enough impact or been underestimated.

[Sephiroth]

My speculation for March is that they'll add Ishgard, chocobos and airships. If they announce that in January it will be the carrot dangling people need.

[Grey Jorildyn]

Well keep in mind that the criticism they heard in beta was not given a strong enough backing due to beta testers from phase 3 onwards being denied the ability to post on the beta testing forums. If you were in for alpha, or phase1/2 beta, you got to post there. A significant amount of players were added thereafter and never got a chance to be heard in the one place SE was (supposedly) actively seeking feedback. It really is no fault but their own at this point and they should extend the free period until the end of the year.

[bruiser]

One problem is they needed such harsh criticism to realise how bad the game is. The criticism in beta mustn't have made enough impact or been underestimated.

They didn't hear criticism during beta because they weren't accepting feedback from anyone, lol.

[Sephiroth]

There was still like 150k testers before phase 3, but they definitely did themselves no favours denying some people posting access.