FFXIVstuff, aka monster hunter XIV Options

[Alisha]

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/04/final-fa...new-job-system/

The latest edition of Famitsu Wave recently hit newsstands in Japan, bringing with it a DVD which contains an 8-minute exposé on Square Enix's second stab at the MMO genre, Final Fantasy XIV. The whole video is posted after the break. Fret not -- it sports convenient English subtitles.

Here's some of the more titillating excerpts: The game features a reinvented character progression system which does not include experience points or leveling up. The job system from XI will make an appearance, but in a heavily altered form -- an interview with the game's director, Nobuaki Komoto, revealed that the game will place a focus on the weapons players use, explaining that your armaments will determine "the way you play" and "the way you grow." Sounds reminiscent of Final Fantasy IX. (That's a very good thing.)

In addition, FFXIV producer Hiromichi Tanaka explained that the game takes place in a new region with a more "modern" feel to it -- the mysterious Eorzea which was mentioned in the trailer. The new world features familiar races (albeit with new names), and plays host to a "deep story," which is told through cut-scenes and quests. For more FFXIV info than you can possibly handle, check the video after the jump.


sounds similar to monster hunter no?

Race Scans

Someone translated the text on BG Forums regarding the characters:

"When you make your character, aside from choosing the race, you will also be able to customize their appearance. Head, skin color, hair type etc, there will be multiple factors. Just how exact we will be able to customize their appearance is still unknown, but we mean it in a good way when we say that it seems like it will become a worry to many players."

[Scan_Man]

WALL OF TEXT!

Response to Tanshin:

I am just giving my opinion. The content of opinions are up for discussion, but basically should be taken for a grain of salt. Nothing to "emo" over. If you have something to say about the game (as in gameplay or other musings), or disagree, say it. Talk about the actual game. I asked you questions, so I could possibly adjust my opinions based on someone who had first hand information. You declined to answer, which is your right.

However, I'm here to talk about this game, in its current form, based on information I am able to gather. What I think of it too. Retorting with that it is just a "Beta" talk, does not lead to any kind of discussion of this game. I understand that it is a Beta. Developers have an NDA because they don't want people talking about an unfinished product. However, there are people out there that are interested in knowing how the game is coming along, me included. They may not have beta access, or they may but not have the time to play. That is my audience, if it is not clear to you. Most of all, I love talking about game mechanics, and what that means for users, in detail. It is a passion of mine. I understand most people don't care, or it is beyond their scope of what they wish to discuss. But it is something, I like to talk about regardless if no one is listening. That is what passion is all about.

Sounds like you trying to start drama because saying things like "secretly rolling my eye" is dismissive passive aggressiveness directed towards me. So, if I got your engines revved up, I say good! I don't care if you have a problem with what I say, but I will not let that kind of hostility directed towards me slide.

You said you tried to hold off not saying anything because to not start drama. Why wait until now? If I were to take what you said literally, then your choice of words have failed that stated purposes. Again, why now? What makes now so safe for you to come out of your hole?

Saying stuff like "secretly rolling my eye" is a dick move. And you know it. Which why you put your "Did not want to start drama" disclaimer, to try and soften it. Stop. I am not fooled by such. You basically told me how your intentions are going to come off.

Not everyone emotionally attaches to things he or she says, or what other say, like you may do (I assume). For me, I expect disagreement, welcome it, and respect it. I would never dismiss someone because their point of view differs from mine because that stifles discussion. But, make no mistake I am going to defend my position.




Me editorializing in response to Tanshin's points:

Let me clarify something. Most of the things I write here are lifted from articles I wrote on my blog, or other forums, sometimes copied and pasted. That is why they are long (sometimes lifted from two or more entries). Also, I try to use enough detail in my writing to where I think there won't be a misunderstanding, or ways to misconstrue what I wrote.

People that follow my blog, or twitter, are interested in my current opinions on gaming, MMOs including WoW and FFXIV. I posted my thoughts here on FFXIV versus WoW because it is a FFXIV thread. I don't like some of the decision Square is making in relation to this game, which for me helps my buying decision.

I also assume, that most people here are not into WoW. Thus, know very little comparatively about the current state of the game. Its successes, problems, and failures. Competition has an influence. And WoW is FFXIV's competition. So it difficult to talk about one without mentioning the other because obviously FFXIV is being influenced by WoW. Believe me, I have more things to say on this, that I am saving because I writing a MMO buying guide.


A game forum is for discussing games and opinion of games. Plus, ultimately I am the one that has to make a decision to buy this game. And for FFXIV, my decision is going to be based on if it is worth my time over WoW. I have the right to have expectations because it is my money and time. I choose to determine how I am going spend those. I can only make a decision based on the information at hand. I am not a "wait and see" person. If I took a "wait and see" approach, then that means I am already making a mental investment to hold out for that thing to get better; which may not happen. Thus, I will miss out on potential better opportunities or mental investments available to me in the now that have a higher chance of working out. Not saying my way is right for everyone, but works for me. I am a "think about it today, forget about it tomorrow if it no longer holds my interest" type of person. So agree to disagree here.

And no one is saying a game should be the next WoW. But, there is no reason why a game should not strive to be the next step in MMOs like WoW was to Everquest. Why should I invest time and money in something if I have something that is better? Not only that, but there is a cheaper solution for what is essentially the same type of gameplay at its very core.

WoW has more content, and more features per dollar than FFXIV. That is a fact. Not to FFXIV's fault for being new. But, my beef is the pricing for FFXIV in regards with this. FFXIV is $12 for one character. I understand the arguments in favor of this. But those arguments ignore that people may want to play a different race, or have an alt on another server. This pricing point alienates a large portion of the MMO player base. The price is very steep to ask for someone coming from other MMOs such as WoW. And that is the point of view I am representing here. FFXIV borrows from WoW in a lot of places, so I think comparisons are fair. WoW rips from a lot of other games too.

I do have problems with WoW. A lot of them even. I still think it is the best MMO option out there. I give credit where credit is due. I extend this to FFXIV, or any MMO out there.

Like I said in another post, if you are coming from FFXI, or not currently playing any MMOs, this point of view does not pertain to you. Nor should it.

On a side note, discussion on this forum is abysmal these days. I know you guys save it for the podcast, which is excellent. But it would be nice to have a forum discussion once in a while like back in the old days. Lastly, I tend to play devil's advocate to get some discussion going; not just here, but on my blog. I get some of you may not be bothered with having other responsibilities to attend to.