What makes FFXI different?

[Mhurron]

Re: What makes FFXI different?

The difference between FFXI and other MMOs?
FFXI players don't eat babies.

It's about time someone didn't think I did.

[Aeni]

Re: What makes FFXI different?

Locking camera, not the fight lock mechanic. There's a another product (closed beta) that has a similar, visual only, effect that makes the combat just feel better. The target-lock feature is not what I'm talking about, only the camera.

That's in the first person mode (Which I'm assuming you are talking about) which is not a default option set when you first log into the game. The 3rd person perspective is not unique to FFXI and that + the lock (Which is needed in order to avoid being an inactive member of a battle with the auto-attack feature that is ingrained into the system) makes it an annoying feature.

Why do I need to target lock and then be forced to face the target in order to get anything done? Basically means that the mechanic is a simple affair, something you would find in a Flash 3D game...

It's ok. You won't burst my bubble just because you disagree with me. However, the "advent of TP burn" doesn't totally remove skillchains from game, does it? Due to a design flaw the mechanic isn't as important but, for the purposes of this thread, its simple existence is enough. XI's got skillchains, others don't. How people choose to use them only reflect the strength of the design and player mentalities.

It does not remove it from the game (physically) but stop being technical there. The fact that hardly ANYONE USES IT nullifies your argument of what that particular point makes the game unique. The fact that no one bothers to even use it suggests it's a useless feature, does it not?

Feel free to go on and on. However, if you choose to do so, please reread my original post. It's about design features unique to XI when compared to past and future games. If I'm off about a mechanic, I'd like to know.

You were the one that made it sound like that certain unique features of this game made this game so much more "perfect" than others and conveniently ignored all the flaws that drove people away from it in the first place. Might I ask you, what was the real motivation of why you quit this game? Please don't say something ignorant like you had school or didn't have time. That's the kind of lame excuse I'd expect from people who didn't want to admit that the game wasn't a match for them...

[smurv]

Re: What makes FFXI different?

Socialist?!

Yeah that was totally my fault but you get what i mean, when typing fast things don't come out right.

[WishMaster3K]

Re: What makes FFXI different?

/hug Aeni

Thats a little harsh. ^_^;; After I joined my fraternity in April, with all the meetings and events I had to go to, I didn't have any time to play until the summer!

I like FFXI, and ppl usually quit because of some stupid shyt they did, and it becomes a popularity contest with them being the losing party..

.. Or they get frustrated by the alleged lack of things to do in between lfg moments in time. Idk, but there is NO WAY ON ALTANA'S FAIR PLANET that i'll sit somewhere for an extended period of time and blame other ppl when I waste a few hours.

Maybe because I'm spoiled, but if I've been lfg for a while (read: 30minutes) I'll look for members to make a party. If that doesn't work, I'll put in my search comment that my HP is in Jeuno or Whitegate and I'll go do something else, like fish or finish those quests in the other cities that let you warp back to Whitegate (only did Windy's, lol..)

People like to blame others too much. We're all responsible for our actions and should be held accountable.

[WishMaster3K]

Re: What makes FFXI different?

Yeah that was totally my fault but you get what i mean, when typing fast things don't come out right.

No, we get what you SAID.
Commie.

[Etra]

Re: What makes FFXI different?

This thread has derailed some, it seems. But, here's my opinion anyways.

I've been playing FFXI since before the NA release, off and on, but I always come back; Like many others have said already. However, for me, it's not just for the community. The game itself has such beautiful mechanics that are standard. While other MMOs just pass over them as "fluff" or "we'll look into it later."

For example, the fishing system is actually fun. Now, I hate fishing and everything involved with it. But, after its revamp, it's quite enjoyable and pretty exciting. It's not like other games with their "Oh. Just click this bobber-dealie when it flops around." Yawn.

Synthesis is so intricate, as well. Once again, it's not one of those "gather these materials and you'll have a sure fire success." There's more to it. Hell, you even have to sit a certain direction for optimal efficiency. Not to mention, a player controlled economy is so much better than window shopping at NPCs. (Especially now that SE is hellbent on devouring everything RMT.)

Besides the game mechanics, SE does seem to care about the game's community. Instead of milking it for all its worth (even after its utters fall off and shrivel up) with inane products. $25 to transfer up to sixteen characters at once, while in WoW it's $25 per character? That's just gold right there.

I think I'll stop there. Oh, and I also love the community.

[tazirai]

Re: What makes FFXI different?

/hug Aeni
Thats a little harsh. ^_^;; After I joined my fraternity in April, with all the meetings and events I had to go to, I didn't have any time to play until the summer!
I like FFXI, and ppl usually quit because of some stupid shyt they did, and it becomes a popularity contest with them being the losing party..
.. Or they get frustrated by the alleged lack of things to do in between lfg moments in time. Idk, but there is NO WAY ON ALTANA'S FAIR PLANET that i'll sit somewhere for an extended period of time and blame other ppl when I waste a few hours.
Maybe because I'm spoiled, but if I've been lfg for a while (read: 30minutes) I'll look for members to make a party. If that doesn't work, I'll put in my search comment that my HP is in Jeuno or Whitegate and I'll go do something else, like fish or finish those quests in the other cities that let you warp back to Whitegate (only did Windy's, lol..)
People like to blame others too much. We're all responsible for our actions and should be held accountable.

Same here/ Since i've been playing Blue mage quite a bit, I've started doing 3 blu and 1 rdm or brd groups. Going back the single class PT's like in the past.
In caerdarva.. which i hate btw. It sso easy for 3 blus to get chain 6-7. So I can't blame anyone for my lack of progress. The one thing I want SE to do. Is to build up the pokemon (NPC) fellow system. they were on the right track with it.. then they stopped. If they can make it more robust.. man i'll be happy.

[WishMaster3K]

Re: What makes FFXI different?

I think it was a different thread (or maybe this one, anyway.) But as RDM/NIN I can painlessly take out Imps for upwards of 400exp. Not really chainable, but it definitely pulls in 3k/hr at least if I just do Imps. Jnun aren't hard, but they give less exp, anmd Flies are a BITCH AND A HALF, but give the same exp as Imps, so therefore I deal with our horned adversaries most of the time.

The worse thing they have is Silence, which is less than I can say for Hurricane Wyverns, who are a chore. But I haven't fought them in a while and I have new gear, so who knows.. Might pull a Grendal sometime this week.

I heard a BLU can feasibly solo their way to high levels. I was thinking maybe that, since BST isn't really my style, but BLU honestly wears a different set of gear than RDM or PLD..

[Nuriko]

Re: What makes FFXI different?

Socialist?!

In Soviet Vana'diel, game plays you!

[tazirai]

Re: What makes FFXI different?

I think it was a different thread (or maybe this one, anyway.) But as RDM/NIN I can painlessly take out Imps for upwards of 400exp. Not really chainable, but it definitely pulls in 3k/hr at least if I just do Imps. Jnun aren't hard, but they give less exp, anmd Flies are a BITCH AND A HALF, but give the same exp as Imps, so therefore I deal with our horned adversaries most of the time.
The worse thing they have is Silence, which is less than I can say for Hurricane Wyverns, who are a chore. But I haven't fought them in a while and I have new gear, so who knows.. Might pull a Grendal sometime this week.
I heard a BLU can feasibly solo their way to high levels. I was thinking maybe that, since BST isn't really my style, but BLU honestly wears a different set of gear than RDM or PLD..

actually.. Blu/Bst = FTW.

We get many of the traits of a Beastmaster MUCH earlier than even they do. A pet level difference is made up for by you being there. I use to take a moderate DPS weapon, let the pet deal the damage while i spammed debuffs and minor attacks. Then at about 30-20% HP. Id spam high level damage spells. This would kill the monster while my Pet attacks another. If you are concerned about blinking or utsu. dont worry if you have Zephyr Mantle, it makes up for the Weak mage blink, but is not as strong as utsu.

/topic back on track... But it makes a great way to play for those interested in the outside of the Box.

[ioshua]

Re: What makes FFXI different?

Might I ask you, what was the real motivation of why you quit this game? Please don't say something ignorant like you had school or didn't have time. That's the kind of lame excuse I'd expect from people who didn't want to admit that the game wasn't a match for them...

I quit because of two main things:
1) The economy was totally hosed. Prices are, by the numbers alone, 1/10th of what they were when I was playing. Cash gained from day-to-day playing and some smart AH management is worth much, much more than it was before.

2) Generally negative attitude of other players and severe negative class and race bias. Judging by what I've seen while watching this and other forums over the years, race bias is pretty much gone and class bias is much diminished. There's still problems (high level blms for example) but, socially, the game has matured. Looking at the notes, it looks more like SE has improved the ignored jobs more than the players have become more tolerant. Either way, things are better than when I played last.

Why I came back:
In part, the two things above have been lessened to a substantial degree. Also, I'm a different person. I'm more patient and easier to let things slide. I've got a solid duoing partner (fiancee, played with her before) and an eye to a potential static group as well. The addition of the xp rings and npcs (among other changes additions) cater to my general lack of playtime so I have an easier time gaming on my schedule.

Tho, none of that really matters in this thread. But if my motivations help you take it more seriously then, enjoy. I'm trying to see what XI brings to MMO gaming, in general, and how the lessons learned here can be applied to product design in the future. After this thread runs its course, I'll likely follow up with a "What do you hate about XI" thread to discuss the negatives that people put up with or, like some in this thread, quit because of. If I really did make it sound like XI is some lost and beautiful Mecca of gaming, I'm sorry. That's not what I intended. It's a thread with a positive spin but that's intentional. It's here to discuss the positive and unique aspects of the game.

It looks like the fanboy flagwaving has been kept to a minimum and, for the most part, people are keeping it rational and leaving overactive emotions elsewhere. Thanks to everyone for the discussion and thoughts.

[WishMaster3K]

Re: What makes FFXI different?

I've got a solid duoing partner (fiancee, played with her before) and an eye to a potential ... group as well.

Bow chicka wow wow.

[Mhurron]

Re: What makes FFXI different?

Bow chicka wow wow.

[Sevv]

Re: What makes FFXI different?

Bow chicka wow wow.

Win!

Pleas collect your trophy on the way out wishmaster, everyone else please leave this thread it is over.