Final Fantasy XIV a Serious WoW Rival, says Wada

[Malacite]

Final Fantasy XIV a serious WoW rival, says Wada | Game Development | News by Develop

Square Enix president outlines move to outplay Blizzard’s dominant MMO

Square Enix is positioning Final Fantasy XIV as a serious rival to Blizzard’s World of Warcraft series, company president Yoichi Wada has revealed.


In an interview with Develop, Wada disclosed the full extent of Square Enix’s ambitions for the upcoming Final Fantasy MMO, and indicated that Blizzard’s need to – eventually – build a full World of Warcraft sequel could be a real test for the studio.


“WoW is a tough competitor, but whether you are talking about EverQuest, Ultima or Lineage there has never been a company that has a continuously successful number one and two MMO,” he said, speaking of that transition to a full sequel. Asked if he thought Final Fantasy XIV was a serious rival to World of Warcraft’s throne, Wada said “yes, but the flipside is that they are a tough competition.”


With the MMO set for release on PC and PS3, Wada touched on the impact the Final Fantasy brand will have on consumer choice.


“We believe there is a number of people that will stay attached to each title, but we are optimistic in that sense for Final Fantasy,” he said. Wada went on to outline the subscription and microtransaction models that FFXIV will employ, adding the company is looking to improve on the Final Fantasy XI system.


“The basic model hasn't changed,” he said. “It's a monthly flat rate service with additional charges for items that users want to buy. “For FFXI we didn't initially set up the item transaction model that well – although the demand for it was high. We thought that it would be a benefit for users, but that we wouldn't be able to charge. “We soon learnt that there are a lot of people who want that kind of model, so we would like to introduce more pay-as-you-use items into the game.


But there were too few items in FFXI – however we don't want to take it to the other extreme entirely for FFXIV. “And also with regards the game design, FFXI was based on parties and playing in groups – but of course that means the advantage is players cannot play alone. So to formulate a party you needed to find a player with a similar skillset, yet it's not always easy to find those kinds of players.


In FFXIV we have made that part much easier - so people can enjoy much more on their own. We've made it easier in that way.”

So they're going the Sony route eh? Sad to see that, but having a legit RMT system is probably the best way to combat those assholes since they'll be satisfying the demand and without any risk to the player.

Also, FF8 is coming to PSN!!! http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/17/ps...h-and-final-f/

[jenova_9]

Re: Final Fantasy XIV a Serious WoW Rival, says Wada

Wada is always an outspoken person and exaggerates their claims. Just look at how he believes the future will be a 100% digital market. If that were true, all game stores would go out of business.

but anyways, I do respect his confidence in FFXIV Online because it deserves that confidence. It's not a good idea to
market a game without full confidence in your product. Because if you believe in your product, consumers have more
reason to believe in it too.

I wouldn't jump to conclusions that FFXIV will outnumber WoW in subscribers, but it's possible. Either way it
doesn't need to be #1 to be successful and last a long time like FFXI has.

WoW looks so outdated compared to what FFXIV will bring to the table. At launch, people with high standards who expect more than what WoW already has will start rants, but as FFXIV grows they'll start regretting not staying on board with FFXIV, unless they are a complete Blizzard fanatic.

FFXIV really is looking the best mmorpg ever, and gameplay wise it sounds like it will be more accessible than FFXI,
with those strengths, it is clearly a strong rival for WoW. Many newcomers, FFXI veterans, and WoW veterans will
definitely give it a try.

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Re: Final Fantasy XIV a Serious WoW Rival, says Wada

Wada is always an outspoken person and exaggerates their claims. Just look at how he believes the future will be a 100% digital market. If that were true, all game stores would go out of business.

We're only looking at the forerunners right now. Technology WILL catch up and it WILL become a practical reality. And its going to happen sooner than the market will be ready for it, because it always happens that way.

Vinyl will survive CD in the face of MP3 because of the needle. The needle brings us the warm tone to the music and let's the DJ do his thing in the club.

What quality does physical media have? What quality does newspaper or compact discs bring?

I downloaded FFVIII last night even though I have a physical copy of it. The reasons were simple - (1) I don't like hooking up my PSOne and (2) I can put it on my PSP. I call that progress, especially since if I had a PS3, I could also store or play it there. If I need room on my PSP, I can delete it and replace it with another game. My PSN account knows I have paid for access to that content, so there should be no issue with me downloading it again later.

If my disc breaks, gets scratched or ruined in some way, I have to go out and find another one.

[Malacite]

Re: Final Fantasy XIV a Serious WoW Rival, says Wada

I downloaded FFVIII last night even though I have a physical copy of it. The reasons were simple - (1) I don't like hooking up my PSOne and (2) I can put it on my PSP. I call that progress, especially since if I had a PS3, I could also store or play it there. If I need room on my PSP, I can delete it and replace it with another game. My PSN account knows I have paid for access to that content, so there should be no issue with me downloading it again later.

This is pretty much why I keep FF7 on both my PS3 and PSP. If I ever need space on my PSP I'll delete the game (but not my saves) and just copy it back later. I like having both a digital and a physical copy of something though. You can never be too careful when it comes to backing up files.

[Grizzlebeard]

Re: Final Fantasy XIV a Serious WoW Rival, says Wada

“It's a monthly flat rate service with additional charges for items that users want to buy."

Oh well, that's the end of FFXIV for me then.

[fairyoracle75]

Re: Final Fantasy XIV a Serious WoW Rival, says Wada

Quote:
“It's a monthly flat rate service with additional charges for items that users want to buy."

Oh well, that's the end of FFXIV for me then.

Actually I took that as more of what they've been doing in FFXI like Tidal Talisman. SE has been generous with "buy this collectible and get a free IG item" lately and he seems to indicate its something the FFXI playerbase has been more than happy to do so I'd think that would be what he was talking about.

“

The basic model hasn't changed,” he said. “It's a monthly flat rate service with additional charges for items that users want to buy. “For FFXI we didn't initially set up the item transaction model that well – although the demand for it was high. We thought that it would be a benefit for users, but that we wouldn't be able to charge. “We soon learnt that there are a lot of people who want that kind of model, so we would like to introduce more pay-as-you-use items into the game.

Only thing that I don't understand is the pay-as-you use...

[Grizzlebeard]

Re: Final Fantasy XIV a Serious WoW Rival, says Wada

Only thing that I don't understand is the pay-as-you use...

I believe he's referring to paying for items that pop NMs, think real world cash buying Kindred Seals or Sky/Sea pop items.

[Balfree]

Re: Final Fantasy XIV a Serious WoW Rival, says Wada

It will be a sad day if SE ever sells NM pop items.

I also hope that SE doesn't sell items that will make or break the game, that will distance myself from the game to be honest.

For example selling an item that makes mages regen MP faster.

I can see the party invites:

"Looking for healer, must have X item from cash shop."

Ugh.

[Takelli]

Re: Final Fantasy XIV a Serious WoW Rival, says Wada

I believe he's referring to paying for items that pop NMs, think real world cash buying Kindred Seals or Sky/Sea pop items.

Oh god... PLEASE NO!!!

And for the MP/HP regen items and extra XP and drop rate items as well.... I so hope they do not do that. It will make it a game of "I have more money than you, I can buy my way through the game." Which is what most free MMOs are. So, if they want a monthly fee, they had better not do that. I wouldn't play a game like that.

But if they make it so that you can pay real money to change your armor color, name, server, pets, or maybe even random boxes that will give you items like a potion to maybe CP (If they decide to keep that system). But nothing game breaking as Balfree said.

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Re: Final Fantasy XIV a Serious WoW Rival, says Wada

I believe he's referring to paying for items that pop NMs, think real world cash buying Kindred Seals or Sky/Sea pop items.

I would love to know how you read that into the comment.

I think at worst is going to be for frivolous things you wouldn't need anyway, he actually did draw a comparison to what they were already doing with FFXI and that they were just reluctant to address the demand for it until they saw there was plenty of for it.

Some of the free-to-play MMOs have starter kits and consumables they'll sell with points. Its apparently been rather successful for Aeria games, though people who pay so much money for kimonos and tuxedos and shit like that are on drugs.

Even with most of those games, though, the best weapons are still found and earned in-game.

Sadly, it doesn't seem like these kinds of microtransactions are going away. If you don't like them, I suggest you either quit gaming now or expect a lot of developers to start disappointing you. I won't buy Bioware or Bethesda titles because they're buggy and incomplete games by intention, I'm not going to die from it.

MMOs, on the other hand, I tend to expect to be a work-in-progress because all of them are.

[jenova_9]

Re: Final Fantasy XIV a Serious WoW Rival, says Wada

no one has a real idea what they mean, so just wait.

Even if there were cash shops, it wouldn't affect me because I as well as many others will prefer earning stuff together and honestly. Besides cash shops are entirely optional. People should cut the drama and just focus on their own fun.

And it's nothing new really since people are STILL buying accounts and money from RMT, and is still going on for years in FFXI, but people haven't quit specifically because of that. It's really shortcuts people have been exploiting, yet people act like cash shops in FFXIV would be anything they haven't seen before.

It's still optional, there will be exploiters even if they have to get what they want from RMT instead of SE.

Though it doesn't affect anyone unless people play mmorpgs like some kind of race to the being special finish line, and seeing others get stuff
without doing the work hurts their pride.

That's like committing suicide just because the most shady political leaders and neocons in the world are making more money and living in the
most luxurious places than you ever will without putting a thousands times more work than they did to achieve the same goal.

[Takelli]

Re: Final Fantasy XIV a Serious WoW Rival, says Wada

And it's nothing new really since people are STILL buying accounts and money from RMT, and is still going on for years in FFXI, but people haven't quit specifically because of that. It's really shortcuts people have been exploiting, yet people act like cash shops in FFXIV would be anything they haven't seen before.

Yea but... Thats the main reason why not almost everyone would do it. I would NEVER buy money from a RMT because my account could et banned. But, I need like 10k for an item, and I only have 7k, but don't feel like farming. Yea, I would buy the little extra cash from the legit RMT and continue my game with out ever needing to farm.

[jenova_9]

Re: Final Fantasy XIV a Serious WoW Rival, says Wada

well ya that's your freedom to choose what makes things more fun for you. Others find it more fun to just earn the 10k farming or some other way instead of spending real money as a shortcut. Either way is not wrong.

Entertainment from an mmorpg is still at a personal level, so people decide what makes things more fun and meaningful for them based on their time, principles, and preferences.

[Kailea]

Re: Final Fantasy XIV a Serious WoW Rival, says Wada

Yea but... Thats the main reason why not almost everyone would do it. I would NEVER buy money from a RMT because my account could et banned. But, I need like 10k for an item, and I only have 7k, but don't feel like farming. Yea, I would buy the little extra cash from the legit RMT and continue my game with out ever needing to farm.

if you dont feel like making 3k, then you are one lazy SOB lol.... eh I kid, but I see what you mean, although I would never do it period.

[hexx]

Re: Final Fantasy XIV a Serious WoW Rival, says Wada

It seems yet again, some people are jumping the gun as to what Wada is saying. Have any of the recent IG items received from purchasing something from SE with RL money been game breaking at all? I'm sure SE knows a good deal of their player base would be disenchanted with the game if in order to be good you have to have a fat RL wallet. Relax and wait a bit for a more elaborate explanation folks!