Letter from the Producer, XXIV (01/30/2012)

[Malacite]

Hello again, FFXIVers. I hope you’re all having a good time riding around Eorzea on your new goobbue mounts!

Well, like I mentioned in my last letter, today I’m going to be writing about the progress of patch 1.21, and posting an updated list of changes to the game. The total list is ridiculously long now, so what I’ve done is just update the parts relevant to 1.21. Take a look if you have the time!

Quests

Patch	Planned	Current Tasks	Notes
Ongoing	Seventh Umbral Era quests	Planning and implementation of quests	-
Ongoing	Storylines and world quests	Development and release of supplemental storylines and world quests	-
1.21	-NEW- Instanced raid quests	-NEW- Introductory quests for two new instanced raids	* Not required for entry into the instanced raids
1.21	-NEW- New seasonal events	-NEW- Implementation and hosting of new seasonal events	-
1.21	-NEW- Player residence quests	-NEW- Implementation of quests to gain access to player residences in each city-state	-
1.21	-NEW- Paladin	-NEW- Implementation of level 30-50 job quests for PLD	-
1.21	-NEW- Warrior	-NEW- Implementation of level 30-50 job quests for WAR	-
1.21	-NEW- Monk	-NEW- Implementation of level 30-50 job quests for MNK	-
1.21	-NEW- Dragoon	-NEW- Implementation of level 30-50 job quests for DRG	-
1.21	-NEW- Bard	-NEW- Implementation of level 30-50 job quests for BRD	-
1.21	-NEW- Black Mage	-NEW- Implementation of level 30-50 job quests for BLM	-
1.21	-NEW- White Mage	-NEW- Implementation of level 30-50 job quests for WHM	-

New Content

Patch	Planned	Current Tasks	Notes
1.21	-NEW- New instanced raids	-NEW- Implementation of new instanced raid "Cutter's Cry" (level 50)	-
-NEW- Implementation of new instanced raid "The Aurum Vale" (level 50)	-
1.21	-NEW- Paladin content	-NEW- Unlocking PLD -NEW- Learning PLD abilities -NEW- Acquiring PLD artifact armor	To take the form of quests incorporating exploration and battle
1.21	-NEW- Warrior content	-NEW- Unlocking WAR -NEW- Learning WAR abilities -NEW- Acquiring WAR artifact armor	To take the form of quests incorporating exploration and battle
1.21	-NEW- Monk content	-NEW- Unlocking MNK -NEW- Learning MNK abilities -NEW- Acquiring MNK artifact armor	To take the form of quests incorporating exploration and battle
1.21	-NEW- Dragoon content	-NEW- Unlocking DRG -NEW- Learning DRG abilities -NEW- Acquiring DRG artifact armor	To take the form of quests incorporating exploration and battle
1.21	-NEW- Bard content	-NEW- Unlocking BRD -NEW- Learning BRD abilities -NEW- Acquiring BRD artifact armor	To take the form of quests incorporating exploration and battle
1.21	-NEW- Black mage content	-NEW- Unlocking BLM -NEW- Learning BLM abilities -NEW- Acquiring BLM artifact armor	To take the form of quests incorporating exploration and battle
1.21	-NEW- White mage content	-NEW- Unlocking WHM -NEW- Learning WHM abilities -NEW- Acquiring WHM artifact armor	To take the form of quests incorporating exploration and battle
1.21	-NEW- Player residences	-NEW- Implementation of player residences at inns -NEW- Implementation of replay feature for quest cutscenes -NEW- Implementation of logout bonus	-
1.21	-NEW- Achievements	-NEW- Additional achievements -NEW- Additional achievement rewards -NEW- Expansion of achievement system features such as rate of progress	-
1.21	-NEW- Intra-city travel	-NEW- Implementation of system allowing for warping within each city-state	-
1.22	Hamlet defense	Release of hamlet defense duties	* Postponed to 1.22 due to increase in scale

Guildleves

Patch	Planned	Current Tasks	Notes
1.21	-NEW-Abolishing Guardian's Aspect	-NEW- Guardian's Aspect to be abolished with the introduction of logout bonus	-
1.21	-NEW- EXP adjustments	-NEW- EXP yielded by guildleves to be adjusted with the abolition of Guardian's Aspect	-

Behest

Patch	Planned	Current Tasks	Notes
Ongoing	Balancing of behests	Further adjustments to behest difficulty and rewards	-

Company System

Patch	Planned	Current Tasks	Notes
1.21	-NEW- Chocobo barding	-NEW- Addition of personal chocobo barding for each Grand Company	-
1.21	-NEW- Special supply & provisioning ops	-NEW- Addition of unique and untradable item categories	-

Enemies and Non-Instanced Areas

Patch	Planned	Current Tasks	Notes
1.21	-NEW- Job battle monsters	-NEW- Addition of monsters for each job (including NPC battles)	-
1.21	-NEW- Additional instanced raid bosses	-NEW- Addition of new boss enemies for the two instanced raids	-
Ongoing	Balancing of enemy attributes	Adjustments to enemy parameters and reexamination of drops	-

Battle System

Patch	Planned	Current Tasks	Notes
1.21	-NEW- Job attributes	-NEW- Implementation of unique attributes for each job	-
1.21	-NEW- Job actions	-NEW- Implementation of job actions (including combos)	-
1.21	-NEW- Class action adjustments	-NEW- Continuation of adjustments commenced in patch 1.20	-
1.21	-NEW- Battle log revisions	-NEW- Partial revisions to battle log spec	-
1.21	-NEW- Spellcasting spec changes	-NEW- Moving will be made to interrupt spellcasting	-
1.21	Reworking of crowd contro	Implementation of rules for overlapping crowd control actions	* Implementation confirmed for 1.21

Armoury System

Patch	Planned	Current Tasks	Notes
1.21	-NEW- Job System	-NEW- Implementation of a system for switching between jobs/classes (tentative name: job stones)

---------- Post added at 11:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:15 AM ----------

Items, Synthesis, and Gathering

Patch Planned Current Tasks Notes
Ongoing New recipes Ongoing addition of recipes in line with new synthesis concepts -
1.21 -NEW-
HQ synthesis changes -NEW-
Revisions to balance and flow for HQ synthesis -
1.21 -NEW-
HQ attribute adjustments -NEW-
Changes to the algorithm for determining HQ item attributes -
1.21 Abolition of slot cost Abolition of slot cost for accessories and reorganization of equipping conditions -
1.21 Accessory recipe reforms Review of synthesis recipes for accessories -
1.21 -NEW-
Accessory attribute adjustments -NEW-
Adjustments to accessory attributes based on change from slot cost to number equippable. -
1.21 -NEW-
New accessories -NEW-
Addition of new accessories in line with accessory reforms -
1.21 Food effect reforms Reform of food effects in accordance with new class abilities -
1.21 -NEW-
Additional food items -NEW-
Addition of food items in conformance with food effect reforms -
1.21 -NEW-
Food recipe adjustments -NEW-
Adjustments to food recipes in conformance with food effect reforms -
1.21 -NEW-
Food item obtainability -NEW-
Adjustments to the obtainability of food-related items (vendors and drops) -
1.21 Medicine recipe reforms Review of synthesis recipes for medicine -
1.21 -NEW-
Addition of new medicine items -NEW-
Revisions to medicine effects in line with new class abilities -
1.21 -NEW-
Addition of new medicine recipes -NEW-
Revisions to medicine item recipes in line with changes to medicine effects -
1.21 -NEW-
Adjustments to obtainability of medicine items -NEW-
Adjustments to dropped and vendor items related to medicine -
Ongoing Review of gear attributes Adjustment of attributes for existing gear -

User Interface (UI)

Patch Planned Current Tasks Notes
1.21 UI changes accompanying introduction of jobs -NEW-
Additional slot to gear interface for job change items
-NEW-
Display of unlocked jobs added to attribute interface
-NEW-
Display of acquired job actions to the actions and traits interface Multiple UI changes to accommodate job system
1.21 -NEW-
Config adjustments and additions -NEW-
Addition of "/textclear" to GUI config (feature that automatically hides the log) -
1.21 -NEW-
Expansion of the "face target" feature -NEW-
Expansion of a feature that stops your character if moving and faces the target as part of changes to casting specs -
1.21 -NEW-
On/Off toggle for sub-targeting -NEW-
Release of an On/Off toggle for sub-targeting feature for mouse and keyboard users
(Effects occur as soon as an action is execute on a target, eliminating the need to retarget) * This is an improvement to mouse and keyboard controls. Toggling sub-targeting off while using a gamepad will reduce usability.
1.21 -NEW-
UI updates to accommodate changes to accessories -NEW-
UI changes in line with revisions made to how accessories are equipped -
1.21 -NEW-
Food/Medicine effect recast times -NEW-
UI display of recast times for the reuse of food and medicine -
1.21 -NEW-
Food/Medicine effect help text -NEW-
Display of help text for food and medicine effects -
1.21 -NEW-
Event replay feature UI -NEW-
UI display for the event replay function available in the player residences -
1.21 -NEW-
EXP bonus UI -NEW-
UI display when playing with an active EXP bonus earned while logged out -
1.21 -NEW-
Player search updates -NEW-
Addition of search conditions to narrows searches to those players who have unlocked jobs
-NEW-
Ability to conduct player search via text command -
1.21 -NEW-
Achievement system updates -NEW-
Addition of information regarding NPCs who unlock achievements
-NEW-
Addition of detailed progress trackers for achievements -
Ongoing -NEW-
Pop-up help text -NEW-
Changes to the when and where pop-up help text is displayed -

The Lodestone

Patch Planned Current Tasks Notes
1.20
-1.21 Linkshell page Addition of search function
Addition of member recruitment function
Reworking of main linkshell page -
1.20
-1.21 Display language switch Ability to switch between Lodestone display languages -
Ongoing My Page Improvement of My Page features -

Patch 1.21 is going to be the biggest patch yet since the launch of FFXIV service.

The addition of seven classic jobs, their related abilities and artifact gear, two new instanced raids, private player residences, a cutscene replay feature, chocobo armor, a reworking of crowd control, adjustments to classes, revisions to how spell-casting works, changes to food and medicine effects and recipes, and so on and so forth. (The addition of the On/Off toggle for sub-targeting is another addition I’m looking forward to, being a mouse-and-keyboard man myself.)

For the long-awaited changes to food and medicine, we’ve gone back to the drawing board at a conceptual level, and will be making distinct changes to each item. We’ll be keeping you informed of the new concepts and such on the forums and in Topics posts, so please hang on a bit longer for more details.

There is something I have to apologize for. We were shooting to have the new “hamlet defense” content ready in time for 1.21, but despite the progress we’ve made, I’m afraid the scale is just too large for that to be possible. I’m truly sorry about this. But, it’s going to be fresh new content that can allow all classes to play an integral role (not just combat classes!), so I hope it’s something you can all look forward to. Again, I’m sorry for the delay, and ask for your patience and understanding.

I’d also like to share some info on the release schedule for 1.21. We’d originally aimed for the patch to go live in the second week of February, but after looking over the amount of content and all the accompanying UI changes, localization, balancing, QA’ing, and such, we’re currently looking at a delay of about two weeks. We’re pushing really hard for an end-of-February release, but ask that you wait a bit and keep an eye on the announcements we’ll be making on the forums and in Topics regarding details. (Don’t worry, none of this will have any effect on the version 2.0 schedule!)

Last of all, I’d like to talk about the merging of servers I’ve mentioned on the forums. This is something we’ll be doing to ensure that everyone has a chance to meet as many other players as possible and encourage embarking on adventures together. We’re currently looking into how to make this particularly effective for the European players distributed across all Worlds, as they are fewer in number than players from other regions.

The server merge is a temporary measure intended to help FFXIV progress. We’ll be reintroducing Worlds when the number of players demands it, and with relaunch of version 2.0.

We’re planning to allow for an adequate amount of time between when we release the information regarding the server merging and when we actually carry it out. But for now I’ll have to ask you to wait a little while for the details. Patch 1.21 is a much higher priority, so the merging won’t happen until sometime after it goes live.

Since we’re in the final phase of patch work, this letter kind of just zipped through things, but I also wanted to mention that in addition to the 1.21 environment, we’re also running 2.0 clients on the shop floor now. One of the things we’ve done so far is make sure that more character customization options will be going in the relaunch version. We’ll be releasing more info in the future, so keep an eye out for that as well!

Well, I’m gonna get back to it. See you in the next letter, or on the forums. See you soon!

[Dux]

Re: Letter from the Producer, XXIV (01/30/2012)

As patches go this one looks very promising, looking forward to it.

[Malacite]

Re: Letter from the Producer, XXIV (01/30/2012)

Sorry about the 2nd half not looking right - the orignal post was too long, so i tried to split it in two and it copied the format in my post, but then it turned out looking plain

[jenova_9]

Re: Letter from the Producer, XXIV (01/30/2012)

Very exciting mew!

One step closer to Ninja! =^^=

[Rostum]

Re: Letter from the Producer, XXIV (01/30/2012)

How exciting. I am very excited to see what the game will be like once 2.0 comes around, not just for the change 2.0 is going to initially give, but how patches like this and leading up to 2.0 will shape the overall game. There's just something about Eorzea that I love, but I just can't bring myself to play it anymore despite the enticingly unique mounts and gear they'll bring out. I'd rather just start fresh in 2.0.

[Freelancer]

Re: Letter from the Producer, XXIV (01/30/2012)

This is pretty epic, kinda disappointed about hamlet defense but all in all it looks like a great patch.

Jobs, Inn rooms and new raids.

Gon' be a PLD hyur with a PLD chocobo~

[DakAttack]

Re: Letter from the Producer, XXIV (01/30/2012)

One step closer to Ninja! =^^=

gtfo

[Malacite]

Re: Letter from the Producer, XXIV (01/30/2012)

Damn it though, I may need to sign up now though. Since they're removing Gaurdian's Favor, I'm gonna want to grind the hell out of DoH classes before it's gone.

GF + Sweat of Brow = jank. I've gotten as much as 1700 EXP in 1 swing from a node with both active - it's probably even more with a manual active as well (I only just got into the Maelstrom before I stopped playing so I haven't had any chances to rack up seals yet).

I'm curious about the resting EXP though, as to just how much of a bonus it will be and for how long it will last - like, will it be a fixed duration buff, or will it gradually wear down as you gain EXP? If the latter, will it be a declining % boost? Is there an effective EXP pool that it counts down from? So many questions...

[Dux]

Re: Letter from the Producer, XXIV (01/30/2012)

Damn it though, I may need to sign up now though. Since they're removing Gaurdian's Favor, I'm gonna want to grind the hell out of DoH classes before it's gone.

You can use Guardians Favour for DoM / DoW and DoL but I dont recall being able to use it for DoH (local crafting leves).

[Malacite]

Re: Letter from the Producer, XXIV (01/30/2012)

Another pointless contribution! *slow clap*

Personally I'm really looking forward to the new accessory, food and medicine recipes - not to mention the removal of slot costs. It'll be curious to see how they rework it though, as they're reworking the equipment requirements.

*goes back to FFXIII-2*

[BurningPanther]

Re: Letter from the Producer, XXIV (01/30/2012)

Wait, did he say Goobbue mounts?

I may give this game a try after all...

[Mezlo]

Re: Letter from the Producer, XXIV (01/30/2012)

They made gobbue mounts available until the release of 2.0. I hate it because you need to screw with the camera angle in order to see where you are going...

[Etra]

Re: Letter from the Producer, XXIV (01/30/2012)

Soooo... Is this game fun yet?

[Mezlo]

Re: Letter from the Producer, XXIV (01/30/2012)

I have fun playing it, but I have 50 lnc, mrd, arc, thm, con. So my ls does the primal fights, camp raids for sentinel and sorcerer drops, and roaming NM's. Not many people are "leveling" currently. Seems like you're either online doing "current endgame stuff" or playing other games waiting for version 2.0 to come out.

[jenova_9]

Re: Letter from the Producer, XXIV (01/30/2012)

Soooo... Is this game fun yet?

oh mew! It is getting better! Though in your case, it's recommended to wait more for the bigger updates and stuff! You would of course get optimal launch feeling waiting for 2.0, but it's possible to enjoy it even before then, mew! But the more time you wait, the more updates, improvements and things to do will be available! So ya, just depends how you feel about the current build, mew!