Hydaelyn Role-Players

This was dropped during the anniversary livestream I think. I wonder then, what this might imply for the rest of the MSQ and how 4.0 will be executed?

Let's assume it is Ala Mhigo for 4.0. Does this mean it'll be a completely self-contained story that doesn't continue from 2.x or 3.x? 

I'm curious as to those of you who have played other MMOs (like WoW) and their expansions will have to say.

Wild assumption power....MAKE UP!!

*transformation sequence*

So this leads me to believe that perhaps the Ascian threat will be crushed come 4.0, or at least significantly weakened to the point that continuity won't matter and 4.x begins a new series of stories and trials for the WoL.

Or they just heard people unhappy with the giant leveling gate and are designing to accommodate as many players as possible.

My guess is that it's still going to require 2.0 cleared, but perhaps not 2.X content.

Likely, it either doesn't require Ishgard's involvement, or it's SE trying to accommodate all the people who complained about having to play the game (clear 2.55) to play the game (3.0 MSQ) and don't want to have to play the game (3.X content) to play the game (4.0 content). ...which would make it MUCH more alt-friendly, but would do quite a disservice to people who might feel tempted to powerlevel and not engage in the story.

I thought I heard it said they would require 2.0 but not 3.0 for it? I dunno I didn't actually watch it and get all my information second-hand.

I can understand the decision though of SE, especially because gamers these days are not like they use to be. These days we whine about having to catch up after all, and for the newer playerbase it will be dealbreaker whether they get the game or not. That said I'd imagine they will conjurer up a good enough reason for 4.0 not needing 3.0, doubt Ishgard wouldn't have a part in it though, especially with the MQS ending, and if Ala Mhigo is indeed a part of the next expansion!

They did not say 4.0 would not continue 3.x's story. Only that they felt they might just not make 3.x completion a requirement, and instead offer a "summary" of it for those who might not wish to get the expansion (which should be something OPTIONAL in a game). They admitted that 2.55 + 3.x completion would be too insane of a gate for accessing an expansion's areas and jobs.

Which, I wish they had realized from the beginning >.> *glares at all the alts who can't access Ishgard yet*

Though, if there was a good thing FFXI did, that was offering new unique storylines at each expansion, and I would be happy to see XIV do the same.

I think they simply meant that "4.0" would not be gated via end of 3.x content? So you'd just have to complete 2.55 to access the 3.0 and 4.0 expansions individually. Instead of having to clear 2.55 AND 3.xx. Which would be one helluva grind for any alts/new players that get brought in because of 4.0.


But, as long as we're theorycrafting what 4.0 would be about... I'm personally of a mind that they'll follow FFXI's expansion pattern with Sky and Sea. So if 3.0 was "Sky" then 4.0 would be "Sea." Personally, I think they'll continue on with Limsa Lominsa's storyline that never was resolved from 2.2 and even further back in 1.0. Limsa Lominsa also has open trade with the other continents, so content for that expansion could include us going to the other continents and each continent would be home to one new job/class.

For example, we could go to Thavnair/Othard by boat and unlock, idk, Samurai? Just an example, nobody freak out. Then we could go south to Meracydia, find the Miqo'te homelands, and unlock Blue Mage (why blue mage? three words: Miqo'te totem animals). West to the New World and help out Limsa Lominsa's trade colony with the Mamool Ja. New class on western continent would be Dancer... because... y'know... they never let you see that infamous Mamool Ja gyrating dance.

This could also unlock FC Boats... since FC airships were a thing. I'm spitballing, but I think all this sounds whacky enough that SE might have already thought about it?

(08-23-2015, 07:11 PM)Sounsyy Wrote: [ -> ]For example, we could go to Thavnair/Othard by boat and unlock, idk, Samurai? Just an example, nobody freak out. Then we could go south to Meracydia, find the Miqo'te homelands, and unlock Blue Mage (why blue mage? three words: Miqo'te totem animals). West to the New World and help out Limsa Lominsa's trade colony with the Mamool Ja. New class on western continent would be Dancer... because... y'know... they never let you see that infamous Mamool Ja gyrating dance.

This could also unlock FC Boats... since FC airships were a thing. I'm spitballing, but I think all this sounds whacky enough that SE might have already thought about it?

Stop speaking so sweetly, Sounsyy. You're going to get everyone's hopes up. What are you going to say next, Levi and Ramuh egis for 4.0? Swimming? A lay down emote? Preposterous. If 3.xx content is not required for 4.0, as rumor has it, we should all prepare our butts for no new zones and some stupid, made up Job, like... Ringmaster.

Mostly I'm just kidding though. But I do have to wonder how they will handle such a thing. Obviously the MSQ won't be going away for returning players. Are they going to put up a little disclaimer on those quests for those who haven't moved on to 4.0 content and haven't heard the good news? "By the way you can skip this shit." Something like that.

I stepped out of my coffin long enough to show my surprise too.

I was just looking at http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Parivir

and wondered if we won't get 'traditional' Samurai and get the mix, like these fellows sort of are.

That's pretty cool. I'd really love to see that Dancers are a TP based healer.

I'm mostly inclined to agree with what Sounsyy on this. Or at least that what I would like it to be.

I'm pretty sure Yoshida said in an interview that Ala Mhigo would be next (he was questioned about the Ala Mhigo artwork that could be found in the art books). As for the "theme" of the expansion... I know SE was initially "undecided between swimming and flying, but decided to go with flying first", so swimming could be the potential next theme.

If not, I think climbing could also be a pretty cool new action to let us perform.

I would have thought they would open up and resolve the rest of unexplored Eorzea before taking us to a new location.

(08-23-2015, 06:40 PM)Unnamed Mercenary Wrote: [ -> ] but would do quite a disservice to people who might feel tempted to powerlevel and not engage in the story.

(08-23-2015, 06:50 PM)Virella Douront Wrote: [ -> ]I can understand the decision though of SE, especially because gamers these days are not like they use to be. These days we whine about having to catch up after all, and for the newer playerbase it will be dealbreaker whether they get the game or not. That said I'd imagine they will conjurer up a good enough reason for 4.0 not needing 3.0, doubt Ishgard wouldn't have a part in it though, especially with the MQS ending, and if Ala Mhigo is indeed a part of the next expansion!

I visit the official Final Fantasy forums too and I've seen a lot of defense towards needing ARR content finished to get to HW. I have to say, I strongly disagree with having this gated content and do not understand why fans are defending SE's decision on this. Most of the justification I have seen is that FFXIV is a story heavy game.

Here's where my opinion becomes an unpopular one though. Not everyone cares about the story. There's plenty to do and enjoy without any of the story in this game. So I would have to disagree with it being "story-centric." TOR is what I would call a "story-centric" MMO. I really could not stand ANY of the story pre-2.1. I do quite like 2.1-2.55 and 3.0 MSQ but I would not call it 'amazing.' A serious detractor for me personally is that the Scions are the main characters of the story and I find them to be extremely unlikeable. (Here's hoping we get some major development for ALL the scions, much like Alphinaud)

But mostly, I don't see what groaning about people complaining about the gated content accomplishes. (not actually specifically mentioning you two here, but this has been an extremely common sentiment in general ever since HW launched) The important thing is that with the gated content, Heavensward is not accessible. The less something is accessible, the less people will be able to achieve this content.  Bioware is known and beloved for its story-focused RPGs but even its story-centric content is accessible.  Its Mass Effect and Dragon Ages are able to be jumped into at any installment. Even the Dragon Age: Origins expansion can be played as a stand alone campaign. 

Bioware does this because if they didn't, they would lose money. Similarly, requiring 2.55 for 3.0 content (All content I might add, not just story content) was not a wise move. They without a doubt lost money over this decision. These companies have lots and lots of statistics at their disposal. I believe Bioware did research that showed only a small fraction of the owners of one of their games had actually beaten it. Even though the game had sold well. 

A lot of players just want to start fresh too. It doesn't mean that they aren't interested in the story but they don't want to have to do old content in order to do that. While it wouldn't stop me from playing the game if I was in their shoes, it can get seriously lonely when all your friends have moved on without you and you're still stuck on the last expansion's content. 


TL;DR Stop defending gated content. It does not help SE make money; it does the opposite. I know I'd like for them to be more successful so they can make more content.

I love that they are allowing 4.0 content to be accessed without needing 3.0's completion.

I just personally feel that they should only gate the MSQ, so for those that enjoy the story can enjoy the story. The rest of the content can already be unlocked and doesn't need 3.x's completion.

You guys agree?

I'm guessing that 4.0 will still be a continuation of 3.0, and if you haven't completed 3.0, it's gonna be a bit confusing/less meaningful.  However, there ARE players who do not play this game for the story, and they were pretty upset that they HAD to do the story to get to 60 to do what they actually wanted to do.  So, I think SE is just trying to please everyone.

did someone actually drop a "gamers today suck compared to yesteryear?" argument here?