happybyday

Props on this, honestly. Very well done. Myself, I'm still somewhere in between Casual and Moderate (I'd say I'm literally a 50/50 gal when it comes to role playing, though I may try to move more toward the 70/30 area in favor of RP), but these are very well defined on the spectrum and I think give a broader range of what's out there rather than simply leaving it at two extremes. I think if we left it at something like this, and cited them as examples of what's out there on the spectrum of role play, that this would really be a great addition.

I don't know if it's about replacing hardcore as a term. Maybe it's more or less about saying "The range of play goes anywhere from casual, to full-immersion, and anything or everything in between" ... perhaps even indicating examples of balances in between. If I at least knew it was normal to strike a balance (assuming I had never played before), that might be more of a comfort and encouragement.

The changes almost.. almost make me want to re-activate. Except, not in the traditional sense ... yes, I already have two level 75's I could continue (not much for 6 years investment, but I always enjoyed helping others more than leveling for my own benefit, I think that's where my time-investment really went), or numerous other jobs of a lesser level ... But honestly, I think if I went back, I'd want to start from scratch. 100% ground-up, break all ties with the crap from the pats (I had a bit of an addiction problem at one point in my life to FFXI and when I think about my current account, all that negativity really does come back with it, so I'd prefer to burn it all and start again) ... starting over like that is both terrifying and exciting in a challenging sense. What would make up my mind at the end of the day is the very changes themselves. And unfortunately as Mythis mentioned, the game is now seemingly being geared toward 75+ rather than anyone who would be starting off at a low level. And as much as the changes make me want to give it a crack from square one all over again just for the fun of it -- the changes also put me off from doing it at the same time. Kind of a walking contradiction. The changes themselves seem inviting on the surface, but the nature of the changes makes the entire prospect of returning as a low-level fairly distasteful. Edit: I'm guilty of re-activating. Sigh... lol

As it turns out... I completely sold out Despite my adamant statement I just made not that long ago, I reactivated FFXI... not only did I reactivate, but I actually purchased a new account ($$) which I used to bump my username in a world-transfer ($$) for my re-activated OLD account ($$) which forced the system into renaming my main account/character, which effectively cuts all my ties with the old-me while still keeping all my accomplishments. So much for "won't pay to re-activate / get into beta" .. I just did the most extreme opposite of that imaginable. But.. what I can honestly say is that I did NOT do it to get into beta I really am just so excited about FFXIV that I'm going stir-crazy with no MMO, and WoW wasn't gonna cut it, so I really do wanna play FFXI again, but I think I'll level up something low just for kicks. On an off note, I never understand how I can leave my character inactive for basically ever, and she's always there when I go back. People always talk about their chars getting deleted.. mine never does

New info from ZAM: Always good to know.. I'd like to be in the Beta but I'm not willing to pay for it, not even re-activating my FFXI haha. I'll wait until it's free, or not at all. I'll pay for the full-out game when it comes around and that's it

I know I'm a bit late to this one, however I wanted to wish you Congratulations! :heart:

I see Role-Playing as a drama. Drama is an art-form. We are all taking on rolls and playing parts in an overall story, as an actor would in a movie or as a character would be written in a book. Movies are art.. books are art.. plays are art. When it comes to acting: Sure, the roles may be created by others, but the actors are artists of a certain kind. They may not own the role or the movie, but they own their own acting in and of that part they play. I do highly consider Role Playing to be an art form. Like any art form, some people have talent and proficiency for it, others may not. Some people may learn to develop a talent in it, and some people just may never "get it." I've seen all sorts, and in the end it plays out in a very similar manner to acting itself. So I say it's an art form as much as any other. I'm a writer in my spare time (short stories and poetry, and non-fiction as well), the people in my life are always encouraging me to write a book, write a book, write a book... ... instead ... I role play. Hmm .. if I put all my RP energy into that book they want me to write, I might have a real career there, hah! Either way, it's all a form of art to me. But whatever you call it, all that matters at the end of the day is what it means to each of us as an individual. What any of us call it collectively is just added content

ZAM just started up a promotion partnered with Square Enix to give active FFXI players a chance to hit Beta, so everyone interested should check it out: http://ffxiv.zam.com/story.html?story=21780 (Which redirects you to: http://ffxi.allakhazam.com/story.html?story=21779 ) I myself am not active in FFXI any longer, not for about a year anyway, nor am I about to re-activate just for this (eh I've considered re-activating, but after 6 years I'm ready to leave everything I previously accomplished behind and start fresh -- and I'm not sure I like the thought of starting over from scratch in FFXI or not [oh dear god, a sub-job-less character :shock: ) However, I think it is an excellent opportunity, all be it a small one, to get current FFXI players an early crack at FFXIV!