I purchased this game on release day and to be honest even though its been free I have maybe 30hrs in the game. I have been
following the game updates and patches and it looks like they have listen to the community and adding what everyone wanted plus alot more goodies. http://www.ffxivcore.com/
 
Rebuild: Level/Map Design
Rebuild: Graphics Engine
Reboot: Server System Re-design (including layout)
Rebuild: UI System Reboot + 'Add-on' support
Reboot: Expanding the Player Community
 

 
 

Hi everyone, Producer/Director Yoshida here.

The document I created for version 2.0 was huge and parts of it may have seemed vague and caused some confusion. I would like to provide some further details on FFXIV version 2.0, such as the transfer of character data and the decision to start billing before the next Letter from the Producer LIVE. I also intend to further explain things to you directly on the day of the LIVE broadcast as well.
(I’ll try to keep my answers on each topic as brief as possible)

FFXIV Version 2.0
The general outline for FFXIV version 2.0 is as follows:

Rebuild: Level/Map Design
Rebuild: Graphics Engine
Reboot: Server System Re-design (including layout)
Rebuild: UI System Reboot + 'Add-on' support
Reboot: Expanding the Player Community

These five points provide the driving force behind the next stage of FFXIV.
As I’ve been insisting, we’re “in the middle of overhauling the game” and I’ve been working to provide clear explanations and updates about what we have achieved so far, I’d like you to take this as an official announcement that FFXIV 2.0 is on the way.

Due to way that our servers currently operate, it has been difficult to implement and adjust these things.

Opening new servers
Setting up dedicated language-specific servers (to have language specific/global parallel worlds)
World transfer service (Limited window to move to a new server)

However, here is what the development team has managed to implement and adjust based on your feedback:

The introduction of new recipes
The Dzemael Darkhold and other new content
The introduction of personal and rental chocobos
UI Overhaul
The rebuilding of the battle system
The introduction of the Grand Company system
Quest continuation implementation
Adjusting and enhancing the beginning of the game
Continuous server adjustments

Which also define what "version 2.0" will be and will be incorporated as they are when the game relaunches.
(Working from the feedback you have given us, we’ll be switching to the brand new server and UI in the final stage).

However, after version 2.0 launches, some content will be removed or changed for quests related to "The Seventh Umbral Era" as well as new Primal content. Expect this new content to introduce items and achievements that otherwise can’t be obtained in version 2.0 (or after).

Furthermore, we’ll be implementing the following in patch 1.20:

Improving markets
⇒Purchase directly from the item search feature
⇒Transaction history of the 20 most recent items (to gauge the current market rate)
⇒Custom searches for specific item details


Implementation of a Player Search function
⇒Search for class, job, level, language, PT request, etc.

Overhaul of class actions
Primal Dark Moogle battle
Implementation of achievement system
Implementation of job system
Addition of various instanced raids
Primal Garuda battle
Empire battle content
Continuing to tweak the UI
Crafting and gathering system adjustments
New recipes and materials

We have many other tasks planned but please remember that everything here, every feature will become part of making version 2.0 what it is.

This essentially means that FFXIV in its current state and future versions will continue to evolve, and the Eorzea we have now and the Eorzea in version 2.0 will continue to grow and expand.

Between now and until version 2.0 arrives will be the only period when The Seventh Umbral Era-related stories and battle content will be available to play. I hope you enjoy experiencing firsthand the drastic changes to the world of Eorzea.

Character Data Transfer
When we port a player’s character data over, you can rest assured that NOTHING WILL BE WIPED, which means you can continue playing as normal, just as we promised.

Experience points, levels, gil, items in your inventory, completed quests - these will all be dealt with by the development team and will be converted automatically to the version 2.0 data plan.
You don’t have to worry about anything - all you have to do is continue playing as normal.
(However, when data is being transferred, there is a possibility that quests that are in-progress may be reset back to the acceptance stage. This will not happen for already completed quests, only for ones that are not yet finished).

As long as you have an FFXIV account and have created a character, your character will be transferred.

When the batches of data are converted, there is a possibility that the dev. team will utilize specialized NPCs to look after your items, in which case you will be able to retrieve them after the move. Note this will only apply to those users that have an extensive collection of items. As we won’t be deleting anything, we will be sure to make further announcements as we get closer to the transfer period.
(If we don’t convert them then we won’t be able to carry out the input inscriptions)

We are working on producing many systems that utilize gil (i.e. housing, systems to change gear color, salons, etc. Gil will be also be ported over as is.)

Our new world will also start with the economy slate wiped clean.

The start of FFXIV Billing
I answered a question from our recent Letter from the Producer LIVE session from the community saying that for the FINAL FANTASY name, we’re at about 50% of being able to wear that name proudly. This was a direct response to how I felt at the time before the release of patch 1.19. I realize that patch 1.20 and onwards have yet to be implemented but how I feel now won’t change…

As I said when I answered this question during the live show, if the game is in a state where there isn’t a player search or market search feature available, say, in comparison to other MMORPGS, then this is a huge problem (there is no point being able to search just for the sake of it).

At the same time, I also said there are FINAL FANTASY-like things that can only be experienced in FINAL FANTASY XIV – being absorbed in the world, characters, stories, content, sound, and the exchanges between the players and the development team on the forums. I feel that the game starts to feel like a FINAL FANTASY in 1.19 and in the future this will continue to become even more apparent.

On this basis, we would like billing to start after patch 1.20 has been released, around the beginning of December.

One of the big talking points in 1.20 is the implementation of “Player Character Search” and “Market Search” functions. For markets in particular, it will be a tough challenge to implement the auction house system as this will be done before the server revamp is completed. (I plan to change the appearance of the market again in version 2.0) In regards to having a minimum expectation for an MMORPG, I think there is a significant difference between having these two functions or not.

So without changing our plans we will continue to forge ahead and implement the Primal battles, instanced raids, job systems, Imperial battle content and other large scale content from version 2.0 onward. Furthermore, we are offering a play experience unlike any other MMORPG by providing content that is only available to enjoy now.

For all of our players who play our game and who have purchased FFXIV, bringing the best possible service to everyone involves numerous expenses no matter what (whether it’s ongoing server maintenance, 24-hour GM support, etc.) and that’s even if we were to leave out our development costs!

Therefore, please don’t limit yourself to the latest 1.20 version; try out 1.21 and 1.22, and by all means make up your own mind about the billing based on whether you like the game by then.

The dev. team and I have developed FFXIV from the minimum building blocks and we have set our goal to keep on raising the game to new heights to become the number one MMORPG.

So that is the direction version 2.0 is steering towards. In order to realize 2.0, we have a number of fundamental elements to redesign and rebuild.

Why make the billing announcement now?
This is an issue that we spent a lot of time discussing. If we had made the announcement any later, the announcement would have been made close to the release of patch 1.20. We wanted to give customers enough time in between the announcement and the start of billing, and by making the announcement now we were able to provide an additional 2-month free to play period.

As you all know, you will not be able to play FFXIV if you don’t agree to the automatic renewal for billing, even during the free to play period. There is a possibility that players who have stopped playing will not be aware of the billing announcement. As such, there may be players worried that they will be billed without their consent, even though they no longer play the game.

With that in mind, as we stated in our announcement, we decided to stop automatic renewals before we begin billing, and players will have to agree to the terms of automatic renewal again in order to begin billing. However, this does not mean that we thought it would be OK to not make an effort to publicize our announcement because we are stopping automatic renewals.

We knew we would make a big impact with the announcement of the game’s rebirth, so we thought it was a good time to announce the beginning of billing as well. We wanted the players to be able to experience patches 1.19 and 1.20 while the game was still free to play.

We will continue to do everything we can to keep the content interesting.

Improving Service and Game Quality

Content Finder
Language Servers (language servers and global servers)
Housing
PvP/Large Scale PvP
Free Company
Primal Summoning
Crystal Tower


Including the above, there are many things we would like to add to the game. This includes things that are a part of other MMOs and other unique ideas.

The MMORPG is a genre that will continue to evolve without limits. Once an idea is implemented, it will lead to additional demands and avenues to explore. This is what makes developing an MMORPG so interesting.

In order for players to continue to enjoy playing, we will continue operations and development with our best efforts. I believe it is my responsibility to elevate the game to a higher level for the players to enjoy.

I’m sorry that I have rambled on for so long…

 

CHECK OUT THESE PDF's
  
http://wdl.square-enix.com/ffxiv/download/en/FFXIV_2.0_Outline_EN.pdf
 
http://wdl.square-enix.com/ffxiv/download/en/FFXIV_2.0_Specs_EN.pdf
 
http://wdl.square-enix.com/ffxiv/download/en/FFXIV_2.0_Systems_and_Content_EN.pdf
 
http://wdl.square-enix.com/ffxiv/download/en/FFXIV_2.0_Roadmap_EN.pdf 

wow that looks pretty fantastic. 

Personally, it's too little, too late.  I don't forsee many people coming back to the game.  Yes, they will probably get enough of a base to be able to sustain a business model, but the opportunity for solid success is already gone.  People have moved on to other games.

I may try it out. I never did play it before due to so many people saying how horrible it was. But now with all the changes I'm seeing, it looks like it may be a solid MMO!

Kamarad


Personally, it's too little, too late.  I don't forsee many people coming back to the game.  Yes, they will probably get enough of a base to be able to sustain a business model, but the opportunity for solid success is already gone.  People have moved on to other games.

 
+1 to that i remember seeing this at comic con last year and i was excited to see the game till it totally flopped
 
I may check it out who knows
 

I dont think i could trust another FF game again... They have screwed up way to many times in a row.

I will probably try it out, but only after I figure out what to do after level 2. The game seriously needs a beginner tutorial or some NPC markers or something that helps you with quests.

burning_kittins


I dont think i could trust another FF game again... They have screwed up way to many times in a row.

 
 
lol yea 14 was way worse then 11 was. I mean sure the japanese players were allowed to cheat but at least final fantasy 11 worked when it came out

I loved 11 and played it for 4 years straight.. when 14 came out only played it for 1 month.. Now i'm just addicted to FPS games.. a little to late. 

Of the article quoted, these are the most important:
 
"The introduction of personal and rental chocobos"
(Continuity of the series and to reduce the need to teleport everywhere)
"UI Overhaul"
(It was clunky, but workable with a lot of input lag. They can only go up from where it is now)
"The rebuilding of the battle system"
(FFS bring back elements from FFXI that were good and ditch the combo crap that was in this game. None used it and the timing was awkward and spammy. The only thing that was good, was that the skills themselves had a huge impact on the battle outcome, opposed to WoW style skill spam.)
"The introduction of the Grand Company system"
(Yes the companions were a different take on bank style storage and traditional auction house, but they needed to have more reason to have them around. This sounds like the start of something better and similar to the companions of FFXI, which were useful and lead to other plot elements)
"Quest continuation implementation "
(The quest system was odd, but in a roughly good way in how it tried to promote groups. How it limited players on a daily basis was crap.)
"Adjusting and enhancing the beginning of the game "
(Yes, yes a million times yes. While you could get through the early phases of the game through persistence, many gave up due to how awkward it could be and the lack of general direction the players were left with.)
 
One thing i didn't notice was them implementing any reason to actually explore the world in the few spots that weren't horribly linear, although that could be a catch all in the map/level redesign.

I played FFXI from release day up until the summer before FFXIV came out, I remember my first memory running out of sandoria and a rabbit killing me. So many good memories playing xi with real life friends and friends I made in game which I still talk to. I am hoping that this 2.0 reboot gives me the same feeling I had with xi and the feeling of looking forward to logging and wanting to play unlike this first failed attempt with this mmo, I have always been a FF fan since the first one on the nes and I will continue to be even though I haven't cared for a few of there newer attempts at the ff series.

I loved FFXI. It was actually my first MMO before WoW. How is it compared to FFXI?

Ok, where is the part where they say they make it simple to login to now? The only thing I ever remember about final fantasy was it was like being subjected to Chinese water torture to login through some really weird design.

Brad_Hawthorne


Ok, where is the part where they say they make it simple to login to now? The only thing I ever remember about final fantasy was it was like being subjected to Chinese water torture to login through some really weird design.

 
They actually did away with all that playonline crap its super easy now for ffxi and ffxiv they both support gamecards. When I open ffxiv it just asks for my username/pass and my one time pass from their keyfob and then im in playing they made things alot easier. 

MajestacaL

Brad_Hawthorne


Ok, where is the part where they say they make it simple to login to now? The only thing I ever remember about final fantasy was it was like being subjected to Chinese water torture to login through some really weird design.

They actually did away with all that playonline crap its super easy now for ffxi and ffxiv they both support gamecards. When I open ffxiv it just asks for my username/pass and my one time pass from their keyfob and then im in playing they made things alot easier. 

If they wanted to regain a bit of popularity, they might make light of that fact. I know everyone I played with despised the login sequence. I never understood the idea of putting awkward roadblocks via a clunkly UI to impede people from even knowing how to get into the game.

I was totally lost in this MMO, didn't have a clue what i was suppose to be doing and gave up during the beta.

I have never heard about this game but its looking great. Maybe I'll try it....

Brad_Hawthorne

MajestacaL

Brad_Hawthorne


Ok, where is the part where they say they make it simple to login to now? The only thing I ever remember about final fantasy was it was like being subjected to Chinese water torture to login through some really weird design.

They actually did away with all that playonline crap its super easy now for ffxi and ffxiv they both support gamecards. When I open ffxiv it just asks for my username/pass and my one time pass from their keyfob and then im in playing they made things alot easier. 

If they wanted to regain a bit of popularity, they might make light of that fact. I know everyone I played with despised the login sequence. I never understood the idea of putting awkward roadblocks via a clunkly UI to impede people from even knowing how to get into the game.

It was a shame though since the POL system setup many communication and organization features into it as a platform with the original intent to link it to many different games at the same time similar to xbox live or PSN. How they executed it through the login and registration sequences, along with the password migration and other elements made it clunky. I'm torn on the whole payment method through that client though.
 
If they could keep the ingame->out of game chat features and alerts, but ditch the layers somehow, then it would be better all around.

If it was still going to be subscription free then I would consider it.

brad: you couldn't be more correct. i played ffxi for a long time.......what a pain it was to login. here's what they made even harder: cancelling your account. haha

Brad_Hawthorne


Ok, where is the part where they say they make it simple to login to now? The only thing I ever remember about final fantasy was it was like being subjected to Chinese water torture to login through some really weird design.

 
Hahahaha!!!  you're funny as hell man!! yeah i remember that being the case.. damn that sucked!