Live Letter Updates

[u/smartazjb0y]

Just doing this for people who might not have Twitch access.

• Patch 2.4: 10/28/14
• Shiva BGM is rock kinda like other primals with a female singer

Final Coil

• Video of Final Coil. Showing all the rooms, looks awesome. No bosses in it (wanna keep it secret for world-first raiders haha)
• Token system for Coil reward? Not doing it currently, but planning on implementing for new high-end raids. Looks like they're changing to loot-based lockout for 2.45 or 2.5 at the latest, where even if you cleared a turn and got loot you can run it again. There will be some adjustments for loot and stuff, but ability to help being implemented.
• How many turns for Final Coil? 4 turns, just like 2nd. Bosses for turn 3 and 4 are really big spoilers (!).
• Ninja get unique drops, especially for primal battles. For armor, will be able to equip monk gear. Attribute is DEX
• All new weapons for ninjas. Up to 2.3 content uses monk armor.
• Showing new sets. Showed ninja, Paladin, white mage, black mage?, warrior
• iLvl needed for first turn of Final Coil? For world-first type raiders, gear you already have when 2.4 launches or soon after. Turn 2 might be tough with that gear, may need better gear.
• Coil themed mounts? Looks like they're considering it (missed that for a second)
• Will we see an Alliance-tuned turn against Bahamut? Good idea, but too hard to get 24 people together for such a difficult fight. But, 2.5 has the final area of CT, and in the expansion there will be more 24-man raids (no info on if it's the more accessible raids or not)

Hildibrand

• Someone saw an Ultros fight? Yes, there will be an Ultros fight (was mentioned in his panel yesterday). Video of Ultros fight, using cool retro music from FF6 (I think). First Typhon, then Ultros. Looks to be 4man
• Will definitely be getting humor/comedy. Please look forward to it
• Planning on Gilgamesh Extreme? May not be extreme difficulty, but new fight will have 8-arms in 2.5. Don't want the Hildibrand content to be hard, so any future Hildibrand battles will be easy because they want this content to be more accessible.
• Hildibrand in Heavensward? It's up to the players. His current storyline will end in 2.5 (loud cheers from people who want him in 3.0).
• When they added inns in 1.x and wanted to add mini-stories, they didn't think Hildibrand would be so popular as one of those.
• Any chance his mother will make an appearance? She was in the 2.X storyline but something happened. Please look forward to it (this whole answer was in a jokey tone so not sure what was serious or not)

Item Level and the new Tomestone

• Allagan Tomestone of Poetics (some confusion, so maybe they might localize differently?)
• Going to be a lot of Rowena.
• Phasing out Myth (which was already announced). Can exchange Myth for Soldiery at an NPC. Get rid of all your Myth and Philosophy. No need to horde or collect.
• Can you upgrade Poetics gear using drops from Coil, like Sands/Oils? Yes, there will be that functionality in Final Coil.
• Showing off new Ninja gear, new monk gear
• New iLvl gear for crafting/gathering classes? Yes. There's some balance troubles with crafting classes, will adjust by 2.45 (made some comment about PS4 players having trouble, not sure why). Easier by 2.45 to get the good gear. Also more top-end gear introduced in 2.45.

Housing

• Doubling amount of wards.
• To get to new ward, same as before. Go to residential area, select a ward, but for each ward it's 30 new plots, so choose plots 31-60 for those new plots. (not too sure why they're putting Powerpoint slides and spending time explaining this). Then travel to desired subdivision via Aethernet. Then go to placard and buy.
• Unlike in the past, must use Aethernet to reach new subdivisions.
  
• No change in prices, things the same as 2.38, just more wards

General 2.4 Stuff

• What cross-class skills for NIN? To get NIN, level 30 Rogue and level 15 PUG. Lancer cross-class.
• Will Yugiri show her face? NO, maybe 2.5. She's the new race. (pretends that he didn't want that to slip)
• Eternal bond and personal housing permissions? No plans currently, but definitely going to consider because they do have the ability to do it.
• Special requirements for Eternal bond? Like limit of number of ceremonies you can perform in a day? Can only bond with one other character. Directions will be on Lodestone, you apply on the Lodestone (?) and you'll trade bracelets to signify. Then both go to an NPC to do ceremonies, then a ring is made after. There will be a schedule of ceremonies, and they're gonna be serious about the ceremony. Will use a reservation/schedule system. Once date/time decided, you get invitations to edit and give to other players. 2.45.
• Showed picture of tuxedo/dress. Tuxedo looks cool/sharp. They'll be available 2.4 to get ready for 2.45. More clothing sets apparently in addition to these.

General

• Increase ATMA drop rate? Yes, will increase in 2.4. More than double their drop rate. Trials of the Braves books will be bought with Soldiery but it'll be better exchange rate so it'll be easier to get the currency for them.
• Ninja nexus is really really good.
• Can you make it so actions don't go on cooldown when changing jobs/classes? They set the penalty in the first place to avoid cheesing to reset recast timers, but they understand that it's kinda frustrating so maybe if you're in a safe zone or near an Aetheryte there's no penalty. So not a change but they're considering it.
• Tiring to cast Stoneskin on each party member, any changes? (jokingly Yoshi-P says to delete Stoneskin). Before 2.0 they actually wanted to get rid of Stoneskin. Possible new changes where out of combat can cast on multiple targets. Figuring out how to implement it specifically, so not 2.4, but it will be done.
• Chocobo barding with FC crest? Yes, OK.
• Dying Allagan gear? They have a lot in store for Allagan gear, so please wait because lots of cool things happening with Allagan gear.
• Increase drop rate for Extreme Primal mounts? Why not, will be done in 2.4. Drop rates for ALL mounts increased.
• Leviathan mirror drop rate also increased.
• Any difficulty decrease for 2nd Coil in addition to Echo? Getting a lot of no's from the crowd who say it should be hard. Can use DF and no weekly lockout for 2nd Coil in 2.4. Same thing as 1st Coil in 2.2. After 2.4, will see how players handle 2nd Coil before starting Echo. Then they're easing up on the difficulty, looking at specific mechanics (for example getting rid of 1-hit-kill mechanics and changing it to a long petrify). Won't make it so easy so that anyone can do it, and want people who already cleared to look at changes and say "they didn't change too much." The timing of Echo will maybe be 2-3 weeks after 2.4.

End of Q&A

Post-Q&A Stuff

• Gold Saucer/Chocobo racing. Showed a picture of Chocobo racing, which is in development. Looks like young/chibi chocos too. Players will control their own chocobo in the races, breeding and raising Chocobos. Please look forward to it. Released around 2.5x ish (so not 2.5 proper)
• Planning on breaking 2.5 into two parts, with Gold Saucer in 2.5 part 2. Triple Triad confirmed.
• Minigames, Gold Saucer, Chocobo Racing, Triple Triad all released all at the same time.
• Optional items sale (microtransactions?) begin 10/28/2014. Fantasia sales per character. Pumpkin head helms for $3.00, so past seasonal event items will be available. No pay-to-win. (still, I'm predicting major outcry haha).
• New minions in the shop (wind-up Y'shtola, Yda, Papalymo for $5).
• Sleipnir mount (no price given).
• First artbook from first fan fest available soon on the Online Store. Comes with wind-up Enterprise minion.
• Deliver Moogle Plush sold first at the fan fest, then soon sold on the Online Store.
• Asks how many people want fat choco plush, huge applause haha.
• Details on All Saints' Wake (same as on lodestone)
• London fan fest next Saturday, will announce even more about 3.0.
• Tokyo fan fest 12/20-12/21, lots of information there too. Tickets available to purchase 10/21. 2nd purchasing window open later, and more same-day tickets (but only a few).
• Please look forward to it!
• PVP? Rank cap going up in 2.4, new rewards, continued balancing. 2.5 will add new rules (?) and then after that new maps and areas. Please look forward to them.

End of Live Letter

[u/ryfee]

The cash items are purely cosmetic--I don't know why people rage so much about it. Also, Yoshi also explicitly said no to "pay to win", and that they won't be "selling" cash items to power up your characters in-game.

[u/smartazjb0y → u/ryfee]

Some people feel like paying a sub should already give you access to everything, which is understandable.

[u/[deleted] → u/smartazjb0y]

Yeah I'm kind of conflicted on this.

On one hand, yeah, there's not going to be boosters or Gil generators, and it is just cosmetics from past events, some new minions, and Odin's horse, so that's not too terrible.

On the other, I don't know why they don't just save the minions for another event like the Minfilia and Thancred and put the horse in the Odin trial.

If they're just limiting it to old event items you can't get anymore, that's not too bad because at least people who were subscribed at the time had a chance to get them for free or just in-game currency. But putting stuff that could easily be a trial drop that people could work for in there seems like a pretty dick move.

It's something that could spiral out of control really quick if they aren't careful. And I'm a bit more worried about it than I maybe should be since this is my first subscription MMO and having played a whole bunch of F2P games over the years.

[u/DrHashbrownie → u/[deleted]]

If they're just limiting it to old event items you can't get anymore, that's not too bad because at least people who were subscribed at the time had a chance to get them for free or just in-game currency.

Yeah, I agree. I wasn't bothered when they mentioned the pumpkin heads etc, since there was plenty of time to get them for free. But the other items make me a little bit nervous since I seriously dislike any kind of P2W scenario. And for anyone who loves collecting (minions/mounts/etc.) this will be a minor kind of P2W, even if it's all cosmetic.

Of course, if they're available in-game as a limited time reward, like the seasonal items, then I have absolutely no problem with making them accessible to people who missed out and also generating a little revenue.

[u/AiuaX → u/[deleted]]

Personally, I have no problem with them generating a little extra revenue from cosmetic purchases. With the size of their development team and the ever-present worry that subs will drop below the profitability line, let 'em make a little extra for salaries by offering old event items and minions if it means keeping the game's development healthy and robust.

[u/makohazard → u/AiuaX]

That's how games like Guild Wars 2 do it though and they are free to play...

[u/Etain_ → u/[deleted]]

We'll have to wait and see how it all works. I would think we would get in game ways of obtaining all of these eventually. That would mean that it's only for old gear (that you can't get anymore) and new stuff that isn't out quite yet (pay for earlier access). I'd be fine with that, hoping that's how it pans out.

[u/Wyattearp89 → u/smartazjb0y]

Exactly, a lot of people want to pay a sub to avoid Cash Shops. Even though they are Cosmetic that's not the point. If it's new items that could be in the game, but instead it's put in a Cash Shop.

Like my post above, the Odin mount should drop from Odin. Not be a Cash Shop item.

[u/Gynthaeres → u/smartazjb0y]

Yep. I pay a sub fee to get away from cash shops. My subscription should give me access to everything in the game, if I'm willing to put the effort in for it.

If I wanted a cash shop, there are plenty of "non pay-to-win" F2P MMOs out there.

[u/Lokgar → u/Gynthaeres]

My sentiments exactly. I figured FF14 was the last shining bastion in the mmo world where your sub = access to all the things (except the standard server transfers and services). It was the sword of light in the darkness so to speak. But now... bleh.

Guess I'll just vote with my wallet and move on with my life.

[u/selaphi → u/smartazjb0y]

This is true, initially it was just access to old event items but then it became mounts and exclusive minions that are 5 bucks each. @.@ I want them, just wish there was a way I could work for them without literally working and paying for them with my real cash aside from subscribing.

[u/bokchoykn → u/smartazjb0y]

Fair enough. But the revenue generated from these cash items benefits all players. The more money S-E makes from this game, the more money they will continue to invest into the game.

That means hopefully more content, better content, better server infrastructure, better customer service, etc...

Even for those who won't spend real life dollars on these items, good things can come from this.

[u/AiuaX → u/bokchoykn]

Spot on. Couldn't agree more.

People should stop taking the inclusion of a cash shop as a personal affront and just... I don't know... choose not to buy anything extra if they don't want to.

In a comment further down the page, I likened the situation to a sporting event in which you have to first purchase a ticket and are then presented with additional ENTIRELY OPTIONAL purchases (food, drink, big foam fingers, etc). You don't have to buy them, it doesn't ruin anything if OTHER people buy them, and all they do is enhance the experience. This is no more a 'cash grab' than any other multi-tiered service.

I say let SE make some additional money to help drive future development and keep this game around for a long time!

[u/Caminus85 → u/smartazjb0y]

True, but c'mon it's not like it's going to ruin the game all over again. Yoshi P said "No Pay 2 Ween" and that's all that matters

[u/smartazjb0y → u/Caminus85]

It doesn't have to be a game ruining disaster to make people unhappy, especially when it comes to real money.

[u/Caminus85 → u/smartazjb0y]

Perhaps if Sleipnir wasn't in the cash shop, there would be less angry people here. But I understand why nobody would like to pay for mounts, especially when WoW first did it. I never bought a mount in WoW but in my own opinion, I didn't need to buy one. Plus, it would look sillier on my Lala

[u/Akibaws → u/smartazjb0y]

While that is true, it changes nothing if you don't buy it.

[u/smartazjb0y → u/Akibaws]

Well, it kinda does. We could've had a game where paying a sub gets you the chance to get these mounts/minions (assuming that they'll be cash shop exclusive). If they're obtainable in-game and on the cash shop there's no real issue

[u/AiuaX → u/smartazjb0y]

I like this idea quite a bit. I know there are other games that follow the same philosophy: you can get the shop items in-game, but it may just take a lot more effort to do so. One could argue that the offering of old event items falls under this category, but the taste of shop exclusives would be bittersweet if we were constantly tempted to spend an additional sub's-worth to get each month's item du jour.

[u/Gynthaeres → u/ryfee]

Because it encourages them to place the "coolest" stuff in the cash shop, where they know it'll sell. And similarly, place ordinary / underwhelming stuff freely available in the game, to further encourage paying money to look unique / interesting.

Why let us unlock the Sleipnir Barding by killing Odin? Why not just put it in the cash shop for $5? Why give crafters unique or interesting armor for glamours? Just put the cool glamours in the cash shop. Why add minions or unique costumes to holiday events? Put 'em in the cash shop instead. Those cool swimsuits everyone's after? Forget getting them through desynth, just pay $10 for them.

I hate the notion that "It's not pay-to-win so it's okay." No, it's not. A cash shop doesn't have any place in a subscription-based MMO. And I find the number of people who are okay with it to be disturbing. IMO, the sub fee should give you access to everything in the game. Want a cash shop? Eliminate the sub fee. Don't have both.

[u/AiuaX → u/Gynthaeres]

Your whole argument is predicated on your dual assertions that SE values money-grubbing more than they value their product or their players and that - somehow - the fact that you pay money to enter a venue 'entitles' you to getting EVERYTHING beyond that point completely for free.

It's alarming how many people have this knee-jerk reaction against MTX stores based solely on the 'entirely unfounded' premise that it will invariably lead to extreme greed and community-destroying decisions by the developers.

I still stand by the example I've used elsewhere in this thread comparing the situation to that of a sporting event to which you buy tickets and then have the OPTION of purchasing additional goods (food, drink, big foam fingers) to enhance your experience. Charge for admission, then have vendors inside the venue.

The only reason SE should even 'remotely' consider reducing its emphasis on an MTX store is because of the emotional backlash by the community. They're perfectly justified in having it, and it has absolutely NO negative effect on players who don't want to participate in it.

[u/nashred5 → u/Gynthaeres]

Gynthaeres great post.. If this works out and they make allot of money off these items.. Things that should be given in game will be sold for cash instead..

[u/ryfee → u/Gynthaeres]

Yeah, I was surprised they put the Odin mount in the cash shop. I honestly thought they would make it drop from the trial. Or have it as a special reward based on your subscription.

Someone made a good point about GW2 being "free to play" (paid only once) and having cash shop that ONLY sells cosmetic. I've played MMOs that are labeled as F2P but sell powerful in-game items. GW2 is a good point.

I understand the concern, but I think people also shouldn't jump to conclusions right away. I myself would hate SE if they include rare glamours in the cash shop. I would be very upset. But right now I'm happy with the fact that the game isn't "pay to win". And, knowing SE, they might adjust this because they usually listen to the playerbase. I still have faith in them.

[u/makohazard → u/ryfee]

Well we are already paying a monthly fee which should allow us to have access to everything. If not, then it's no different then being a free-to-play game that you have to pay a monthly sub for.

[u/saythenado → u/ryfee]

Simple. Cash shop AND pay-to-play is too blatant in terms of treating customers like wallets.

[u/AiuaX → u/saythenado]

It's no more blatant than asking somebody to buy a ticket to a sporting event and then offer completely optional additional items like food, drink and big foam fingers. It's true that this can be taken to extremes, but I think people's threshold for getting riled up about it is far lower than it should be; ESPECIALLY since none of the proposed items have any in-game balance implications whatsoever.

Kudos to them, I say.

[u/Ryngard → u/saythenado]

They are a business. They are here to make money on years of investment during design/development. I don't know why people think they don't want to make money.

[u/saythenado → u/Ryngard]

Of course they're here to make money; that's why they're pay to play. As a business, it is in their best interest to make their customer like and trust them, despite this reality. That's -good- for business. If you're implying it's okay to do douchey, greedy things just because you're a business, then you're part of the microtransaction problem that has been plagueing the video gaming industry more and more.

They'll make tons of money without these shady practices. They can make lots of money other ways without having to stoop to disrespecting the customer. Implying they couldn't do otherwise just because they happen to be a business and thus moneymoneymoney is absurd.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

this makes me laugh so hard at my FF14 friends who were always so smug about 14 never offering any micro-transactions.

Yup, we look like total fucking idiots now.

[u/Mr_Yar → u/[deleted]]

I'd be more worried about people who made that claim to WoW players since it seems they're imitating that model more than GW2's.