Why I Stopped Playing FFXIV

[@Amocoru]

I started in 1.0. Wasn't a fan but came back in 1.8 and loved the battle system, I think it was much better than the current battle system. Combat is too spergy and spammy. Nothing feels meaningful. I press the buttons and the skills happen but I'm never excited to use any of them at all. The only reason I ever kept playing was the story was really good. Now even that is horrible so there's no reason to continue playing at all. Also, I want to relax when I play and I feel like all of the fights now require 100% of my attention all the time and I'm tired after work and want to take it easy.

[@inariyokovt]

A lot of people have mentioned that the endgame content is more hardcore centric. Outside of the Island Sanctuary and Gold Saucer, casual content is quite secondary in priority. As for the combat, I am aware Pre-ARR combat is vastly different from what we have now, which is more of Tab-Targeting + WoW-Style Combat, which I do agree can get samey/old, specially since global cooldown in FF14 is much slower than WoW (even if by 1 second, it's noticeable)

[@SleepyMockii]

dawntrail killed my "since 1.0" journey~ until the next add-on, i guess~

[@ridleyroid9060]

I've been playing since stormblood, 4.3, but around 6.5 I started to fully check out. Now in DT Im really just gonna do the savages and ultimates and maybe the bozja zone, outside of that I CBA. The game isn't fun for me anymore.

[@inariyokovt]

@ridleyroid9060 I'm sorry to hear that. Fingers crossed really that the future patches becomes fun for the larger majority of people who are checked out.

[@mcbiohazard892]

I think this current sentiment and vibe among the community about the story and game content almost completely mirrors how people felt around Stormblood patch 4.1X. The base MSQ wasn't universally praised like Heavensward before or Shadowbringers and Endwalker later. So 4.1 came out and it was only one new dungeon and the story content was still centered around Lyse who was just as divisive as Wuk Lamat. Some people still don't like her to this day. But 4.2 and the 4.3 as the MSQ capstone I think turned opinion on the expansion around some. I would give Dawntrail that much time at least to resolve the MSQ and give you something to look forward to in 7.4 and 7.5. I think they'll shake it up in 8.0. In the meanwhile if you're tired of playing FF14 daily, take a break. That's what Yoshi-P told you to do anyways. If you're burnt out, play some other games until FF14 becomes interesting again.

[@Asmodean1111]

This is basically my view, as both new story starting point or filler story to the next ark. DT is just release SB, at least how the player base is reacting to it, just without the horror show that was Raubahn and Pippen EX. Taking a break from the game is the best way to get to enjoy it again at some point. Personally took my major break with the back half of EW, and just enjoyed game coming out back then to make my return not be nearly as jaded as it was at 6.3.

[@inariyokovt]

I completely agree with this. It's odd in today's modern gaming climate that the director/producer encourages you to play other games, and not just FFXIV, which is a very nice sentiment and mentality. I have been playing other games recently, but as someone who has played since 2.3X, I want to have a desire to boot up the game again, but right now, I do not. I sincerely hope that changes, and it's nice to see however that there are still people enjoying the game!

[@inariyokovt]

@@Asmodean1111 I was there for Raubahn savage XD that was indeed a nightmare. I'm still giving Dawntrail time. After all it's not just a new expansion, it's a new story arc. First impressions however are still important. I'm sure there are other players not as patient/forgiving as the rest, but fingers crossed Dawntrail gets more interesting soon

[@AzureRoxe]

Why in the world would people give them time when they're repeating mistakes that they should've learned not to do 3 EXPANSIONS AGO?

[@inariyokovt]

​@@AzureRoxe To be fair, the situation is different. Stormblood was in the middle of a story arc (Light and Dark Saga) while Dawntrail is at the start of a new one, but I do see the similarities. Both of them came after a highly-praised expansion (Heavensward before Stormblood, Endwalker before Dawntrail) Also, the patience some people have shows how much they trust and respect Yoshi-P. He isn't perfect, and all most diehard fans of FFXIV can do is hope for the best and be generally positive about it. Negativity is already riddled all over the place with FFXIV, so instead of dooming about it, people want to hope for a change. Honestly it's really up to Yoshi-P to really fix this issue however regarding Dawntrail as an expansion, because as time passes, patience will run thin, and it will turn from disappointment to frustration.

[@sopadesopita]

i’m taking things very (very) slow. in fact, i’ve been a sprout for 1,400+ days. i don’t want to lose interest in this game. i know a lot of people are having valid issues with yawntrail. i get that. it’s just that in my perspective it seems like people rush towards the end and are left with … nothing and just waiting for the next dungeon, raid, expansion, whatever. what’s the fun in waiting? i guess the same could be said about what’s in the fun of being left behind… i don’t feel left behind though, everyone has their own journey and story in the game.

[@inariyokovt]

That is exactly how I treat most MMOs. My character is not a self-insert. They have their own story and journey, and whatever it is, it is mine to shape and for the game to shape as well. It's not really feeling 'left behind'. Right now, they way I see it, my WoL is enjoying the everyday adventurer life and letting the Scions and Wuk Lamat just do their thing for the realm XD at least until something demands intervention from our WoL

[@VantaBlack216]

People say Stormblood was poor or boring but I disagree because it had a well developed world building with political intrigue and felt more grounded compared HW and SHB which were more fantastical. However it is FAR superior to Dawntrail because the world building in DT is abysmal I am now in a state where I want a Dalamud dropped on Tural, the story is also hacky and intellectually insulting, like it was written for kids in a social studies class. Also the combat in Stormblood felt engaging and jobs were far more unique than they are now in Dawntrail, so battle content wise I am not having fun with the 2 min meta and homogenous classes. Overall I think Dawntrail is the worst expansion ever and I let my house get demolished and unsubbed till 8.0 (let's see if that can save the game). Players should honestly unsub out of protest until Yoshi P gets the message. Time to stop defending this stagnant game.

[@inariyokovt]

Stormblood was fortunate to be in the middle of a saga-building arc (Light and Dark/Hydaelyn and Zodiark) while Dawntrail is starting a new one, so expectations are at an all time high to really set that tone right. I remember sentiment surrounding Stormblood with people immediately comparing it to Heavensward and said it sucked, but I honestly have fun with it. It doesn't help also that classes/jobs right now feel so homogenized it feels like you are playing a 'role' with different weapons than a class/job with their own unique identity. I dunno if protest is the word I'd use, but I do believe if players truly want to voice out their disappointment for the expansion without putting it to words, they should unsub until they feel the game is in a state that is worthy of both their time and money again.

[@VantaBlack216]

@@inariyokovt well said! The only way to send a message to square is voting with our wallets, players should unsub if the product has been subpar! I I will remain unsubbed till 8.0 if nothing improves by 7.3.

[@inariyokovt]

@ I think this is 100% a fair and generous decision. Many have tapped out and unsubbed by now, and usually 7.3 is when they tease 8.0's expansion, with 7.4 and 7.5 being the build-up seasons. I'm not celebrating this decline in FF14, it is genuinely sad for me, and honestly all I can hope is that it does get better >< MMORPGs are very volatile and a tough market to sustain and please, but that may change when better MMOs step to the plate. FFXIV-WoW are usually the two that's frequently discussed. Competition breeds excellence. Hopefully another MMO can rise up to challenge the two giants XD