The Mog Log: Radio free aetheryte, part two

Massively: How do you feel about the (frequently negative) community reaction to the launch?

FusionX: It's disappointing to see the negativity reach the level it has. Anybody who has visited a FFXIV forum over the last month or so can see what I'm talking about. Some complaints I think are a bit over the top. However there are a lot that I feel are justified. I think that after the game gets some fixes and a couple large content updates that the negativity will start to fade.

Steak: I don't like it! I think people need to relax and let Square-Enix perfect the game. There are no MMOs that are perfect on day 1. (Or day 90?)

Xerumeru: Justified. I've been playing since alpha, and I saw that the game really had some interesting concepts and potential. Imagine my surprise when the game was originally slated to be released in winter, that it was going to launch in September. I liked what I saw in the alpha, but it needed much more work. As the beta and open beta progressed, I feared that we were gong to receive a slightly shiner beta in a box. I was right. As such, the gaming community slammed Square-Enix for it with the negative feedback. Over the weeks after the launch though, Square-Enix appears to be listening and is making drastic changes to the game. I have confidence that Final Fantasy XIV will get the changes it needs and engross a new audience in the near future.

Aniero: The reaction was pretty overblown. Look, there were some serious problems with this game at launch; nobody will deny that. But the reaction to the game was so huge and so negative that the negativity really just started to snowball. I don't think enough people stopped to consider all the facts or possibilities. Let's consider the following: Final Fantasy XIV is not another World of Warcraft clone, nor is it a direct port of Square-Enix's Final Fantasy XI structure. In other words, they're trying something new. Does every new idea work? No. Does every new idea work well at first? No. But trust when I say, they will iron these things out.

Also consider the fact that you will get to actually keep your character progression instead of going through a three-month beta to have your character data wiped and a clean retail slate. I was a part of the testing process right from the very first alpha test, and I'm only just now getting into the rank 20ish range for the first time. So, those critics that will say we're paying for a beta, I can totally see where they're coming from, but at least we can keep our characters. Finally, Square-Enix has really come out and done some great things to try and rectify their mistake. Free months of play, tons of candid interviews with devs, and not only acknowledgment of their mistake but the sincere promise to fix it. I hope their development matches what they've promised us into early 2011.

What bugs me are the people who play Final Fantasy XIV for a very short time and make huge sweeping generalizations about the game based on, say, the first 10 levels of play. Then people who haven't even played XIV start loudly echoing the sentiments of others instead of playing and deciding for themselves. The negativity builds and builds, but along with that the misinformation builds and builds. Two days ago at a house party I was told by some drunk guy that Final Fantasy XIV was, apparently, "so bad that Square-Enix has already shut down the servers." Unbelievable.

I also think people have forgotten what it's like to be new to an MMO. They miss their purples, or epics or Rare/EX gear too much, and they hate looking like everyone else again. And I'm not just talking about Final Fantasy XIV here; I think this a large reason why a lot of newer MMOs are failing: our expectations are too high. However, Square-Enix definitely dropped the ball letting this game go to retail in September. Had they waited until December, I think many of the criticisms surrounding FFXIV would be harder to justify. My point is this: Final Fantasy XIV, contrary to what you may have heard, is not unplayable. There are problems. But there is fun to be had. And the best part: It will get better.

Viki: People need to relax. The game is in its beginning stages. No MMO is perfect right away... Square-Enix knows what's wrong and is working hard to fix it. Once these upcoming updates hit, the game is going to see a total makeover — it will almost be like a new game. I think the community needs to calm down and wait and see what happens before instantly bashing the game.

Andrey: For the most part it didn't affect me as a roleplayer. If I used this game as a flashy calculator, then I suspect that I'd be quite disappointed too. Creating my own content and sharing it with like-minded people is worth sticking around until SE fixes things up.

Xenedra: I don't think it's undeserved, though I haven't been going out of my way to read all the bad press, so maybe it's meaner than I think? Regardless, I think SE's continuing to give out free months is a fair move on their part, so I won't be adding to the harsh reviews — much.

Corinth: People, me included, had really high expectations for FFXIV. I don't think you can blame people for being disappointed with the quality of the game at launch or for voicing their disappointment. It makes me sad, though, because the community could have started out much stronger if the release [had been] delayed and the developers had more time to work out the bugs. Instead, there is a lot of fighting on community forums between people who feel the game is fine now or see potential in it with people who are frustrated with how incomplete things are. That can discourage new people from becoming an active part of the online community.

I have a lot of respect for the forum moderators on the different community sites that are trying hard to foster a positive atmosphere despite the situation we find ourselves in.

What's your favorite part of working in podcasts for the community?

FusionX: I always love hearing from people that enjoy the show or stories that somehow involve the podcasts. I have a friend who teaches 8th grade history that heard one of his students laughing one day after class while listening to his iPod. He goes over and finds out that he's listening to Pet Food Alpha. The student was shocked that his teacher knew what Pet Food Alpha was, and even more so when he said "I know Fusion!" Stories like that always make my day.

My other favorite part of doing the podcasts is being able to interact with the community team over at Square-Enix. I keep finding myself thinking of how great it would be to be on the community team, so for me it's always really great when I get the chance to talk to them.

Steak: I love the communities that form around the podcasts the most. Having a whole group of people to discuss topics with, share opinions with, etc.

Xerumeru: Speaking from experience in the Limit Break Radio network, it has to be the community. Having people actively participate in a live recording, call in, and express their thanks for putting on the show, is the most satisfying thing to me. It's nice to have an outlet where people can call in and let their voice be heard and be thankful for it. We're going to use this same vision for Hails from Hydaelyn and we're very excited to hear what players have to say about Final Fantasy XIV.

Aniero: Meeting the listeners. That's the best part. I just love getting tells and emails with people telling us how much they enjoy the shows. I just love talking to people and meeting new people. So, if you ever see me or have thought about sending in an email and thought "ah, why bother," please do — I love to hear from anyone and everyone.

Viki: Definitely the community. I've met so many people through my involvement with Limit Break Radio, and it's all been positive. I've actually met some listeners in person before, and it's so much fun.

Andrey: Creating the content for the show and entertaining the listeners! I'm also honored to be heard by so many people, especially non-RPers who love the show. This is a great opportunity to put the RP community on the foreground, and I'm just happy to be a part of that.

Xenedra: It's got to be the reaction from the listeners! We've had a few negative comments from people that don't really care about our topic (roleplay), but only the people that seem to enjoy the show (non-RPers included) go out of their way to contact me. It's great to know people enjoy the stuff I blab about weekly.

Corinth: I love when we can share something unique or exciting with our listeners. Most of the news program is a summary of information released by Square-Enix or through other media sites during the week. However, every so often we throw in little side stories that never make it to the front page. There is a genuine interest in learning what people in other countries are saying about FFXIV right now. I'm glad that we can include some of that in our network. Sometimes the things we report on from interviews don't really make sense unless you know what the hot topics are in other countries. I see reports daily from Japanese players about accounts getting hacked and yet nothing on our own forums. There are also a lot of complaints about the history function on the Lodestone and privacy concerns. Interviews with the Japanese media touch on these topics but you wouldn't fully understand why they are talking about them if you didn't know why they are a big deal to begin with.

Lastly, which game in the Final Fantasy series is your favorite, FFXI/XIV notwithstanding?

FusionX: I know it probably won't make me friends with a lot of people, but Final Fantasy VIII was my favorite out of the entire series. It was the first game I really followed before it was released. I didn't even have a PlayStation when it came out; I remember renting the game and borrowing a friend's PSX to play it.

Steak: If I had to pick just one, FFVI.

Xerumeru: Final Fantasy VI. Best in the series bar none. Final Fantasy IX in a close second.

Aniero: No-brainer, Final Fantasy VI.

Viki: Hmm... that's a tough one. I think FFVII and FFX are tied. I can't choose!

Andrey: I've only played FFIX before FFXI, and loved it!

Xenedra: Four! With Six and Eight at close seconds. Yes, I like Eight, don't look at me like that!

Corinth: FFVI without question. Some of the side stories are very moving, and there is a lot of open ended exploration.

Massively: I'd like to thank the crew behind the ARN podcasts for their responses and their time, and I hope you all enjoyed this somewhat different look at the community. Whether you did or didn't, you can let me know in the comments or via email to eliot@massively.com. Next week, I'm going to be chatting a bit about the improvements the November update has brought to FFXIV or about the upcoming December version update to FFXI. One or the other, playing it by ear.

From Eorzea to Vana'diel, there is a constant: the moogles. And for analysis and opinions about the online portions of the Final Fantasy series, there is also a constant: The Mog Log. Longtime series fan Eliot Lefebvre serves up a new installment of the log every Saturday, covering almost anything related to Square-Enix's vibrant online worlds.