Old FFXI Vs New FFXI

Only thing I hate about new FFXI is ToM. Killing EP mobs to get better weapons (besides Empyreans) just isn't fun.

No, but it does give you something to do... And it does feel pretty sweet when you actually finish a trial, especially ones that were particularly long/difficult.

Well, that's the thing--Before, you could "judge" a player's amount of effort put into the game by his or her quality/rarity of gear, amount of missions accomplished, level, etc. (I use the term "judge" loosely because, undoubtedly, there were exceptions.) Now that SE has effectively leveled the playing field, there's no distinction--Whereas only the most "passionate" players had full Salvage gear or whatever, now, like everyone's been saying, everyone and their mother has Atmas and Twilight gear; AF3+2 only takes a matter of time and luck in order to obtain it: Gear of epic proportions no longer has as much value as gear of less epic proportions did before Abyssea.

I mean, we're not even talking about EXP, even. Where, y'know, the "EXPERIENCE" in "Experience Points" meant something--or, at least, was more significant back in the day. Back then, sure, you could have a crappy WHM, but at least you had a crappy WHM that had at least some experience in healing, buffing, hasting, etc. But now people who've leveled jobs 30-90 have essentially become the equivalent of people who had BOUGHT their characters with several jobs pre-leveled to 75 "back in the day."

Elitism does suck--Elitism in the sense that gives you something to boast about while, as in any game, you truly have no unique, superior aspect about your character that no one else could possibly obtain; not elitism in the sense that manifests in your ability to understand the numbers behind the inherent mechanics of the game. But now that Twilight gear is (arguably) the best gear and is easily obtained--Hell, now that we have Primeval Brew that essentially makes you God for a good amount of time--it no longer matters how much you know, how much effort you've put in: all you gotta do is put it on, drink the brew, and pwn stuff.

Obviously I could be totally off--I haven't played at all in the past month or so, and have absolutely no experience in Abyssea. So I mean it when I say don't take me seriously. There are Abyssea NMs which, I'm sure, take a considerable amount of skill and experience to take down. But it doesn't take away from the fact that the FFXI experience is now worth less. Not worthless, but worth less.

I disagree. The ***players still don't have atmas and they run around in pink, pearl, and teal colored gear.

They still don't have good gear, and probably never will. You have to see some of these shout parties for xp/af/seals/atmas/boss kills, and even the formed linkshells, you can tell that they suck. If anything, it's easier to spot because everyone's in the same 9 zones(3-6 actually, the only people in the visions zones are generally the non-gimp ls farming empyrean weapons).

Ah, okay. That's a bit of comfort there. XD

I should've also mentioned that the majority of those who jacked these coffers were teleporting RMT, huh?

Oh man, RMT. Someone talk about that, because I never really had any bad run-ins with them. Hell, some of them were really cool to me.

Sorry about that I failed to clarify,
anything is obtainable by anyone. Initiative does get you what you want. Correct you are.
However it is the time aspect that not all of us are attuned to. Especially those with close friends vs those without (Generally takes longer time to aquire items).

As for the rest, its my opinion. Fire in the hole.

You must have not camped NMs before the r > r/e equipment change.
Good times.

aka whiners that whine about leeches when they're the leeches themselves.

Yeah, sure was a blast standing around like a chucklefuck in Ordelle's Caves camping those slimes with a 2% drop rate. This is also something I do not miss. The exhilaration from claiming said mobs came from the fact that hey, I'm finally getting this ***over with.

The point was that something as important (back then at least) like AF shouldn't have shared room with an exploitable RMT-controlled item. It took the devteam ages to catch onto this.

The terrible coffer repops weren't adjusted until 2008? Now coffer pops weren't a big deal, but it's the first "casualization" update if I remember.

i will agree that old XI had issues but the way it is now is just stupid. they have broken there own game. im starting to not want to play couse all anyone wants to do is burn there jobs to 90. the game would be better if they put a cap on abyssea at 70 or so. the game wouldn't feel as broken . then you would still have to work for your job a little.

someone said to me they feel they are making FFXI more and more similar to WoW, not sure i agree with that, though the uniqueness of ffxi's being for hardcore MMORPG'ers only definitely isn't true anymore, its becoming more n more casual

How was repeatedly killing the same EP-T crab/lizard/bird in the past more "work" than killing the same EP-T mandy/buggard/worm now? Everyone who argues in favor of old ffxi simply cannot understand between challenging your skill and challenging your time.

I agree.
The only people who are STILL pining for "old" FFXI are the ones that associated their self-worth with their FFXI achievements or character gear. The "old" FFXI had a much more defined "hierarchy" of players, where elitists, cutthroats, and addicts had a clear advantage in acquiring and gathering "status symbols". The prevailing social environment in "old" FFXI was "I gotta get XYZ gear as soon as possible" ... not so much to improve your character, but rather to brag and "show off". If other players ogled at your character's "stuff", you felt an artificially-created sense of pride or superiority ... and sadly, a lot of socially-repressed "old" FFXI players really enjoyed that.

"New" FFXI has erased the previously well-defined lines between the elitists/cutthroats/addicts and the "common man" FFXI player. "New" FFXI has drastically reduced inter-linkshell rivalries and conflicts. It's allowed FFXI players to personalize their character's strengths and weaknesses (via Atma and Abyssites) FAR more than gear or merits ever could before. In short, Abyssea and breaking the old lvl 75 cap have re-oriented the game's focus back towards fun and flexibility, and away from the "old" focus (elitism/hierarchy/posturing).

tl;dr?
Old FFXI's structure emphasized and condoned playing with an intent to prove your worth or status.
New FFXI's structure shifted the game's focus back towards fun and flexibility.
So, which is better? To me, clearly "new" FFXI is far far better, providing a more well-rounded and more interesting, mostly less stressful gaming experience. However, if you're one of those players that preferred concrete hierarchy and desired status more than fun, I guess I (reluctantly) understand why you liked "old" FFXI.

This was discussed in a thread a month or so ago, if I'm remembering correctly.
Basically, the economic market for so-called "hardcore" RPG'ing is drying up, and market analysis predicts that it won't be making a comeback. "Hardcore" gaming was a (very profitable) relatively short-term fad, but it's now going the way of the Dodo.

Making FFXI more "casual" is a natural and predictable progression, based on market analysis and research.

SE is adjusting old areas :) Omega and Ultima at the same time. Also FFVI sucks.

FF Six sucks?
How is this relevant?

Was talked about on last page, people look through nostalgia glasses too much.

Is what I'd think.

not really relevant in this thread but who else thinks they seriously need to move the Abyssea triverse stone and tele guy
(Joachim & Horst)
to lower jeuno instead port that already has synergy furnaces and the airships which has gotta cause alotta lag without the copious amounts of people that herd around the abyssea NPC's

People use airships?

Just move them to Aht Urghan, I really hate Jeuno. Such a small area for the main hub to be as well compared to Aht Urghan...

I think I spent a few days using airships exclusively while finishing up some WotG when someone just said "why don't you use the maws?".


Man, that's depressing. There is no reason to use airships now... unless you feel like AFKing (which does sound pretty nice).

Airship battles. We need airship battles. The next expansion will take it up to the air with sky pirates.

Eh I go into one when I wanna afk and get to a city lol

I'll take people in pink, teal and pearl coloured clothing over the people wearing AF3 base sets, IE. below +1

So, you are actually IN FAVOR of MPK'ing as a legitimate and practical practice?
You really are a supreme douchebag.

You're just going to have to accept the fact that people nowadays don't give two shits how you leveled your job as long as you know how to play. And that's all there is to it.

If you take pride in leveling the 'hard' way... then be proud of yourself. Take that, and make yourself the best you can be. I worked my *** off leveling most of my jobs (the ones I play most anyway) the hard way, went and got many pieces of salvage gear/etc, then had pretty much any sense of accomplishment stripped from me when Abyssea came out and outdated everything. But you know what? I've sucked it up, and I'm still striving to be the best! At least Marduk is pretty amirite?

tl;dr: The game is easy now. Get over it and man up~

But, when they see you side by side, and (presumably) one of you plays poorly and the other one plays very well, it's ok. Hopefully you can find a group of people you can get to know and play with them if not exclusively, then at least the majority of the time. They'll know what you've put in, and what you've gotten out.

Hang in there, and welcome aboard!