How to improve Final Fantasy XIV

I was just browsing around a few sites when I came across something really amusing. The old AlphaPrime members have gotten together and created a new FFXIV forum. They are discussing plans on getting back together, getting into the FFXIV beta and looking forward to the game.

Unfortunately, many of us still playing are getting more and more frustrated with a game that is supposed to be fun. Given that FFXIV is coming from the same company, and humans are generally lazy, there is a high chance that FFXIV will make the same mistakes unless SE gets enough feed back and bad publicity regarding their current behavior in FFXI.

Just an example... It wasn't until the news of the 18-hour Pandamonium Warden fight hit mainstream media that SE took action to "adjust" this fight. However, in recent interviews, it's clear that the developers proud that their creation is causing such frustration in their players.

Unless some action is taken to somehow get SE the negative feedback about FFXI, you can most likely look forward to the following in FFXIV:

- Super-low drop rates on various items needed to progress (think the "genkai" quests, as well as drop rates of endgame gear, and even the expansion farming drop rates)

- Spending 6-12 hours for the possibility of a fight (HNMs)

- Unnecessary time-wasters when you make one mistake (all the prerequisites for the mini-expansion fights)

- New content put into the game with virtually no testing/QA (i.e.: Yonin... it's clear that they did not even USE this ability once as the problem was seen immediately)

However, what I find more disturbing than gameplay tweaks was SE's even more recent behavior regarding their customers

- Banning of longtime customers with no warning (Salvage)

- Banning of longtime customers with no warning, explanation or appeals process (CC issues, Gardening, and god knows what other reason Wuwu was banned)

- Banning of TRIAL accounts for no reason (Multiple reports of new players trying out the game and being banned without reason or warning)

- Implementing of unilateral changes to the ToS which prevent people from continuing to play on accounts that are in good standing (Today's change which REQUIRES your credit card take part in "Verified by Visa" or similar programs. Most CCs such as CapitalOne and Chase MasterCard do NOT participate in such programs)

- Only form of communication through the company is via blind form submission with no feedback

- RMT - And I don't mean the gilsellers. I mean the selling of equipment disguised as content. I don't think a single person has honestly purchased the new expansions expecting a good storyline. Everyone purchased it for the equipment

- RMT #2 - Tacking on in-game items to useless trinkets. I didn't mind the Harpsicord item as it came with a nice piano CD, but the Tidal Talisman was an insult for a piece of junk metal. The in-game item is awesome and of course, everyone paid for that.

So, I'm worried that FFXIV is going to have exactly the same problems as FFXI. I have no reason not to believe otherwise, and given SE's behavior to it's customers -- the lack of communication and respect for the people giving them money -- I think the only way to get these problems fixed is for their paying customers to actually make enough noise to make it clear to SE that they will not put up with these problems in their next MMO. Go make noise on forums. Bring the bad behavior SE has to the attention of gaming media, or if possible, mainstream media. Make SE make a public announcement promising that these problems will not exist in FFXIV (I've given up on them fixing XI already) instead of hiding behind their quiet facade.

Maybe then FFXIV will be a game worth playing.