Yes, I still play FFXI

I know that a lot of people who no longer play FFXI actually read my blog. IM messages from them, as well as email and comment posts from former FFXI players (or XI players who are "taking a break") come in pretty regularly. Well, for those watching, I *am* still playing FFXI. However, I'm more in a holding pattern compared to my past activity level.

Why? Simply put: Level cap increase

I noticed that a lot of people have actually popped out of nowhere after SE announced the level cap increase and upcoming content. Old-time people I had never met before suddenly showed up and started to go to events. I guess all the announcements got their attention?

For me... well, the level cap increase meant a few things:
- Lots of exp to grind for all my jobs, and subs
- Current content in the game will likely change and either become irrelevant, or possibly significantly easier

Exp
I'm not really looking forward to exp grinding. Usually by around level 68, I'm tired of exping and just want to finish the job off to 75. That's also why I usually go on a binge to exp from 68-75, wanting to get it over as soon as possible and get on to using the job in events. With the level cap increase, that means that I have to exp... currently 6 jobs even further and spend time on it before I can take them to events. (subjobs are just as bad. I get the urge to finish them at level 30 or so)

Faced with the prospect of millions of exp to level 6 jobs from 75 to 99, I've pretty much given up on exping any other jobs. I've also taken the defensive stance of... well, focusing on only the primary jobs that are useful and I enjoy for exping since there are a number of my jobs that I simply don't play very often. So... no posts about new jobs, and I haven't really done anything special with my current jobs. I guess I might be able to put together another fashion show in a couple of months if drops are willing :)

Content
For game content... SE has added quite a bit of new game content, the most recent update adding "VNMs" which I've talked extensively about, and more WotG missions. VNMs actually looked like an interesting system, with significant reward and might be fun to actually plan strategies around. I actually was interested in gathering people to explore different strategies. However, the level cap increase is also making me wonder at the possibilities of tackling VNMs (and other events) when we are a higher level.

Running ZNMs is a pain. Here is a little rant about coordinating big events:
- Babysitting people through zones that they've been to a dozen times
- Making sure people go farm zeni for pop items... or even to access the battleground
- Making sure people get rewarded as appropriate to their contribution
- All the paperwork behind things
- Getting people to show up
- Getting people to show up in time

The last two are a huge annoyance with me. If you disappear without giving your event leaders some warning or reason, then we are stuck with some tough decisions. If you don't show up for an event, we have to basically REPLACE you. This might mean having someone change jobs, having someone bring out a mule to fulfill your role, or recruiting someone to take your place. If we can't count on you to show up for events, then we can't plan on having you for a big fight. That means for planning purposes, I can't include you in the alliance and basically have to find someone who *will* show up to do the job. More people = more stuff to get, lines for important items will get longer and we spend more and more time doing an event instead of finishing it and moving on.

(Yes, events *can* end. Limbus, & Nyzul isle are two events that have been successfully completed on my watch)

That also means that when distributing rewards, I will weigh contribution accordingly. Someone who shows up consistently, does a good job and contributes positively will get their items before someone who only mails it in. This also means I will weigh absences negatively as well. Someone who tells their leaders about RL obligations and other things of course gets more understanding compared to someone who disappears without a word. Someone who simply does not show up for an event is off meriting or doing something else would get even less consideration compared to someone who simply misses an event. If you join an event, it is a commitment to put in your contribution to help the group, not to show up only when it benefits you personally.

That said, running any large-scale event is a lot of work. VNMs looks like something I'd be interested in possibly running, and we've had success at low-manning it with a simple alliance of 12. However, the level cap increase is making me wonder at the possibility of doing it with even less. Less people = less stuff to get before the event can be finished. It also means more personal responsibility and accountability from the people involved. The right group of people would be able to smash the event, get everyone their stuff and move on quickly. Needing too many people would mean delays in starting, people being able to "mail it in" due to needing bodies. With the level cap increase around the corner, I'm betting that many events that we currently do would be doable with a competent party of 6 people. For VNMs, I'm already confident of taking down Tier 2s with 3 people even with the current cap (without using the possibly GMable "pinning" trick that Kanican figured out). A level cap increase would probably mean that the right group of 6 people who smash through VNMs (and any other content that currently takes an alliance) and be done with the event much sooner.

The prospect of coordinating fewer people to smash through an event and keep the event short is the #1 reason why... basically, I've been in a simple holding pattern in FFXI for the last few months!

A tale of 3 betas

In a somewhat strange scenario, I find myself having access to three game betas: Final Fantasy XIV, Starcraft II and Halo: Reach. Very strange to have three very different experiences from well established publishers.

FFXIV
Basically unplayable. To participate in this beta, you have to plan your life around their hours. The game itself is... well, even staying connected at all was a challenge, much less dealing with lag or actually playing the game. They've since improved, but FFXIV definitely earns its label of being alpha-quality.

The sad part is that alpha code is really not supposed to be tested by the public. They may call it a "closed alpha/beta" but it is still going out to people in general, and not restricted to just the developer and internal QA. I think they really should have fixed the glaring issues (especially in performance) before releasing this to the public.

My initial impressions have pretty much turned me away from bothering with this game. FFXIV has issues that internal QA should have caught much before it goes out to public. While they are making strides in improving it, I think I'll wait for their beta phase to begin before touching this again. Maybe by then they won't expect you to plan your life around their schedule!

Oh, regarding gameplay... well, let's just say I agree fully with the many articles that are out saying how boring XIV is... for example: http://news.mmosite.com/content/2010-05-14/final_fantasy_xiv_criticized_for_too_dull_combats_in_japan,1.shtml

Starcraft II
I understand that this beta has been going on for a while now? Seems like they are just adjusting unit balance and... well, so far gameplay has been flawless and actually fun! They do not have a tutorial, but it was fairly easy to jump right into things.

I think at this point, this feels more like... well... release the game already so we can play with everything else in the game! Maybe they should stop calling it "beta" and call it" Multiplayer trial"? Beta ends in 2 weeks, but supposedly they're going to open it up again after that. With a scheduled release date in July, this definitely felt like a beta.

Halo: Reach
This is a weird one... basically everyone who purchased Halo: ODST can participate in the Halo: Reach beta... However, the beta is only run for... 2 weeks? It really doesn't sound like they were looking to find show stopping issues or to do much tweaking in the game. It feels more like a way to get people to buy ODST, and as a teaser instead of actually a beta.

The short timeline for the beta meant to me that... well, I just never bothered with loading it up even though I had access to it.

Car shopping round #10293

As many of you know, I ran into some car problems on Monday which is prompting another round of me trying to figure out which car I want to get next.

This time, however, I'm pretty low on ideas. Nothing out there seems to suit me or my budget so I'm opening it up to people in general to suggest something that I might have missed

Criteria:

• At most $30k out the door. I might go as high as $35k, but there would have to be a good reason for the premium. I just don't like the idea of having something so expensive out there that any idiot in a Prius can ruin by running into it!
• Something classy, maybe a bit of luxury
• Not one of those "fresh college grad" cars like the Honda Civic, Fit, or VW Golf
• Fun on the road -- don't suggest SUVs, trucks or minivans :P
• No BMWs -- I've seen too many fall apart at year 3 once the factory warranty expires
• I guess preferably a coupe, though these days I'm open to more
• Also preferably new

Mmm... I think that's it for criteria... I've been considering a weird variety of cars, anything from the Audi A3 to the Nissan 370Z. I just can't narrow it down yet :(

Any ideas/suggestions?

Been busy

Been a little busy lately... plus not too much has happened in FFXI. Just the usual round of stuff, mainly waiting for the level cap raise and for a few choice pieces of gear to drop.

Anyway, I leave this for those who might get the joke!