Dear Final Fantasy XIV Team,
dear Mr. Yoshida,
I’m writing this message as a long-time player who still deeply loves your world and wants it to thrive.
I’ve played through every expansion with joy and admiration — the stories, the atmosphere, the music, the emotion. Final Fantasy XIV is a masterpiece of storytelling.
But with Dawntrail, I feel the game has reached a crossroads.
1. The “New Era” Doesn’t Feel New
Before Dawntrail you promised a fresh beginning — technically, narratively, and mechanically.
But in practice, not much has changed.
All jobs follow the same structure:
identical buff windows,
the same rotation logic,
the same 60/120-second rhythm.
It works — it’s clean and balanced —
but it has become too safe.
The jobs have lost their individuality and soul.
Every class feels like a different skin over the same system.
---
2. FFXIV Used to Reward Mastery
In the past, mastering a job felt meaningful.
Each class had its own rhythm, risk, and personality.
Today, rotations feel automated — we press buttons in sequence,
but not because we understand the art of the job;
we simply follow a pattern.
Please bring back that sense of mastery and identity.
A Paladin should truly protect — maybe even stand physically between allies and danger.
A Scholar could merge with their fairy for a short time and heal from the air.
A Samurai could have chargeable finishers that reward timing and precision.
Differences like these would make every job feel alive again.
3. Let Jobs Be Different
Not every job needs the same foundation.
Some could be complex, others reactive or rhythmic.
Add mechanics like:
skills that can be charged or held down,
directional or timed actions,
synergy attacks performed by two players together.
Imagine a Paladin and Samurai performing a joint attack —
or a Scholar and Dark Knight creating a shared barrier of light and shadow.
Moments like these would make battles unforgettable — not for the numbers,
but for the connection between players.
4. Dawntrail Feels Like Preparation, Not Change
I understand that Dawntrail focused on technical upgrades.
But many players — myself included — hoped to feel that renewal in gameplay, too.
Level 100 is symbolic.
It should mark not just progress in numbers, but a new era of design:
a step toward individuality, difference, and personal expression.
The foundation is strong — now please, build something bold upon it.
5. I Say This Out of Love, Not Frustration
I’m not angry — I’m hopeful.
I love Final Fantasy XIV, and I don’t want to leave it behind.
I just want to feel that spark again —
that sense of discovery, mastery, and wonder.
This game has been part of my life for many years.
I want to look back one day and say:
“Here, at this moment, FFXIV became magic again.”
Thank you for your work, your passion.
With heartfelt respect,
Lukas Buncher
Continue reading...
dear Mr. Yoshida,
I’m writing this message as a long-time player who still deeply loves your world and wants it to thrive.
I’ve played through every expansion with joy and admiration — the stories, the atmosphere, the music, the emotion. Final Fantasy XIV is a masterpiece of storytelling.
But with Dawntrail, I feel the game has reached a crossroads.
1. The “New Era” Doesn’t Feel New
Before Dawntrail you promised a fresh beginning — technically, narratively, and mechanically.
But in practice, not much has changed.
All jobs follow the same structure:
identical buff windows,
the same rotation logic,
the same 60/120-second rhythm.
It works — it’s clean and balanced —
but it has become too safe.
The jobs have lost their individuality and soul.
Every class feels like a different skin over the same system.
---
2. FFXIV Used to Reward Mastery
In the past, mastering a job felt meaningful.
Each class had its own rhythm, risk, and personality.
Today, rotations feel automated — we press buttons in sequence,
but not because we understand the art of the job;
we simply follow a pattern.
Please bring back that sense of mastery and identity.
A Paladin should truly protect — maybe even stand physically between allies and danger.
A Scholar could merge with their fairy for a short time and heal from the air.
A Samurai could have chargeable finishers that reward timing and precision.
Differences like these would make every job feel alive again.
3. Let Jobs Be Different
Not every job needs the same foundation.
Some could be complex, others reactive or rhythmic.
Add mechanics like:
skills that can be charged or held down,
directional or timed actions,
synergy attacks performed by two players together.
Imagine a Paladin and Samurai performing a joint attack —
or a Scholar and Dark Knight creating a shared barrier of light and shadow.
Moments like these would make battles unforgettable — not for the numbers,
but for the connection between players.
4. Dawntrail Feels Like Preparation, Not Change
I understand that Dawntrail focused on technical upgrades.
But many players — myself included — hoped to feel that renewal in gameplay, too.
Level 100 is symbolic.
It should mark not just progress in numbers, but a new era of design:
a step toward individuality, difference, and personal expression.
The foundation is strong — now please, build something bold upon it.
5. I Say This Out of Love, Not Frustration
I’m not angry — I’m hopeful.
I love Final Fantasy XIV, and I don’t want to leave it behind.
I just want to feel that spark again —
that sense of discovery, mastery, and wonder.
This game has been part of my life for many years.
I want to look back one day and say:
“Here, at this moment, FFXIV became magic again.”
Thank you for your work, your passion.
With heartfelt respect,
Lukas Buncher
Continue reading...