I don't know if this is the right place for this but I have an idea to make Free Companies(FCs) more appealing to join, give FCs a reason to interact with each other, and make the Company ranks have more impact and immersion in the game.
My Issue with Free companies
As it currently stands, people join FC's generally for social purposes, buffs, access to a mansion, or to have a group to play with. However, with link shells, party finder, and the newly added Fellowships, I believe there are less reasons to be in a Free company as they provide 2 of the previous things mentioned. Also Free company buffs and housing may also be arbitrary to a lot. Next, Free company ranks are only a show of activity or how many Grand company credits are spammed but not any type of real prestige or challenge. There is no type of competitiveness to the ranks. Lastly there is little to no reason for FCs to interact with each other or form alliances outside of friendship. These combined make it so players have no real reason to join or stay in one Free company. I have an idea to add incentive to both ranking up and FC player retaining.
Add a Free Company ranking called influence/prestige
This could be a new ranking for Free companies. Companies gain influence by monopolizing and taking control of map zones. Rewards for controlling a map zone could be exclusive access to special gathering nodes on the acquired maps, free company exclusive fates, lowered Teleport rates, more gil for selling to npcs, lowered taxes on Market Board, etc. This ranking will run on a season schedule similar to Feast and reset when it's over with a special reward for the top ranking FCs in influence. The rewards will add incentive to joining a strong and active FC but won't change how you can enjoy the game without a Company.
Now how do you gain control of map zones?
At the beginning of the season players can spend grand company credits earned to bid on initial control of a map. Each map will have varying GC credit prices. This gives an advantage to FCs with high activity. After that and once a week, Free companies can challenge another Free company in a special competitive battle, for control over a map. You could also attempt to buy off control from a FC for set amount if they accept. You can only challenge and get challenged once. So you have to choose carefully on what maps you want to conquer and defend.
(1/2)
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My Issue with Free companies
As it currently stands, people join FC's generally for social purposes, buffs, access to a mansion, or to have a group to play with. However, with link shells, party finder, and the newly added Fellowships, I believe there are less reasons to be in a Free company as they provide 2 of the previous things mentioned. Also Free company buffs and housing may also be arbitrary to a lot. Next, Free company ranks are only a show of activity or how many Grand company credits are spammed but not any type of real prestige or challenge. There is no type of competitiveness to the ranks. Lastly there is little to no reason for FCs to interact with each other or form alliances outside of friendship. These combined make it so players have no real reason to join or stay in one Free company. I have an idea to add incentive to both ranking up and FC player retaining.
Add a Free Company ranking called influence/prestige
This could be a new ranking for Free companies. Companies gain influence by monopolizing and taking control of map zones. Rewards for controlling a map zone could be exclusive access to special gathering nodes on the acquired maps, free company exclusive fates, lowered Teleport rates, more gil for selling to npcs, lowered taxes on Market Board, etc. This ranking will run on a season schedule similar to Feast and reset when it's over with a special reward for the top ranking FCs in influence. The rewards will add incentive to joining a strong and active FC but won't change how you can enjoy the game without a Company.
Now how do you gain control of map zones?
At the beginning of the season players can spend grand company credits earned to bid on initial control of a map. Each map will have varying GC credit prices. This gives an advantage to FCs with high activity. After that and once a week, Free companies can challenge another Free company in a special competitive battle, for control over a map. You could also attempt to buy off control from a FC for set amount if they accept. You can only challenge and get challenged once. So you have to choose carefully on what maps you want to conquer and defend.
(1/2)
Continue reading...