FFXIV open beta set to begin "in early September"

It still doesn't really counter my argument though.

Keep the gamepad controls, but implement modern MMO controls for PC users. Please both crowds. It can be done.

SE has no valid reason to not implement better PC controls, keymapping and hot keys. A menu system that has maybe a couple sub menus is all right, but XIV overdoes it completely. SE can easily have designed it to be much more user friendly while still maintaining easy access to gamepad players.

Example, is there really a need for both a buy and sell window? Why not have just one larger one that does both? Shows your inventory and the merchants, for gamepad players, have the tab button switch between buy and sell mode. PC users can use the traditional click to buy or sell. Win win.

It's just poorly designed, even with a gamepad in mind. It's blatantly obvious SE is using the XI team for everything, nothings really changed. In some cases, it even got worse. This game suffers because of the lack of foresight, something that's been an issue for many Japanese companies.

You see, that's the thing, though. What you call a "lack of foresight" is called "normal" in Japan. Japan - where this game is created. They used gamepads/controllers like crazy for their games while the Western side of the planet prefers mainly keyboard for PC usage. It's just a matter of choice of supported protocols. Yes, it's an international launch, but it's still favored towards the "home team". Which leads me to ...

As for why can't they add additional controls for keyboard players, then you're adding more time to the programming aspect. So instead of one set of rules, you're creating two different sets for various types of equipment. Who's to say they won't add (full) keyboard support down the line, but to make the launch window, they have to get done what they get done. It's not always the best thing, but it's kind of how these things work, sadly.

Personally, I'd *love* to see WoW's control style be implemented. And before it's said, yes, I'm a S-E fan ... always have been. I see their flaws, but I can also see why they do things (or at the very least why I *think* they do things). After playing for a couple betas, I'm firmly in control with the controller I use. I've learned to be quick, adapt and get what I need almost as fast as I would in WoW using the keyboard. Sure some things are tedious, but some things are even more well done, too.

The Buy/Sell thing. Sure, I guess that can be streamlined, but how would you move from Buy to Sell using a controller? Moving a free-style cursor? That's pretty cumbersome sometimes. It's a lot easier to hit left -> left -> down if you're comfortable enough. Again, that's personal preference, though.

Again, I'm bias - I know I am. I've been in "FFXI" mode for what, six years now? I'm just plain used to how the UI is set up and can appreciate it because of that, I guess. :\

And their "normal" ways of thinking are killing them in the long run. It's not just directed towards SE, but almost all of Japans way of thinking. Bandai Namco is bankrupt. Capcom is losing millions every year. Those are just a few examples.

And I'll say it again, they have no excuse not to have included decent keyboard and mouse control while in full development phase. None. This game has been in development for 5 known years, probably longer. To not even think about adding in the decent default peripheral support on the platform is just...well, stupid really.

I'm not saying gamepads don't work, but it should not be the default or feel like the only viable option for a MMORPG. This genre was created and evolved around the keyboard and mouse. The way it is now, it's cumbersome, annoying, clunky and overall half assed playing with the current scheme.

Like I said about my buy/sell idea, to switch between buy and sell, just press the gamepads target/tab key. Simple. Want to sell? Press the target key, now you're in sell mode with your inventory. Now you have some gil to buy? Target key, select your item and bam, bought. No need to cancel the buy, go back to the buy/sell option, select sell etc... The entire UI was supposed to have been developed with the gamepad in mind, which we can see. But we can also see the influence of old, drawn out archaic ideas. No doubt from the senior developers from the XI team. There's so much "in between" that in just becomes annoying, even to veteran/current/former XI players (like me).

Seriously, PS3 players will have a keyboard to begin with. And can pick up a decent mouse for the cost of a gamepad. SE could've easily developed even the PS3 version to handle hardware keyboard and mouse, but chose instead to keep the archaic gamepad idea. Over 5 years they had to work on UI and controls. It seems like most of their resources went towards visuals, music and story. Which isn't bad, but those experiences become sub par if the rest of the game feels half ass'd.

No you don't get it. There are some GLARING issues with the game, mechanics that are just plain terrible and they don't have enough time to fix them if in fact they do recognize it's a problem.

It doesn't seem like you're in the beta

I am.

I loved FFXI to death, played for 5 years

But there were things i just couldn't put up with.

The current system is just not right. Capping XP and making you level something else is the wrong thing to do. The synthesizing process is so bad that to change it would take a month on it's own, and if they aren't willing to even look at that, that just shows how little they listen to the player base. If you are in the beta and don't see the glaring issues and how big they really are, then you just don't know what a good system is

Amen. I am ready to get back to the early EQ1 days when fantasy MMOs were actually based on some alteration of D&D.

I am sick of MMOs handing everything out on a golden platter. I am ready for a game that is actually challenging.

Speaking of challenging - does FFXIV actually have a real death penalty?

@Xailia when you die you have to TP back to the crystal you last attuned to. Once rezzed, you have a 3 minute debuff that essentially halves your HP and MP and lowers your stats. I haven't looked into whether or not equips take a durability hit.

There is difficult, because the game is made to be challenging. And then there is difficult because you have to dig though 5 menus to do even the simplest of tasks. Difficult because the camera controls for every other modern game, pc, consoles, action game rpg ect seem to be impossible for SE to put into the game. Difficult because to find an item you want to buy, you now have to look for it on one of 100's of player vendors instead of an AH.

People aren't complaining that the game is too hard. People are complaining because you have to be a masochist to find using the UI as it is now to be an enjoyable experience.

I am fine with a game being a challenge, the market at large is not however. But make it a challenge in gameplay, not because the camera wants to orbit your head every other step you take.