PixlBit

So I managed to meet-up with a couple of you this weekend. It was a pleasure meeting you guys! Hopefully we can do this again this weekend. I know we all have different schedules, but that's ok because I tend to casually drop in during odd hours of the week anyway regarding MMOs. 

I just wanted to point out a few things that I think might help everyone, since I think I've played the game the most, I think?

As far as I know the final game level cap is 50, and that is where the story game ends and also begins, according to the devs. If this is confusing, it shouldn't be. This is typical of most MMO designs, as a lot of the content is only accessible after finishing the last boss and then “post end game” usually focuses on party based game play (dungeons, epic gear etc.),  which makes sense since these are "multiplayer" games to begin with, and tend to ignore narrative or have weak RPG elements anyway.  So typically dedicated MMO players rush to the "end game" in a matter of weeks or weekends and then begin to sour on the game and ruin it for everyone if post game content is unacceptable. A lot of MMO reviews are based on “post end game” content. 

The other type of player, normally referred to as casual player, isn't concerned so much with finishing the game, but find other things about the games to enjoy, like meeting with friends, role playing, cooperating in parties, trading and crafting, etc. Of course hardcore players do these things too, but at a higher rate of speed, and also may have more than one character developed; whereas most other players may just have only one. Some even have one character for player vs. environment and another for role playing. I believe casual players just enjoy being in the game and don't care for it to end, or don't have the time to play due to work and life. Also, not socializing and soloing through a game might be a preference as well for both hardcore and casual alike. You can also be casual and role play, and reach end game, even if it takes a long time. I hope this isn’t confusing?

It’s not hopeless though. The thing that casual and hardcore players have in common is that they were all new players at one point and had to go through the ups and downs of the learning curve like everyone else. Although, if you are new, I do suggest reading the game manual in menu or visiting official websites to get a head start. An MMO will require a lot of work from its players, (including learning how to play the game) and this hasn’t really changed that much. Nothing comes easy even though a lot of new and old MMOs have been changed to make it easier to level up just to accommodate new players. It still takes some work and effort to level up, just not weeks to get one extra level like I’ve heard about certain games in the past. Don’t expect the game to show you how to play it. Newer MMO’s have tutorials, but don’t be surprised if it doesn’t explain absolutely everything about the game, it won’t. Find a good source of reference for the game, be it a youtube channel, forum, wiki page, blogger like me (*wink), etc. Be your own point of reference.

A short bit on communications
Most comm in MMOs on PC  is done through text using the chat box, however PS3 users might have a hard time doing this with a gamepad, which is one of my biggest gripes, especially if you are leaning towards a more social experience. I don't think the game supports voice-chat or cross-platform chat so my suggestion is to buy a usb keyboard to plug in to your PS3 as a few of us have done, or look into third party apps for voice. I'm still researching these voice options and I haven't decided what I think will work best for everyone. You may need to rely on a smart phone app, table app or laptop. 

A short list I wrote earlier to help in game for level grinding:

1. Levequests.(unlocked in story or class mission LV 10+)
Did you unlock levequests? You go to the adventurers guild and you can take on personal missions that give you XP.

2. Hunter Log (unlocked in class mission LV 10+)
Did you unlock the hunter log? There are a list of enemies you get XP for killing everything in your hunter log. 

3. Guildleves (unlocked in class or story mission LV 10+)
Did you unlock guildleves? These are like Levequests, but you do them in a party of 4. Earn lots of XP like this.

4. Fates (dynamic events appearing randomly on map)
Try to always do fates whenever possible, preferably in your level range, so if 10, do level 10 fates.

5. Events (same as fates really or FATES are events)
Use the chat box to ask if any events going on. Check your map to see Fates.

6. Dungeons (unlocked in story mission LV 17-20)
You don't unlock dungeons until like LV 18 I think.

7. Duty Finder (newly available in beta, auto search for party members for dungeons and leves)
Do you know how to use the duty finder? You can instantly do guildleves with this.

8. Main Story quest missions & Class missions & NPC missions.

***Remember if you are new to MMOs or FF XIV in particular, you need to push through the story mode to unlock some of the things mentioned in the list above. Story mode also unlocks battle action abilities and a boarding pass to leave your starting city and access to personal chocobo mount.  This also includes adopting and training your own chocobo as a companion.

Lastly, if anyone interested in playing beta or launch game, I will be playing this game during launch so you can search and add me in game or reach me on pixlbit if you so kindly wish.

Some things about the beta

• The current beta is not subscription based and doesn’t cost anything to download, all you need to do is sign up for beta and await for a response with an invitation if approved.
• The official game client will not be free and you will have to buy both separate versions if you want to play on both systems, also requires a monthly subscription.
• The Beta is in a stage called Phase 3, is available on PC and PS3 and you can login to either system to continue your progress, *assuming you were given invitation for both.
   
• Phase 3 is a closed beta and it’s about to end soon and all the data will be wiped off the servers which includes all characters and progress for those in the beta now, and it will be followed by Phase 4 which is an open beta and will carry content over to launch, presumably.

Phase 4 Open beta is approaching soon.


Some things about launch

• Official Date is August 27, 2013.
• Game cost is $30 (PC), $40 (PS3), with other editions available including collectable.