Even though I’m absent this week, I wanted to pop in to share the latest episode of the Multiverse with you. Ferrel was at DragonCon this week, so Riknas and I held down the fort talking about everything under the sun. Specifically, here are some of the things we hit on:

Without turning this into too much of a personal post, I just wanted to let you all know that I may be around much this week. My step-father is having some serious health issues (heart and respiratory) and my family is really in disarray. I’ve been spending most of my time at the hospital without [...]]]> Hey Guys,

Without turning this into too much of a personal post, I just wanted to let you all know that I may be around much this week. My step-father is having some serious health issues (heart and respiratory) and my family is really in disarray. I’ve been spending most of my time at the hospital without much opportunity or interest in gaming. I’ll get back to it, but this is one of those times when everything else has to be put away for a few days.

In case you need a quick Chris-Fix ™, check out the latest episode of the MMOVoices Podcast. They were kind enough to have me on as a guest and we spent a good amount of time talking about the FFXIV open beta (we’re all in it… except for Gavin who’s been working through a move). As always, it was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed getting to hang out and talk games with them. I consider them a sister podcast to the Multiverse, so if you like what we do, you’ll love these guys.

Anyhow, I hope you all have a good week in gaming. I can’t wait to get back into things when all of this is over.

- Chris

The more I play through the FFXIV open beta, the more apparent it is that the game is really meant to be a console experience. Everything about it just screams “port.” From the menu design, to the seeming [...]]]>

My wife says I'd look like this guy if I was an elf kid. I look like anime?

The more I play through the FFXIV open beta, the more apparent it is that the game is really meant to be a console experience. Everything about it just screams “port.” From the menu design, to the seeming expectation for players to only hop in for an hour or so a day, FFXIV is the console MMO we always said we wanted. To the average console player, virginal in their expectations and prejudiced against the typical MMO timesink stereotypes, the game probably seems pretty cool; a bridge between single player and MMO gaming. I’m very much left with the impression that Square wants this to be the Final Fantasy fan’s introduction to the world of MMOs.

The problem, of course, is that we’re all veteran players and have all of the expectations that comes with that. We want controls that we’re familiar with and we want them optimized for the keyboard/mouse before anything else. We want the freedom to throw ourselves at it for as long as we’re willing, and we want the stream of rewards WoW made famous.

That’s just not this game. Honestly, I don’t think FFXIV is the MMO for MMO fans. This is more akin to a persistent world version of Final Fantasy 8. Heck, running around through Limsa Lominsa, you could be forgiven for look for Balamb Garden over the next rise.

With that in mind, I decided to plug in an after-market PS3 controller I bought from Gamestop (used) for $15. It was a breeze to set up in the configuration utility and WOW, what a game changer. Interacting with the game goes from being obtuse to simplistic and natural. Seriously, if you’ve ever played a console game, you can get the hang of playing FFXIV in seconds. Not using the mouse cursor also gets rid of any perceived UI sluggishness, which supports that it was never the UI to begin with: it was the game cursor.

As I played, I started to notice that my perceptions about the game started changing too. The simple act of using a PS3 controller made me feel like I was sitting in front of a TV instead of desktop. Combat no longer seemed sluggish, but more in keeping with the PSone era Final Fantasy titles. I started multi-tasking and exploring menus while I was running around. Interacting with everything was so much smoother that I explored the city and talked to the citizenry for the fun of it, not because I had to. In short, FFXIV changed from an MMO into an online console game. The difference is subtle on the surface but the difference it can make in your outlook is tremendous. Not to mention, removing the layer of crap that is the keyboard/mouse control scheme just makes the game more fun, plain and simple.

Is that Balamb Garden I see out there?

So, instead of looking at this as the “Final Fantasy version of Aion/WoW/LotRO/Etc.,” try looking at it like an online version of your favorite entry in the series. If you’d asked me ten years ago how I felt about having to grind XP in FF8, you wouldn’t have heard a complaint. That was what you had to do to advance the story and get to more bits of awesome gameplay. That is the exact same thing FFXIV is asking you to do, only they’re giving you more choices in how you play and a massive world in which to do it.

Don’t believe people when they say this game is no fun. It is. If you look at the complaints, they’re almost universally based in comparisons to other MMOs. It doesn’t hold up and it’s no wonder people feel let down in that way. And, you know, I don’t blame them. Why shouldn’t they compare it to WoW or any of the other myriad titles? It IS an MMO after all. But, when you break from that mold and take FFXIV for what it is — an online console game — the differences are much more acceptable. It may not be that MMO outlet you want, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good game in its own right.

The suggestion: Most importantly, and no matter what else you do, pick up a game pad before you play. It will change the way you play and, if you’re like me, how you look at the game. Maybe it’s bad that you need something like this to enjoy the game to its fullest but it is what it is. Get it and save yourself the frustration.

After a brief delay, the FFXIV open beta is back on. I’m usually steer clear of betas, but I’ve been following this game too long not to try it out. It’d be like having to look at a new toy for three weeks before playing with it. So, around [...]]]>

Click to visit the beta application page

After a brief delay, the FFXIV open beta is back on. I’m usually steer clear of betas, but I’ve been following this game too long not to try it out. It’d be like having to look at a new toy for three weeks before playing with it. So, around ten o’clock last night, I started paying close attention to their beta site. I missed it before going to bed, but it looks like they opened overnight and promptly crashed due to server load.

The problems thus far haven’t been unexpected, but, like always, I have to wonder why Square-Enix didn’t plan for the attention. I mean, this type of thing always seems to happen and they know that tons of people will be hitting the servers. It seems like a lot of unnecessary frustration.

Anyways, I woke up this morning and started right off trying to get a key. After a few timeouts, the following message popped up:

Applications for the FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test have been temporarily suspended. Please wait until we are ready to accept new applications and then try again.

From what I’ve found on the various forums, it looks like they’re opening and closing the giveaway page pretty randomly. The best advice people can give is to keep trying. Darkfall’s release honed my refresh-fu but Squares is a little bit more of a pain since you have to re-login after every refresh.

All that being said, I’m going to keep trying. I know that there are a lot of things people are concerned about and, honestly, I share some of them. The fatigue system isn’t as bad as people are making it out to be, but it’s still an weekly limit nonetheless; I’m just hoping it won’t effect me. I’ve also heard that there’s a lack of quests when guildleves run out. I’m planning on having to grind, which I don’t really mind as long as the gameplay and story are good.

Am I the only one who’s skeptical of their “let’s only test 20% of the game” philosophy? I hope they crammed all the important stuff into that first 20%. It makes me wonder how they’re so sure of the other 80% of their guildleves and leveling content.

Anyways, all of that is won over by the things I’m excited about. I LOVE that I can be any class. I love that there are two sets of levels and dozens of things to work on. It also seems like Square-Enix stays a lot more true to the designers design philosophy than other companies. They seem to listen to player’s concerns without giving up on what they believe to be core fundamentals (ala fatigue). I like that. FFXIV won’t be for everybody, but, like FFXI, it should make for a great main game for its target audience.

I’ll keep you posted on if I make it in. I’ve already pre-ordered, so I’ll be in before the Sept. 30^th street date either way.

Since we had technology troubles on 23.5, we got together again to do episode 24 proper justice. On this episode, we cut out the news and extras and get right into an hour of round table. This week, we’re talking:

The show [...]]]> Woah, two shows in one day?!?! Slow down, cowboy!

Since we had technology troubles on 23.5, we got together again to do episode 24 proper justice. On this episode, we cut out the news and extras and get right into an hour of round table. This week, we’re talking:

• Negativity in MMOs,
• Used game sales, who’s to blame?
• Half-MMOs

The show came out great and is wonderfully tangential. We use our topics as a launching point and expand, but, hey, we bring it back around, I think.

Oh, and links. Got to have links:

• Hunter’s Insight – Read it!
• Upshift Strike Racer – Play it!
• MMOV Podcast – Hear it!

We’re trying a new topic format, so let us know what you think! Also, big kudos to Ferrel for editing. It’s a bigger job than you’d think and he’s doing great with it.

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Long time no see! I know, it’s been too long, but we’re back. This episode actually demonstrates some of the technological issues we’ve been running into trying out new recorders. Unfortunately, Ferrel echoes throughout; however, the content itself was too good not to share — hence, 23.5 and not 24.

We talk about lots of [...]]]> Hey guys,

Long time no see! I know, it’s been too long, but we’re back. This episode actually demonstrates some of the technological issues we’ve been running into trying out new recorders. Unfortunately, Ferrel echoes throughout; however, the content itself was too good not to share — hence, 23.5 and not 24.

We talk about lots of stuff on this episode: the Neverwinter MMO, the LotRO cash shop, EQ Next, raiding, and more. Enjoy!

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This weekend has been hectic, but, honestly, seeing all that negativity in the post below got to me. So, instead, I thought I’d let you all know about my weekly article over at Lagwar. In honor of its going into open beta, I decided to highlight the top then things I think you should know [...]]]> Hey Gang,

This weekend has been hectic, but, honestly, seeing all that negativity in the post below got to me. So, instead, I thought I’d let you all know about my weekly article over at Lagwar. In honor of its going into open beta, I decided to highlight the top then things I think you should know about Final Fantasy 14. Number one? There are chocobos. No, not that dinky little thing from that guy’s afro in FF13. I mean full-fledged, yellow-butted, chocobos. Still not convinced? Well, head over and let me know what you think in the comments!

… What’chu talkin’ ’bout chocobo?

- Chris

After all, the two are the exact same thing, right? I mean, where were YOU when the rest of us were delivering our support right to the developer’s cubicles? Way to be ungrateful. Let me just say it, Gamestop is just a games pimp with a shiny storefront. Amsterdam meets America, I say.

Hat-tip Syp.

You [...]]]>

After all, the two are the exact same thing, right? I mean, where were YOU when the rest of us were delivering our support right to the developer’s cubicles? Way to be ungrateful. Let me just say it, Gamestop is just a games pimp with a shiny storefront. Amsterdam meets America, I say.

Hat-tip Syp.

You know, I try not to get too rankled. I really do. But, honestly, if you’re going to call people who buy used games thieves, fuck you. Let’s get something straight, it’s not MY job to price these games. It’s not MY job to market them so people want to buy them at launch. You want me to buy new, give me a reason to. Make it irresistible, get me excited so that I don’t wait the MONTHS it takes for a decent price drop at Gamestop. Give me something extra for buying from you. You know, be a salesman instead of a pusher (*cough* Kotick *cough*).

I buy lots of used games and I usually do it with a couple trade-ins of my own. In the last two years, I shudder to think of how much I’ve spent at Gamestop. So, believe me when I tell you, any game worth buying new will only be $5 cheaper to buy used for the first 90+ days. After that, maybe $7. Unless your game sucks, then it will be a lot cheaper – and who wants to buy it then, anyways. I’ll almost always pay the extra five dollars if that’s the scenario. Five bucks is nothing, and the peace of mind knowing the disc will be new is worth it.

Months later, when that game is still $59.99 in the store, and $39.99 at Gamestop, most people would choose to buy used. If you’re buying new at that point you either have a very specific reason, too much money, or failed your Home Economics class in high school.

I get that used games don’t benefit the developers. Except for market penetration, word of mouth, public perception, and future sales. It’s not like anyone felt skiddish about Game 1 and actually went out to buy Game 2. It’s not like any studio ever factored in used sales to determine how well their game was received. After all, who factors in their ENTIRE audience?

I empathize with people who want to show their appreciation for a product well done. That’s great, and, you know what, I like to do that too. Developer’s work hard and deserve to be well rewarded.

But that’s not the player’s job. It shouldn’t even be most player’s consideration, frankly. We can all sit in our recliners or computer chairs preaching all day long, but not one of us is directly sending money to a developer. We send it to the retailer, who sends it to the publisher, who sends it to the studio, who sends it home. Our job is to be responsible adults and make the best decisions for ourselves.

Developer’s not getting paid isn’t Gamestop’s fault. It is 100% the publisher. If you want people to stop going to Gamestop, quit being so bull-headed with your prices. The only thing used games stores prove is that a) games are priced too high to begin with; and, b) $60 price points don’t last. If people thought buying new was a good deal, they’d do it. But it’s not, so they don’t.

If given the choice, I would buy new. I’d buy new everything if I could. But, I respond to the choices I’m given. Case and point, I bought a washer and dryer this summer. It was expensive and I had a good deal on a used set downtown. I told the guy so. They tossed in a 5-year care plan and cut $130 off the tab. Even though it was still slightly more expensive, they made it worth my while. When it comes to games, I’ll buy new when I want it early.

Call us thieves if you want, but, you know what? We’re right. It’s really that simple. In America, consumers tell businesses how much their product is worth. You don’t charge $50 for a car wash. You don’t charge $5 for a four-wheeler. Gamestop doing well only shows that players aren’t satisfied with pig-headed moneygrubbing ala Bobby Kotick.

Responding to customer feedback is one of the earliest lessons new business owners learn. What’s the game industry’s excuse?

Oh, right. Over paid CEOs. Clueless investors. Unwarranted Inflation. Inability to adapt. Resistance to Change. Blanket greed.

It’s a good thing the game’s economy is a vacuum. I shudder to think how many used products would be available if the rest of the world was such a unique snowflake.

Get real. This is not the gamer’s problem.

You know what I’d like to hear? Why do you buy used? We all know that doing so “hurts game developers,” so what is it that gets you to sleep at night? Lord knows, thoughts of a grinning Bobby Kotick floating through my head just put me right out.

This was too cool to pass up. One of my teammates over at Lagwar sent in a fan letter to the Fallen Earth team… on the back of a head. No, I’m being for real. He sent a full-RP letter, written on the back of a skull, and demanded swag. I’m not sure [...]]]>

Courtest of Lagwar.com

This was too cool to pass up. One of my teammates over at Lagwar sent in a fan letter to the Fallen Earth team… on the back of a head. No, I’m being for real. He sent a full-RP letter, written on the back of a skull, and demanded swag. I’m not sure if he really expected a response when he sent it, but it was definitely a unique gesture. Their response was just as cool.

A few days later, poor Xerb came home to a package from Icarus Studios. Opening it up, he found a return letter… written on the back of a severed hand. Apparently, they wanted to “lend a hand” with his scavenging. This kind of player-company interaction can only be found in the games industry. I have to wonder, this thing looks like a custom job, but could it have been lying around the office? An employee a fan of Fangoria maybe?

Thanks to Xerb and Icarus for the laugh!