I've been keeping this game locked on my radar, being a veteran of FFXI. For those of you playing, how are things now? Are the servers lively? Optimistic?
I'm studying their PDF about 2.0, but I'm not sure what to think of it. New graphics engine.. graphics were a problem? And then there's this:
"The current maps in FFXIV are not only massive, but allow for seamless passage across wide expanses of the realm. In order to maintain this seamlessness, however, we were forced to heavily reuse assets, resulting in static, repetitive areas."
Obviously, I love the idea of making the maps dynamic akin to FFXI's, but his tone just... it pisses me off. You were forced to reuse assets? To maintain seamlessness? Bullshit. You reused them because you wanted to roll the game out too damn early. That they can continue to be so unapologetic about everything and continue to create excuses just blows my mind.
EDIT: I read further and saw that they are "abandoning seamlessness" in exchange for dynamic areas. I just don't understand why things can't be seamless and dynamic.. Skyrim did it ffs.
I really want to get into this game since I loved FFXI so much, but the whole thing seems so shaky.
EDIT 2: Holy dang, this isn't going to be ready until 2013? This has got to be the most elaborate overhaul in history. I guess I have plenty of time to decide O_O