Every now and then I find myself fighting the urge to re-up my subscription to dive back in to Final Fantasy's MMO worldscape of Vana'diel. I can manage to stave it off for a while, but eventualities always keep me braving the absurd and the monthly charges once again assault my credit card.
The realization that the things I loved about the game are still present, but mutated... enjoyable but no longer the same takes a while to kick in. Naturally, I begin to question why. Why do I spend so much time in the game chasing the phantom memories that made my addiction so long lasting? Whenever I resubscribe, I'm charged a hefty $16.95 a month for my primary character and three mules. The cost is so steep compared to other available gaming options, but still the allure manages to seep through.
I wonder about this every now and then. What was it about this game that can bring me back time and time again? The world has changed, the party structures and roles have changed, even the jobs themselves have seen such radical change over time.
This last endeavor only lasted a month. I was enjoying myself, but no one I used to know was playing so it was like starting all over. You sit in Port Jeuno and listed for shouts and yells and get into the groups that seem fun. You take some jobs and level to cap and then max out merits, perhaps rinse and repeat a few times... So a bit of test farming to see what's making the easy gil. Maybe even poke around on FFXIAH.com to see what times you can buy for less than vendor prices to sell back to npc's at a tidy profit. After a while, though, these paltry activities leave you wanting a bit more. It always goes back to the good ol' days, doesn't it?
The remember when's of yesteryear are truly the ghost in the machine. Over time, games must change to stay viable. Leave the game and come back to see it changed and you suddenly have to reconcile those differences. Depending on where you are and where you were, those changes could have serious impacts on the way you play your game. This could mean spending countless hours researching builds, jobs, gear options, or whether you should switch altogether and level up a job you had in the closet. Great, now you're far behind the curve because you've got to group and gear for what you want. Is your job a desirable? If not, you best be starting the parties and alliances it'll take to get the jobs done. After that, it's still a whole lot of luck.
The new expansion is on the horizon. New jobs, new lands, a great many things unseen. I'm not sure if I'll be buying a copy to jump back in, but you better believe it'll be a terrible battle of wills.
GG, SE, GG
The realization that the things I loved about the game are still present, but mutated... enjoyable but no longer the same takes a while to kick in. Naturally, I begin to question why. Why do I spend so much time in the game chasing the phantom memories that made my addiction so long lasting? Whenever I resubscribe, I'm charged a hefty $16.95 a month for my primary character and three mules. The cost is so steep compared to other available gaming options, but still the allure manages to seep through.
I wonder about this every now and then. What was it about this game that can bring me back time and time again? The world has changed, the party structures and roles have changed, even the jobs themselves have seen such radical change over time.
This last endeavor only lasted a month. I was enjoying myself, but no one I used to know was playing so it was like starting all over. You sit in Port Jeuno and listed for shouts and yells and get into the groups that seem fun. You take some jobs and level to cap and then max out merits, perhaps rinse and repeat a few times... So a bit of test farming to see what's making the easy gil. Maybe even poke around on FFXIAH.com to see what times you can buy for less than vendor prices to sell back to npc's at a tidy profit. After a while, though, these paltry activities leave you wanting a bit more. It always goes back to the good ol' days, doesn't it?
The remember when's of yesteryear are truly the ghost in the machine. Over time, games must change to stay viable. Leave the game and come back to see it changed and you suddenly have to reconcile those differences. Depending on where you are and where you were, those changes could have serious impacts on the way you play your game. This could mean spending countless hours researching builds, jobs, gear options, or whether you should switch altogether and level up a job you had in the closet. Great, now you're far behind the curve because you've got to group and gear for what you want. Is your job a desirable? If not, you best be starting the parties and alliances it'll take to get the jobs done. After that, it's still a whole lot of luck.
The new expansion is on the horizon. New jobs, new lands, a great many things unseen. I'm not sure if I'll be buying a copy to jump back in, but you better believe it'll be a terrible battle of wills.
GG, SE, GG
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