Naoki Yoshida, the game director forFinal Fantasy XIV, who is also known as Yoshi-P, has a solution for the new dungeon arriving in the game’s Patch 7.3, and while the plan is flawed, it does seem like he is on the right path.The critically acclaimed MMORPG is currently going through a turbulent period, which essentially started with the release of theDawntrailexpansion. The DLC was not as well received as its predecessors, and its post-launch updates have had big issues – so much so thatYoshi-P admittedFFXIVis in decline.
The content drought in the MMO has reached a breaking point, with a large portion of the community questioning where the game will go from here.The title will still receive Patch 7.3, which has a lot of content planned for it, including the end of theDawntrailPost-MSQ missions and different activities to partake in. However, until then, it seems like players should followYoshi-P’s advice to quitFFXIVtemporarily.
FFXIV 7.3’s New Deep Dungeon Will Have Options For Casual & Hardcore Players
Pilgrim’s Traverse Will Have A Special Boss For Challenge-Seeking Players
One of the planned contents for Patch 7.3 is a new Deep Dungeon called Pilgrim’s Traverse, as had already been revealed by developer Square Enix.As a Deep Dungeon, Pilgrim’s Traverse will allow players to go through procedurally generated floors, capable of reaching floor 100. For reference, the activity should follow the same structure asPalace of the Dead inFFXIV. However, it seems like the developer will tackle this new dungeon differently, with solutions for both casual and hardcore players.
In a recent interview withRPG Site,Yoshi-P revealed that the team is trying to strike a balance between its two player groups. “We think this will appeal to a more casual playstyle, but we’re also anticipating that more hardcore players who might find it less challenging will feel it’s lacking. This is why we’re adding an additional extra hard boss you can fight after reaching floor 99,” revealed Yoshida. Overall, Deep Dungeons are quite casual by nature, but the prospect of a challengingboss inFinal Fantasy XIVsounds enticing.
FFXIV’s Next Dungeon May Become Repetitive For Hardcore Players, But Yoshi-P Has The Right Mindset
Making The Same Activity Enticing For Both Groups May Be A Great Solution
The big issue with Yoshi-P’s plan, at least theoretically speaking, is that the rest of the Deep Dungeon will still be lacking a better challenge for its hardcore players. As such,it may become quite repetitive to grind through the 99 levels in Pilgrim’s Traverse to only then receive a true challenge, limited to a single boss fight. Even though I believe that this will not solve the looming issues of how the game caters to its different audiences, Yoshi-P and his team may be taking a step in the right direction.
If a single activity, especially one with the replayability factor of a Deep Dungeon, or perhaps evenOccult Crescent inFFXIV, is capable of attracting both casual and hardcore players, the game’s overall environment may be better, and matchmaking could be facilitated. Casual players may feel motivated to try tougher activities, too, while hardcore players will have to chance to mentor casual players – this is, after all, the very core of theFinal Fantasy XIVexperience.
