Letter from the Producer, X (05/20/2011)
















Hello again, all fans of FINAL FANTASY XIV!

Today’s letter marks the tenth entry in the series, which is still going
strong thanks to your support. As always, I’ll endeavor to keep the
latest information flowing to you, so keep watching this space!

It’s been a while since I last updated our list of changes, so I figured
it was due for a good clean up. Like last time, I’ve grayed out the
items already implemented and noted what patch they were released in.
New entries to the list are appropriately marked as -NEW-.
The Battle System section was getting a bit large, so I made a separate
category for enemy and field changes. This time around, the list
contains additions planned for up until summer 2011. You see what
I did there with the bold font for emphasis? But anywho, without
further ado, feast your eyes on the list in its entirety! (Remember,
these are our plans until summer 2011!)

Category	Planned	Current Tasks	Future Tasks
Quests	-NEW- Opening tutorial adjustments	-NEW- Planning of simplified opening tutorials and assessment of implementation costs	-NEW- Implementation of simplified opening tutorials for the three city-states
	Quests revolving around the danger facing Eorzea	Planning and implementation of quests	Introduction of additional quests
	Storylines and world quests	Development and release of supplemental storylines and world quests	Introduction of additional quests
	-NEW- Grand Companies quests	-NEW- Development of the Grand Companies for the three city-states and design of accompanying quests	Introduction of additional quests
	-NEW- Seasonal events	-NEW- Implementation of new seasonal events for summer	-NEW- Ongoing development of seasonal events
	-NEW- Job quests	-NEW- Design of quests to accompany the job system	-NEW- Implementation of job quests
	Quest-related system changes	Addition of icons to make quest NPCs easily recognizable (complete as of 1.17)	Addition of several icons to distinguish between quest types
		Addition of quest NPC locations to maps (complete as of 1.17)	Division of map data for various quest types
		Addition of confirmation windows for accepting/refusing quests (complete as of 1.17)	Opt from among several rewards upon quest completion
		Ability to abandon accepted quests (complete as of 1.16a)	-
User Interface (UI)	Improvements to the log	Examination of new log config settings(moved from Future Tasks) Ability to set length of inactivity before log is hidden	-
		Revision of text colors by message type (complete as of 1.16)	Increased log tabs Increased color customization by type
	Improvement of dialog windows (ex. market area selection)	Changes to increase the amount of on-screen data to reduce the need for multiple pages (complete for market area selection screens as of 1.15a)	Reexamination of page-scrolling mechanics Conversion to specialized query windows
	Improvements to journal usability (complete as of 1.16a)	Changes to consolidate all current quests and levequests on one screen (complete as of 1.16a)	Ongoing changes Additional list entries (complete as of 1.16)
		Increased speed for text scrolling in general, and further speed increase for continuous scrolling Addition of page-scrolling control for gamepads (complete as of 1.16a)	-
		Addition of entries to journal list (complete as of 1.16a)	-
	Character jump feature	-	Examination of the implementation of jumping(moved from Current Tasks as lower priority) *Implementation dependent upon risk analysis
	Rank/Level up fanfare (complete as of 1.16)	Examination of dramatic effects when a new rank or level is attained (complete as of 1.16)	Further rank/level up fanfare enhancements (complete as of 1.16)
	Increased usability of maps (complete as of 1.17)	-	Subsequent increase in the number of points and icons pictured on maps (complete as of 1.17)
	Improved minimap usability (complete as of 1.17)	-	Quest NPC directional indicator (complete as of 1.17)
	Improvements to camera usability	Changes to allow camera distance settings via gamepad (complete as of 1.16)	-
		-NEW- Implementation of initial camera position retention	-
	Changes to notification windows	Changes to window placement (complete as of 1.16)	Changes to increase the specialization of windows
	Improvements to targeting mechanics	Changes to allow targeting by type (PC or NPC) when targeting with a gamepad (complete as of 1.16)	Examination of target indicator customization Addition of an "attacking enemies only" type to targeting system
		Ability to target by clicking on character name displays (complete as of 1.16)	Examination of additional information display on unit frames (complete as of 1.17)
		-NEW- Display targeting cursor above character	-
	Emote usability improvements	Display of text commands for each emote on the emote list (complete as of 1.16)	Alphabetization of emote list
	Auto-translate dictionary update (complete as of 1.16)	Update of auto-translate dictionary contents (complete as of 1.16)	-
	-NEW- Introduction of pop-up help	-NEW- Implementation of pop-up help messages	-
	-NEW- Configuration menu improvements	-NEW- Make settings done via text commands also available in the configuration menu	-
		-NEW- Reorganize configuration menu layout	-
	-NEW- UI revisions based on battle system reform	-NEW- Action bar and other GUI revision based on the introduction of auto-attack	-
		-NEW- Graphically display recast time on the action bar	-
		-NEW- Addition of shortcuts to improve battle controls	-
	-NEW- Management window for achievements	-NEW- Examination of a window for achievements unlocked	-NEW- Implementation of a window for managing achievements
	-NEW- Grand Companies	-NEW- Cost analysis for creating command center UI for the three Grand Companies	-NEW- Implementation of command center UI for the Grand Companies
	-NEW- Materia crafting system (name tentative)	-NEW- Conduct UI implementation cost analysis based on system details	-NEW- Implementation of Materia crafting window
Guildleves	Improvements to guildleve-related information	Additional information when exchanging guildleves	-
		Revision and balancing of local leve issuing conditions (complete as of 1.16)	Ongoing revision and balacing
	Balancing of guildleve rewards	Changes to less popular guildleves in line with reward balances	Further release of new guildleves following balancing
[NEW] Behest	-NEW- Reward and balance adjustments for behest	-NEW- Changes to less popular behests in line with reward balances	-
Items, Synthesis, and Gathering	Adjustments to item condition values	Adjustments to lower the rate at which item condition deteriorates (complete as of 1.16)	Ongoing balances in line with player feedback
	Higher visibility of the optimal rank of items	Changes to the color of item names to convey the disparity between optimal rank and a player's current rank  Currently assessing costs of implementation	Color categorization of item names
	Reassessment of the gear affinities	Introduction of gear with rank requirements to create player-oriented goals	Further changes to gear affinities
	Reexamination of class-based requirements for gear	Addition of class-specific gear to enhance class uniqueness and goal-oriented play	Reexamination of recommended class system for gear
	Revision of battle loot and quest rewards (spec revised, implementation ongoing)	Ability to obtain weapons and armor via battle loot and quest rewards (spec revised, implementation ongoing)	Implementation in line with quests (spec revised, implementation ongoing)
	-NEW- Equipment attribute revisions	-NEW- Adjustments to the attributes of existing equipment	-NEW- Resetting the attributes of existing equipment
	-NEW- Synthesis recipe revisions	-NEW- Optimize ingredient and task requirements of recipes to be appropriate to rank -NEW- Develop optimized synthesis recipes for new equipment	-NEW- Addition of optimized synthesis recipes for new equipment
		Expansion of synthesis recipe history (currently stores eight recipes) (complete as of 1.16a)	Ongoing improvements to recipe history feature
		Adjustments to the item synthesis process (complete as of 1.16)	-
	Increased pace of gathering actions (complete as of 1.16)	Changes to the frame rates of action animations to speed up gathering (complete as of 1.16)	-
	-NEW- Materia crafting system (name tentative)	-NEW- Finalization of system details and implementation cost analysis	-NEW- Implementation of Materia crafting system
		-NEW- Adjustment of equipment attributes for Materia upgrade	-NEW- Implementation of equipment attributes for Materia upgrade
		-NEW- Development of Materia attributes	-NEW- Adjustment and implementation of Materia obtainment rate
		-NEW- Devising a catalyst required in Materia crafting	-NEW- Adjustment and implementation of obtainment rate for Materia catalyst
		-NEW- Establishment of Materia crafting success rate and conditions	-NEW- Adjustment and implementation of Materia crafting success rate
	-NEW- Repair system improvements	-NEW- Implementation of improvements to the repair system	-
Market Areas	Improvement of market area connectivity and stability	-NEW- Stage two of radical improvement measures	Ongoing improvements to market area stability
	Retainer system improvements	Ability to summon retainers currently operating a bazaar (complete as of 1.16)	Ability to save retainer location (complete as of 1.17)
	Improved usability of the item search feature	-	Examination of ability to search by specific item names
	Examination of an auction house system	Final examination of retainer and auction house systems	Initial planning following final decision
Battle System	Ability to toggle display of head gear	-	Addition of a menu option
	Party system changes (complete as of 1.17)	Examination of maximum single party size (complete as of 1.17)  Changes aimed at improving battle balance	Reduction of "full" party size from 15 to 8 members (complete as of 1.17) Release of "small" parties made up of 4 members (complete as of 1.17)
		Redesign of UI elements in line with new party system (complete as of 1.17)	Examination of a buffing system and party display for small and full parties (complete as of 1.17)
	Revisions to party-based skill point acquisition in parties Battle adjustments for new party system (complete as of 1.17)	Adjustments to degrees of difficulty and bonuses for behests for full parties (8 members) (complete as of 1.17)	Adjustments to period of time between behest resets (complete as of 1.17)
	Auto-attack system	-NEW- Implementation of core mechanics for auto-attack	-NEW- Adjustment of class-specific motions to accompany auto-attack
	Character collision detection (complete as of 1.16)	Removal of character collision (complete as of 1.16)	-
	Changes to enmity calculations	-NEW- Revisions to enmity algorithms	Ongoing revisions to enmity algorithms
		Adjustments to positioning algorithms of enemies in relation to PCs	Ongoing adjustments of algorithms as necessary
		Adjustments to ranged attack algorithms of enemies	Ongoing adjustments of algorithms as necessary
	Revision of crowd control actions	Revision of crowd control actions for each class to improve party-based play	Implementation of changes after finalization
	-NEW- Crowd control system revisions	-NEW- Implementation of rules for when stacking crowd control actions	-NEW- Ongoing adjustments
	Changes to enemy group dynamics	Introduction of enemy group variability, as well as enemy group highlighting to enhance combat visibility	-
	Changes to claiming/engaging enemies	Examination and implementation of changes to claiming and engaging enemies	Ongoing balancing of skill point acquisition following initial changes
	-NEW- Reexamination of Return cost	-NEW- Examination of reducing Return cost to 0 anima	-NEW- Abolition of anima cost for Return
	-NEW- Reexamination of surplus values	-NEW- Final examination for the abolition of surplus values	-NEW- Abolition following balance adjustments
Armoury System [NEW] Job System	Changes to actions for Disciplines of War & Magic classes	Further changes to enhance class uniqueness -NEW- Adjustment of certain action effects in line with the introduction of dungeons	Initial implementation of partial changes
		-NEW- Adjustment of range of effect for actions (single target or area)	-
		-NEW- Adjustment of recast time and MP consumption for actions	-
		-NEW- Development of unique motions and effects for certain weapon skills	-
	Reexamination of stats	Addition of an auto-MP regeneration feature (complete as of 1.16)	Ongoing reeaxmination of attributes and stats
	-NEW- Abolition of physical levels	-NEW- Abolish physical levels and experience points and shift character development to class rank	-NEW- Implement simultaneously with physical bonus revisions (below)
	-NEW- Physical bonus revisions	-NEW- Shift to automated character development based on class rank, with optional attribute point allotment	-NEW- Implement simultaneously with abolition of physical levels (above)
	-NEW- Reexamination of requirements for setting actions	-NEW- Implement the default setting of class-specific actions when playing as that class, and define conditions for setting the actions of other classes.	-
	-NEW- Job system mechanics	-NEW- Development of core mechanics for the job system	-NEW- Cost assessment for job system implementation
	-NEW- Establishment of job specifics	-NEW- Establish the details of the initial set of jobs and their skills	-NEW- Determine the attributes of each job
	-NEW- Creation of job assets	-NEW- Development of graphical assets for each job such as equipment	-NEW- Stage by stage implementation of job-specific weapons and armor
Company System	Introduction of the Grand Companies	-NEW- Implementation of command centers in the three city-states	-NEW- Appearance of the three commanders
		-NEW- Implementation of a contribution system and rewards	-NEW- Ongoing addition of rewards and expansion of content
[NEW] Monster and Field	-NEW- Addition of frontier hubs	-NEW- Addition of hubs to remote areas	-NEW- Ongoing consideration for the addition of further hubs
	Balancing of enemy attributes	Changes to enemy attributes and drops	Ongoing balancing as necessary
	-NEW- Strengthening of beast tribes	-NEW- Distribution of roaming and quest-specific beastmen -NEW- Diversification of monster types in existing species	Further implementation in line with new quests
		-NEW- Addition of beast tribe settlements	-NEW- Ongoing addition of beast tribe settlements
		-NEW- Development of beastman strongholds and assets	-NEW- Implementation of beastman strongholds
	Environment collision detection	Risk analysis of collision detection adjustments to improve movement response (complete as of 1.17) -NEW- Initial adjustments stable, moving towards ongoing adjustments	Ongoing adjustments to environment collision detection
	Enemy distribution adjustments	Examination of free-ranging enemy distribution  Changes aimed at clearly defined territories and secure travel routes	Gradual adjustments to roaming enemy distribution
	Revision of enemy sizes	Optimization of enemy size for ease of play (complete as of 1.16)	Ongoing adjustments to enemy size
	Design and release of notorious monsters	Release of notorious monsters (complete as of 1.17) -NEW- Ongoing addition of notorious monsters	Further implementation in line with new quests
		Conversion of roaming monsters to notorious monsters	Implementation after finalization
The Lodestone	Official forums	Test launch of official forums in JP, EN, FR, and DE beginning in early March (commenced 3/8/2011)	Improvements to forums based on test period results Determination of final launch date -NEW- Linking profile with in-game character -NEW- Change to content-themed design
	Additional blog features (complete as of 3/8/2011)	Addition of a "Like!" button to mark preferred posts (complete as of 2/23/2011)	-
		Ability to add decorative text, HTML links to blog entries (complete as of 3/8/2011)	-
	My Site automated notifications (complete as of 2/23/2011)	Notifications of new blog entries, new followers, etc., posted at the top of My Site pages (complete as of 2/23/2011)	-
	-NEW- New blog features	-NEW- Implementation of monthly archives	-
		-NEW- Implementation of blog access counter (visible only to the user)	-
		-NEW- Addition of draft feature	-
	-NEW- Preview feature	-NEW- Implementation of preview feature for blogs, linkshell forums, and profiles	-
	-NEW- Visual history for characters	-NEW- Implementation of browsing feature for gear obtained through events	-
New Content	Instanced PvE Content (Dungeons/Raids)	-NEW- Implementation of a rank 50 dungeon for full parties	-NEW- Periodic addition of dungeons
		-NEW- Implementation of a rank 30 dungeon for light parties	-NEW- Periodic addition of dungeons
	-NEW- Ifrit battle	-NEW- Development of Ifrit battle quest	-NEW- Implementation of Ifrit battle quest
		-NEW- Development of cutscenes for Ifrit battle	-
		-NEW- Finalization of details for Ifrit battle	-NEW- Balance adjustments for Ifrit battle
	-NEW- Achievements	-NEW- Establishment of details for achievement system	-NEW- Implementation of acheivements and rewards
	-NEW- Mount system (name tentative)	-NEW- Examination of mount system (including chocobos)	-NEW- Establishment of details for mount system

Now here’s the accompanying commentary. On the hot topic of battle, as
our lead battle planner Akihiko Matsui posted on the forums the other
day, major changes are in store heading into summer, such as the
introduction of auto-attack. Now, to make Matsui stop his incessant
poking (he’s still at it!), let me put it this way—the theme of the
overhaul to the battle system is reward effort, reduce monotony. Let’s see if that holds off the pokes.

Think of the satisfaction you get when taking out an enemy solo by a
stroke of brilliance. Or the supreme exhilaration you feel when pwning
entire hoards of foes by playing out your party role to perfection. Now,
in contrast, imagine a person who, with only half his heart in the
battle, struggles to dispatch the enemy. This kind of range in
experience is what we’re aiming for with the reformed battle system—a
system that rewards effort and innovation. Revisions to the Armoury
System and battle algorithms will be spearheading the changes, along
with the introduction of the job system. We’re pressing forward with
changes catering to both solo and party play, so you can rest assured
whatever your playing style.

1.18 will see levequest balancing go into full swing, starting with
revisions centered on rewards. As for crafting and gathering, we’re
tweaking existing recipes and adding brand-new ones for crafter gear
ahead of the summer. I’m pleased to say we’ve concluded our feasibility
study for the Materia crafting system (though the name is still
tentative), and will soon hammer out the details for the UI and start
working on the data.

Now, there’s one new item on the list that fans of the FINAL FANTASY
series wouldn’t have missed: the long-awaited battle with the primal
Ifrit is on the way! But that’s hardly where it ends. We’ll be summoning
forth more and more primals in the future, so keep an eye out for
further announcements.

A number of plans made at the beginning of the year will soon be ripe
for release. Among these are the shiny new job system (a proper system,
mind you, not just renamed classes), an in-game achievement system
related to Lodestone character histories, and new modes of transport to
address the mobility issue. Once our current plans progress to the next
stage, I believe it’ll be possible to unveil a longer-term update
schedule. (We’ve been giving chocobos a lot of thought, but it’s hard to
establish a timeframe before we define exactly what needs to be done.)

And that about does it for this letter. For next time, I’m planning to
write all about our progress on auto-attack, and hope to be able to
present the feature to you in fully animated glory rather than with dull
screenshots. (Note to self: have Lodestone crew implement video
embedding on the website.)

i wonder if they really listen to our feedback ^^