Actually, compare to other games , i don't think easy game is more attractive. Since i'm a person who like challenging.So if i can get through the game too easy, i won't be able to enjoy my success

Well, I guess I'm among the minority here but I was really happy with all of the changes. I've played FFXI on and off for years since release, and while I always very much enjoyed the challenge aspect of it, having to "rely" on a group for everything was just ridiculous, especailly if you were playing a less desirable class. I remember sitting in Jeuno for hours on my DRK trying to find (and form) a party, and it was at that point that I started asking myself, "why do I "play" this game?" It's never any fun to just sit there and not be able to do anything.

So, with that said, I applaud these changes, and I've actually just recently bought the latest 2008 FFXI compilation and it's a blast so far playing again. I still get that sense of accomplishment that I got before when I complete a task or kill a mob, but at least now it's at a level that even someone with my limited playing time can enjoy. I think the difficulty is still high enough to put it in more of the "hardcore" category.

Just my 2 Gil.

I agree, its not necessarily easier to get items and fight end game monsters, what I am trying to say is that when you can get all HNM land king drops from instances now, every expensive item is rare/exd and available in BCNM now it took all the actual fun out of the game. Sure i understand the problems with RMT, i lived through it, but for an 'original' end-game player its not satisfying to see newbs have kraken clubs or abjuration gear. I mean I was in one the best HNMLS's on odin that has been raiding since the beginning of time, these days they only camp fafnir out of all HNMS because everything else is availble in einjhar. Fuck that, I used to have fun camping Lord of Onzozo hardcore and reaping the benefits, or camping behemoth and getting the claim, thats what FFXI is all about to me. Im not into the whole 'newschool' stuff, I dont even like sea, its just a hassel, I find myself more into HNM camping in the deep areas of the orginal game and zilart expansion. Id give my my right arm for ffxi to be like it was at its NA release.

Originally posted by Stradden

MMORPG.com Correspondent Hebie Grate writes this article discussing recent changes to Square Enix's Final Fantasy XI making it more accessible and less difficult.

Many reviews over the years have often described FFXI as “hardcore” or “time consuming.” Whether they are professional or amateur reviews, the consensus seems to be the same; Final Fantasy XI is demanding. Many players, even I on occasion, view this as a good thing. It is, after all, the FFXI tradition, and gives an individual a great sense of accomplishment upon achieving some sort of goal. Others would disagree, asserting that many in the gaming community are casual gamers, and often cite statistics that show players only sign on for a few hours a day. Regardless, things are changing in Vana’diel.

Read Is Simpler Always Better?

Well if they make the game simpler and easier too get everything done then i hope they decide too come out with new expansion packs sooner and faster as well too keep those 4-6 hour game players interested as well lol

You mean like the mini expansions? The hardcores will just blow through any expansion if fully released in a few weeks to a month and then say they're bored again.

Originally posted by SeriphinX

I like to separate the terms "difficulty" and "time sink". I don't like to think that because I'm playing a game that requires waiting for hours to get a group as being more "hardcore" or "difficult". It's just time that we are talking about. Now the specifics of grouping successfully? Now we are talking hardcore and challenging, which is a good thing.

I recently came back BECAUSE of the changes, mainly because most people don't group until 12+ in the Dunes and sometimes not even then if you are a first time one-jobber.

I don't want to solo or play another WOW, don't read me wrong, I just want to speed up the time it takes to get to where I CAN group. And if the new tutorial, and/or Valor gets me to 12+ a little faster than normal while trying to trudge through all the subjobs to get them caught up..hey..I'm all for it.
 

Same here.  I love the changes.  It's not dumbing down the game at all.  It's taking away the useless time sinks of running around lfg for hours only to find that by the time you get one, you're out of time.  With level sync, I love grabbing a group now, partying with friends, doing a bcnm or prommie run.   It's enjoying the game vs. doing laundry while waiting for stuff to happen.   It does not make gameplay easier.   It just alleviates the time synchs, and they've added so much to make the game diverse and enjoyable.   Campaign, assaults, Nyzul Isle, etc have been a welcome change of pace.

Some of the changes they made like making Cop easier, I disagreed with, but the expansions have been excellent. I also know quite a few people who were happy the COP missions were made easier.  I personally did like the challenge of getting through those before they were dumbed down, but I also had a great group of friends to do them with.  I can see where players who don't have a solid group of 5 friends to coordinate Cop were happy with the change.

I've played Wow, LOTR, Vanguard, etc, and they are the same old same old. There is nothing like FFXI. These changes have just made it better.

i think it depends on each individual,and differs from person to person. if he is a new player for mmorpg ,simpler maybe better.however, if he has played amounts of games,simpler game will lose population.

Campaign is also a nice bonus, getting XP while lfp is awsesome it was verry welcome when I was leveling Dragoon and I didn't have time to do 4h+ parties

Translation:   I couldn't be bothered to put in the time and effort to level legitimately, BUT I STILL WANT ALL THE BENEFITS OF THOSE WHO DO, so just Give Me free xp.

Hell, why not just BUY an account? Then you won't have to put in any effort at all.

This "casual friendly" trend in pandering to the Lazy is ruining gaming.

How about this: If You Can't Put In The Time and Effort Required For A Game, Don't Play The Damn Game !

Your idea of legitimate and what is required to play the game 'right' are not everyone's.

I got my first jobs to 75 long before the recent additions, in fact, they reduced the exp requirements just after I got my rdm to 75, but I didn't complain because others coming along would get to 75 with less exp than it took me.  It's a game, not a punishment.   

Just because someone has time to waste does not make them better than everyone else.   It's about enjoying the game in the time you do have.  I think SE has made some nice changes to allow people who have other things in life besides ffxi to relax and enjoy a great game.

Long before all these changes, people were getting PLs (my personal pet peeve because that does teach new players terrible habits for parties later on).    So even before these changes, 'l33t' players were trying to take short cuts to 75.  SE is just trying to find a better way to allow players to enjoy the game. 

Level sync helps with finding a group tremendously.   I still see PLs and probably always will, but at least people can't use the excuse that they couldn't find a legitimate party so they had to PL anymore.  They are choosing to do it.  Is it the way I want to play?  No, I will walk out on a PL, but I don't hold it against others who don't feel the same way.   Now when I get in a party with someone who has no clue how to play their job because they've only ever been PL'd,  THEN I may decide never to party with them again (depending on their willingness to  learn their job). 

It's not like you don't know who has a bought an account or a person who has no idea how to play their job because they've always been PL'd, and that was true long before these changes.

Campaign adds a new type of enjoyment.   It's not like you could  get to 75 if all you did was campaign.  The exp is scaled till 61, and you don't get skillups.  It's hardly a replacement for grouping.  It's a new and different way to enjoy the game.

Originally posted by Flummoxed

Campaign is also a nice bonus, getting XP while lfp is awsesome it was verry welcome when I was leveling Dragoon and I didn't have time to do 4h+ parties

Translation:   I couldn't be bothered to put in the time and effort to level legitimately, BUT I STILL WANT ALL THE BENEFITS OF THOSE WHO DO, so just Give Me free xp.

Hell, why not just BUY an account? Then you won't have to put in any effort at all.

This "casual friendly" trend in pandering to the Lazy is ruining gaming.

How about this: If You Can't Put In The Time and Effort Required For A Game, Don't Play The Damn Game !

Sorry, but it didn't say "because I never had time to party". It's still the most efficient way to exp, it just means they could get some exp at a slower rate instead of not partying. You still have to work for the exp or you don't get any. The only time it was free exp was the buff bot issue, which has been killed off. That and you don't get any skillups and it's exp is cut until 61 like it has already been said.

I'm all for not letting people get a free pass to 75, but there is nothing wrong with Campaign and Besieged for getting some extra exp while contributing to something. Just standing around and getting free exp is a bad thing.

perhaps an easy handled game doesn't suit me for i always favour challenge.

the answer should be based on various factors. Such as whether the character is beautifully designed or whether there are numbers of quests.