Eruption and turmoil over the message boards is present, and annoying. The people that apply constructive criticism are doing a good job though (Thanks to those that are). But this games problems apply to various people who have their own say on their own experience and thoughts. I just want to give out my personal opinion and delve into ways that can fix a problem on the message boards that has been causing frequent debate for over a year. The Grind.
The aspect of it is that it is dispelling the 'family-friendliness" that this game once had. I can't say that to be true on any particular level, but it is fluctuating disappointment, and negative thought in the community: Neither of which I like to see in a game I and many others enjoy so much. But I wish to give out my own opinion once again (like I said earlier) and shine light on a problem. The grind is something that other MMO players have long been familiar with it. But Kingsisle, you guys are instituting it on large scales in a game not originally or intentionally geared towards this type of stuff. Introducing players headfirst into it once they reach the endgame is quite surprising, especially for those who are not fully familiar with with the concept or idea of spending 4 hours in a dungeon. People claim this game is losing its "casual-aspect" because it's no longer "casual-friendly". Some people claim the gear is a necessity for some parts of the game, which I find far from the truth and an unseemly overstatement, but it makes a point on how much players are becoming dependent on gear. Many would agree that's not a good thing. I understand many (if not most) of the players on the top level have some sense of the dungeon crawl known as the grind, as i'm sure many have at least tried out or heard of dungeons such as Tartarus and Darkmoor. But back on topic, people sometimes say things like what I said above, letting loose their frustration on the message boards (which is understandable) by blaming the "loss of magic", and don't often have a clue on what's wrong, far less the solution from it. I'm gonna offer up what I believe is an easy to initiate solution (2) for an easy to fix problem.
Lesson down on the Grinding: Making dungeon loot an almost necessity to most things is not something I and plenty of others consider very good. Potentially raising drop rates on the current (or future, if any) dungeons could please a lot of people. Making them shorter in any way possible and making some bosses only drop the good gear, not the tier 3 gear (looking at you Malistaire!)
Apply a more nonsensical Endgame: I believe this is the big one. As of now, I think the most substantial thing the endgame has to offer is the dungeons. There is PvP and other things, but that's not for everyone. Giving players something to do after the story that isn't grindy, is fun, and possibly rewarding I believe could solve SO many problems!It could appeal to everyone, from casual to hardcore.
