FFXIV to limit XP after 8 hours

And cut off XP altogether after 15.

Online RPG Final Fantasy XIV, which is about to enter Open Beta, has some unusual ideas. It wants to appeal to the casual, rather than the hardcore, and intends to restrict the amount of progression that can be made by players who log on for extended periods.

"First off, the main concept behind FFXIV is allowing those players with little time on their hands to play effectively, and game balance is based off of that," Says Director Nobuaki Komoto on the Japanese Beta Test site, as translated by FFXIV core.

"Furthermore, it is being designed to not give those with more time on their hands to play an unfair advantage."

How does it work? By cutting the amount of XP and skill points you earn the longer you play.

"Within the first eight hours of play, you can earn 100% experience. The seven hour period following will see your possible experience gradually approach zero.This system is on a weekly timer. After a week has passed since you began skilling that particular weapon, the timer will reset. It will start anew when you skill up again."

However, Komoto added, "We have plans to make the limit more palatable in answer to all the tester feedback we received concerning this,"

"Also, since experience points fatigue carries over despite changing weapons, we plan to make it not so harsh."

What do you think? is this going to help out casual players, or punish the hardcore? We've been trying out the Beta, and we'll be bringing you our impressions shortly.

Written by :

James Hall