So instead of playing FFXI, all this time I've been playing WoW. (yeah, I know) because I enjoy PvP. Well, I noticed I kept getting better and better gear over a span of several months, and my performance in pvp battlegrounds wasn't really improving. I thought it was suspicious and kind of stupid how food, armor set bonuses and legend traits were completely removed for PvP to make things "fair" and ultimately defeating the purpose of having them.
I just learned today, that at some point during the span I wasn't playing the game, they completely changed PvP in that everything is "auto-balanced" as soon as you join. You can basically join a pvp battleground after having JUST hit max level and do more or less as well as if you had all the best gear in the game.
It's like the very thing people have been complaining about the game since its beginning taken to the extreme. If it wasn't before, WoW is now for casuals, by casuals. You hit max level and get a participation trophy and no one is better than anyone else unless you happen to play a class that tuned more than others or you're lol"skilled." So basically just roll whatever class has the most HP and defensive ability and laugh at everyone who tries to kill you while you capture flags and other objectives
the same day you reach max level.
Of course, it's different for PvE. There is still gear progression there for some reason. Aren't they worried about players with better gear doing more damage than someone who is new? Gosh!
I want to play FFXI again, but I really feel it has jumped the shark. I played FFXI on and off for 13(?) years now. I just don't feel motivated to log in anymore. I am burned out. FFXIV looks tempting but last time I tried it felt an awful lot like playing WoW with pretty graphics and FFXI-style wallpaper.
Maybe it's time to get up and go outside and do "real life" stuff... whatever that is.