Comparing Post-Patch Fix Timetables Between XIV and Rift

The developers have been saying they would pick up the pace of patching post 1.18, and the fanboys have been shoving it down the throat of the internet.  1.18 has released, and what do we have to show for it so far?  Let's compare it to Rift's activity since their most recent major patch, 1.4.


FFXIV, since last major patch, 1.18:
1.18 (July 21st)
Minor Version Update (July 27th)
1.18a (August 8th)

(Verifiable at Square Enix's FFXIV Patch List)


Rift, since last major patch, 1.4:
1.4 (August 3rd)
1.4 Hotfix #1 (August 3rd)
1.4 Hotfix #2 (August 5th)
1.4 Hotfix #3 (August 9th)
1.4 Hotfix #4 (August 10th)

(Verifiable at Trion's Rift Patch List)



Within roughly the time it took Square Enix to release their first minor "Version Update" (a two-line bug fix), Trion delivered not just a major patch but four hotfixes, two that each individually matched the almost three week later XIV follow-up (1.18a) in scope (Hotfix #3 and #4), making the other two just insult to injury.  The first XIV patch after the major 1.18 (claimed to be the start of an avalanche of updates through a much quicker update schedule) was almost a week later; Rift's first post-1.4 patch was later that same day.  It should be noted that XIV does have an (apparently static, unchanging) event coming up, but it should also be noted that during most of this time, Rift had a worldwide event with multiple phases with changing quests occurring during this same time period, the second such they've done (XIV has yet to do any progressive events).

Essentially, it took Square Enix literally three times as long to deliver what smaller, inexperienced, financially lacking Trion did.  It should also be noted the previous major FFXIV update, 1.17, released April 14th, more than three months prior.  In literally under half the time it took to go from 1.17 to 1.18, the previous Rift update, 1.3, occurred June 22nd, six weeks prior to 1.4.

I ask again: does this really look like a company with tons of financial backing and a decade of successful MMO experience dead-set on turning XIV around?

Guild Wars Patches Faster than FFXIV

The occasional argument against SE's slow updates compared to Trion's is that Rift is a pay to play game, and that FFXIV is currently free (after the initial purchase).  While this doesn't change the fact that Square Enix has a ton more experience and financial backing compared to Trion and is still getting shown up by the upstart, I thought I'd take a look at another entirely free to play MMO: Guild Wars.

Note that Guild Wars is, at this point, six years old, and still getting quicker updates and bug fixes than FFXIV.  Also note that it is, and has always been, a free to play game after the initial purchase - while XIV should be updating as if it's pay to play.

That's right, a six year old free to play MMO is getting more consistent updates than FFXIV.

This list compares September 23rd, XIV's first patch, to July 7th, today, give Square a slight edge by using their patch as a start date.  Updates denoted as major patches are marked with an asterisk for clarity.  Minor patches are roughly comparable in size and context/bug fixes.  Links are provided so you may verify the content sizes yourself.

FFXIV:
http://lodestone.finalfantasyxiv.com/pl/news/category?catId=4

Note that FFXIV switched to version numbers with .
September 23rd
September 27th
September 30th
October 8th
October 15th
October 22nd
October 28th
* November 25th * (in two packets)
November 30th
December 3rd
December 6th
* December 15th *
* December 21st *
January 12th
January 18th
* 1.15a (February 2nd) *
1.15b (February 17th)
* 1.16 (March 3rd) *
1.16a (March 28th)
* 1.17 (April 14th) *
1.17a (April 25th)
1.17b (May 23rd)
1.17c (June 15th)

Total Majors: 6
Total Minor: 17


Guild Wars:
http://www.guildwars.com/support/gameupdates/

October 5th
October 8th (in two packets)
October 15th (in two packets)
October 19th (one line fix)
* October 21st * (in two packets)
October 22nd (in two packets)
October 25th (in two packets)
October 28th
November 2nd
* November 12th *
November 18th
November 19th
* December 9th *
* December 16th *
January 6th
* February 17th *
March 3rd
March 10th
* March 22nd *
April 4th
April 21st
April 28th
April 29th
May 5th
May 18th
May 23rd
June 2nd (in two packets)
June 3rd
June 9th (in two packets)
June 10th
June 16th
June 30th
July 7th
July 8th
July 14th

Total Majors: 6
Total Minor: 29