POL News: Version Update Preview!

Even more news about the impending version update for FFXI peppered POL today, as the run up to the files been released becomes more imminent, SE feed the hungry fanbase with their tidbits of information regarding what to look forward to and expect.

With the announcement of the Evolith system most likely being the biggest thing in this particular update, it is not overly surprising that what we have as followups are going to seem a little less glittery.

As such, it is with no great surprise that the preview notes for today will only appeal to a minority of the fanbase rather than the majority. I would be REALLY interested to know what the % interest is on these mini events that SE throws at us, like the Chocobo circuit. You can check out all the update details on SE's site if you are really interested in it right here if you are desperate to know about the exciting and innovative additions, amendments and inclusions to chocobo racing.

If you are a keen angler then SE are offering bits of gear for fishing up a prized haul in the Mhaura quest "Inside The Belly", which is nice, I think. I guess it depends what gear they are talking about, although don't expect it to be anything amazing. More than likely just quirky.

The most interesting part of this update was the "And finally some common sense" additions to the end, no longer do you have to fear dying as soon as you zone into Xarcabard_S to do Campaign, which when you think of it was kind of a big oops in game design there! "Whoo hooo campaign.... err... can anyone come raise me please?! .. please????!!! I'll pay you.." and to tempt? people back to Eldieme one of the biggest putoffs for me at least, those darn gates will no longer lock you in once campaign ends, forever dooming you to wander the necropolis till you fall down an open grave and die from the 40 IT bombs sat down there just waiting for it to happen.

So! There you have it, a preview indeed.... on the other hand.. here are some dancing hamsters!

<a href="http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11us/detail/5043/5043.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11us/detail/5043/5043.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 415px; height: 100px;" /></a><br /><br />Even more news about the impending version update for FFXI peppered POL today, as the run up to the files been released becomes more imminent, SE feed the hungry fanbase with their tidbits of information regarding what to look forward to and expect.<br /><br />With the announcement of the Evolith system most likely being the biggest thing in this particular update, it is not overly surprising that what we have as followups are going to seem a little less glittery.<br /><br />As such, it is with no great surprise that the preview notes for today will only appeal to a minority of the fanbase rather than the majority. I would be REALLY interested to know what the % interest is on these mini events that SE throws at us, like the Chocobo circuit. You can check out all the update details on SE's site if you are really interested in it right <a href="http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11us/detail/5043/detail.html">here</a> if you are desperate to know about the exciting and innovative additions, amendments and inclusions to chocobo racing.<br /><br />If you are a keen angler then SE are offering bits of gear for fishing up a prized haul in the Mhaura quest "Inside The Belly", which is nice, I think. I guess it depends what gear they are talking about, although don't expect it to be anything amazing. More than likely just quirky.<br /><br />The most interesting part of this update was the "And finally some common sense" additions to the end, no longer do you have to fear dying as soon as you zone into Xarcabard_S to do Campaign, which when you think of it was kind of a big oops in game design there! "Whoo hooo campaign.... err... can anyone come raise me please?! .. please????!!! I'll pay you.." and to tempt? people back to Eldieme one of the biggest putoffs for me at least, those darn gates will no longer lock you in once campaign ends, forever dooming you to wander the necropolis till you fall down an open grave and die from the 40 IT bombs sat down there just waiting for it to happen.<br /><br />So! There you have it, a preview indeed.... on the other hand.. here are some dancing hamsters!<br /><br /><a href="http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll200/StickNinja375/Hamsters.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll200/StickNinja375/Hamsters.gif" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 144px; height: 48px;" /></a>

Morning in Vana'diel: The Chocobo Revolution Has Begun!

Morning in Vana'diel is your daily dose of FFXI and all things Vana'diel. Give us your thoughts on the interesting topics of the day! Apparently, it's all a ruse by the Chocobo Liberation Front.

Apparently, I raised someone's ire with my belief in the fundamental goodness and cuteness of all Chocobo. While I would like to believe that they are nothing more than our awesome companions that require no maintenance and are just there for our riding pleasure, there is an undercurrent of resentment and revolt building.

Our Eye in Einherjar provides this exclusive report:

Chocobos are not cute, they are the opposite of cute. They sit there looking so fucking innocent but you just watch...one of these days they will turn on us all! They can only take so much chauffeuring your lazy asses around, and then one day someone will be cruising along la-di-da and then bam! The chocobo will stop and you go flying into a huge fucking tree...the chocobo then bashes your face in with it's beak and eats your brains!

The chocobo revolution has begun. Next thing you know there are chocobos with swords and shit all up in Jeuno and Whitegate just killin bitches not looking back! Stomping little bitch ass tarus...hangin mithras up by their tails...ignoring the humes cause seriously who would role play a hume lul...chopping off those fucking pointy elvaan ears and running around pretending to be Spock...Gutting those fat ass galka bitches and wearing them as fur coats...when it's all said and done we'll be the ones waiting at the tele crystals and at the gates waiting to take the chocobos wherever they need to be.

Our reporter just left a cryptic signature "B to the G", likely because he is afraid that his expose will make him one of the first targets of the Chocobo Revolution™.

<a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/choco_rides_you.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/choco_rides_you.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 373px; height: 415px;" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">Morning in Vana'diel</span><span style="font-style:italic;"> is your daily dose of FFXI and all things Vana'diel. Give us your thoughts on the interesting topics of the day! Apparently, it's all a ruse by the Chocobo Liberation Front.</span><br /><br />Apparently, I raised <span style="font-style:italic;">someone's</span> ire with my belief in the fundamental goodness and cuteness of all Chocobo. While I would like to believe that they are nothing more than our awesome companions that require no maintenance and are just there for our riding pleasure, there is an undercurrent of resentment and revolt building. <br /><br />Our Eye in Einherjar provides this exclusive report: <br /><blockquote>Chocobos are not cute, they are the opposite of cute. They sit there looking so fucking innocent but you just watch...one of these days they will turn on us all! They can only take so much chauffeuring your lazy asses around, and then one day someone will be cruising along la-di-da and then bam! The chocobo will stop and you go flying into a huge fucking tree...the chocobo then bashes your face in with it's beak and eats your brains!<br /><br />The chocobo revolution has begun. Next thing you know there are chocobos with swords and shit all up in Jeuno and Whitegate just killin bitches not looking back! Stomping little bitch ass tarus...hangin mithras up by their tails...ignoring the humes cause seriously who would role play a hume lul...chopping off those fucking pointy elvaan ears and running around pretending to be Spock...Gutting those fat ass galka bitches and wearing them as fur coats...when it's all said and done we'll be the ones waiting at the tele crystals and at the gates waiting to take the chocobos wherever they need to be.</blockquote><br />Our reporter just left a cryptic signature "B to the G", likely because he is afraid that his expose will make him one of the first targets of the Chocobo Revolution™.

Morning in Vana'diel: According to our records...

Morning in Vana'diel is your daily dose of FFXI and all things Vana'diel. Give us your thoughts on the interesting topics of the day! Who keeps these records, where are they kept and why!?



I am notoriously well know in my group of friends for never taking a chocobo if I don't need to. Honestly I don't always see the point. If I am not in a rush to get anywhere I am quite happy to walk and I save myself some gil, if I am in a rush, invariably there are faster ways to travel to where I am going.

Of course a lot of my behaviour stems from when crag chocobos were a very expensive commodity. The reactive shrinking of the prices between individual usage took a much longer period of time and so it was not uncommon to be renting a chocobo for 1-2k in gil each hiring, which I just refused to do on principle of the fact that I liked my gil in my own pockets and not in the coffers of the Chocobo Union.

Of course, there are exemptions to this rule, I always get a chocobo if I am going to go raise someone, after all time is of the essence at that point. I will also always get a chocobo if I am heading to a party, after all it is just polite to make sure you get there as expediently as possible. You are not just bumbling around on your own at that point, you are affecting 5 other people.

I am aware that this selectivity causes a huge amount of frustration and amusement in equal measures in certain people around me *cough* Ringthree *cough* although I still think it is irrational, even with the affordability of chocobos now. Movement around Vana'diel has become far more comprehensive than ever before, with a bit of effort on your part, you can avail yourself to Outpost warps, leaps through to Whitegate via the Wildcat registration scheme, a plethora of rings and devices to transfer the player from point A to B, and if all else fails, a desperate /sh in a busy district of Jeuno or Whitegate to attract the attention of a good samaritan willing to teleport/recall/warp or trace you around the world, whether for free or a bit of remuneration.

Vana'diel has never been more accessible than it is now, finding the quickest route around is not always as obvious as you would think, but like those escapes to Bastok from Korroloka its fun finding out and doing a bit of exploration on the way.

<strong>Morning in Vana'diel</strong> <em>is your daily dose of FFXI and all things Vana'diel. Give us your thoughts on the interesting topics of the day! Who keeps these records, where are they kept and why!?<br /></em><br /><a href="http://www.ffcompendium.com/art/10-chocobo-a.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.ffcompendium.com/art/10-chocobo-a.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 550px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 460px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><br />I am notoriously well know in my group of friends for never taking a chocobo if I don't need to. Honestly I don't always see the point. If I am not in a rush to get anywhere I am quite happy to walk and I save myself some gil, if I am in a rush, invariably there are faster ways to travel to where I am going.<br /><br />Of course a lot of my behaviour stems from when crag chocobos were a very expensive commodity. The reactive shrinking of the prices between individual usage took a much longer period of time and so it was not uncommon to be renting a chocobo for 1-2k in gil each hiring, which I just refused to do on principle of the fact that I liked my gil in my own pockets and not in the coffers of the Chocobo Union.<br /><br />Of course, there are exemptions to this rule, I always get a chocobo if I am going to go raise someone, after all time is of the essence at that point. I will also always get a chocobo if I am heading to a party, after all it is just polite to make sure you get there as expediently as possible. You are not just bumbling around on your own at that point, you are affecting 5 other people.<br /><br />I am aware that this selectivity causes a huge amount of frustration and amusement in equal measures in certain people around me *cough* Ringthree *cough* although I still think it is irrational, even with the affordability of chocobos now. Movement around Vana'diel has become far more comprehensive than ever before, with a bit of effort on your part, you can avail yourself to Outpost warps, leaps through to Whitegate via the Wildcat registration scheme, a plethora of rings and devices to transfer the player from point A to B, and if all else fails, a desperate /sh in a busy district of Jeuno or Whitegate to attract the attention of a good samaritan willing to teleport/recall/warp or trace you around the world, whether for free or a bit of remuneration.<br /><br />Vana'diel has never been more accessible than it is now, finding the quickest route around is not always as obvious as you would think, but like those escapes to Bastok from Korroloka its fun finding out and doing a bit of exploration on the way.