Promises Unfulfilled.

WARNING: This post may bore you, or you may be completely uninterested in the topic. I suggest that you read it to better understand the way games are made and developed, and why developers can never please all players. If you still don't want to read it then piss off, hoser.

There are three kinds of FFXI players, ones that don't follow anything about FFXI and just play the game, ones that follow all information about FFXI but nothing about other MMO's, and ones that follow all information about FFXI and also keep abreast of other MMO's. The first group are pretty insular, so they probably don't even read this blog. The second group might read this blog, and I think this post might still be interesting to them. The third group will love this post. This post is about a recent series of announcements made by Blizzard about WoW. Just let me explain.

Over the past weekend Blizzard made some major announcements regard it's newest expansion (which I might have mentioned before has some striking similarities with Wings of the Goddess), and for the most part these announcements weren't very good. Now, I don't play WoW very much, but I play it enough to be abreast of changes to the game. To a WoW player many of the announcements for this new expansion were orgasmic. To a non-WoW player, the reactions seemed really familiar. There were to be limited expansion areas, but mostly redone but still recycled older areas. The level cap was to be raised again, but no new talents were to be added. There was to be an "alternative advancement" system akin to merits. There was going to be a new crafting system which wasn't a new crafting type just a sub-crafting system (synergy anyone?). There was also to be "Guild leveling" where in your guild gets points for doing guild type events that can then be spent to get bonuses for the entire guild.

As I said, most WoW players were in love with this new expansion, but someone looking from the outside might wonder what they were so excited about compared to what they have gotten in the past. I could go over everything that was to be added but it doesn't really matter. What matters is that over the weekend, they announced that they were scrapping or substantially cutting down a whole lot of what they were planning on doing. They are keeping all of the game world changes, but a majority of the character customization is being cut out or replaced with a much less expansive system. Many of the frills that were supposed to come with the expansion are now gone. This needs to be considered with the fact that outside of the pretty radical reorganization of the game world.

Why does this matter to FFXI? Well, it has a lot to do with the comparison for how Blizzard deals with their players versus how SE deal with FFXI players. SE has definitely made promises to players about content in the past and failed to deliver. The Colosseum is famous as being one of those things that SE wanted to give to players but eventually gave up. The latest round of Summons that took over two years to deliver is a case where they might have promised something far before they were ready to deliver it. The saving grace for SE is that these were marginal goals. The Colosseum was supposed to be a kind of PvP system, which is not all that interesting to most FFXI players. Summons are something that SMNs care about patiently but it doesn't effect over all game content. Blizzard made promises to add several large game systems and has now had to back down on those promises.

Blizzard is famously known for their commitment to quality, often quoted as saying that they will not released content until it is ready to be released. Usually that has meant that it would take longer than expected to get content out the door, but it appears in this case that it means that they are ditching new content. I don't think this speaks well to the planning that is going on at Blizzard. When SE announced the level cap increase for FFXI they also mentioned that a new merit system was going to be coming with it at the end. While this may take some time, I do not believe that it is even an option for SE to cancel this content at anytime. Blizzard currently has very little and limited alternative advancement. Yes, they do have a system that is baked into the game, but that system is very cookie-cutter. There is a "best" allocation, and it has limited flexibility. In SE, for one job the same could be said, but as players can level multiple jobs there can be much more variation in how players choose to allocate merits.

From someone looking from the outside in, I would not appreciate SE dumping their new merit system. I would not like it if SE bagged other major promises. A lot of WoW players don't even know that other MMO's exist, so I have to wonder what they think about these things. Is there a problem with setting your target too high then not delivering? Blizzard used their standard response when talking about dropping their new "merit" system. They didn't want to rush out something that wasn't "fun", they didn't want to have to fix something later just to have it out now, and no they were not cutting it so they had to rush out their new expansion. But I have to ask if the lady doth protest too much... It sounded like everything that was announced this weekend was a scrap or a toning down of previous plans. At least SE didn't lie to us about moving their FFXI people over to FFXIV, but Blizzard assures us that they are not moving people over to their new MMO. How could that even be possible? They have to be moving some people over out of realistic necessity. Even Blizzard doesn't have infinite resources.

With all of Blizzard's chopping and scrapping it seems that they are begging off an awful lot. I have to wonder if this is the first big blunder that Blizzard has made? SE has made a lot of blunders, but right now there isn't as much space for Blizzard to make mistakes. Around the launch of Cataclysm (the new WoW expansion) there will be several other MMO's cropping up. With all these new changes to remove the things that were supposed to be added, I have to wonder what the WoW players think they are getting besides some new versions of things they already have?

Maybe it is just the right time to be playing FFXI. We are getting a real level cap increase, we are getting a whole new end-game, new relic-style weapons, Magians, new HNM, end-game content, and a refocused development team. WoW seems like it is going in the opposite direction.

<a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/ffxi_20100523_130627-1.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/ffxi_20100523_130627-1.png" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 293px;" /></a>WARNING: This post may bore you, or you may be completely uninterested in the topic. I suggest that you read it to better understand the way games are made and developed, and why developers can never please all players. If you still don't want to read it then piss off, hoser.<br /><br />There are three kinds of FFXI players, ones that don't follow anything about FFXI and just play the game, ones that follow all information about FFXI but nothing about other MMO's, and ones that follow all information about FFXI and also keep abreast of other MMO's. The first group are pretty insular, so they probably don't even read this blog. The second group might read this blog, and I think this post might still be interesting to them. The third group will love this post. This post is about a recent series of announcements made by Blizzard about WoW. Just let me explain.<br /><br />Over the past weekend Blizzard made some major announcements regard it's newest expansion (which I might have mentioned before has some striking similarities with Wings of the Goddess), and for the most part these announcements weren't very good. Now, I don't play WoW very much, but I play it enough to be abreast of changes to the game. To a WoW player many of the announcements for this new expansion were orgasmic. To a non-WoW player, the reactions seemed really familiar. There were to be limited expansion areas, but mostly redone but still recycled older areas. The level cap was to be raised again, but no new talents were to be added. There was to be an "alternative advancement" system akin to merits. There was going to be a new crafting system which wasn't a new crafting type just a sub-crafting system (synergy anyone?). There was also to be "Guild leveling" where in your guild gets points for doing guild type events that can then be spent to get bonuses for the entire guild.<br /><br />As I said, most WoW players were in love with this new expansion, but someone looking from the outside might wonder what they were so excited about compared to what they have gotten in the past. I could go over everything that was to be added but it doesn't really matter. What matters is that over the weekend, they announced that they were scrapping or substantially cutting down a whole lot of what they were planning on doing. They are keeping all of the game world changes, but a majority of the character customization is being cut out or replaced with a much less expansive system. Many of the frills that were supposed to come with the expansion are now gone. This needs to be considered with the fact that outside of the pretty radical reorganization of the game world.<br /><br />Why does this matter to FFXI? Well, it has a lot to do with the comparison for how Blizzard deals with their players versus how SE deal with FFXI players. SE has definitely made promises to players about content in the past and failed to deliver. The Colosseum is famous as being one of those things that SE wanted to give to players but eventually gave up. The latest round of Summons that took over two years to deliver is a case where they might have promised something far before they were ready to deliver it. The saving grace for SE is that these were marginal goals. The Colosseum was supposed to be a kind of PvP system, which is not all that interesting to most FFXI players. Summons are something that SMNs care about patiently but it doesn't effect over all game content. Blizzard made promises to add several large game systems and has now had to back down on those promises.<br /><br />Blizzard is famously known for their commitment to quality, often quoted as saying that they will not released content until it is ready to be released. Usually that has meant that it would take longer than expected to get content out the door, but it appears in this case that it means that they are ditching new content. I don't think this speaks well to the planning that is going on at Blizzard. When SE announced the level cap increase for FFXI they also mentioned that a new merit system was going to be coming with it at the end. While this may take some time, I do not believe that it is even an option for SE to cancel this content at anytime. Blizzard currently has very little and limited alternative advancement. Yes, they do have a system that is baked into the game, but that system is very cookie-cutter. There is a "best" allocation, and it has limited flexibility. In SE, for one job the same could be said, but as players can level multiple jobs there can be much more variation in how players choose to allocate merits.<br /><br />From someone looking from the outside in, I would not appreciate SE dumping their new merit system. I would not like it if SE bagged other major promises. A lot of WoW players don't even know that other MMO's exist, so I have to wonder what they think about these things. Is there a problem with setting your target too high then not delivering? Blizzard used their standard response when talking about dropping their new "merit" system. They didn't want to rush out something that wasn't "fun", they didn't want to have to fix something later just to have it out now, and no they were not cutting it so they had to rush out their new expansion. But I have to ask if the lady doth protest too much... It sounded like everything that was announced this weekend was a scrap or a toning down of previous plans. At least SE didn't lie to us about moving their FFXI people over to FFXIV, but Blizzard assures us that they are not moving people over to their new MMO. How could that even be possible? They have to be moving some people over out of realistic necessity. Even Blizzard doesn't have infinite resources. <br /><br />With all of Blizzard's chopping and scrapping it seems that they are begging off an awful lot. I have to wonder if this is the first big blunder that Blizzard has made? SE has made a lot of blunders, but right now there isn't as much space for Blizzard to make mistakes. Around the launch of Cataclysm (the new WoW expansion) there will be several other MMO's cropping up. With all these new changes to remove the things that were supposed to be added, I have to wonder what the WoW players think they are getting besides some new versions of things they already have?<br /><br />Maybe it is just the right time to be playing FFXI. We are getting a real level cap increase, we are getting a whole new end-game, new relic-style weapons, Magians, new HNM, end-game content, and a refocused development team. WoW seems like it is going in the opposite direction.

FFXIV: New Famitsu article translated by Elmer.

Elmer is pretty much my hero. Japanese translator extraordinaire, Elmer provides the low down on all the sweet information that SE gives to the Japanese gaming media but doesn't provide to the American gaming media or at least the American gaming media doesn't have a Japanese correspondent. Now that I think about it, wouldn't it be a good idea for someone like Elmer to work for an American gaming magazine as a Japanese correspondent? I mean half or more of the world's video game are made and consumed in Japan. Elmer I have found your new calling in life!

You can check out Elmer's new translation on Zam's FFXIV page or check it out after the break.

Oh and all of the pictures and information blatant stolen from Elmer, Zam and Famitsu. :)


Character Creation

Famitsu boasts that the character creation system is so deep, you'll be nitpicking your avatar setting all day long trying to get it just right. Even the alpha, while not complete, has a considerable amount of variations available such as face type, skin color, hair style and body size. There are even smaller details, like putting highlights or streaks in your hair, that are customizable. There will be brand new aspects of your character to select as well -- there will even be a number of different voice types.

The character creation process begins with selecting one's race and customizing the avatar. Once your character is complete, you begin the game and set up your Class, birthday and Guardian Diety. What effects one's Guardian Diety will have in game are unknown at this time. Once all those steps are complete, you choose your name, which as we know consists of both a first and last name.

Seamless Fields and Instanced Areas

Leaving a town brings you into the Field Area where you have your adventures. FFXIV will have a seamless transition between areas that requires no loading time. From their experience with the game, Famitsu says this really gives Eorzea the feeling of a wide, expansive world. In addition, the background music transitions naturally between the areas you traverse.

A new addition, familiar to many MMO players, is the Instanced Area. This is where a private copy of an area is created, into which only you and your party can enter. These will be used in FFXIV for special events, an example being when cut scenes take place in order to eliminate outside effects and noise, allowing the player to enjoy their cut scene in peace.

The Menu System

Status & Equip: Opens up the Status & Equip screen (pictured below)

Action: Unknown... may contain commands like Trade, Craft etc?

Physical Bonus: Unknown... a place to allocate points to stats?

Item: Displays your inventory

Journal: Opens up your Guildleve menus

Party: Opens up party-related lists/functions

Map: Displays the full area map

Teleport: Instantly move to any Aetheryte you have visited at least once

Warp: Instantly return to the last Aetheryte you visited

Logout: Leave Eorzea and return to the harsh banality of Earth



Guildleve and the Battle System

Guildleves are like "quests" that you can undertake by visiting an adventurer's guild in a city. The contents of a Guildleve can vary player to player, and you can attempt them alone or with a group. To begin your selected Guildleve, first you must seek out Aetheryte in a Field Area. Players can move instantly to Aetheryte they have visited once before by selecting the "Teleport" command.

The difficulty of a Guildleve changes based on your selected party size. However, the party sizes are not selected directly, but rather through 5 different categories.

Now, as a big kanji nut, something that I found interesting that I'm going to bore you with here is: Judging from what is revealed in Famitsu, the party sizes are described through 四字熟語 (yo-ji-juku-go) or four-character idioms. These are terms constructed of four kanji that together hold a profound meaning. Many of these terms cannot be translated directly, or take entire sentences just to explain -- they are tough for even native Japanese to remember! Often times, you will see them translated as clever puns or a play on words that keeps it snappy while attempting to capture the original meaning.

Here are the party sizes and difficulty levels from ☆(easy) to ☆☆☆☆☆(hard) Party sizes are approximated based on what we know, i.e. recommended parties are 6-8 members, and the max is 15 members.

☆ - 孤軍奮闘 (ko-gun-fun-tou) - A Lone Fighting Force , (solo)

☆☆ - 少数精鋭 (shou-suu-sei-ei) - An Elite Few , (below 6 members)

☆☆☆ - 推奨人数 (sui-shou-nin-zuu) - Recommened Party Size, (6-8 party)

☆☆☆☆ - 千軍万馬 (sen-gun-ban-ba) - A Great Army *lit. 1,000 Units & 10,000 Horses* , (9+ members)

☆☆☆☆☆ - 人海戦術 (jin-kai-sen-jutsu) - A Vertiable Ocean of People *similar in meaning to swarm/zerg* , (~ 15 members)



Many Guildleves involved combat, and the Famitsu team was kind enough to explain the flow of combat below:

1) Target your enemy - Find the enemy you wish to attack and select it. Once selected, the L3 button will initiate Target Lock, keeping you facing the enemy's direction.

2) Ready your weapon - Move your cursor over your weapon of choice and press Circle. Once selected, R1 will take out your weapon and ready your stance. Now you are in "Active Mode" and able to engage the enemy.

3) Select your commands - A list of your commands is displayed at the bottom of the screen. Underneath each icon is a gauge showing how much time remains until they are ready for use.

4) Store up your Action Gauge - Once your Action Gauge is full, you can activate commands. To boost their effect, store up the Effect Gauge.

5) Using the Effect Gauge - You can activate commands immediately, or you can enhance their effects by storing up your Effect Gauge. This gauge is constantly building, so timing is important. Below you can see there are three levels to the Effect Gauge.

Convenience and Travel Time

Aetheryte provides the foundation for adventure for all players. It exists out in Field Areas as well as inside cities. Aetheryte serves as a the launching point for a Guildleve and the destination for Teleport. All players are able to use Teleport right from the start. In addition, once a quest is complete, an Aethereal Node will appear, allowing players to easily warp back to the original Aetheryte they came from. Everything is designed to allow players to move around and enjoy the game with ease.

Freedom of Growth

In FFXIV, what most MMO players know as "levels" will be the character's "Physical Level." Points you accumulate in battle can be freely spent on HP/MP, physical strength, intelligence or a variety of other parameters. In other words, you can focus on one aspect of your character, or aim for balance between all stats. The ultimate decision regarding the direction of the character is completely up to the player.





Alpha Test Hands-On Report

The team from Famitsu were able to create characters and try out the Alpha Version of FFXIV. They put their experiences into two write-ups -- one for Disciples of War and one for Disciples of Magic. Here are the key points of what they had to say.

Kikuo Saji: Roegadyn, Disciple of War, Pugilist

- The Character Creation system is so deep, you'll spend all day tweaking your avatar

- Don't fret too much over Class, you can change at anytime by changing your weapon

- The size difference between Roegadyn and Lalafell is quite massive

- You'll love the variety of new emotes -- Lalefell are especially adorable

- Aetheryte warps you right to where you need to go for Guildleves

- Guildleve difficulty is split into 5 levels, 1 star (easy) 5 stars (hard)

- The locations of target monsters for Guildleve are clearly displayed on your map

- There is a "weakened state" after dying -- HP/MP are lowered and it lasts for 5 minutes

- The game feels incredibly expansive, and it feels like you could walk on forever

- Crabs are back! Apparently Kikuo Saji found a giant one outside town that killed him in one strike!

Opone Kikuchi: Lalafell, Disciple of Magic, Thaumaturge

- There is so much more to do in the alpha compared with the Gamescom version 7 months ago

- Again, feels character creation is like a day's work in and of itself

- Once your MP is spent, you cannot recover it through resting

- Disciples of Magic have a basic magical ranged attack that does not consume MP

- It is possible to move while casting magic, but still important to be aware of the area of effect your spell will cover when cast

- Sheathing your weapon puts you into Passive Mode, which begins to recover HP, making it possible for even magic users to solo effectively

<a href="http://www.zam.com/Im/Image/162532.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.zam.com/Im/Image/162532.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 442px; height: 92px;" /></a>Elmer is pretty much my hero. Japanese translator extraordinaire, Elmer provides the low down on all the sweet information that SE gives to the Japanese gaming media but doesn't provide to the American gaming media or at least the American gaming media doesn't have a Japanese correspondent. Now that I think about it, wouldn't it be a good idea for someone like Elmer to work for an American gaming magazine as a Japanese correspondent? I mean half or more of the world's video game are made and consumed in Japan. Elmer I have found your new calling in life! <br /><br />You can check out Elmer's new translation on <a href="http://ffxiv.zam.com/story.html?story=22042">Zam's FFXIV page</a> or check it out after the break.<br /><br />Oh and all of the pictures and information blatant stolen from Elmer, Zam and Famitsu. :) <br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br />Character Creation<br /><br />Famitsu boasts that the character creation system is so deep, you'll be nitpicking your avatar setting all day long trying to get it just right. Even the alpha, while not complete, has a considerable amount of variations available such as face type, skin color, hair style and body size. There are even smaller details, like putting highlights or streaks in your hair, that are customizable. There will be brand new aspects of your character to select as well -- there will even be a number of different voice types.<br /><br />The character creation process begins with selecting one's race and customizing the avatar. Once your character is complete, you begin the game and set up your Class, birthday and Guardian Diety. What effects one's Guardian Diety will have in game are unknown at this time. Once all those steps are complete, you choose your name, which as we know consists of both a first and last name.<br /><br />Seamless Fields and Instanced Areas<br /><br />Leaving a town brings you into the Field Area where you have your adventures. FFXIV will have a seamless transition between areas that requires no loading time. From their experience with the game, Famitsu says this really gives Eorzea the feeling of a wide, expansive world. In addition, the background music transitions naturally between the areas you traverse.<br /><br />A new addition, familiar to many MMO players, is the Instanced Area. This is where a private copy of an area is created, into which only you and your party can enter. These will be used in FFXIV for special events, an example being when cut scenes take place in order to eliminate outside effects and noise, allowing the player to enjoy their cut scene in peace.<br /><br />The Menu System<br /><br />Status & Equip: Opens up the Status & Equip screen (pictured below)<br /><br />Action: Unknown... may contain commands like Trade, Craft etc?<br /><br />Physical Bonus: Unknown... a place to allocate points to stats?<br /><br />Item: Displays your inventory<br /><br />Journal: Opens up your Guildleve menus<br /><br />Party: Opens up party-related lists/functions<br /><br />Map: Displays the full area map<br /><br />Teleport: Instantly move to any Aetheryte you have visited at least once<br /><br />Warp: Instantly return to the last Aetheryte you visited<br /><br />Logout: Leave Eorzea and return to the harsh banality of Earth<br /><br /> <br /><br />Guildleve and the Battle System<br /><br />Guildleves are like "quests" that you can undertake by visiting an adventurer's guild in a city. The contents of a Guildleve can vary player to player, and you can attempt them alone or with a group. To begin your selected Guildleve, first you must seek out Aetheryte in a Field Area. Players can move instantly to Aetheryte they have visited once before by selecting the "Teleport" command.<br /><br />The difficulty of a Guildleve changes based on your selected party size. However, the party sizes are not selected directly, but rather through 5 different categories.<br /><br />Now, as a big kanji nut, something that I found interesting that I'm going to bore you with here is: Judging from what is revealed in Famitsu, the party sizes are described through 四字熟語 (yo-ji-juku-go) or four-character idioms. These are terms constructed of four kanji that together hold a profound meaning. Many of these terms cannot be translated directly, or take entire sentences just to explain -- they are tough for even native Japanese to remember! Often times, you will see them translated as clever puns or a play on words that keeps it snappy while attempting to capture the original meaning.<br /><br />Here are the party sizes and difficulty levels from ☆(easy) to ☆☆☆☆☆(hard) Party sizes are approximated based on what we know, i.e. recommended parties are 6-8 members, and the max is 15 members.<br /><br />☆ - 孤軍奮闘 (ko-gun-fun-tou) - A Lone Fighting Force , (solo)<br /><br />☆☆ - 少数精鋭 (shou-suu-sei-ei) - An Elite Few , (below 6 members)<br /><br />☆☆☆ - 推奨人数 (sui-shou-nin-zuu) - Recommened Party Size, (6-8 party)<br /><br />☆☆☆☆ - 千軍万馬 (sen-gun-ban-ba) - A Great Army *lit. 1,000 Units & 10,000 Horses* , (9+ members)<br /><br />☆☆☆☆☆ - 人海戦術 (jin-kai-sen-jutsu) - A Vertiable Ocean of People *similar in meaning to swarm/zerg* , (~ 15 members)<br /><br /> <br /><br />Many Guildleves involved combat, and the Famitsu team was kind enough to explain the flow of combat below:<br /><br />1) Target your enemy - Find the enemy you wish to attack and select it. Once selected, the L3 button will initiate Target Lock, keeping you facing the enemy's direction.<br /><br />2) Ready your weapon - Move your cursor over your weapon of choice and press Circle. Once selected, R1 will take out your weapon and ready your stance. Now you are in "Active Mode" and able to engage the enemy.<br /><br />3) Select your commands - A list of your commands is displayed at the bottom of the screen. Underneath each icon is a gauge showing how much time remains until they are ready for use.<br /><br />4) Store up your Action Gauge - Once your Action Gauge is full, you can activate commands. To boost their effect, store up the Effect Gauge.<br /><br />5) Using the Effect Gauge - You can activate commands immediately, or you can enhance their effects by storing up your Effect Gauge. This gauge is constantly building, so timing is important. Below you can see there are three levels to the Effect Gauge.<br /><br />Convenience and Travel Time<br /><br />Aetheryte provides the foundation for adventure for all players. It exists out in Field Areas as well as inside cities. Aetheryte serves as a the launching point for a Guildleve and the destination for Teleport. All players are able to use Teleport right from the start. In addition, once a quest is complete, an Aethereal Node will appear, allowing players to easily warp back to the original Aetheryte they came from. Everything is designed to allow players to move around and enjoy the game with ease.<br /><br />Freedom of Growth<br /><br />In FFXIV, what most MMO players know as "levels" will be the character's "Physical Level." Points you accumulate in battle can be freely spent on HP/MP, physical strength, intelligence or a variety of other parameters. In other words, you can focus on one aspect of your character, or aim for balance between all stats. The ultimate decision regarding the direction of the character is completely up to the player. <br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br />Alpha Test Hands-On Report<br /><br />The team from Famitsu were able to create characters and try out the Alpha Version of FFXIV. They put their experiences into two write-ups -- one for Disciples of War and one for Disciples of Magic. Here are the key points of what they had to say.<br /><br />Kikuo Saji: Roegadyn, Disciple of War, Pugilist<br /><br />- The Character Creation system is so deep, you'll spend all day tweaking your avatar<br /><br />- Don't fret too much over Class, you can change at anytime by changing your weapon<br /><br />- The size difference between Roegadyn and Lalafell is quite massive<br /><br />- You'll love the variety of new emotes -- Lalefell are especially adorable<br /><br />- Aetheryte warps you right to where you need to go for Guildleves<br /><br />- Guildleve difficulty is split into 5 levels, 1 star (easy) 5 stars (hard)<br /><br />- The locations of target monsters for Guildleve are clearly displayed on your map<br /><br />- There is a "weakened state" after dying -- HP/MP are lowered and it lasts for 5 minutes<br /><br />- The game feels incredibly expansive, and it feels like you could walk on forever<br /><br />- Crabs are back! Apparently Kikuo Saji found a giant one outside town that killed him in one strike!<br /><br />Opone Kikuchi: Lalafell, Disciple of Magic, Thaumaturge<br /><br />- There is so much more to do in the alpha compared with the Gamescom version 7 months ago<br /><br />- Again, feels character creation is like a day's work in and of itself<br /><br />- Once your MP is spent, you cannot recover it through resting<br /><br />- Disciples of Magic have a basic magical ranged attack that does not consume MP<br /><br />- It is possible to move while casting magic, but still important to be aware of the area of effect your spell will cover when cast<br /><br />- Sheathing your weapon puts you into Passive Mode, which begins to recover HP, making it possible for even magic users to solo effectively<br /></span>

FFXIV Alpha News: Dates are Released! Or are they?

EDIT: It has been noted that this might be a fake message, so take it with a grain of salt until I can get some other confirmation.

SE has finally announced the dates of their Alpha trials for FFXIV, at least in Japanese.

Semi-translation stolen from BG, below.


Alpha tests (assuming this is Japanese time) will be from 19:00 to 24:00 (7PM to Midnight) on March 19 and 20th (this coming Friday and Saturday) and from 18:00 to 22:00 (6PM to 10PM) on March 21st and 25th. Beta tests start on April 1. All characters will be deleted between the Alpha and the Beta.

I will try to get this information in English and other languages as soon as it's available.

EDIT: It has been noted that this might be a fake message, so take it with a grain of salt until I can get some other confirmation.<br /><br />SE has finally announced the dates of their Alpha trials for FFXIV, at least in Japanese. <br /><br />Semi-translation stolen from BG, below.<br /><a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Alpha_times.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Alpha_times.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 339px;" /></a><br /><br />Alpha tests (assuming this is Japanese time) will be from 19:00 to 24:00 (7PM to Midnight) on March 19 and 20th (this coming Friday and Saturday) and from 18:00 to 22:00 (6PM to 10PM) on March 21st and 25th. Beta tests start on April 1. All characters will be deleted between the Alpha and the Beta. <br /><br />I will try to get this information in English and other languages as soon as it's available.

YANYOK's FFXIV Beta test NDA policy.

We at YANYOK needed to clear up our NDA policy in regards to FFXIV's Alpha/Beta.

We will be providing 100% coverage of all things FFXIV Alpha and Beta related. We already have "foreign correspondents" in the field ready, willing and able to provide all of the information that you want to hear about. We will be delivering all of this information to you as soon as we can wipe the drool off of the screenshots.

To be clear, no one at YANYOK have alpha or beta invites, all of the information will be passed along second hand, but you will be getting the information without a filter and without someone trying to ban your forum posts for talking about it.

I actually read on a forum that we shouldn't violate the NDA or SE won't want to communicate with us anymore. I laughed so hard that milk shot out of my nose.

We at YANYOK needed to clear up our NDA policy in regards to FFXIV's Alpha/Beta. <br /><br />We will be providing 100% coverage of all things FFXIV Alpha and Beta related. We already have "foreign correspondents" in the field ready, willing and able to provide all of the information that you want to hear about. We will be delivering all of this information to you as soon as we can wipe the drool off of the screenshots. <br /><br />To be clear, no one at YANYOK have alpha or beta invites, all of the information will be passed along second hand, but you will be getting the information without a filter and without someone trying to ban your forum posts for talking about it. <br /><br />I actually read on a forum that we shouldn't violate the NDA or SE won't want to communicate with us anymore. I laughed so hard that milk shot out of my nose.

Good news and bad news.

The good news first. The new update is a lot closer than I expected it to be. Coming in mid-March will be the Mid-March Version Update! Original name of course, but I am not too concerned. I am not going to do my normal dissection of the sole picture that they provide in the update teaser because I always end up being wrong or creating something random whole cloth. The obvious pictures include Synergy, Missions and Campaign. So we will know we are getting at least that much. You can speculate on exactly what is happening in the picture on the right, but I have done all the eye-squinting I feel compelled to do to figure out what the hell is happening.

The bad news isn't really bad news, it's bad reporting of news. As everyone has probably already heard, there is a rumor floating around that FFXI is shutting down this year. As Omoi would say this is "utter claptrap". The initial report was in reference to a blog that doesn't now and may have never existed from a "high ranking HR SE employee". There are so many problems with this rumor and it's source that it is a joke to start with, never mind the reality of the situation and statements from SE questioning the credibility of the statement. I mean, come on, if you are going to make up a rumor at least have it coming from a more credible source than the HR department.

The point I want to make here is not that the rumor was picked up by the interether, but that it was posted by a semi-credible website and that website didn't even take the 30 seconds to Google the report to see if there was any credibility behind it. Thankfully, our friends at Limit Break Radio posted a list of evidence disputing the claims of that semi-credible website.

I mean it is one thing to post a rumor, but to post it without any research, especially posting AFTER the freaking head of Square Enix had already squashed the rumor just makes you look like a toolbox.

Playing WoW doesn't mean you are qualified to report on the entire MMO industry...

The good news first. The new update is a lot closer than I expected it to be. Coming in mid-March will be the Mid-March Version Update! Original name of course, but I am not too concerned. <a href="http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11us/detail/5283/5283.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11us/detail/5283/5283.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 415px; height: 100px;" /></a> I am not going to do my normal dissection of the sole picture that they provide in the update teaser because I always end up being wrong or creating something random whole cloth. The obvious pictures include Synergy, Missions and Campaign. So we will know we are getting at least that much. You can speculate on exactly what is happening in the picture on the right, but I have done all the eye-squinting I feel compelled to do to figure out what the hell is happening. <br /><br />The bad news isn't really bad news, it's bad reporting of news. As everyone has probably already heard, there is a rumor floating around that FFXI is shutting down this year. As Omoi would say this is "utter claptrap". The initial report was in reference to a blog that doesn't now and may have never existed from a "high ranking HR SE employee". There are so many problems with this rumor and it's source that it is a joke to start with, never mind the reality of the situation and statements from SE questioning the credibility of the statement. I mean, come on, if you are going to make up a rumor at least have it coming from a more credible source than the HR department. <br /><br />The point I want to make here is not that the rumor was picked up by the interether, but that it was posted by a <a href="http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/74/Final-Fantasy-XI.html">semi-credible website</a> and that website didn't even take the 30 seconds to Google the report to see if there was any credibility behind it. Thankfully, our friends at Limit Break Radio posted <a href="http://limitbreakradio.com/?p=2713">a list of evidence</a> disputing the claims of that semi-credible website.<br /><br />I mean it is one thing to post a rumor, but to post it without any research, especially posting AFTER the freaking head of Square Enix had already <a href="http://kotaku.com/5474554/dont-worry-about-final-fantasy-xi-just-yet">squashed the rumor</a> just makes you look like a toolbox.<br /><br />Playing WoW doesn't mean you are qualified to report on the entire MMO industry...

FFXIV News: ZOMG SE IS RMT!

Sarcasm guys, sarcasm.

Anyway, SE's president made this announcement (translated by Elmer the Amazingly Pointy on BG):

“The basic model hasn't changed,” he said. “It's a monthly flat rate service with additional charges for items that users want to buy.
“For FFXI we didn't initially set up the item transaction model that well – although the demand for it was high. We thought that it would be a benefit for users, but that we wouldn't be able to charge.

“We soon learnt that there are a lot of people who want that kind of model, so we would like to introduce more pay-as-you-use items into the game. But there were too few items in FFXI – however we don't want to take it to the other extreme entirely for FFXIV.

Now, of course people like Jaxzer immidiately took this to mean that there will be wholesale RMT for every item in the game, but the more level headed, and even the not-so-level-headed-and-for-the-most-part-generally-apocalyptic Iceblazek stepped in and said this is almost definitely not going to be about game-balance changing gear.

There are lots of way to sell in game items that are no game breaking. WoW does it pretty well, but there are even more ways to do it. WoW does it well with vanity pets now, and their server changing options. SE already has done it with the Tidal Talisman and some would say the Moogle Satchel and the Nexus Cape but I would argue those are slightly different. The former was to provide an incentive to people to improve their security that they couldn't resist and the later was more of a reward for finishing an expansion even if you did get it on the purchase of the last expansion. There are a bunch of other ways to increase profits without wreaking the game, and I have always been a big advocate that as long as it doesn't mess with real game balance (and no, carrying around more stuff doesn't effect real game balance, nor does warping to Tiamat). I can think of a few examples off the top of my head: vanity pets and vanity mounts both from WoW, furnishings, server transfers and other related data transfers, character beautification (changing hair/skin coloring), gear beautification (different colors or even particle effects on gear) and the list goes on and on.

The other thing that I think is important is that this is SE's President talking, not Tanaka. This is Tanaka's game, and he has already mentioned this in passing but seemingly assured players it wouldn't effect balance. I don't think Tanaka would be down with full scale RMT, and the President of SE has said some other things about FFXI and FFXIV that haven't panned out. Tanaka is a game developer, SE's President is a business guy. Business guys tend to say things they think the media wants to hear, game developers say things they think the players want to hear. Remember some of the gaming media still defends RMT on some level to satisfy those with attention spans smaller than a gnat.

I think this will probably be one of those much ballyhoo'd issues that doesn't amount to as much as it first appears. Like the "PS3 exclusive" comments, this will probably get explained again, and again until we get a real picture of the situation.

Sarcasm guys, sarcasm. <br /><br />Anyway, SE's president made this announcement (translated by Elmer the Amazingly Pointy on BG): <blockquote>“The basic model hasn't changed,” he said. “It's a monthly flat rate service with additional charges for items that users want to buy.<br />“For FFXI we didn't initially set up the item transaction model that well – although the demand for it was high. We thought that it would be a benefit for users, but that we wouldn't be able to charge.<br /><br />“We soon learnt that there are a lot of people who want that kind of model, so we would like to introduce more pay-as-you-use items into the game. But there were too few items in FFXI – however we don't want to take it to the other extreme entirely for FFXIV.</blockquote><br /><br />Now, of course people like Jaxzer immidiately took this to mean that there will be wholesale RMT for every item in the game, but the more level headed, and even the not-so-level-headed-and-for-the-most-part-generally-apocalyptic Iceblazek stepped in and said this is almost definitely not going to be about game-balance changing gear.<br /><br />There are lots of way to sell in game items that are no game breaking. WoW does it pretty well, but there are even more ways to do it. WoW does it well with vanity pets now, and their server changing options. SE already has done it with the Tidal Talisman and some would say the Moogle Satchel and the Nexus Cape but I would argue those are slightly different. The former was to provide an incentive to people to improve their security that they couldn't resist and the later was more of a reward for finishing an expansion even if you did get it on the purchase of the last expansion. There are a bunch of other ways to increase profits without wreaking the game, and I have always been a big advocate that as long as it doesn't mess with real game balance (and no, carrying around more stuff doesn't effect real game balance, nor does warping to Tiamat). I can think of a few examples off the top of my head: vanity pets and vanity mounts both from WoW, furnishings, server transfers and other related data transfers, character beautification (changing hair/skin coloring), gear beautification (different colors or even particle effects on gear) and the list goes on and on.<br /><br />The other thing that I think is important is that this is SE's President talking, not Tanaka. This is Tanaka's game, and he has already mentioned this in passing but seemingly assured players it wouldn't effect balance. I don't think Tanaka would be down with full scale RMT, and the President of SE has said some other things about FFXI and FFXIV that haven't panned out. Tanaka is a game developer, SE's President is a business guy. Business guys tend to say things they think the media wants to hear, game developers say things they think the players want to hear. Remember some of the gaming media <span style="font-style:italic;">still</span> defends RMT on some level to satisfy those with attention spans smaller than a gnat.<br /><br />I think this will probably be one of those much ballyhoo'd issues that doesn't amount to as much as it first appears. Like the "PS3 exclusive" comments, this will probably get explained again, and again until we get a real picture of the situation.

Morning in Vana'diel: Defending Your Avatar

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! The day of reckoning approaches and in the end have we spent our time well? I think so.

With the coming of the FFXIV beta I have done a little bit of reminiscing about the time I have played FFXI, time I have enjoyed. I have also thought about those that didn't enjoy their time playing FFXI apparently, and I don't really get it.

I never really understood the way some people complain after quitting FFXI, or how they will never play FFXIV because "SE sux". I guess it's just the bitter gamer that is projecting their anger onto the game company instead of themselves.

Whether you like it or not, FFXI is a well run and successful game. A few people complaining about AV does not really effect the experience of 99% of the player base even those that want to fight AV.

Another one of those projections is the complaints about customer service. Outside of the few people that really did have to deal with the problems with SE and getting their account stolen, most of these complaints are from people that don't have the experience to make such claims and are just parroting what other people say.

SE's game development for FFXI is actually very good, especially considering the limitations of the game itself, but remember this game started development about 10 years ago and things are much different now than they were then. I think the problem right now is one of internal resources and nothing more.

SE doesn't "hate" their player base. They have learned from their mistakes and there are many examples of this. There are still some other mistakes they haven't or don't want to rectify (AV) but in the end the game experience in FFXI is excellent and enjoyable. It is far more social and it was built to be this way. Grumpy gamer kids may not really appreciate this aspect of the game, but in the end, we are all probably much better off without them.

And of course, if you just want to dismiss everything I just said, go ahead and call me an SE fan boy.

<a href="http://goateeandglasses.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/defending.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://goateeandglasses.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/defending.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 287px; height: 344px;" /></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! The day of reckoning approaches and in the end have we spent our time well? I think so.</span><br /><br />With the coming of the FFXIV beta I have done a little bit of reminiscing about the time I have played FFXI, time I have enjoyed. I have also thought about those that didn't enjoy their time playing FFXI apparently, and I don't really get it. <br /><br />I never really understood the way some people complain after quitting FFXI, or how they will never play FFXIV because "SE sux". I guess it's just the bitter gamer that is projecting their anger onto the game company instead of themselves.<br /><br />Whether you like it or not, FFXI is a well run and successful game. A few people complaining about AV does not really effect the experience of 99% of the player base even those that want to fight AV.<br /><br />Another one of those projections is the complaints about customer service. Outside of the few people that really did have to deal with the problems with SE and getting their account stolen, most of these complaints are from people that don't have the experience to make such claims and are just parroting what other people say.<br /><br />SE's game development for FFXI is actually very good, especially considering the limitations of the game itself, but remember this game started development about 10 years ago and things are much different now than they were then. I think the problem right now is one of internal resources and nothing more.<br /><br />SE doesn't "hate" their player base. They have learned from their mistakes and there are many examples of this. There are still some other mistakes they haven't or don't want to rectify (AV) but in the end the game experience in FFXI is excellent and enjoyable. It is far more social and it was built to be this way. Grumpy gamer kids may not really appreciate this aspect of the game, but in the end, we are all probably much better off without them.<br /><br />And of course, if you just want to dismiss everything I just said, go ahead and call me an SE fan boy.

FFXIV News: New Pictures Make Omoikitte Hot in the Pants.

So a few more teaser pictures were posted from this coming weeks Famitsu. Apparently the Japanese take pictures of coming articles from their own magazines then post them on the internet to get people interested. It's quite a novel concept for me, and while a little "Japanese weird" (you know like tentacle rape and Japanese cuisine) it definitely gets you going, and make you want to get the magazine. I am sure that Elmer will have it and I will get to sing his praises again on Friday.

The cover of the article gives a little information through pictures like a Mithra running around with a polearm. It also shows that the Hume character may be a Ranger, or as they call the job in the second picture, an Archer. Also, if you look closely, you can see someone cooking over a fire.

This second picture has a lot more information. Two new job names are revealed, Lancer and Archer, and several new monster types. The Raptor looks pretty much exactly the same, but the other mobs are new models completely.

Looking forward to more information from Elmer come Friday. :)

So a few more teaser pictures were posted from this coming weeks Famitsu. Apparently the Japanese take pictures of coming articles from their own magazines then post them on the internet to get people interested. It's quite a novel concept for me, and while a little "Japanese weird" (you know like tentacle rape and Japanese cuisine) it definitely gets you going, and make you want to get the magazine. I am sure that Elmer will have it and I will get to sing his praises again on Friday.<br /><a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Fam_cover.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Fam_cover.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />The cover of the article gives a little information through pictures like a Mithra running around with a polearm. It also shows that the Hume character may be a Ranger, or as they call the job in the second picture, an Archer. Also, if you look closely, you can see someone cooking over a fire. <br /><a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Fam_Info.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Fam_Info.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br />This second picture has a lot more information. Two new job names are revealed, Lancer and Archer, and several new monster types. The Raptor looks pretty much exactly the same, but the other mobs are new models completely. <br /><br />Looking forward to more information from Elmer come Friday. :)

FFXIV News: Beta Information Released?

The internet is a serious of tubes and if you line up all those tubes you sometimes get some decent information. This beta information comes via several different sources, but it is originally from a Gamewatch interview with Tanaka, the head honcho.

The beta tests are going to go in stages, starting with closed limited, then closed less limited, then closed unlimited, then closed stress test, then open. That may sound a little overwrought but they seem to have very specific goals for each stage. Tanaka also said that testing was coming along well and he thought that they could aim for a release next summer. I think that is way earlier than most people had considered.

Corinth posted the information, and presumably handled the translation because she is cool like that. You can check out all of the information here.

<a href="http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/images/_MG_9501.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/images/_MG_9501.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" /></a> The internet is a serious of tubes and if you line up all those tubes you sometimes get some decent information. This beta information comes via several different sources, but it is originally from a Gamewatch interview with Tanaka, the head honcho.<br /><br />The beta tests are going to go in stages, starting with closed limited, then closed less limited, then closed unlimited, then closed stress test, then open. That may sound a little overwrought but they seem to have very specific goals for each stage. Tanaka also said that testing was coming along well and he thought that they could aim for a release next summer. I think that is way earlier than most people had considered. <br /><br />Corinth posted the information, and presumably handled the translation because she is cool like that. You can check out all of the information <a href="http://www.eorzeapedia.com/2009/09/28/game-watch-interviews-tanaka-and-komoto-at-tgs/#more-1161">here</a>.

Morning in Vana'diel: PvP in FFXIV?

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! PvPer's are mouth-breathers and gankers all! I bet they like to steal candy from babies and bang Sam's mom!

So far SE (Tanaka specifically) has said that FFXIV will not have open world PvP and even if PvP does make an appearance it will be in the form of a sport or game like Ballista or Brenner. For most FFXI people this is pretty much the norm. There has never been any focus on PvP really, even if some people found Ballista and Brenner to be quite fun. FFXI was never designed to have PvP in it, and while Ballista and Brenner do allow it, it definitely wasn’t the focus of the development team for more than an update or two.

With the confirmation of the lack of PvP in FFXIV, I have seen a few (not many) posts around the interweb decrying the loss of their favorite past time… but I have to wonder if they are barking up the wrong tree. Most people that were very pro-PvP left FFXI a very long time ago to play WoW which has a very developed and balanced world and game-based PvP system. To stay in FFXI and complain that FFXIV doesn’t have a PvP system is kind of like going to a Football game and getting upset that they are not playing Basketball.

Now, I am not trying to decry the entirety of PvP. There should be places where those mouth-breathers can gank each other to their hearts delight. (I KID! I KID!) But FFXI has never been a place for that outside of the (rather enjoyable) games that people can play against each other in game. I don’t know why the same developer with the same development team would approach the sequel to the same game any differently.

I guess I will never understand the mind of the PvP mouth-breather… I KID! :)

<a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Brenner01.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Brenner01.gif" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 444px; height: 105px;" /></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! PvPer's are mouth-breathers and gankers all! I bet they like to steal candy from babies and bang Sam's mom!</span><br /><br />So far SE (Tanaka specifically) has said that FFXIV will not have open world PvP and even if PvP does make an appearance it will be in the form of a sport or game like Ballista or Brenner. For most FFXI people this is pretty much the norm. There has never been any focus on PvP really, even if some people found Ballista and Brenner to be quite fun. FFXI was never designed to have PvP in it, and while Ballista and Brenner do allow it, it definitely wasn’t the focus of the development team for more than an update or two. <br /><br />With the confirmation of the lack of PvP in FFXIV, I have seen a few (not many) posts around the interweb decrying the loss of their favorite past time… but I have to wonder if they are barking up the wrong tree. Most people that were very pro-PvP left FFXI a very long time ago to play WoW which has a very developed and balanced world and game-based PvP system. To stay in FFXI and complain that FFXIV doesn’t have a PvP system is kind of like going to a Football game and getting upset that they are not playing Basketball.<br /><br />Now, I am not trying to decry the entirety of PvP. There should be places where those mouth-breathers can gank each other to their hearts delight. (I KID! I KID!) But FFXI has never been a place for that outside of the (rather enjoyable) games that people can play against each other in game. I don’t know why the same developer with the same development team would approach the sequel to the same game any differently.<br /><br />I guess I will never understand the mind of the PvP mouth-breather… I KID! :)

Morning in Vana'diel: Freeze Up.

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! I hate days like today, too many things to talk about and I can't decide on just one. I just freeze up and barely get anything done.

So, lets see, we have a ton of FFXIV information coming out. We have a great late night story about Izman. We have some needs/wants lists for Ring. We have several days of missing columns because of travel and personal sickness. And we potentially have a contest...

That's right, I am in discussions (with myself) about having a contest here at YANYOK... and it isn't going to be about coming up with a new name for whatever we have here, but I probably should consider that at some time. LOL Once I talk to a few more people about this but it should be coming down the pipe pretty soon so be on the look out.

As for FFXIV, there has been a flood of information about it in recent days and we will have a review of that today or tomorrow, but lets just say that it looks absolutely gorgeous and potentially has the updates we have all been looking for from FFXI. I think this is a good time to make a comparison to other games both out now and coming down the pipe. So look forward to that soon.

For me, I hardly ever post about just me and what I want from FFXI anymore because of the way we have changed this site, but I think it is time for one of those personal posts so I can list out what I am doing in case anyone cares.

Finally, Izman is on a roll like no other right now. Not only is he the King of FoV but last night he got even more lucky. We were farming organs in Sea and decided to give Ix'DRK a try. Iz got the animosity on the first kill, and we popped it. There was a little bit of confusion on how to pull it from the Qn's, but once that was settled and a few friends showed up and we killed it 6 times, it dropped the cape. So Iz is now official 1/1 on Ix'DRK's cape. LOL

It's Iz's world, we are all just playing in it.

<a href="http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/thumb/0/0a/FFXI-Tarutaru-Blackmage.jpg/250px-FFXI-Tarutaru-Blackmage.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/thumb/0/0a/FFXI-Tarutaru-Blackmage.jpg/250px-FFXI-Tarutaru-Blackmage.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 382px;" /></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! I hate days like today, too many things to talk about and I can't decide on just one. I just freeze up and barely get anything done.</span><br /><br />So, lets see, we have a ton of FFXIV information coming out. We have a great late night story about Izman. We have some needs/wants lists for Ring. We have several days of missing columns because of travel and personal sickness. And we potentially have a contest...<br /><br />That's right, I am in discussions (with myself) about having a contest here at YANYOK... and it isn't going to be about coming up with a new name for whatever we have here, but I probably should consider that at some time. LOL Once I talk to a few more people about this but it should be coming down the pipe pretty soon so be on the look out.<br /><br />As for FFXIV, there has been a flood of information about it in recent days and we will have a review of that today or tomorrow, but lets just say that it looks absolutely gorgeous and potentially has the updates we have all been looking for from FFXI. I think this is a good time to make a comparison to other games both out now and coming down the pipe. So look forward to that soon.<br /><br />For me, I hardly ever post about just me and what I want from FFXI anymore because of the way we have changed this site, but I think it is time for one of those personal posts so I can list out what I am doing in case anyone cares. <br /><br />Finally, Izman is on a roll like no other right now. Not only is he the King of FoV but last night he got even more lucky. We were farming organs in Sea and decided to give Ix'DRK a try. Iz got the animosity on the first kill, and we popped it. There was a little bit of confusion on how to pull it from the Qn's, but once that was settled and a few friends showed up and we killed it 6 times, it dropped the cape. So Iz is now official 1/1 on Ix'DRK's cape. LOL <br /><br />It's Iz's world, we are all just playing in it.

On Paranoia, Anger and Empty Retribution.

The recent trend on all of the big FFXI forums has been to whine about anything that SE does. Emergency maintenance? Whine! Mistaken gardening RMT bans? Whine! Credit card verification? Whine! Some of it is almost legitimate, but for the most part this whining is some of the most paranoid and delusional crap I have ever heard.

You might have noticed that lately I have voiced some concerns over [i]the game[/i] that we play. I want more of everything, and I want more development time spent on new things. I want a real expansion, and not these mini-expansions. I want new gear models, I want more merits, I want more gil, I want more mobs, zones and rewards. I want a lot of things.

Am I a hypocrite? No, because there is a very large difference in wanting more out of the game that we play and finding evil in every one of SE’s action. I am not paranoid about my demands from the game. I think everyone wants things similar to what I want. No one is ever going to say they don’t want more things in game. But I stop at the waters edge. I do not delve into the paranoid machinations of many of the commentators and posters in FFXI world.

I have gone over my feelings about emergency maintenances. FFXI players are not unique in this regard. Every game will always have their complainers anytime there is any maintenance at all, no matter how short or how important. These people are so self-absorbed that they can not even think for a moment outside of themselves to consider the reason that these maintenances are important for the game and even themselves. If coding a game was as easy as the people on forums think it was then those people would be coding games instead of posting on forums.

The mistaken gardening bans? Yes, there is definitely room for legitimate complaints here, especially for those that got hit and especially because SE never said anything about it at all. But it was a mistake and for the most part (except for Ryskar from what I can see) it has been reversed. Mistakes happen, I am not really as concerned that it happened but more that it wasn’t acknowledged and openly fixed. But even in this case where there is definitely a place for legitimate complaint, some people take things way too far. Some assert that it was an attempt by SE to force people out of the game to get them to play FFXIV, or that SE doesn’t want these people to play, or that it was part of a greater plan by SE to sabotage FFXI overall. Keep in mind these were likely the same people that used to say that SE worked with the RMT.

Finally, we have the credit card verification complaints. This is the one that really sends me on tilt not because it may be a hassle for a handful of people, but because this is one of those “people will complain about anything” issues. SE is trying to change its policy, likely to stop having to ban people that are doing charge backs on their CCs because of their own failures because that is how RMTs have been screwing SE over themselves. This is a good policy, and it is very likely that Blizzard, other MMO companies, and many online stores will adopt this policy. SE even has a way to resolve this issue for most people if they can’t get verification. And this only applies to people that sign up with a new credit card or re-sign up for the game. The funniest thing about these people is there insistence that they refuse to give SE anymore money because SE isn’t letting them give their money.

And there we have a perfect illustration of the irony of the situation.

Some people just need to take a deep breath, slide back from the monitor and get a freaking grip.

<a href="http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/ffxi/images/6/6d/Skull_of_Wrath.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/ffxi/images/6/6d/Skull_of_Wrath.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 410px;" /></a>The recent trend on all of the big FFXI forums has been to whine about anything that SE does. Emergency maintenance? Whine! Mistaken gardening RMT bans? Whine! Credit card verification? Whine! Some of it is almost legitimate, but for the most part this whining is some of the most paranoid and delusional crap I have ever heard. <br /><br />You might have noticed that lately I have voiced some concerns over [i]the game[/i] that we play. I want more of everything, and I want more development time spent on new things. I want a real expansion, and not these mini-expansions. I want new gear models, I want more merits, I want more gil, I want more mobs, zones and rewards. I want a lot of things. <br /><br />Am I a hypocrite? No, because there is a very large difference in wanting more out of the game that we play and finding evil in every one of SE’s action. I am not paranoid about my demands from the game. I think everyone wants things similar to what I want. No one is ever going to say they don’t want more things in game. But I stop at the waters edge. I do not delve into the paranoid machinations of many of the commentators and posters in FFXI world.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />I have gone over my feelings about emergency maintenances. FFXI players are not unique in this regard. Every game will always have their complainers anytime there is any maintenance at all, no matter how short or how important. These people are so self-absorbed that they can not even think for a moment outside of themselves to consider the reason that these maintenances are important for the game and even themselves. If coding a game was as easy as the people on forums think it was then those people would be coding games instead of posting on forums.<br /><br />The mistaken gardening bans? Yes, there is definitely room for legitimate complaints here, especially for those that got hit and especially because SE never said anything about it at all. But it was a mistake and for the most part (except for Ryskar from what I can see) it has been reversed. Mistakes happen, I am not really as concerned that it happened but more that it wasn’t acknowledged and openly fixed. But even in this case where there is definitely a place for legitimate complaint, some people take things way too far. Some assert that it was an attempt by SE to force people out of the game to get them to play FFXIV, or that SE doesn’t want these people to play, or that it was part of a greater plan by SE to sabotage FFXI overall. Keep in mind these were likely the same people that used to say that SE worked with the RMT.<br /><br />Finally, we have the credit card verification complaints. This is the one that really sends me on tilt not because it may be a hassle for a handful of people, but because this is one of those “people will complain about anything” issues. SE is trying to change its policy, likely to stop having to ban people that are doing charge backs on their CCs because of their own failures because that is how RMTs have been screwing SE over themselves. This is a good policy, and it is very likely that Blizzard, other MMO companies, and many online stores will adopt this policy. SE even has a way to resolve this issue for most people if they can’t get verification. And this only applies to people that sign up with a new credit card or re-sign up for the game. The funniest thing about these people is there insistence that they refuse to give SE anymore money because SE isn’t letting them give their money. <br /><br />And there we have a perfect illustration of the irony of the situation.<br /><br />Some people just need to take a deep breath, slide back from the monitor and get a freaking grip.</span>

FFXIV News: Another update!

SE have never been afraid of keeping their fans on tenderhooks, infact it is their default modus operandi in just about anything they do. Regardless of what game or release they are tendering at that particular time they drip feed the player base to generate interest and speculation.

AND! It works!!!. As much as people grumble and groan and complain about how much SE never says anything, doesn't give enough information, doesn't do this that and the third, forums are filled to overflow with people talking, communicating and wildly speculating on what is to come, what has been and what shall never be.

Its good, old-fashioned marketing. In this day and age of instant communication, SE play the rumour mill like a seasoned pro. It is so easy, to just give in to everything that people want, after all, its just a click of a button away at that point, but the suspense, mystery and build up is lost. There was a reason Lucas held off sales of Episode I, to recreate the snake of people around the cinema that we just don't see any more in this digital age.

Of course there are drawbacks to this, the actual product eventually usually ends up being an anti-climax, a complete dud and just occasionally a shining spot of gold although that is extremely rare. Which is where you are at now with FFXIV.

Comparisons are inevitable, come on SE have been making THE SAME GAME for 14 incarnations at this point, this area is going to remind you of X zone, this character is going to remind you of Y person from FF(Fill in the blank). Infact for 14 incarnations of its Final Fantasy series, SE have plagarised, stolen, looted, lifted and reused themes, plots, characters and ideas from their own series.. Isn't this why we keep coming back?



I mean come on seriously, I listen to all the complaining and whining and realise I just don't care. LoL I am interested just for its own sake, not for what parallels I can draw from elsewhere. Oh look its a field, looks like a field in Rolanberry Fields (FFXI) it also looks like the lane just coming out of my father's house in Scotland. *gasp* SE must be fiends for just reusing rl generic landscapes.. oh.. wait... when you actually break it down it starts to sound a little ridiculous and mostly generated by fear of the impact it will have on a game that most of us have played for a good 5+ years now.

After all, we have good reason to wonder what SE are doing with their time, with these half-hearted updates and scenarios to try and maintain the player base, but that is rather like Ringthree trying to cure an entire alliance while "someone is WRONG on the internet", the alliance doesn't end up looking too healthy at the end of it due to the division of attention.

Better speculation would be to wonder why SE are not keeping the two games seperate, the whole thing smacks of the same people doing both games, and not being able to focus on both, in a company that size, they must be able to have 2 teams able to look after both games independantly surely?



A closer look at the released artwork and content of the game definately sheds a little light on this, SE have taken the lessons learned from FFXI and expanded, updated and polished off to a gleaming shine the results. If anything, FFXIV makes XI look like a beta test. Just a VERY LONG beta test. People are getting upset at how similar to FFXI this new MMO from SE looks, they feel abandoned because FFXI is being left to limp along with the content it has, and the groupies are thirsting for blood (which is a little creepy) but I get something different from it. I definately get a huge sense of love from SE for what they created. So much so they don't just want to toss it to one side and forget about it, and start from scratch.

Instead, they've taken something they have invested a colossal amount of time in, and lets be honest here, they have spent MORE time on this game than we have, and made it look better and more accessible (they are a business after all). It is so selective how people view improvements. I don't see people complaining over mobile phone technology and the speed at which it is developing rendering your "new phone" obsolete in a matter of months. Which is 500x more expensive for the consumer than what we are doing here. I am sure "SE" is just as passionate about Final Fantasy as we are.



Since SE has updated their site for FFXIV with a lot more detail and content, you can take a closer look at what, at least for now is the surface patina of the game. There is the introduction to the world of Eorzea, with the usual planet-wide crisis that threatens civilization, nothing like SE aping RL at all is it hmmm. Then the exposition of how the denizens of the world cope with the threat, and where we as the playerbase fit into this grand scheme of things.

Fair enough, a well crafted mmo needs a solid, well-thought out storyline to carry it or it will fizzle out and shrivel up like SO many other MMO's before it. And the one thing I will not begrudge SE on is craftmanship, their attention to detail and their desires to really push the boundaries on what is possible graphically and technically is always apparent in each incarnation of their new releases.

There are lots of nice new clickables on the website that expand on the cities, on the races, and highlight a little bit on what to expect from the job classes and the system. There are several things on reading that which did pique my interest.

The job system for FFXIV seems very much to be a cross between the access to all jobs and complete change that came from FFIV combined with the class specific progression of FFIX. It definately promises to offer a lot of flexibility for the people roaming around the world and doing whatever it is that real people do in a sandbox game. I also speculate that chocobos will not be so much as ridden as become your "nomad moogle" for all your articles, weapons and pieces of gear, quest items, drops and other random bits that you want to carry around with you. A mobile packmule to further enhance this idea of a greater accessibility and flexibility in what you can and can't do within the scope of the game.



The other thing that caught my interest was a bit in the characters segment that hints at a way to customise your character beyond the slightly generic creations that exist in FFXI. If they DO make this available, that means that basic models might look the same, but everyone will be unique. Which is a fantastic idea, everyone wants to look different in an mmo, but definately in FFXI there is limited scope for that as everyone wears the "best" for their job and ends up looking identical. Line up Clubber, Izman and Ninjafox on WAR in Versus and you would be hard pressed to really see that much of a difference. While SE gave us a vast selection of gear options, really it became a much narrower field to excel, only mages seem to be able to get away with a greater flexibility in what they wear.



Its odd really, people become so comfortable with the familiar they essentially assasinate the strange or new if they feel it encroaches and no matter how you twist in the wind FFXIV IS going to encroach on FFXI. I remember when I first started playing FFXI, I logged in and the vistas were stunning, the animations were crisp and smooth and it was exciting. FFXIV holds the promise of all that over again in even prettier depictions, smoothness and boldness.

SE are definately getting a lot of flak from the community over this game, but I can't help but realise there is a tingle of excitement over how crisp and slick this game is looking already. Go play on the website, go oooo at the pretty scenery, ponder the implications of the Guildleves and the armoury system (WHICH SE has spelt correctly for once and not Americanized /cheer of approval) but most of all, go look at it with an open mind and not one filled with hostility over the new kid on the block. You never know, it might not be all bad. ^.^

<a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/FFXI_splash.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/FFXI_splash.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" /></span></a><br />SE have never been afraid of keeping their fans on tenderhooks, infact it is their default modus operandi in just about anything they do. Regardless of what game or release they are tendering at that particular time they drip feed the player base to generate interest and speculation.<br /><br />AND! It works!!!. As much as people grumble and groan and complain about how much SE never says anything, doesn't give enough information, doesn't do this that and the third, forums are filled to overflow with people talking, communicating and wildly speculating on what is to come, what has been and what shall never be.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />Its good, old-fashioned marketing. In this day and age of instant communication, SE play the rumour mill like a seasoned pro. It is so easy, to just give in to everything that people want, after all, its just a click of a button away at that point, but the suspense, mystery and build up is lost. There was a reason Lucas held off sales of Episode I, to recreate the snake of people around the cinema that we just don't see any more in this digital age.<br /><br />Of course there are drawbacks to this, the actual product eventually usually ends up being an anti-climax, a complete dud and just occasionally a shining spot of gold although that is extremely rare. Which is where you are at now with FFXIV.<br /><br />Comparisons are inevitable, come on SE have been making THE SAME GAME for 14 incarnations at this point, this area is going to remind you of X zone, this character is going to remind you of Y person from FF(Fill in the blank). Infact for 14 incarnations of its Final Fantasy series, SE have plagarised, stolen, looted, lifted and reused themes, plots, characters and ideas from their own series.. Isn't this why we keep coming back?<br /><br /><a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/K_field_2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/K_field_2.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" /></span></a><br /><br />I mean come on seriously, I listen to all the complaining and whining and realise I just don't care. LoL I am interested just for its own sake, not for what parallels I can draw from elsewhere. Oh look its a field, looks like a field in Rolanberry Fields (FFXI) it also looks like the lane just coming out of my father's house in Scotland. *gasp* SE must be fiends for just reusing rl generic landscapes.. oh.. wait... when you actually break it down it starts to sound a little ridiculous and mostly generated by fear of the impact it will have on a game that most of us have played for a good 5+ years now.<br /><br />After all, we have good reason to wonder what SE are doing with their time, with these half-hearted updates and scenarios to try and maintain the player base, but that is rather like Ringthree trying to cure an entire alliance while "someone is WRONG on the internet", the alliance doesn't end up looking too healthy at the end of it due to the division of attention.<br /><br />Better speculation would be to wonder why SE are not keeping the two games seperate, the whole thing smacks of the same people doing both games, and not being able to focus on both, in a company that size, they must be able to have 2 teams able to look after both games independantly surely?<br /><br /><a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Elzen.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Elzen.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" /></span></a><br /><br />A closer look at the released artwork and content of the game definately sheds a little light on this, SE have taken the lessons learned from FFXI and expanded, updated and polished off to a gleaming shine the results. If anything, FFXIV makes XI look like a beta test. Just a VERY LONG beta test. People are getting upset at how similar to FFXI this new MMO from SE looks, they feel abandoned because FFXI is being left to limp along with the content it has, and the groupies are thirsting for blood (which is a little creepy) but I get something different from it. I definately get a huge sense of love from SE for what they created. So much so they don't just want to toss it to one side and forget about it, and start from scratch.<br /><br />Instead, they've taken something they have invested a colossal amount of time in, and lets be honest here, they have spent MORE time on this game than we have, and made it look better and more accessible (they are a business after all). It is so selective how people view improvements. I don't see people complaining over mobile phone technology and the speed at which it is developing rendering your "new phone" obsolete in a matter of months. Which is 500x more expensive for the consumer than what we are doing here. I am sure "SE" is just as passionate about Final Fantasy as we are.<br /><br /><a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/FFXIV_cave.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/FFXIV_cave.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" /></span></a><br /><br />Since <a href="http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/">SE has updated their site for FFXIV</a> with a lot more detail and content, you can take a closer look at what, at least for now is the surface patina of the game. There is the introduction to the world of Eorzea, with the usual planet-wide crisis that threatens civilization, nothing like SE aping RL at all is it hmmm. Then the exposition of how the denizens of the world cope with the threat, and where we as the playerbase fit into this grand scheme of things.<br /><br />Fair enough, a well crafted mmo needs a solid, well-thought out storyline to carry it or it will fizzle out and shrivel up like SO many other MMO's before it. And the one thing I will not begrudge SE on is craftmanship, their attention to detail and their desires to really push the boundaries on what is possible graphically and technically is always apparent in each incarnation of their new releases.<br /><br />There are lots of nice new clickables on the website that expand on the cities, on the races, and highlight a little bit on what to expect from the job classes and the system. There are several things on reading that which did pique my interest.<br /><br />The job system for FFXIV seems very much to be a cross between the access to all jobs and complete change that came from FFIV combined with the class specific progression of FFIX. It definately promises to offer a lot of flexibility for the people roaming around the world and doing whatever it is that real people do in a sandbox game. I also speculate that chocobos will not be so much as ridden as become your "nomad moogle" for all your articles, weapons and pieces of gear, quest items, drops and other random bits that you want to carry around with you. A mobile packmule to further enhance this idea of a greater accessibility and flexibility in what you can and can't do within the scope of the game.<br /><br /><a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Sorc_City.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Sorc_City.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" /></span></a><br /><br />The other thing that caught my interest was a bit in the characters segment that hints at a way to customise your character beyond the slightly generic creations that exist in FFXI. If they DO make this available, that means that basic models might look the same, but everyone will be unique. Which is a fantastic idea, everyone wants to look different in an mmo, but definately in FFXI there is limited scope for that as everyone wears the "best" for their job and ends up looking identical. Line up Clubber, Izman and Ninjafox on WAR in Versus and you would be hard pressed to really see that much of a difference. While SE gave us a vast selection of gear options, really it became a much narrower field to excel, only mages seem to be able to get away with a greater flexibility in what they wear.<br /><br /><a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Lalafell.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Lalafell.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" /></span></a><br /><br />Its odd really, people become so comfortable with the familiar they essentially assasinate the strange or new if they feel it encroaches and no matter how you twist in the wind FFXIV IS going to encroach on FFXI. I remember when I first started playing FFXI, I logged in and the vistas were stunning, the animations were crisp and smooth and it was exciting. FFXIV holds the promise of all that over again in even prettier depictions, smoothness and boldness.<br /><br />SE are definately getting a lot of flak from the community over this game, but I can't help but realise there is a tingle of excitement over how crisp and slick this game is looking already. Go play on the website, go oooo at the pretty scenery, ponder the implications of the Guildleves and the armoury system (WHICH SE has spelt correctly for once and not Americanized /cheer of approval) but most of all, go look at it with an open mind and not one filled with hostility over the new kid on the block. You never know, it might not be all bad. ^.^<br /></span>

FFXIV News: The Pied Piper of Shibuya.

The more and more I hear about FFXIV the more and more I get concerned. I was really looking forward to this new game, but really I have to wonder if I am interested in a new version of FFXI if SE hasn't really determined what are the real problems with FFXI. Sure SE is covering all their bases, describing the new job system, quest system and other things. But these are all things that SE does correctly right now. What about things like job balance? What about some of the insane and inane content? Instancing? World spawns? What about the basic information that anyone outside of the fanboys are really interested in when choosing a game.

The forums are frothing at the mouth over a game where they have seen nothing more than concept art. Are they going to want a game that doesn't support external add-on development again? Are they going to want to play a game that does even let you alt-tab out again, and basically requires anyone to violate the rules to even have the game playable on a PC for the first four years it is available? This is just the internet at it's worst. All flash and no content.

Don't get me wrong, I want this to turn out really well! I want FFXIV to be great, but I don't want to have to give up almost two years in FFXI content to get to that point and I don't want to have to experience the same exact mistakes they have made for seven years just delivered in a shiny new package.

Also, we haven't ever gotten the real honest truth on some issues from SE and their answers tend to change over time to fit the current mood of the player and the development team. PS2 limitations are a great example of excuses that were nothing more than hot air for a lot of things that were implemented later on.

Is the real reason they are using the same races from FFXI really to provide continuity between FFXI and FFXIV, or is it because it just saves them a lot of programmer/designer time to just reuse something they have already been developing designs for? Sure there are differences, but the creativity has been removed from that part of the development cycle.

The question is this: Are the problems in FFXI because of structural game designs that SE isn't going to have with FFXIV, or are the problems because of the people that developed FFXI feel they know better than the players? If the problem is the former, then FFXIV will likely be a great game because there is so much that has happened in the MMO world since FFXI was released and a new platform will let SE unleash their ideas integrated into a much more playable platform. If it is the latter though, then FFXIV will be nothing more than a gussied up but casual version of the game we already play. If that is the case, I already have my old faithful crack, I don't need New Crack™.

Here is my run down on the more specific issues that have been presented about the game.

The new job system - This is the main thing that FFXI got right, and it sounds like the are going to do something different but similar enough to maintain the flexibility to change jobs. Doing it on the fly will be even better. This is my one shining hope for this game.

Crafting - Oh god, not this again. Crafting in FFXI sucks, the system sucks, the skilling-up sucks, the HQ system sucks, and the economy sucks. Some people like it and I am not saying they are wrong, I am just saying that it could be so much better. Crafting shouldn't be an end in itself, but a means to make money. Integrating it into the job system seems like they are trying to make it an end again. There needs to be a purpose for crafting and that purpose needs to be making an income of a reasonable amount.

Trading-off skills - No. Just please God no. No one likes it in FFXI because it is not a "fun, additional aspect to player customizing", it is an artificially construct limit on your potential. Artificial limitations in combat skills, magic skills and crafting don't do anything to provide customization, they just sharpen the edges of the cookie-cutter even more.

Races - I stated this above but it bares mentioning again. I have to wonder how hard they really are trying here if it's just the same people in a different place with just more technology than in Vana'diel. Even the story line seems to have major resemblances to Vana'diel.

UI/Macro system - This is one place where uncertainty definitely is playing a role in my doubts about FFXIV. I should be assuming that SE is going to have a wonderful new UI and Macro system and there have already been statements about the ability to quickly swap around sets of gear, but SE's inability/lack of want to improve FFXI's UI and failure to create a decent Macro system makes me have major reservations.

Communication - SE seems to be taking the same exact approach as they did with FFXI, while every other major MMO developer is moving toward more contact with it's player base. I understand that it is a Japanese company so there will be some disconnect, but Blizzard seems to handle it's Oceanic players with a modicum of respect. The NA representatives for SE seem to be as out of the loop as the players are for most things.

Balancing - SE doesn't have to worry about job balance in FFXI as much as other games because people can freely change and level different jobs, and FFXIV appears that it won't have this problem either, and it may be even less of a concern depending on the amount of over lap that is available for already trained skills. The problem is that SE actually though the subjob system was going to allow this to happen in FFXI, but instead the subjob system just worked to further restrict players choices. The major concern I have over game balance as a whole is that we will see mobs like Absolute Virtue again. This just causes frustration more than anything else, and is the best, most obvious example of the disconnect between how the developers envision the game and how the players actually play it.

I have high hopes for FFXIV, and I have real apprehensions. Either way, as of right now, I have no plans to stop playing FFXI. Nothing that has been present so far has made be change my plans at all. I will definitely pick up FFXIV, but the jury is still out on how everything is going to pan out.

The more and more I hear about FFXIV the more and more I get concerned. I was really looking forward to this new game, but really I have to wonder if I am interested in a new version of FFXI if SE hasn't really determined what are the real problems with FFXI. Sure SE is covering all their bases, describing the new job system, quest system and other things. But these are all things that SE does correctly right now. What about things like job balance? What about some of the insane and inane content? Instancing? World spawns? What about the basic information that anyone outside of the fanboys are really interested in when choosing a game. <br /><br />The forums are frothing at the mouth over a game where they have seen nothing more than concept art. Are they going to want a game that doesn't support external add-on development again? Are they going to want to play a game that does even let you alt-tab out again, and basically requires anyone to violate the rules to even have the game playable on a PC for the first four years it is available? This is just the internet at it's worst. All flash and no content. <br /><br />Don't get me wrong, I want this to turn out really well! I want FFXIV to be great, but I don't want to have to give up almost two years in FFXI content to get to that point and I don't want to have to experience the same exact mistakes they have made for seven years just delivered in a shiny new package. <br /><span class="fullpost"><br />Also, we haven't ever gotten the real honest truth on some issues from SE and their answers tend to change over time to fit the current mood of the player and the development team. PS2 limitations are a great example of excuses that were nothing more than hot air for a lot of things that were implemented later on.<br /><br />Is the real reason they are using the same races from FFXI really to provide continuity between FFXI and FFXIV, or is it because it just saves them a lot of programmer/designer time to just reuse something they have already been developing designs for? Sure there are differences, but the creativity has been removed from that part of the development cycle.<br /><br />The question is this: Are the problems in FFXI because of structural game designs that SE isn't going to have with FFXIV, or are the problems because of the people that developed FFXI feel they know better than the players? If the problem is the former, then FFXIV will likely be a great game because there is so much that has happened in the MMO world since FFXI was released and a new platform will let SE unleash their ideas integrated into a much more playable platform. If it is the latter though, then FFXIV will be nothing more than a gussied up but casual version of the game we already play. If that is the case, I already have my old faithful crack, I don't need New Crack™.<br /><br />Here is my run down on the more specific issues that have been presented about the game.<br /><br />The new job system - This is the main thing that FFXI got right, and it sounds like the are going to do something different but similar enough to maintain the flexibility to change jobs. Doing it on the fly will be even better. This is my one shining hope for this game.<br /><br />Crafting - Oh god, not this again. Crafting in FFXI sucks, the system sucks, the skilling-up sucks, the HQ system sucks, and the economy sucks. Some people like it and I am not saying they are wrong, I am just saying that it could be so much better. Crafting shouldn't be an end in itself, but a means to make money. Integrating it into the job system seems like they are trying to make it an end again. There needs to be a purpose for crafting and that purpose needs to be making an income of a reasonable amount.<br /><br />Trading-off skills - No. Just please God no. No one likes it in FFXI because it is not a "fun, additional aspect to player customizing", it is an artificially construct limit on your potential. Artificial limitations in combat skills, magic skills and crafting don't do anything to provide customization, they just sharpen the edges of the cookie-cutter even more.<br /><br />Races - I stated this above but it bares mentioning again. I have to wonder how hard they really are trying here if it's just the same people in a different place with just more technology than in Vana'diel. Even the story line seems to have major resemblances to Vana'diel.<br /><br />UI/Macro system - This is one place where uncertainty definitely is playing a role in my doubts about FFXIV. I should be assuming that SE is going to have a wonderful new UI and Macro system and there have already been statements about the ability to quickly swap around sets of gear, but SE's inability/lack of want to improve FFXI's UI and failure to create a decent Macro system makes me have major reservations.<br /><br />Communication - SE seems to be taking the same exact approach as they did with FFXI, while every other major MMO developer is moving toward more contact with it's player base. I understand that it is a Japanese company so there will be some disconnect, but Blizzard seems to handle it's Oceanic players with a modicum of respect. The NA representatives for SE seem to be as out of the loop as the players are for most things.<br /><br />Balancing - SE doesn't have to worry about job balance in FFXI as much as other games because people can freely change and level different jobs, and FFXIV appears that it won't have this problem either, and it may be even less of a concern depending on the amount of over lap that is available for already trained skills. The problem is that SE actually though the subjob system was going to allow this to happen in FFXI, but instead the subjob system just worked to further restrict players choices. The major concern I have over game balance as a whole is that we will see mobs like Absolute Virtue again. This just causes frustration more than anything else, and is the best, most obvious example of the disconnect between how the developers envision the game and how the players actually play it.<br /><br />I have high hopes for FFXIV, and I have real apprehensions. Either way, as of right now, I have no plans to stop playing FFXI. Nothing that has been present so far has made be change my plans at all. I will definitely pick up FFXIV, but the jury is still out on how everything is going to pan out.</span>

FFXIV News: ORLY? YARLY!

I love it when people with no real working knowledge of FFXI make commentary about it, but it is even better when people with limited working knowledge work for the "online gaming media" and post articles about FFXIV and compare it to FFXI.

It is usually a feeding frenzy whenever new information appears, at least in our very small pond. I can not reset to dive in, but how about we add a flip and a half twist to that dive? Let's take a look at 1UP's coverage of the new FFXIV information and add a little bit of Ring spice to it.

If you aren't interesting in my spice, I understand, but I have some new pictures of FFXIV that I will put at the bottom of the column after the cut, so then you will HAVE to click and maybe you will even read my comments! :)

1UP: Why is this peppy young swordsman looking so smug? Probably because he's found himself in the land of Eorzea, a wild place filled with squabbling city-states, plundering barbarians, and all kinds of other enemies, natural and unnatural. He's made it, in other words.

Ring: Yeah, he really has made it. He has made it directly from the FFXI teaser from about 10 years ago. And Eorzea looks more and more like Vana’diel from what I have seen so far. Similarities? Parallel Universe? Lazy Developers? Failed Attempt at FFXI-2? Which do you think is more likely, hmm?

1UP: Eorzea's nations used to be constantly at war with each other, but the advent of airborne battleships and other shockingly powerful weapons has created a state of détente throughout the land. The resulting peace has led to a wide swath of soldiers and mercenaries suddenly without a job, and so they're now forming guilds and calling themselves under a new name: adventurers.

Ring: Wait… what? Nations at war, but airships are the ultimate weapons that stop them from fighting? Soldiers and mercenaries becoming “adventurers”? Stop me if you have heard this before!

1UP: That's the very basic plot behind Final Fantasy XIV, the PS3/PC online RPG that Square Enix revealed at this year's E3. Now Square Enix is ready to reveal more of the goods, and in this week's issue of Famitsu magazine, game director Nobuaki Komoto offered some of the first really concrete details behind the MMORPG's gameplay. Here are the details:
- Eorzea, the continent where players begin their game, is a small continent with several surrounding islands. Time passes, and weather changes, on a regular basis in this world, with one in-game day currently set to be about an hour of realtime. This exact figure may change, but as Komoto puts it, "it won't be like Eorzea will be night for hours because it's nighttime in reality... I want FFXIV to be enjoyed even by those who can play only a short time out of the day, so I'd like the sort of time schedule such that it's always a different experience timewise when you login to Eorzea."

Ring: More and more emphasis on casual play? What about us psychos? What is in there for us? But really, this again shows that FFXIV will be following in FFXI’s footsteps in the way the world works.

1UP: Eorzea is home to five races which, although they have different names, look quite a bit like the races in Final Fantasy XI. You have the Hyuran (Hume in FFXI), Miqo'te (Mithra), Lalafell (Tarutaru), Elezen (Elvaan) and Roegadyn (Galka), and as you'd expect, you can fully customize the look your character no matter what race he or she's a member of. Hyuran are further divided into "midlanders" and "highlanders," and Miqo'te are divided into the diurnal Sunseekers and the nocturnal Moonkeepers, though how this affects gameplay is still under wraps.

Ring: Five races exactly like FFXI, of course. Seriously, are we really supposed to believe that this isn’t FFXI-2? They are just giving us features that we have wanted in FFXI for a long time. They probably decided that it was just easier to reboot the whole thing than rework the entirety of FFXI. And why do people care about Manthras anyway? Seriously, who wants Mithras with dicks?

1UP: FFXIV's "armory system" is what defines your character's growth. The game has four broadly defined "job skills" -- Fighter, Sorcerer, Gatherer and Crafter -- each of which has a variety of more specific classes (Swordsman, Blacksmith, Caster, etc) attached to it. You can change your class instantly simply by changing your weapon and armor, and as you fight and complete quests with that equipment, your character will advance in that class. You're free to concentrate entirely on one class, or try to balance yourself out among all the job skills.

Ring: Ok, so the new job system that “isn’t a job system”. Sure, whatever. This job system may not be like the FFXI one, but it’s not that new or innovative or anything. Many other games use a branching leveling system. Yes, right, I forgot… FFXIV has no levels! Ok, the character has no “levels” but their skills have levels, and you will have to build up some kind of points to increase these levels. Calling a spade a heart doesn’t make it any less a spade. Not saying that a job system is bad or anything, I love the new idea; I just wish the marketing packaging of this whole thing was a little more honest.

1UP: This armory system isn't exactly like the "job" concept that most Final Fantasy games work under. "The way I see it, the player can define how his own job works," says Komoto. "For example, if you have the Swordsman skill, that's enough to let you play by yourself, but if you've also raised your Sorcerer skill enough to unlock that skill's healing magic, that'll make solo play a lot easier for you. You can carry enough equipment around at any given time to change your style freely, and the system makes this easy by letting you change sets of equipment all at once."

Ring: Sounds like the subjob system, but what matters is if you can do this really on-the-fly. Does that mean you kill a mob, then change gear to heal yourself, then change gear again to fight the next mob, or does it mean you are fighting the mob, take some damage, change gear to heal yourself while you are fighting the same mob then swap back to kill the mob? Are we going to still fucking lose target? This all sounds nice for the casual player, but I am much more interested in how specialization is going to work. Where is the hardcore player, end-game info?

1UP: This skill and class system largely replaces the traditional RPG concepts of levels and experience points in FFXIV. Instead of worrying about EXP, "I think the main thrust will be raising the skills you have at hand," as Komoto puts it. You'll probably still have to engage in good old-fashioned MMORPG grinding to improve your character, though.

Ring: If by “replaces”, you really mean “renames”. It’s going to be easier to level and level a variety of different jobs without much downtime, but grinding is still there, and from things I have read else where they are going with a durability system instead of an XP loss system as death punishment. Changing the name of something does not make it “new”.

1UP: FFXIV's quest system involves visiting Eorzea's guild and receiving work passes from the guildmaster. Other players can cooperate with you, and everyone can put their passes together to involve the entire gang in a sort of mini-campaign. The available passes change at regular intervals, and completing a single quest from one of these passes will be a relatively short process -- Komoto estimates it at around half an hour or so. "You don't need a set number of people for each quest," he said. "That you can work out by yourself with the other players in the guild, since they're all there for the same goal."

Ring: Content you can enjoy because SE didn’t make it! This is like a combo FoV and MMM combo. Sounds like they are totally abandoning the party system, which is good and bad. The party system created a minimum level of interpersonal decency in FFXI, which is not replicated in many places where solo play is emphasized (*coughWoWcough*). Though this system doesn’t sound like a bad idea, I just wish that there was some self-correcting anti-douche mechanism like the party system in FFXI. And I want to know how end-game is going to look…
And there you have it, my coverage of 1UP’s coverage. You might see a few consistencies in my comments. And some more pictures to prove my point. These are a few of the "new" cities in FFXIV.

Jeuno?


La Thiene Plateau?


Konschtat Highlands?


Pashhow Marshlands?


Sarutabaruta?


Here is a bonus shot of a Sorcerer in a city. This at least looks interesting. More "high-fantasy" themed as they have said.

And finally a picture of a page with several different cities on them. Click on the picture for the full size version. You might see a little familiarity there too. Castle city? Forest city? Bastok, San d'Oria and Windurst all have themes like this.

<a href="http://www.1up.com/images/logo-1updotcom.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.1up.com/images/logo-1updotcom.gif" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 75px;" /></a>I love it when people with no real working knowledge of FFXI make commentary about it, but it is even better when people with limited working knowledge work for the "online gaming media" and post articles about FFXIV and compare it to FFXI. <br /><br />It is usually a feeding frenzy whenever new information appears, at least in our very small pond. I can not reset to dive in, but how about we add a flip and a half twist to that dive? Let's take a look at 1UP's coverage of the new FFXIV information and add a little bit of Ring spice to it. <br /><br />If you aren't interesting in my spice, I understand, but I have some new pictures of FFXIV that I will put at the bottom of the column after the cut, so then you will HAVE to click and maybe you will even read my comments! :) <br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1UP</span>: Why is this peppy young swordsman looking so smug? Probably because he's found himself in the land of Eorzea, a wild place filled with squabbling city-states, plundering barbarians, and all kinds of other enemies, natural and unnatural. He's <span style="font-style:italic;">made</span> it, in other words. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ring</span>: Yeah, he really has <span style="font-style:italic;">made</span> it. He has made it directly from the FFXI teaser from about 10 years ago. And Eorzea looks more and more like Vana’diel from what I have seen so far. Similarities? Parallel Universe? Lazy Developers? Failed Attempt at FFXI-2? Which do you think is more likely, hmm? <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1UP</span>: Eorzea's nations used to be constantly at war with each other, but the advent of airborne battleships and other shockingly powerful weapons has created a state of détente throughout the land. The resulting peace has led to a wide swath of soldiers and mercenaries suddenly without a job, and so they're now forming guilds and calling themselves under a new name: adventurers.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ring</span>: Wait… what? Nations at war, but airships are the ultimate weapons that stop them from fighting? Soldiers and mercenaries becoming “adventurers”? Stop me if you have heard this before!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1UP</span>: That's the very basic plot behind Final Fantasy XIV, the PS3/PC online RPG that Square Enix revealed at this year's E3. Now Square Enix is ready to reveal more of the goods, and in this week's issue of <span style="font-style:italic;">Famitsu</span> magazine, game director Nobuaki Komoto offered some of the first really concrete details behind the MMORPG's gameplay. Here are the details: <br />- Eorzea, the continent where players begin their game, is a small continent with several surrounding islands. Time passes, and weather changes, on a regular basis in this world, with one in-game day currently set to be about an hour of realtime. This exact figure may change, but as Komoto puts it, "it won't be like Eorzea will be night for hours because it's nighttime in reality... I want FFXIV to be enjoyed even by those who can play only a short time out of the day, so I'd like the sort of time schedule such that it's always a different experience timewise when you login to Eorzea." <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ring</span>: More and more emphasis on casual play? What about us psychos? What is in there for us? But really, this again shows that FFXIV will be following in FFXI’s footsteps in the way the world works. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1UP</span>: Eorzea is home to five races which, although they have different names, look quite a bit like the races in Final Fantasy XI. You have the Hyuran (Hume in FFXI), Miqo'te (Mithra), Lalafell (Tarutaru), Elezen (Elvaan) and Roegadyn (Galka), and as you'd expect, you can fully customize the look your character no matter what race he or she's a member of. Hyuran are further divided into "midlanders" and "highlanders," and Miqo'te are divided into the diurnal Sunseekers and the nocturnal Moonkeepers, though how this affects gameplay is still under wraps.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ring</span>: Five races exactly like FFXI, of course. Seriously, are we really supposed to believe that this isn’t FFXI-2? They are just giving us features that we have wanted in FFXI for a long time. They probably decided that it was just easier to reboot the whole thing than rework the entirety of FFXI. And why do people care about Manthras anyway? Seriously, who wants Mithras with dicks?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1UP</span>: FFXIV's "armory system" is what defines your character's growth. The game has four broadly defined "job skills" -- Fighter, Sorcerer, Gatherer and Crafter -- each of which has a variety of more specific classes (Swordsman, Blacksmith, Caster, etc) attached to it. You can change your class instantly simply by changing your weapon and armor, and as you fight and complete quests with that equipment, your character will advance in that class. You're free to concentrate entirely on one class, or try to balance yourself out among all the job skills. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ring</span>: Ok, so the new job system that “isn’t a job system”. Sure, whatever. This job system may not be like the FFXI one, but it’s not that new or innovative or anything. Many other games use a branching leveling system. Yes, right, I forgot… <span style="font-style:italic;">FFXIV has no levels!</span> Ok, the character has no “levels” but their skills have levels, and you will have to build up some kind of <span style="font-style:italic;">points</span> to increase these levels. Calling a spade a heart doesn’t make it any less a spade. Not saying that a job system is bad or anything, I love the new idea; I just wish the marketing packaging of this whole thing was a little more honest.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1UP</span>: This armory system isn't exactly like the "job" concept that most Final Fantasy games work under. "The way I see it, the player can define how his own job works," says Komoto. "For example, if you have the Swordsman skill, that's enough to let you play by yourself, but if you've also raised your Sorcerer skill enough to unlock that skill's healing magic, that'll make solo play a lot easier for you. You can carry enough equipment around at any given time to change your style freely, and the system makes this easy by letting you change sets of equipment all at once." <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ring</span>: Sounds like the subjob system, but what matters is if you can do this really on-the-fly. Does that mean you kill a mob, then change gear to heal yourself, then change gear again to fight the next mob, or does it mean you are fighting the mob, take some damage, change gear to heal yourself <span style="font-style:italic;">while you are fighting the same mob</span> then swap back to kill the mob? Are we going to still fucking <span style="font-style:italic;">lose target</span>? This all sounds nice for the casual player, but I am much more interested in how <span style="font-style:italic;">specialization</span> is going to work. Where is the hardcore player, end-game info? <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1UP</span>: This skill and class system largely replaces the traditional RPG concepts of levels and experience points in FFXIV. Instead of worrying about EXP, "I think the main thrust will be raising the skills you have at hand," as Komoto puts it. You'll probably still have to engage in good old-fashioned MMORPG grinding to improve your character, though. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ring</span>: If by “replaces”, you really mean “renames”. It’s going to be easier to level and level a variety of different jobs without much downtime, but grinding is still there, and from things I have read else where they are going with a durability system instead of an XP loss system as death punishment. Changing the name of something does not make it “new”.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1UP</span>: FFXIV's quest system involves visiting Eorzea's guild and receiving work passes from the guildmaster. Other players can cooperate with you, and everyone can put their passes together to involve the entire gang in a sort of mini-campaign. The available passes change at regular intervals, and completing a single quest from one of these passes will be a relatively short process -- Komoto estimates it at around half an hour or so. "You don't need a set number of people for each quest," he said. "That you can work out by yourself with the other players in the guild, since they're all there for the same goal." <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ring</span>: Content you can enjoy because SE didn’t make it! This is like a combo FoV and MMM combo. Sounds like they are totally abandoning the party system, which is good and bad. The party system created a minimum level of interpersonal decency in FFXI, which is not replicated in many places where solo play is emphasized (*coughWoWcough*). Though this system doesn’t sound like a bad idea, I just wish that there was some self-correcting anti-douche mechanism like the party system in FFXI. And I want to know how end-game is going to look… <br />And there you have it, my coverage of 1UP’s coverage. You might see a few consistencies in my comments. And some more pictures to prove my point. These are a few of the "new" cities in FFXIV.<br /><br />Jeuno? <br /><a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Jeuno_2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Jeuno_2.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 499px; height: 187px;" /></a><br /><br />La Thiene Plateau?<br /><a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/K_field.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/K_field.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 282px;" /></a><br /><br />Konschtat Highlands?<br /><a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/K_field_2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/K_field_2.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 272px;" /></a><br /><br />Pashhow Marshlands?<br /><a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Pash_2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Pash_2.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 280px;" /></a><br /><br />Sarutabaruta? <br /><a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Saru_Field.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Saru_Field.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 270px;" /></a><br /><br />Here is a bonus shot of a Sorcerer in a city. This at least looks interesting. More "high-fantasy" themed as they have said. <a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Sorc_City.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Sorc_City.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 269px;" /></a><br /><br />And finally a picture of a page with several different cities on them. Click on the picture for the full size version. You might see a little familiarity there too. Castle city? Forest city? Bastok, San d'Oria and Windurst all have themes like this. <a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/FFXIV_cities.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/FFXIV_cities.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 318px;" /></a></span>

FFXIV News: New Pictures and More.

Elmer the Almighty has put up a new article on ZAM! and detailed a few new pictures that were leaked about FFXIV from a new Japanese magazine that is due out at the end of the week. Elmer's full article can be seen here.

Elmer provides as much information as he can about the races and classes that have been presented so far in FFXIV. The races are the first things that he discusses and all the old reliables are there. Hume (Hyuran), Elvaan (Elzen), Tarutaru (Lalafell), Galka (Roegadyn) and Mithra (Miqo'te). The designs for all of them are almost exactly the same as FFXI designs except for the Lalafell which actually appear to have elbows and knees, features that were lacking for our miniature stiff-limbed companions. Yes, of course the designs have been updated, but if you look at the Hume/Hyuran design from the FFXIV trailer and compare him to the one from teh FFXI trailer the resemblance is striking.

Next up is the vague description of the job system, called the Armory System. It appears that SE is going to follow something like other games use with general archetypes that become more and more specified with more "training" through the use of different weapons. So use a different weapon and you train/develop as a different job. It should make things relatively easy to switch jobs, and the information seems to indicate that we will be keeping the equipment-centric system because you will be able to change jobs on the fly. Thank god.

It also appears that crafting is interrelated within the job system. The original jobs featured were Fighter which specialized into Fencer and Archer. Sorcerer which specialized into some kind of Shaman and some kind of Illusionist. The thing to remember here is that details were vague but they did follow some traditional Final Fantasy roles for the most part. The crafting classes appeared to be broken down into Crafter and Gatherer, with Blacksmith and Chef, and Gardener and Fisherman respectively. Job changing appears to be wholly based on changing the weapon that is currently equipped.

Finally, Elmer discusses the questing system. It appears to be more player-driven than anything else I have seen on the market. You select "leaves" (of a book?) and it lets you develop the goals of the quest and how to fulfill them. Want to craft? Go for it? Kill a bunch of easy mobs or just on big baddy? Your choice. Elmer mentions that this sounds like the Moblin Maze Mongers system, but I think it might also resemble Fields of Valor where you are given options within certain perimeters rather than total randomization. This was the lest clear part of the article, out of no fault of Elmer's but rather because the screenshots he was reviewing are not complete.

I look forward to seeing the translation of the full article later this week. Check below the cut for all the picture available so far.

A facial shot of most of the races.


Hyuran/Hume


Elzen/Elvaan


Lalafell/Tarutaru


Roegadyn/Galka


Miqo'te/Mithra


The "Figher" Class


The "Sorcerer" Class


The "Crafter" Class


The "Gatherer" Class


The "Guild Leave" System

<a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/FFXI_info.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/FFXI_info.png" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 188px;" /></a>Elmer the Almighty has put up a new article on ZAM! and detailed a few new pictures that were leaked about FFXIV from a new Japanese magazine that is due out at the end of the week. Elmer's full article can be seen <a href="http://ffxiv.zam.com/story.html?story=19138">here</a>. <br /><br />Elmer provides as much information as he can about the races and classes that have been presented so far in FFXIV. The races are the first things that he discusses and all the old reliables are there. Hume (Hyuran), Elvaan (Elzen), Tarutaru (Lalafell), Galka (Roegadyn) and Mithra (Miqo'te). The designs for all of them are almost exactly the same as FFXI designs except for the Lalafell which actually appear to have elbows and knees, features that were lacking for our miniature stiff-limbed companions. Yes, of course the designs have been updated, but if you look at the Hume/Hyuran design from the FFXIV trailer and compare him to the one from teh FFXI trailer the resemblance is striking.<br /><br />Next up is the vague description of the job system, called the Armory System. It appears that SE is going to follow something like other games use with general archetypes that become more and more specified with more "training" through the use of different weapons. So use a different weapon and you train/develop as a different job. It should make things relatively easy to switch jobs, and the information seems to indicate that we will be keeping the equipment-centric system because you will be able to change jobs on the fly. Thank god. <br /><br />It also appears that crafting is interrelated within the job system. The original jobs featured were Fighter which specialized into Fencer and Archer. Sorcerer which specialized into some kind of Shaman and some kind of Illusionist. The thing to remember here is that details were vague but they did follow some traditional Final Fantasy roles for the most part. The crafting classes appeared to be broken down into Crafter and Gatherer, with Blacksmith and Chef, and Gardener and Fisherman respectively. Job changing appears to be wholly based on changing the weapon that is currently equipped. <br /><br />Finally, Elmer discusses the questing system. It appears to be more player-driven than anything else I have seen on the market. You select "leaves" (of a book?) and it lets you develop the goals of the quest and how to fulfill them. Want to craft? Go for it? Kill a bunch of easy mobs or just on big baddy? Your choice. Elmer mentions that this sounds like the Moblin Maze Mongers system, but I think it might also resemble Fields of Valor where you are given options within certain perimeters rather than total randomization. This was the lest clear part of the article, out of no fault of Elmer's but rather because the screenshots he was reviewing are not complete. <br /><br />I look forward to seeing the translation of the full article later this week. Check below the cut for all the picture available so far. <br /><span class="fullpost"><br />A facial shot of most of the races.<br /><a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/All_races.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/All_races.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 346px; height: 415px;" /></a><br /><br />Hyuran/Hume<br /><a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Hyuran.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Hyuran.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 343px; height: 368px;" /></a><br /><br />Elzen/Elvaan<br /><a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Elzen.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Elzen.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 416px;" /></a><br /><br />Lalafell/Tarutaru<br /><a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Lalafell.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Lalafell.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 450px;" /></a><br /><br />Roegadyn/Galka<br /><a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Roegadyn.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Roegadyn.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 351px; height: 434px;" /></a><br /><br />Miqo'te/Mithra<br /><a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Miqote.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Miqote.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 435px;" /></a><br /><br />The "Figher" Class<br /><a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Fighter.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Fighter.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 403px; height: 472px;" /></a><br /><br />The "Sorcerer" Class<br /><a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Sorcerer.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Sorcerer.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 366px; height: 415px;" /></a><br /><br />The "Crafter" Class<br /><a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Crafter.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Crafter.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 401px; height: 412px;" /></a><br /><br />The "Gatherer" Class<br /><a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Gatherer.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Gatherer.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 437px;" /></a><br /><br />The "Guild Leave" System<br /><a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Leaves-1.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Leaves-1.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" /></a><br /></span>

Firesday to Darksday: The Elmer is God Edition.

Firesday to Darksday is our weekly wrap-up column on O's Kote and it will be covering the week that was in FFXI, going over good blogs you should check out, interesting threads on any forums we might notice or anything else that might have slipped by in the night. We are always on the look out for FFXI information for you!

It has been a busy week for Japanese gaming coverage, not just for FFXI but also for FFXIV. There were some interesting tid-bits about the future, but nothing you couldn't have guessed or already knew. That being said it was nice to get some confirmation on the status of both games. Let's start with our favorite Japanese translator Elmer who has recently moved over to ZAM! and is providing some great information for us in the last couple of weeks!

First off is Elmer's translation of a new Connect!On interview about FFXIV. The interview didn't have much in the way of new information but it was informative and had some decent speculation. Also, it had a nice statement about FFXI to assure players that it wasn't going anywhere.

For more coverage of this week's news check after the break.

Second, Elmer does it again with his translation of Famitsu's interview regarding Pandemonium Warden. The article is very good on the explanation of the design of PW, and why it drives most players crazy. Makes you wonder what the developers are thinking sometimes.

A real treat is that a writer on Massively.com, a site dedicated to all things MMO, has recently picked up FFXI again after a long break and is providing coverage of his return. Starting last week, the story chronicles his beginner feeling all over again, and this week they started experiencing partying in FFXI and still enjoyed it! LOL

Sometimes you can look at a story and get a feeling for it, but sometimes what people report isn't really what happened. The Chinese banning RMT story was a big hit for a couple of days, but the Blue Gartr forums seemed to really understand the story. The Chinese really aren't banning RMT, they are trying to stop other people from using RMT to cover up other crimes. Pretty interesting info in there.

If you find anything interesting out there in the vast and infinite net send it along and we will get it out to everyone! Thanks!

<a href="http://th09.deviantart.net/images2/300W/i/2004/08/1/9/Final_Fantasy_Moogle_Reunion.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://th09.deviantart.net/images2/300W/i/2004/08/1/9/Final_Fantasy_Moogle_Reunion.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 157px;" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">Firesday to Darksday</span><span style="font-style:italic;"> is our weekly wrap-up column on O's Kote and it will be covering the week that was in FFXI, going over good blogs you should check out, interesting threads on any forums we might notice or anything else that might have slipped by in the night. We are always on the look out for FFXI information for you!</span><br /><br />It has been a busy week for Japanese gaming coverage, not just for FFXI but also for FFXIV. There were some interesting tid-bits about the future, but nothing you couldn't have guessed or already knew. That being said it was nice to get some confirmation on the status of both games. Let's start with our favorite Japanese translator Elmer who has recently moved over to ZAM! and is providing some great information for us in the last couple of weeks!<br /><br />First off is Elmer's translation of a new <a href="http://ffxiv.zam.com/story.html?story=18628">Connect!On interview</a> about FFXIV. The interview didn't have much in the way of new information but it was informative and had some decent speculation. Also, it had a nice statement about FFXI to assure players that it wasn't going anywhere.<br /><br />For more coverage of this week's news check after the break. <br /><span class="fullpost"><br />Second, Elmer does it again with his translation of <a href="http://ffxi.allakhazam.com/story.html?story=18647">Famitsu's interview</a> regarding Pandemonium Warden. The article is very good on the explanation of the design of PW, and why it drives most players crazy. Makes you wonder what the developers are thinking sometimes.<br /><br />A real treat is that a writer on <a href="http://www.massively.com">Massively.com</a>, a site dedicated to all things MMO, has recently picked up FFXI again after a long break and is providing coverage of his return. Starting <a href="http://www.massively.com/2009/06/22/the-digital-continuum-vacationing-in-vanadiel/#continued">last week</a>, the story chronicles his beginner feeling all over again, and <a href="http://www.massively.com/2009/06/29/the-digital-continuum-week-two-of-vacationing-in-vanadiel/">this week</a> they started experiencing partying in FFXI and still enjoyed it! LOL<br /><br />Sometimes you can look at a story and get a feeling for it, but sometimes what people report isn't really what happened. The Chinese banning RMT story was a big hit for a couple of days, but the <a href="http://www.bluegartrls.com/forum/77457-chinese-government-bans-rmt.html">Blue Gartr forums</a> seemed to really understand the story. The Chinese really aren't banning RMT, they are trying to stop other people from using RMT to cover up other crimes. Pretty interesting info in there. <br /><br />If you find anything interesting out there in the vast and infinite net send it along and we will get it out to everyone! Thanks!<br /></span>

Firesday to Darksday: The Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney Edition.

Firesday to Darksday is weekly wrap-up column on O's Kote and it will be covering the week that was in FFXI, going over good blogs you should check out, interesting threads on any forums we might notice or anything else that might have slipped by in the night. We are always on the look out for FFXI information for you!

An interesting week for forum-goers that is for sure, especially for those internet lawyers out there! Do you have a forum account? Then you to can be an internet lawyer!

The headline news? SE is being sued by someone that doesn't really understand how an MMO works. Blue Gartr seems to keep a level head about the situation with only a few people complaining about completely different issues. But several other places picked up on this story in much the same way that they did when some kid couldn't figure out how to cancel their account.

A rather interesting interview with Producer Tanaka in the Japanese Playstation magazine on the ZAM site translated by Elmer the Pointy (and Awesome it should be added). Tanaka assures the fearful that FFXI is going to continue and far past the "years worth of content" that he previously mentioned and some brilliant people misconstrued to mean only a year. (Insider tip here: Video game companies often work on more than one game at a time! Shocking, I know.) A ton of information about the July Update and future ones in this article.

Finally, we have some interesting speculation on FFXIV that was actually picked up by some other video game sites. Eorzeapedia perused one of SE's job pages and found some jobs requiring familiarity with FFXI needed to be filled by September. While I can't necessarily dispute their speculation that it means that a FFXIV beta might be closer than we think the evidence they give is a little specious. There is nothing in the Job Descriptions to indicate anything more than SE needing some more French and German GM's. Remember, this is the European division not Japanese or US, I wouldn't be surprised if they just needed more people to cover for both games.

If you find anything interesting about FFXI or FFXIV for that matter let us know!

<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/73/Phoenix_Wright_-_Ace_Attorney_Coverart.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/73/Phoenix_Wright_-_Ace_Attorney_Coverart.png" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 231px;" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">Firesday to Darksday</span><span style="font-style:italic;"> is weekly wrap-up column on O's Kote and it will be covering the week that was in FFXI, going over good blogs you should check out, interesting threads on any forums we might notice or anything else that might have slipped by in the night. We are always on the look out for FFXI information for you!</span><br /><br />An interesting week for forum-goers that is for sure, especially for those internet lawyers out there! Do you have a forum account? Then you to can be an internet lawyer!<br /><br />The headline news? <a href="http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/997/997958p1.html">SE is being sued</a> by someone that doesn't really understand how an MMO works. <a href="http://www.bluegartrls.com/forum/77235-se-being-sued.html">Blue Gartr</a> seems to keep a level head about the situation with only a few people complaining about completely different issues. But several other places picked up on this story in much the same way that they did when some kid couldn't figure out how to <a href="http://www.bluegartrls.com/forum/61096-kotaku-illinois-law-spurred-ffxi.html">cancel their account</a>.<br /><br />A rather interesting <a href="http://ffxiv.zam.com/story.html?story=18603">interview with Producer Tanaka</a> in the Japanese Playstation magazine on the ZAM site translated by Elmer the Pointy (and Awesome it should be added). Tanaka assures the fearful that FFXI is going to continue and far past the "years worth of content" that he previously mentioned and some brilliant people misconstrued to mean <span style="font-style:italic;">only</span> a year. (Insider tip here: Video game companies often work on more than one game at a time! Shocking, I know.) A ton of information about the July Update and future ones in this article.<br /><br />Finally, we have some <a href="http://www.eorzeapedia.com/2009/06/11/speculation-beta-as-early-as-september/">interesting speculation</a> on FFXIV that was actually picked up by some other video game sites. Eorzeapedia perused one of SE's job pages and found some jobs requiring familiarity with FFXI needed to be filled by September. While I can't necessarily dispute their speculation that it means that a FFXIV beta might be closer than we think the evidence they give is a little specious. There is nothing in the <a href="http://www.square-enix.com/eu/en/jobs/">Job Descriptions</a> to indicate anything more than SE needing some more French and German GM's. Remember, this is the European division not Japanese or US, I wouldn't be surprised if they just needed more people to cover for both games.<br /><br />If you find anything interesting about FFXI or FFXIV for that matter let us know!

Morning in Vana'diel: Real FFXIV Questions.

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! Today, Ringthree is still sick, but he is struggling through adversity to post today so that he doesn't have to hear it from Omoikitte again.

Ok, so we have seen the original set of generic questions for FFXIV, and SE's typical non-responsive answers. But outside of the those questions are the real questions, the meat and potatoes questions. I want to know if they will be using a controller for FFXIV. I mean it is going to be on PS3, but the PS3 is a lot more "computer-like" than the PS2, and in general MMO's have been moving to the ASWD-mouse for movement. Will ASWD-mouse movement even an option in FFXIV? If you want to pull people back from WoW that would be a good option. I love using the controller for FFXI and I hope they bring it back for FFXIV, but I hope they adjust the keyboard and mouse set-up to be a little better for those that use that.

Is there going to be a macro system in FFXIV? Are we even going to need a macro system? And most importantly are they going to finally allow 3rd party development for the UI and add-ons. The Windower community is a vibrant and useful group that is self-regulating to prevent real hacks and doesn't even allow the program to go open source to prevent abuse. If you compare this with most other MMOs you will fine that if allowed most people will work within the system. Of course there will always be abuse but if you look at how well the Windower community works and how well regulated they are, then you have to be able to see that it is a good idea to let the positive forces work for you instead of turning almost all of your PC players into "cheaters".

The economy is another important aspect of the game that is always thought of as "neat" but only as an after thought. The economy in FFXI is super screwed up. While I don't think that farming should be eliminated, I don't think that farming for money on-line should be so time consuming that it eliminates the ability to go to other events or turns making money into a luck game. There are many ways to make money in FFXI, but many of them are based on luck. Which brings me to my next point, can they do something to even out the drop rates on items, or at least have everything in the game have an alternative point/token system for the same gear or at least part of the same gear and if there are going to be alternative collected items to make things (a la Salvage) then have those tokens from that event used to purchase those items. And you could sell the items for money if you don't need them and want the money for other things.

Finally, can we get some community contact? Seriously, they got off to a good start with the podcast series, but if it never goes farther than that then SE really hasn't learned anything at all. You need to have official forums and you need to have daily contact with players, and those contacts need to have some idea of what is happening on the development teams. Even if it's just in Japanese, that is better than nothing. No more of this fly-by-night contact.

So what do you think that SE needs to fix with FFXIV that is currently a problem with FFXI? They said they are learning from FFXI, but the proof is in the pudding. Leave us a comment and tell us what you really want to know about FFXIV!

<a href="http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/ffxi/images/a/a0/Catholicon.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/ffxi/images/a/a0/Catholicon.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 366px; height: 56px;" /></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! Today, Ringthree is still sick, but he is struggling through adversity to post today so that he doesn't have to hear it from Omoikitte again.</span><br /><br />Ok, so we have seen the original set of generic questions for FFXIV, and SE's typical non-responsive answers. But outside of the those questions are the real questions, the meat and potatoes questions. I want to know if they will be using a controller for FFXIV. I mean it is going to be on PS3, but the PS3 is a lot more "computer-like" than the PS2, and in general MMO's have been moving to the ASWD-mouse for movement. Will ASWD-mouse movement even an option in FFXIV? If you want to pull people back from WoW that would be a good option. I love using the controller for FFXI and I hope they bring it back for FFXIV, but I hope they adjust the keyboard and mouse set-up to be a little better for those that use that.<br /><br />Is there going to be a macro system in FFXIV? Are we even going to need a macro system? And most importantly are they going to finally allow 3rd party development for the UI and add-ons. The Windower community is a vibrant and useful group that is self-regulating to prevent real hacks and doesn't even allow the program to go open source to prevent abuse. If you compare this with most other MMOs you will fine that if allowed most people will work within the system. Of course there will always be abuse but if you look at how well the Windower community works and how well regulated they are, then you have to be able to see that it is a good idea to let the positive forces work for you instead of turning almost all of your PC players into "cheaters".<br /><br />The economy is another important aspect of the game that is always thought of as "neat" but only as an after thought. The economy in FFXI is super screwed up. While I don't think that farming should be eliminated, I don't think that farming for money on-line should be so time consuming that it eliminates the ability to go to other events or turns making money into a luck game. There are many ways to make money in FFXI, but many of them are based on luck. Which brings me to my next point, can they do something to even out the drop rates on items, or at least have everything in the game have an alternative point/token system for the <span style="font-style:italic;">same</span> gear or at least part of the same gear <span style="font-style:italic;">and</span> if there are going to be alternative collected items to make things (a la Salvage) then have those tokens from that event used to purchase those items. And you could sell the items for money if you don't need them and want the money for other things. <br /><br />Finally, can we get some community contact? Seriously, they got off to a good start with the podcast series, but if it never goes farther than that then SE really hasn't learned anything at all. You need to have official forums and you need to have daily contact with players, and those contacts need to have some idea of what is happening on the development teams. Even if it's just in Japanese, that is better than nothing. No more of this fly-by-night contact. <br /><br />So what do you think that SE needs to fix with FFXIV that is currently a problem with FFXI? They said they are learning from FFXI, but the proof is in the pudding. Leave us a comment and tell us what you really want to know about FFXIV!

Real Life Happens to Other People: Fourteen is not the end!

In Real Life Happens to Other People, Kallo will be supplying information about all aspects of the FFXI community, including whats going on not just in game, but also reporting on new information from all of the different FFXI communities, from podcasts to forums, from blogs to any other kind of online bitching. Kallo considers the not-so-Final Fantasy.


I’m going to be straight with you people.

I did NOT want to write a post about Final Fantasy XIV for this. However, I think things are starting to become dire. If I were to assign a color code to this situation, I’d have to choose blue. Blue doesn’t seem that dire, I know. Let me explain.

The more I hear about Final Fantasy XIV from people who would better serve society with their mouths sown shut...and fingers sewn together – the more I want to tie a giant elastic band around my throat until my head turns blue and I pop like a grape.

So, let’s make it official; the world of Vana’diel is currently in a code Blue.

Now, you’re asking yourself, “What the hell has him in such a damn uproar about Final Fantasy XIV? I thought he was happy about it.” You’re goddamn right I am! It’s the next epic in a long standing series of epics! Fourteen comes after thirteen. SHOCKER! I know. I haven’t felt this buzzed since twelve came after eleven.

Wait a minute! Something came after eleven?! I know! I just blew your freaking mind didn’t I? Eleven…is not the end. Which brings me to the point of today’s article.

This is not the end. Every brother and his mother are screaming from their knees, “What was it all for? Why did I waste my time? Years and years down the drain!”

Yes, yes, we all feel for you. Here take my sympathy with a side order of pity and go join Jack Thompson at the back of the ‘Shut your damn mouth when you’re talking to me’ line.

You really have no idea how ludicrous it is that people are upset at the prospect of a new Final Fantasy MMO. I’m going to explain why, settle down children.

Let’s take a trip back in the time machine for a moment to a time of Giant Swords, Materia and Knights of the Round Table. I did everything there was to do in Final Fantasy 7. Mastered all Materia for all characters. Maxed out all stats to 255 in the Sunken Gelnika. You name it, I conquered it. Guess who believes me? Better yet, guess who cares? Not a damn person. Everyone did it. Or so they say.

When Final Fantasy VIII came out…do you think I shouted for my long lost hours and repented at the sight of the rapture? Hell no. It’s a new Final Fantasy to play!

But, how does this relate to Final Fantasy XI you may be asking. An offline game is so different from an online one! You’re right. You have less of a reason to bitch about an online game. Because people actually see and know of your achievements.

Is a world-famous architect going to spend 10 years building the longest bridge ever created, then and cry about his lost time and effort when someone builds a bigger and better bridge? No. Because he’s not a damn sissy.

Final Fantasy XIV is real. It’s going to happen. You do no have to play it. Final Fantasy XI will remain. So get over yourself, pick which one you want to play, hell, play both! Just shut the hell up about it!

I’ll meet you back here in eight years when they release Final Fantasy XVII.

<span style="font-style:italic;">In </span><span style="font-weight:bold;">Real Life Happens to Other People</span><span style="font-style:italic;">, Kallo will be supplying information about all aspects of the FFXI community, including whats going on not just in game, but also reporting on new information from all of the different FFXI communities, from podcasts to forums, from blogs to any other kind of online bitching. Kallo considers the not-so-Final Fantasy.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/090612-RIP-Vanadiel.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/090612-RIP-Vanadiel.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 153px;" /></a><br />I’m going to be straight with you people.<br /><br />I did NOT want to write a post about Final Fantasy XIV for this. However, I think things are starting to become dire. If I were to assign a color code to this situation, I’d have to choose blue. Blue doesn’t seem that dire, I know. Let me explain.<br /><br />The more I hear about Final Fantasy XIV from people who would better serve society with their mouths sown shut...and fingers sewn together – the more I want to tie a giant elastic band around my throat until my head turns blue and I pop like a grape.<br /><br />So, let’s make it official; the world of Vana’diel is currently in a code Blue.<br /><br />Now, you’re asking yourself, “What the hell has him in such a damn uproar about Final Fantasy XIV? I thought he was happy about it.” You’re goddamn right I am! It’s the next epic in a long standing series of epics! Fourteen comes after thirteen. SHOCKER! I know. I haven’t felt this buzzed since twelve came after eleven.<br /><br />Wait a minute! Something came after eleven?! I know! I just blew your freaking mind didn’t I? Eleven…is not the end. Which brings me to the point of today’s article.<br /><br />This is not the end. Every brother and his mother are screaming from their knees, “What was it all for? Why did I waste my time? Years and years down the drain!”<br /><br />Yes, yes, we all feel for you. Here take my sympathy with a side order of pity and go join Jack Thompson at the back of the ‘Shut your damn mouth when you’re talking to me’ line.<br /><br />You really have no idea how ludicrous it is that people are upset at the prospect of a new Final Fantasy MMO. I’m going to explain why, settle down children.<br /><br />Let’s take a trip back in the time machine for a moment to a time of Giant Swords, Materia and Knights of the Round Table. I did everything there was to do in Final Fantasy 7. Mastered all Materia for all characters. Maxed out all stats to 255 in the Sunken Gelnika. You name it, I conquered it. Guess who believes me? Better yet, guess who cares? Not a damn person. Everyone did it. Or so they say.<br /><br />When Final Fantasy VIII came out…do you think I shouted for my long lost hours and repented at the sight of the rapture? Hell no. It’s a new Final Fantasy to play!<br /><br />But, how does this relate to Final Fantasy XI you may be asking. An offline game is so different from an online one! You’re right. You have less of a reason to bitch about an online game. Because people actually see and know of your achievements.<br /><br />Is a world-famous architect going to spend 10 years building the longest bridge ever created, then and cry about his lost time and effort when someone builds a bigger and better bridge? No. Because he’s not a damn sissy.<br /><br />Final Fantasy XIV is real. It’s going to happen. You do no have to play it. Final Fantasy XI will remain. So get over yourself, pick which one you want to play, hell, play both! Just shut the hell up about it!<br /><br />I’ll meet you back here in eight years when they release Final Fantasy XVII.