Real Life Happens to Other People: Obsidian Above and Beyond!

Obsidian Linkshell is most likely to be the oldest, consistently performing dynamis ls on the Odin server. It is by far and away the most successful North American dynamis shell, despite having gone through its own amount of internal turmoil it has always managed to hold together with one of the finest points system databases in FFXI.

New horizons are potentially rumbling through as the leadership takes a possible look at expanding the ls to cover a few more end game events outside of just Dynamis. An idea that grew from a small seed, it could be worth watching to see if this becomes a successful transition, Obsidian has a huge memberbase it can draw from for this, even though a large number of its members are from other endgame ls'.

While a largely casual player base, everyone has to start somewhere, most people only need a bit of experience to adapt to endgame and its various rigours. It is definately worth keeping an eye on developments to see if we have a behemoth rise from this!

<a href="http://einherjar.obsidianls.com/images/obsidian-einherjar.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://einherjar.obsidianls.com/images/obsidian-einherjar.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" /></span></a><br /><br />Obsidian Linkshell is most likely to be the oldest, consistently performing dynamis ls on the Odin server. It is by far and away the most successful North American dynamis shell, despite having gone through its own amount of internal turmoil it has always managed to hold together with one of the finest points system databases in FFXI.<br /><br />New horizons are potentially rumbling through as the leadership takes a possible look at expanding the ls to cover a few more end game events outside of just Dynamis. An idea that grew from a small seed, it could be worth watching to see if this becomes a successful transition, Obsidian has a huge memberbase it can draw from for this, even though a large number of its members are from other endgame ls'.<br /><br />While a largely casual player base, everyone has to start somewhere, most people only need a bit of experience to adapt to endgame and its various rigours. It is definately worth keeping an eye on developments to see if we have a behemoth rise from this!

Real Life Happens To Other People: POL Shantotto Art Winners Announced.

SE have released the winners of the Shantotto Art Competition held to celebrate the release of the add-on featuring our favourite psychotic female Black Mage from Windurst.

As per usual the quality and standard of the entries selected is very high, my personal favourite was the pop-up book, I liked the creativity behind it as much as anything else, although the winning image is dynamic, exciting and brings Shantotto to life.

Have a check in the news section on POL's website for all of the superb entries for this event.

<a href="http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11us/detail/5085/5085"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11us/detail/5085/5085" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 415px; height: 100px;" /></a><br />SE have released the <a href="http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/topics/fanart2009_shantotto/index.html">winners</a> of the Shantotto Art Competition held to celebrate the release of the add-on featuring our favourite psychotic female Black Mage from Windurst.<br /><br />As per usual the quality and standard of the entries selected is very high, my personal favourite was the <a href="http://www.playonline.com/ff11/topics/fanart2009_shantotto/imgs/im010.jpg">pop-up book</a>, I liked the creativity behind it as much as anything else, although the winning image is dynamic, exciting and brings Shantotto to life.<br /><br />Have a check in the news section on POL's website for all of the superb entries for this event.

Real Life Happens to Other People: Allakazham Pumpkin Carving competition.

Since Kallo has dropped off the face of the planet, I have decided to pick up the slack on his posts. The buzz in the community as and when I actually go and look heeh ^.^

This particular one is one of those premier site events endorsed by SE, designed to encourage more fan interaction with the people who provide the information and the fan base itself in a slightly more positive direction than merely angry rants on forums.

I have to admit pumpkin carving is something that interests me, we have Halloween in the UK of course, but it isn't any where as close to the kind of event the US make out of it, including this strange temporary artform of pumpkin carving.

Now I will admit I don't visit this website very much, although I used to find it had the best quest layout information back in the day. These days I tend to find its navigation a little heavy handed and cumbersome, but to enjoy the level of dedication people will put into carving FFXI related images into a squishy gourd, I will persevere. It always impresses me what people come up with.

If you want to check out who won the competition you can take a gander over at their website, while I think my personal favourite was this one...

<a href="http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11us/detail/5038/5038.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11us/detail/5038/5038.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 415px; height: 100px;" /></a><br />Since Kallo has dropped off the face of the planet, I have decided to pick up the slack on his posts. The buzz in the community as and when I actually go and look heeh ^.^<br /><br />This particular one is one of those premier site events endorsed by SE, designed to encourage more fan interaction with the people who provide the information and the fan base itself in a slightly more positive direction than merely angry rants on forums.<br /><br />I have to admit pumpkin carving is something that interests me, we have Halloween in the UK of course, but it isn't any where as close to the kind of event the US make out of it, including this strange temporary artform of pumpkin carving.<br /><br />Now I will admit I don't visit this website very much, although I used to find it had the best quest layout information back in the day. These days I tend to find its navigation a little heavy handed and cumbersome, but to enjoy the level of dedication people will put into carving FFXI related images into a squishy gourd, I will persevere. It always impresses me what people come up with.<br /><br />If you want to check out who won the competition you can take a gander over at their <a href="http://ffxi.allakhazam.com/story.html?story=20407">website</a>, while I think my personal favourite was this one...<br /><br /><a href="http://common.allakhazam.com/images/4/c/4c9b953aef54b5dc791196f3bfba2b7e.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://common.allakhazam.com/images/4/c/4c9b953aef54b5dc791196f3bfba2b7e.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 325px; height: 400px;" /></a>

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.

Real Life Happens to Other People: Kallo Cares!

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. Today, Kallo shows just how much he cares!

Kallo Cares.

I really do.

Now, this is actually quite a feat in itself. If anyone reading this knows me, you’ll know why. I don’t have a lot of faith in… well just about anything. However, when I was approached and asked to write a column pertaining to ‘community’ I figured I might give it a shot.

Even though the community is filled with Red Mages who want to melee , White Mages who want to deal damage, Summoners who don’t have enough avatars and Levels 50 Players who are planning on skipping End Game…even with all of this, I thought to myself, “You know Kallo, old boy, I bet knowing what you know and knowing who you know, you can find the good in all of this. You can find the sensibility amongst all the ‘loldrg’, you can find the reason amidst the rubble of ‘roflblu’.”

So, that’s what I plan on doing.

Or at least, that’s what I tell people to help inflate my ego. The real deal is, I have an opinion and I’m going to share it. A lot of people will read it. A lot of people will hate it. The best part about that, is they’ll keep sacrificing their precious little seconds and minutes to read it even though they hate it.

So, whether you hate it or whether you like or if you’re at least even mildly amused but what you read here, just remember – no matter the topic, or how I feel about it, I care.

I really do.

<a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/TeabagRinginTux.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/TeabagRinginTux.png" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 188px; height: 200px;" /></a><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. Today, Kallo shows just how much he cares!</span><br /><br />Kallo Cares.<br /><br />I really do.<br /><br />Now, this is actually quite a feat in itself. If anyone reading this knows me, you’ll know why. I don’t have a lot of faith in… well just about anything. However, when I was approached and asked to write a column pertaining to ‘community’ I figured I might give it a shot.<br /><br />Even though the community is filled with Red Mages who want to melee , White Mages who want to deal damage, Summoners who don’t have enough avatars and Levels 50 Players who are planning on skipping End Game…even with all of this, I thought to myself, “You know Kallo, old boy, I bet knowing what you know and knowing who you know, you can find the good in all of this. You can find the sensibility amongst all the ‘loldrg’, you can find the reason amidst the rubble of ‘roflblu’.”<br /><br />So, that’s what I plan on doing.<br /><br />Or at least, that’s what I tell people to help inflate my ego. The real deal is, I have an opinion and I’m going to share it. A lot of people will read it. A lot of people will hate it. The best part about that, is they’ll keep sacrificing their precious little seconds and minutes to read it even though they hate it.<br /><br />So, whether you hate it or whether you like or if you’re at least even mildly amused but what you read here, just remember – no matter the topic, or how I feel about it, I care.<br /><br />I really do.