The latest patch for Final Fantasy XIV brought some major changes with it, but there are more coming. In a new series of announcements, Square-Enix announced that the unbilled period of the game will be coming to a close between late November and early December in recognition of the large-scale work done by Naoki Yoshida and the game's team. But the announcement was more far-reaching than that -- no, the entire game is going to undergo a major process of changes well through next year, including a graphical engine and UI overhaul as well as major changes to the game's maps.
Several design documents have been posted along with this update, making it clear that the changes will be observed and influenced by players taking part in content during this time period. And these changes will be massive -- the new UI will not only look much cleaner but also be able to support player add-ons. With a promised redesign of maps, changes to the landscape, the upcoming PlayStation 3 version, and major updates to the battle system and armoury system, it's going to be very busy over the next few months as Final Fantasy XIV moves toward version 2.0.
Reader Comments (79)
Posted: Oct 14th 2011 11:11AM ThePeon25 said
The game should be free to play until everything is fixed cuz im not gonna pay before I see some real results. I want results not to hear promises.
Posted: Oct 14th 2011 12:11PM ThePeon25 said
well at least I hope 2.0 will show us that the game is worth paying for it´s not that I don´t wanna pay but I don´t wanna risk my cash on something they only promised so far I want results sure 1.9 looks good so far but still Combat feels slow and sluggish some times even when I press 1-9 it still does not use my skills every time the reaction is way way to slow on skills.
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Posted: Oct 14th 2011 12:03PM hami83 said
@Beltyra You got more value with this "beta" paying full price then you get with most full release games. What are you complaining about?
Posted: Oct 14th 2011 12:04PM Pingles said
Ugh. I just bought it.
I think I will cancel my sub until the game gets changed. THEN hop back in. Feels silly to be paying to learn a game that will not be the same game in a few months.
I agree that it makes more sense to do the changes and THEN start charging but I feel a bit silly demanding that I continue to play for free.
I'll be back when the changes are finished, FFXIV!
I think I will cancel my sub until the game gets changed. THEN hop back in. Feels silly to be paying to learn a game that will not be the same game in a few months.
I agree that it makes more sense to do the changes and THEN start charging but I feel a bit silly demanding that I continue to play for free.
I'll be back when the changes are finished, FFXIV!
Posted: Oct 14th 2011 12:07PM Irem said
Oh my god, those male Miqo'te concept sketches. Welp, between those and the environment plans I'm pretty much sold.
Posted: Oct 14th 2011 12:11PM Beltyra said
@hami83 You sir are a hilarious gem. Don't change a thing. I love ya.
Posted: Oct 14th 2011 12:38PM shojikareza said
maybe ppl dont get it, right after 2.0 release they will be giving a free period to those PC users to commerate for it's 2.0 release,
so basicly you are only paying for like 10 months only, and is crazy for business company to continue support a game without any income.
Think of it that is an investment from players, you want 2.0 live? pay up monthly for 10 months and they can assure it's coming, they already given us 1 year worth of free game play.
I will continue to play and pay for the sub for what they have done for us fans. Is incredible! I hope the concept will come 99% :)
so basicly you are only paying for like 10 months only, and is crazy for business company to continue support a game without any income.
Think of it that is an investment from players, you want 2.0 live? pay up monthly for 10 months and they can assure it's coming, they already given us 1 year worth of free game play.
I will continue to play and pay for the sub for what they have done for us fans. Is incredible! I hope the concept will come 99% :)
Posted: Oct 14th 2011 12:39PM HokieKC said
They're going to start charging for this game in six weeks or so? Are they insane?
Posted: Oct 14th 2011 12:42PM HokieKC said
@HokieKC - "With this, it is my hope that we will continue to receive your support as we will need to bring the unbilled period to a close between late November and early December 2011, and introduce our subscription-based billing system. I appreciate that this decision will not be popular, but it is a necessary step in building upon the foundation our fans and development team have made together and to realize the full potential of FINAL FANTASY XIV."
http://lodestone.finalfantasyxiv.com/pl/teaser/
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http://lodestone.finalfantasyxiv.com/pl/teaser/
Posted: Oct 14th 2011 1:06PM Abriael said
@HokieKC No they are not. At the moment the game is already worth paying for. If you don't think so, no one holds you at a gunpoint to do it anyway. When 2.0 hits they're gonna offer a free trial for people to come back and check.
It's a simple concept really. There's a crapton of development that will go into what we saw today. Development costs. So they need to turn a revenue from it.
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It's a simple concept really. There's a crapton of development that will go into what we saw today. Development costs. So they need to turn a revenue from it.
Posted: Oct 14th 2011 1:31PM HokieKC said
@Abriael - The FFXIV development team recently stated they weren't going to charge monthly subscriptions until the game was ready and they were far from that point.
Then all of a sudden the President and CEO of SE says it's ready in six weeks right in time for the holidays (the most active shopping quarter worldwide).
This is a great way to kill a struggling MMO.
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Then all of a sudden the President and CEO of SE says it's ready in six weeks right in time for the holidays (the most active shopping quarter worldwide).
This is a great way to kill a struggling MMO.
Posted: Oct 14th 2011 4:15PM augustgrace said
@Abriael
They could have saved a ton in development costs by doing it right the first time. They've lost any right to expect us to support their vision on "faith". While the new team has been fantastic, they're fighting an uphill battle to save a pos that shouldn't have ever been released. Forgive me if I'm not quite willing to hand over cash on "faith".
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They could have saved a ton in development costs by doing it right the first time. They've lost any right to expect us to support their vision on "faith". While the new team has been fantastic, they're fighting an uphill battle to save a pos that shouldn't have ever been released. Forgive me if I'm not quite willing to hand over cash on "faith".
Posted: Oct 14th 2011 12:54PM Brin Zalazar said
Man, I'm excited for XIV, more excited then I have ever been. It seems like it will be a long wait until we get our hands on 2.0 but at least I can play XIV in the mean time and really enjoy the evolving story. :)
Posted: Oct 14th 2011 4:15PM WonderPenguin said
@Brin Zalazar The story has been easily the best part of the latest updates. I can't wait to see how they wrap up this Umbral Era storyline.
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