Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Gamepot Partners with Square-Enix for Fantasy Earth Zero]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/14/gamepot-partners-with-square-enix-for-fantasy-earth-zero/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/14/gamepot-partners-with-square-enix-for-fantasy-earth-zero/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/14/gamepot-partners-with-square-enix-for-fantasy-earth-zero/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Apparently, Square-Enix isn't satisfied with just launching the highly-anticipated Final Fantasy XIV this year. In partnership with Gamepot USA, they're also going to be rolling out Fantasy Earth Zero, a new game for this side of the pond. The game promises PvPvE elements a la Aion, will be free to play, and should be available early this year.

Sound like a remarkably short turnaround? That's because the game isn't actually new, having launched in Japan in 2006. Square-Enix had initially put quite a bit of promotion behind the game, but it very nearly died in its home country soon thereafter. Gamepot saved the game from a swift death, uncoupled it from the rather ill-fated PlayOnline Viewer, and moved to a free-to-play model that's been working out quite well for the game ever since.

Tortured history aside, players can expect Fantasy Earth Zero to deliver a very active PvP experience with large-scale battles, as well as the usual high production values associated with a Square game. Take a look at the official teaser site to see about entering the local beta, and keep an eye open for more details about the game become available in the likely very near future.

MassivelyGamepot Partners with Square-Enix for Fantasy Earth Zero originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionf2pfantasy-earth-zerofezfree-to-playgamepotgamepot-usalaunchlauncheslocalizationnew-gamesnew-titlesplayonline-viewerpvpvesquaresquare-enixtranslationThu, 14 Jan 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The sad fate of the PlayOnline Viewer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/the-sad-fate-of-the-playonline-viewer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/the-sad-fate-of-the-playonline-viewer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/the-sad-fate-of-the-playonline-viewer/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Those of you who are currently playing Final Fantasy XI or who have played it in the past will remember the PlayOnline Viewer. Those of you who haven't will have no idea what it is, which might be for the best. Square-Enix originally included the program with the launch of Final Fantasy XI with the expectation that it would serve as a hub for a variety of different online games, so it would serve as a chat program, a launcher, a social network hub, and a support site.

Of course, when you think of all those things, what you probably think of is Steam, which does all of those things quite well. The PlayOnline Viewer, on the other hand, has proved excellent at doing... well, it mostly means more clicks before you get into FFXI. And as Pet Food Alpha has recently noted, it also seems to be hosting wholly unmoderated explicit chat rooms.

Square-Enix has stated that Final Fantasy XIV will not use the viewer, which means they seem to have abandoned it as a poor idea. Steam works, in part, because it sells a variety of both online and offline games, most of which don't come from its parent company. With a clunky interface and strange functional restrictions on it, it's hardly a surprise that the service never took off... but in light of recent events, the company's policy to ignore it completely might not be the best plan.

MassivelyThe sad fate of the PlayOnline Viewer originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chatchatroomffxiffxivfinal-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivmoderationpet-food-alphaplayonlineplayonline-viewerpolsquaresquare-enixsteamWed, 13 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Square-Enix not discontinuing authentication tokens, authenticators now back in stock]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/square-enix-not-discontinuing-authentication-tokens-authenticat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/square-enix-not-discontinuing-authentication-tokens-authenticat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/square-enix-not-discontinuing-authentication-tokens-authenticat/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Looks like we can put a rumor to rest for y'all. As we reported on earlier, some people were wondering if Square-Enix was discontinuing their authentication token program as it never looked like the tokens were being re-added to the stock.

We've spoken to Square-Enix regarding this matter, and they've laid the rumor to rest for us. The authentication tokens are not being discontinued (as they are pretty popular) and have now been re-stocked back into the store. We here at Massively highly recommend tossing the 10 bucks towards the token, if you can afford it, as it gives you access to the amazingly useful Mog Satchel -- a second inventory for your character. Better act fast, however, as these tokens fly out of the store very shortly after being restocked.

To purchase an authenticator, log into PlayOnline, go to the Final Fantasy XI top page, select optional services, and then click security token sales.

MassivelySquare-Enix not discontinuing authentication tokens, authenticators now back in stock originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>authentication-tokenauthenticatormog-satchelplayonlineplayonline-viewerrestocksecuritysquare-enix-authenticatorTue, 28 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST