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[The Mog Log: A decade of Final Fantasy XI]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/19/the-mog-log-a-decade-of-final-fantasy-xi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/19/the-mog-log-a-decade-of-final-fantasy-xi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/19/the-mog-log-a-decade-of-final-fantasy-xi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
Generally speaking, when I celebrate anniversaries, I celebrate the point when the game actually came out in a language that I could play it. This is relevant in the case of Final Fantasy XI, since the game took a year and a half to reach the shores of America (also known as "the place I live"). I learned my lesson about trying to learn a language just to muddle through a game back with Final Fantasy III.

However, when one of our eagle-eyed readers pointed out to me the milestone that the game had hit, that made an impact because even if I couldn't understand any of the game's text back when it launched, a decade is a long time for continuous operation of anything. So rather than talking about the Legacy campaign as I'd planned, I think I'd rather talk about the legacy of Final Fantasy XI this week, including where the game has gone from its state at launch. You know, when a Black Mage could make the entire world bow and you still got attacked when riding a chocobo.

Continue reading The Mog Log: A decade of Final Fantasy XI

MassivelyThe Mog Log: A decade of Final Fantasy XI originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TERA screenshot
Have you been watching TERA via livestreams and wistfully wishing you could jump in and join but you haven't wanted to plunk down the cash at launch? Well as long as you don't mind not having a box to display on your shelf, your waiting has actually paid off! Amazon is kicking off a 12-day digital "MAYhem" sale today and offering select MMO titles at a significant discount on specific days. Those deals are as follows:
Mark your calendar if you don't want to miss these offers.

[Update: We've added in the TERA sale on May 26th as well.]

[Source: Amazon press release]

MassivelyAmazon to offer special limited-time deals on TERA, RIFT, others [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonamazon.comblueholebluehole-studiosconsoleconsolesen-masseen-masse-entertainmentfantasyffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivriftrift-literift-planes-of-telararvrsquaresquare-enixterathree-faction-pvptriontrion-worldsThu, 17 May 2012 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: The calcification of Final Fantasy XI]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/the-mog-log-the-calcification-of-final-fantasy-xi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/the-mog-log-the-calcification-of-final-fantasy-xi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/the-mog-log-the-calcification-of-final-fantasy-xi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
Over the last couple of months, I've been trying something different. As I mentioned back in my anniversary column, I spent a year trying out a strictly alternating format for Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV, but it wasn't working out to my satisfaction for a number of reasons. Backing off and focusing on the game with more activity seems to be working quite well (from my perspective, anyway), but it also means that I haven't really been discussing Final Fantasy XI much.

This isn't entirely by coincidence, as the game itself hasn't changed much over the past several months. In an earlier column, I had mentioned that the roadmap made it pretty clear that if change was on the horizon, we wouldn't be seeing it until the new roadmap finally came out. And here we are, one new roadmap later. So what do I think? Is this the promised vision of the future, the prophecy to lead us all into a new era of joy and light across the game's continents?

Continue reading The Mog Log: The calcification of Final Fantasy XI

MassivelyThe Mog Log: The calcification of Final Fantasy XI originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 05 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consoleconsolesdevelopmentfantasyfeaturedffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xifuture-patchesmog-logopinionpatchesroad-aheadroadmapsquaresquare-enixsquenixthe-mog-logSat, 05 May 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMObility: Killing the bland in Iruna Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/mmobility-killing-the-bland-in-iruna-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/mmobility-killing-the-bland-in-iruna-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/mmobility-killing-the-bland-in-iruna-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Iruna Online screenshot
Once again, Droid Gamers sent me a sweet tip regarding yet another Android-based MMO. This time around, it's Iruna Online, a real and actual MMO complete with open worlds, "millions" of other players, quests, equipment and monsters. In fact, the game reminds me in some ways of Final Fantasy XI. Iruna Online is not the first mobile MMO that has felt like the Square-Enix favorite, perhaps because they all share a similar art style. As I played, it struck me that the newer smartphones have enough power to run a game that looks as good as Final Fantasy XI, albeit with some graphics options turned down or off.

The similarities basically end there, however. Iruna Online is one of the newer stock of mobile MMOs that show mobile massively multiplayer gaming is really here. It should not be shocking or surprising anymore. Just as in the PC market, we are going to see many titles stream from the Eastern market. Many of them will be duds, but many will also be very, very cool.

Continue reading MMObility: Killing the bland in Iruna Online

MassivelyMMObility: Killing the bland in Iruna Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidbeau-hindmanbrowserbrowser-basedfeaturedffxifinal-fantasy-xigoogle-playHTC-inspireiruna-onlineMMObilitymobilemobile-gamingmobile-mmoopinionphonepreviewsmartphonesmartphone-mmoSquare-EnixFri, 27 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: Free-to-play holdouts]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/the-perfect-ten-free-to-play-holdouts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/the-perfect-ten-free-to-play-holdouts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/the-perfect-ten-free-to-play-holdouts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Perfect Ten
In the increasingly diminishing field of subscription-only MMOs, two distinct camps have formed. There is the Old Guard that has its established playerbase and is simply not interested in jumping on board the F2P train, and then there are the New Kids on the Block (which would make an excellent band name, by the way), who argue that their premium features and AAA content warrant a subscription in the F2P age.

A few years ago, doing a list of the final few F2P holdouts would have been a ridiculous proposition, but now it's actually difficult to get to 10 of these. Each company has a different reason that it hasn't given these games more flexible payment options (FPO should replace F2P; pass it on!), and while some have addressed this publicly, others say nothing and leave us to speculate on it.

For today's Perfect Ten, we're going to look at the 10 biggest current F2P holdouts in the industry and muse about what's going on behind the scenes. Will this list be impossible to do in a few years or will subscription-only titles come back in a big way? Hey, I don't predict things; I just make lists.

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Free-to-play holdouts

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Free-to-play holdouts originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acactivisionAndy-Cataldoasherons-callbiowareblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcamelotccpccp-gamesclassic-mmoconsoleconsolesdaocdark-age-of-cameloteaelectronic-artsendless-trialeveeve-onlinef2pfantasyfeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivfpsfree-to-playhumorinternet-spaceshipsKai-Schoberlord-britishlucasartsmmofpsmythicmythic-entertainmentmythologyopinionp10perfect-10perfect-tenplanetsidepsps1pvpriftrift-literift-planes-of-telararounduprvrsandboxsci-fiscott-hartsmansoesony-online-entertainmentspreadsheets-onlinesquaresquare-enixstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorthe-old-republicthe-perfect-10the-perfect-tentop-10top-10-listtop-tentop-ten-listtortriontrion-worldsturbineturbine-entertainmentultimaultima onlineuowarwarcraftwarhammerwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 19 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lead your Legion into Final Fantasy XI's March version update]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/lead-your-legion-into-final-fantasy-xis-march-version-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/lead-your-legion-into-final-fantasy-xis-march-version-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/lead-your-legion-into-final-fantasy-xis-march-version-update/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Screenshot -- Final Fantasy XI
Final Fantasy XI's March version update has hit the live servers, and it brings with it a few new bits of content as well as a wealth of updates and adjustments to current systems. The big new feature with this content update is the new Legion battle system, which "is a new battle system intended to challenge high-level adventurers in alliances of eighteen to thirty-six combatants."

The Legion system seems to play out like a cross between a survival and a time-attack game mode wherein players are tasked with eliminating as many high-level notorious monsters as they can within a 30-minute time limit. Each notorious monster the team successfully defeats will yield valuable items and Legion points that can be redeemed for a number of rewards. This is only a part of the new additions to the game available with the March update, though, so if you're interested in the complete details, just head on over to the Final Fantasy XI official forums and have a look.

MassivelyLead your Legion into Final Fantasy XI's March version update originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fantasyffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xilegionlegion-battle-systemmarch-updatemarch-version-updatepatchpatchessquaresquare-enixupdateupdatesversion-updateTue, 27 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Apparently I enjoy receiving hate mail]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/03/the-mog-log-apparently-i-enjoy-receiving-hate-mail/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/03/the-mog-log-apparently-i-enjoy-receiving-hate-mail/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/03/the-mog-log-apparently-i-enjoy-receiving-hate-mail/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Mog Log header image by A. Fienemann
I like Final Fantasy XI, and not just because it was the game that introduced me to how awesome MMOs could be, although that's certainly a part of it. I like the game because it has a lot of things that are genuinely likable, several elements that are well-designed, and some really excellent parts that stand out even now. So keep in mind that everything I'm about to say is said on behalf of a Final Fantasy XI fan.

Specifically, the rant that's about to ensue about how the idea of remaking it is a terrible idea.

This suggestion crops up pretty regularly, largely among people still disappointed that Final Fantasy XIV was what it was at launch. There's some thought that somehow cloning FFXI with the models from Final Fantasy XIV would lead to a glorious revival. And I can understand the thought process, but there are two very good reasons why that shouldn't happen -- not won't, which is already obvious, but shouldn't.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Apparently I enjoy receiving hate mail

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Apparently I enjoy receiving hate mail originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 03 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
Grouping with other players is inconvenient. It can also be a lot of fun, but it takes more work to get a half-dozen people running in the same direction compared to just operating on your lonesome. But you're a lot more likely to stick with a game if you can find other people to play with, and thus both Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV have offered different approaches to grouping and encouraging parties.

When I started playing MMOs back when Final Fantasy XI launched, I wound up being soured by the game's insistence on grouping for a long while. These days, I can take a much more objective view of both sides because for all the hiccups that the system brings, Final Fantasy XIV's much more open environment has its own pitfalls -- some a result of basic game design, some a result of the less demanding approach. But why just look at this from the top down?

Continue reading The Mog Log: Get together

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Get together originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 18 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columncolumnsdesignfeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivgroupinggroupslevelingopinionsquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logSat, 18 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: MMO prisons]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/the-perfect-ten-mmo-prisons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/the-perfect-ten-mmo-prisons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/the-perfect-ten-mmo-prisons/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Perfect Ten Prisons
Chillin' in the clink. Spending time in stoney lonesome. Thrown into the slammer. Checking in to the big house. Doing (perfect) 10 to life in the hole. Learning the ropes in juvie.

Prison: The only fun thing about it is the slang that people have come up to describe it. And while you may never actually want to spend any time in the crowbar hotel in real life, chances are you've already done so in MMOs. Jails are an ever-popular locale in online gaming, and they almost always deal with an epidemic of escaped -- yet still milling around casually -- prisoners.

So in today's Perfect Ten, we talked to the warden and got you a special glimpse into pixelated pokeys, if only to scare you straight. No more exploits and bots for you, young man or woman!

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: MMO prisons

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: MMO prisons originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSO Blue Burst
After last week's foray into the colorful world of Phantasy Star Online, I knew I had to step it up for a great follow-through. That's why I got in touch with three excellent MMO bloggers who have long histories with PSO and were more than eager to share their perspective on this unique game world!

The Game Archaeologist: Who the heck are you and how did you first get into Phantasy Star Online? What class and race did you play?

David: I'm David Lambert, but many people know me better as Branick, host and producer of the LOTRO Academy podcast. I first got into Phantasy Star Online with the original Dreamcast release, which I picked up only about two weeks after it came out. I actually had eight different characters (I bought six VMUs in addition to the two I already had specifically for this purpose), but I definitely favored the HUcast. I wasn't big on using techniques, and the HUcast had the highest attack power in the game.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist dials up Phantasy Star Online: The players

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist dials up Phantasy Star Online: The players originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
Today does not quite mark the two-year anniversary of The Mog Log. That was back on January 24th, but I decided to run just a wee bit late with annual retrospectives. We're now close enough to the year mark for argument's sake, which gives me a chance to look back at how the past year of the column has shaken out, what's gone right, and what hasn't. That ties into the issue that one invariably finds when a single column covers two games: There's a split.

Whether or not you like Final Fantasy XIV, you can't argue that the past year has brought an onslaught of changes to the game. On the flip side, there's been less going on in Final Fantasy XI than in any of the game's previous years of operation. As a result, I've had a difficult dilemma to try to juggle: There's one game moving at high speed and one staying rather stagnant, but I don't want to give undue attention to one over the other.

Continue reading The Mog Log: One year, two courses

MassivelyThe Mog Log: One year, two courses originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Phantasy Star Online
The Dreamcast was a brief but shining aberration in the gaming world. Coming along years after Sega had fallen out of its position as a top-runner in the console market, it represented the company's big attempt to reclaim its former glory. While it failed to succeed in that respect and ultimately closed up shop in 2001 (ending Sega's interest in the console market), the Dreamcast became a gaming cult favorite responsible for some of the most innovative titles ever made. Games like Jet Grind Radio, Space Channel 5, and Shenmue have remained fan favorites long after the Dreamcast's demise, which shows the legacy that these dev teams left behind.

But perhaps the Dreamcast's greatest gift to the gaming world wasn't crazy taxis or space dancing but a surprisingly forward-looking approach to online gaming. In 2000, the Dreamcast took the first steps to bringing an online console RPG to market, and while it wasn't a true MMO, it certainly paved the way for titles like EverQuest Online Adventures and Final Fantasy XI.

It was bold, it was addictive, and it was gosh-darned gorgeous. Ladies and gentlemen: Phantasy Star Online.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist dials up Phantasy Star Online: The highlights

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist dials up Phantasy Star Online: The highlights originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardblue-burstchuchu-rocketconsole-mmodiablodial-updialupdreamcasteqoaeverquest-online-adventuresfeaturedffxifinal-fantasy-xigamecubeIsao-Okawajapan-game-awardjet-grind-radiomonster-hunterphantasy-star-onlinephantasy-star-online-2Phantasy-Star-Online-ver.2phantasy-star-universepsopso2psusegaShenmuesonicsonic-adventuressonic-teamsonic-the-hedgehogsonicteamspace-channel-5Takao-Miyoshithe-game-archaeologistthird-worldxboxyuki-nakaTue, 31 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Weakness is strength]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/28/the-mog-log-weakness-is-strength/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/28/the-mog-log-weakness-is-strength/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/28/the-mog-log-weakness-is-strength/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
If you think about characters in the online Final Fantasy games compared to the console-based equivalents, you have to come to a kind of demoralizing conclusion: Your character online is pretty weak. In Final Fantasy XI, you can cap out your Black Mage and you'll still never learn Ultima. In Final Fantasy X, by the time you have your Black Mage using Ultima, you've still got most of the endgame ahead of you. Final Fantasy XIV might move the power scale upward, but at this point your character hasn't even actually mastered being a Paladin, much less summoning anything. Final Fantasy VII, by contrast, gave us three different versions of Bahamut to summon just to keep him relevant, and he was still nowhere near the best.

And you know what? It makes the games much more fun to have these barriers in place.

Players have been clamoring for high-end summons in Final Fantasy XI since forever ago, and the fact that it's not even on the visible horizon for Final Fantasy XIV is disheartening to some. But there's something to be said for a play environment where these touchstones of power remain out of reach, certainly for now and possibly forever.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Weakness is strength

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Weakness is strength originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WoW Concept Art
As you may well know by now, I wasn't an early adopter of the MMO scene apart from a brief exposure to BBSes in the '90s and Anarchy Online and Final Fantasy XI in the early 2000s. To be honest, I found that MMOs were as intimidating -- and fascinating -- to me as pen-and-paper RPGs. You see, in high school I started buying RPG manuals and devouring them cover-to-cover, but I could never find friends or like-minded people with whom to play. The genre was a spectator sport for me; I was looking in from the sidelines and imagining what would happen if I actually got to be part of a D&D session.

Likewise, MMORPGs in their earlier forms appeared as user-friendly to me as that house on the block with overgrown shrubs, a rusty iron fence, and a mangy, ever-barking mutt in front of it. Maybe it was really cool inside, or maybe it was a death trap from whence there was no escape, but I never had the courage to find out. Let me put it this way: I purchased and read the entire Star Wars Galaxies Prima Guide three times over without once signing up for the game.

I'm sharing this with you because I always want to remember that what we take for granted today -- that MMOs are friendly, fun, engaging, and a downright natural part of many of our gaming lives -- isn't always true for those curious lookey-loos who feel intimidated by the scope, busy UIs, subscription fees, or the often bizarre attitudes that long-term MMO players exhibit. For me, it took one game that tore those barriers down to extend a welcoming hand to me, guiding me into these awesome games.

Of course, that was World of Warcraft. And even though my geek cred would be so much higher if it were something earlier or, well, not so mainstream, that wouldn't be the truth. So today I'm going to share my story of how I got into MMOs and why the early days of WoW were some of my most treasured gaming memories.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist's World of Warcraft confession

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist's World of Warcraft confession originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anarchy-onlineaoazerothbbsblizzardclassesendgameeqiieverquest-iifeaturedffxifinal-fantasy-xiquest-systemquestingrest-systemstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-game-archaeologistwarcraft-iiworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 24 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XI classes, round four]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/21/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xi-classes-round-four/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/21/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xi-classes-round-four/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/21/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xi-classes-round-four/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Mog Log header image by A. Fienemann
One of the funny things about writing a regular column is that sometimes, when you start out writing a series of connected columns on a topic, you have a point you want to make. Other times, you find a point making itself as you go, and you realize that it's a pretty good point. After our first three columns covering the various classes in Final Fantasy XI, that effect is on my mind, especially as I move into the fourth installment.

As before, the standard caveats apply. Nothing below is meant to debate relative power levels or overall worth; instead, I'll judge the class solely on its own merits -- how much does it offer other jobs, does it have a unique mechanical identity or not, and how cool is the darn thing. With that in mind, let's round out the advanced jobs from the core game with Beastmaster, Summoner, and Bard!

Continue reading The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XI classes, round four

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Final Fantasy XI classes, round four originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 21 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bardbeastmasterclassescolumncolumnsdesignfeaturedffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xigame-mechanicsjobsopinionsquaresquare-enixsummonerthe-mog-logSat, 21 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: Best MMO theme songs (part one)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/the-perfect-ten-best-mmo-theme-songs-part-one/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/the-perfect-ten-best-mmo-theme-songs-part-one/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/the-perfect-ten-best-mmo-theme-songs-part-one/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Perfect Ten
As I've well established both here on Massively and elsewhere, I'm somewhat of a nut for video game music. Whereas others might collect vintage hair metal tracks or the latest Justin Bieber opus, I'm always digging through obscure (and not-so-obscure) official soundtracks to games like Wipeout and Kirby. Video game scores can be right up there with the best that the film industry puts out, and the fact that they tie into personal experiences that we've played through can lend them sentimental weight.

So for the next two Perfect Tens, I scoured all the MMO theme songs that I could get ahold of in an attempt to formulate a list of the very best. It was originally slated to be just one list, but after an hour or so of listening to tracks and having friends and fellow staffers weigh in on the subject, I knew it was impossible to keep it there.

Two important things to note for this list. First, I wanted to keep to just the title/login screen tracks so that I wouldn't be working on this for the next 2.5 years. Second, unlike most past Perfect Tens where there's no significance to the order of the list, in this case we're going to have a genuine countdown to the best MMO theme song of all time. And I expect to take no flak about it, do you hear me? Good. Let's begin.

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Best MMO theme songs (part one)

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Best MMO theme songs (part one) originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanbiowareblade-and-souldarkfalldarkfall-onlinefeaturedffxifinal-fantasy-xiharry-potterlistmabinogimusicNobuo-Uematsuperfect-10perfect-tenpiratespirates-of-the-burning-searunescapescorestar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-perfect-10the-perfect-tenthemetheme-musictitle-musictop-10top-20transformerstwilightwizard101wurm-onlineThu, 12 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XI classes, round 3]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/07/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xi-classes-round-3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/07/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xi-classes-round-3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/07/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xi-classes-round-3/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
There's a certain brilliance to the fact that the first six classes in Final Fantasy XI mirror your selections back in the first Final Fantasy game. Once you hit 30, you can start transferring into the more iconic and frequently bonus-laden advanced jobs, but your initial selection is meant to call back to the start of the game. Those are the classes that I've already covered in this column, first with a column on the three physical classes, then the three caster classes. But that's barely the tip of the iceberg.

The core game only offered six advanced choices: Paladin, Dark Knight, Ranger, Beastmaster, Bard, and Summoner. Today, I'm going to be taking a look at the somewhat more physical side of the group, using criteria established way back when I started talking about class design philosophy. Bear in mind that this isn't meant to discuss strict power levels; that's the sort of thing that gets fiddled with easily enough and frequently enough that a unique mechanical identity matters more than who's on top at any given week. On with the first batch of advanced jobs!

Continue reading The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XI classes, round 3

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Final Fantasy XI classes, round 3 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 07 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
As we enter the twilight of 2011, I can say with absolute certainty that my predictions for Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV were wrong, which is fine, since when I made them last year I seem to recall saying to myself that I was predicting more on the basis of "should happen" than "will likely happen." I was overly optimistic about several things, overly pessimistic about a couple of others, and going in a completely different direction from the design team on the rest -- which is fine by me, actually.

That having been said, whether proving that I'm not afraid of failure or that I don't know when to quit, I'm coming back for another round of predictions for this coming year. But there's one major variable in the equation that's horrible to try and account for, and that's Final Fantasy XI. I can easily see the game going one of two ways, and while I think one's a bit more likely, there seem to be more divergent futures for it than for Final Fantasy XIV.

Continue reading The Mog Log: The 2012 forecast

MassivelyThe Mog Log: The 2012 forecast originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 31 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012-predictionscolumncolumnsdevelopmentexpansionsfeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivmmo-industryopinionpredictionssquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logSat, 31 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[2009 lawsuit against Final Fantasy XI dismissed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/2009-lawsuit-against-final-fantasy-xi-dismissed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/2009-lawsuit-against-final-fantasy-xi-dismissed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/2009-lawsuit-against-final-fantasy-xi-dismissed/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

It would have been $7.5 million, but Leong couldn't beat the court's Lawsuit Limit Break quests.
If you're a longtime player of Final Fantasy XI, you might have some problems with the way that the game's been handled over the years. Those problems are usually complaints about issues such as balance or the way that the game has handled updates, though, and they certainly don't extend to legal action. Yet back in 2009, Esther Leong filed suit against Square-Enix for fraudulent practices and deceptive advertising because of the game's monthly subscription fee. The claim was seeking over five million dollars in damages on behalf of all Final Fantasy XI players, which is probably a bit more than you seek when you feel your White Mage is underpowered.

The 9th District Circuit Court of Appeals has officially dismissed the case, ending its progression for good and establishing a precedent that most likely won't find itself under heavy contest. A deputy general counsel for Square-Enix had called the suit "baseless" when it was first filed, due in no small part to the game's transparent statement that players would be required to pay a subscription fee.

Massively2009 lawsuit against Final Fantasy XI dismissed originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dismissalffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xihumorlawsuitslegallegal-battlelitigationsquaresquare-enixTue, 27 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Eye of the earthquake]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/the-mog-log-eye-of-the-earthquake/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/the-mog-log-eye-of-the-earthquake/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/the-mog-log-eye-of-the-earthquake/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Mog Log header image by A. Fienemann
This has not been a normal year. Not for me, certainly -- I certainly didn't expect back in January that I'd be facing a week without power later in the year -- but not for Final Fantasy XI or Final Fantasy XIV either. None of us was expecting both games to be shut down for a while in response to a horrible earthquake hitting Japan, for example. But barring something truly bizarre happening over the next week, the year is finally winding down to a close, so we can look back on what's taken place with analytical minds.

Even without the earthquake, though, this hasn't been a usual year for either game. Admittedly, Final Fantasy XIV hasn't had a "usual" year to use as a baseline, but it was certainly a tumultuous one for players and developers. And Final Fantasy XI... well, it's had an unusual year more in terms of what didn't happen. Take a look past the break as I take a look down memory lane.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Eye of the earthquake

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Eye of the earthquake originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 24 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>changescolumnearthquakefeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivopinion-the-mog-logpatchesretrospectivesquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logupdatesSat, 24 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XI classes, round 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/10/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xi-classes-round-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/10/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xi-classes-round-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/10/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xi-classes-round-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
It's time for the second batch of Final Fantasy XI classes to be examined under a set of criteria that have absolutely nothing to do with their actual power level. (Those change too often, and frankly I've never been a fan.) The first time around, we took a look at the three physical classes, who generally scored... all right, but not great. Each one had a clear area of expertise and some serious weaknesses in other areas -- which makes sense, being as they're starter classes.

The casters, on the other hand, are a different story. Sure, Warriors wind up later being an ur-type that gets distilled into several other roles, but most of the casters retain their uniqueness far later in the game. So let's take a look at your other three options when starting a new character in Final Fantasy XI, all of which have the same last name.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XI classes, round 2

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Final Fantasy XI classes, round 2 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 10 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-mageclass-featuresclassescolumnsfeaturedffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xigame-mechanicsjobsopinionred-magesquaresquare-enixsubjobsthe-mog-logwhite-mageSat, 10 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Starlight Celebration approaches for Final Fantasy XI]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/the-starlight-celebration-approaches-for-final-fantasy-xi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/the-starlight-celebration-approaches-for-final-fantasy-xi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/the-starlight-celebration-approaches-for-final-fantasy-xi/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

A depiction of an Elvaan as something other than haughty and distant? It's the end of the world!
The end of the year quickly approaches, and if you're a veteran of Final Fantasy XI, you know that means it's time for the Starlight Celebration. The music changes in Jeuno, the snow falls, and players get to enjoy a bit of Christmas cheer in the game as well as out of it. And like most events, this one has a new wrinkle for its newest outing: it seems a handful of Goblins have decided to get involved in the celebration, taking some presents that weren't intended for them and leaving adventurers to recover the missing gifts.

Missed a previous year? That's all right -- you can still obtain one of the many cozy furnishings or festive costume pieces through a variety of event merchants and packages scattered throughout Vana'diel. The event will start on the live servers on December 16th and run through December 31st, plenty of time for everyone in Final Fantasy XI to get a solid dose of some holiday cheer.

MassivelyThe Starlight Celebration approaches for Final Fantasy XI originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christmaschristmas-2011ffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xiholidayholiday-eventin-game-eventnewssquaresquare-enixstarlight-celebrationwinter-holidayFri, 09 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XI classes, round 1]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/26/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xi-classes-round-1/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/26/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xi-classes-round-1/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/26/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xi-classes-round-1/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Mog Log heard by A. Fienemann
The character creator in Final Fantasy XI was my first exposure to character creation in MMOs, which is disappointing. There's no way to paint it as a good system, at least not to someone who is more or less powered by character customization. But it did give you your first six options for character class, and since we're starting the no doubt many-part series on character classes in both games as of today, it's relevant.

At the beginning of the game, you choose a class selected from the same six classes that have made up the "default" arrangement for the series since, well, 1987. Today, I'm going to take a look at the three physical classes from that initial assortment: the Warrior, the Thief, and the Monk. We're going to be using the same initial criteria that kicked off this series, so take a moment to look at that if you're unfamiliar. Without further ado, let's get to classes!

Continue reading The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XI classes, round 1

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Final Fantasy XI classes, round 1 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
Despite what it might have seemed like, last week's column was not actually meant as a direct response to Final Fantasy XIV's announcement of class revisions. It was just a happy coincidence, really. I could go into more detail, of course, but I had already planned on talking about the eponym of the column, which I haven't done since I kicked the column off in the first place.

Moogles are ubiquitous in Final Fantasy XI, and while they're a bit rarer in Final Fantasy XIV they're still not a secret. This is understandable -- after all, the small little critters are part of the glue that holds the series together conceptually. So it's odd that when you get right down to it, they're only peripherally involved with the settings of the games they appear in. Despite the ubiquity of the moogles, it's debatable whether some of them are even there.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Fluffballs on parade

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Fluffballs on parade originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstoryculturefeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivhumorloremetaopinionsettingsquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logSat, 19 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist's excellent EverQuest Online Adventures: The blogger]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/the-game-archaeologists-excellent-everquest-online-adventures/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/the-game-archaeologists-excellent-everquest-online-adventures/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/the-game-archaeologists-excellent-everquest-online-adventures/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

EQOA
To tell you all the truth, the comments from last week's initial foray into EverQuest Online Adventures bowled me over -- I truly was not expecting so many players to be so passionate about the game! How cool is that? I hope that some of you send me in your EQOA stories to justin@massively.com so we can include them in next week's column.

Today I want to welcome Rick "Stoney" Stonebrook to our neck of the Massively woods. I remember finding Stoney's EQOA blog over a year ago and being so impressed that there was someone out there regularly updating a blog about this low-profile MMO. Stoney agreed to an interview about the game from a player's and blogger's perspective, so here goes!

The Game Archaeologist: Please introduce yourself and your blog! Why did you start blogging about EQOA?

Stoney: Well, I'm 24 and have lived in a lot of places in the past few years. I adopted the name Stoney when I started the blog, eqoa.wordpress.com, in October 2010. The purpose for the blog was simple: compile as much information about the game as I could find using various search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and YouTube. I hadn't played since 2005 and wasn't familiar with any new content. I had always wanted to return to the game. Thus the blog's goal evolved from a collection of memories to an effort to get people to return.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist's excellent EverQuest Online Adventures: The blogger

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist's excellent EverQuest Online Adventures: The blogger originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alchemistbetamaxblogbloggerconsoleconsole-mmoeqoaeverquesteverquest-online-adventuresexpansionf2pfeaturedffxifinal-fantasy-xifree-to-playfrontierfrontiersinterviewminidiscsplaystation-2playstation-3ps2ps3rick-stonebrooksocom-navy-sealssoesonysony-online-entertainmentstoneytgathe-game-archaeologistunderfootworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 15 Nov 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Class philosophy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/12/the-mog-log-class-philosophy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/12/the-mog-log-class-philosophy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/12/the-mog-log-class-philosophy/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Mog Log header image by A. Fienemann
I'm willing to bet that there are MMOs out there with more classes than the online Final Fantasy installment, but there aren't any that spring to mind with such a wide array of classes and such a schizophrenic outlook on how they work. In both Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV you can switch between classes freely, each class with its own emphasis... and yet you can also port abilities from one class to another in some fashion, thereby blurring the distinction of each individual class compared to its peers.

If it isn't obvious, I've been thinking a lot about classes, how they work in the games, and where the two different implementations succeed or fail. So I'm going to start off by taking a look at classes as an overarching construct, what they should be providing for both games, and what the developers seem to want from the classes in a game-wide sense. If this sounds about as interesting as watching paint dry, next week we'll be taking a break to talk about moogles. For now, though, let's talk about what a class should have.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Class philosophy

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Class philosophy originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 12 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiesclassescolumnfeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivjobsopinionsquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logSat, 12 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XI goes 11-11-11 wild]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/final-fantasy-xi-goes-11-11-11-wild/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/final-fantasy-xi-goes-11-11-11-wild/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/final-fantasy-xi-goes-11-11-11-wild/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Final Fantasy XI
You totally can't blame Square-Enix for taking advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime 11/11/11 calendar event to throw a Final Fantasy XI promotion. That's serendipity, right there.

With the "11 on 11-11-11" sale, the company is unleashing a thunderstorm of lightning deals. Starting off, curious players can give Final Fantasy XI a try for free for 14 days with a new account. If the sampling is deemed subscription-worthy, the full Ultimate Collection Abyssea Edition can be purchased for 50% off the retail price. This package includes the core game, four expansions, three scenarios, and three Abyssea battle areas.

And while you can't purchase it today on the 11th, Square-Enix wants to let you know that the Final Fantasy XI Plus soundtrack will go on sale on the 15th. This two-disc OST has previously unreleased tunes from the game and PlayOnline. Players who snag a first-edition copy will also get a code for an in-game keyboard that will play a random tune when you enter your house. You can only preorder this right now through the Square-Enix store.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XI goes 11-11-11 wild originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
The march to the level cap in Final Fantasy XIV is nothing like that of its predecessor, but it's still an undertaking. The fact of the matter is that leveling shouldn't have taken me nearly as long as it did. The game has been out for over a year, after all. But between my usual inability to pick a class and stick with it, natural disasters, and various other circumstances, it was only a couple of weeks ago that I finally hit level 50 on my Gladiator.

Receiving the full red cobalt set a level earlier did mean that the level was a bit anticlimactic at the end, but it all balances out.

But now that I'm here at max level, I can look back on the path as a whole and have a different perspective on several parts of the game's structure, both the good and the bad. Especially since it's the first time around that really matters.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Five zero

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Five zero originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 05 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann.
For this week's Mog Log, I'm going to start off by making an analogy about what Final Fantasy XI needs for the future. Picture, if you will, a restaurant in which you can order any food imaginable. Sometimes the food takes a little while to get prepared, but it's always cooked just to your taste. It's expensive, and all of the chairs are broken, but it's your favorite place to eat because the virtue of getting whatever you want outweighs all the detriments.

Now, let's say you go into that restaurant, sit on one of the broken chairs, and get on the phone to call Square-Enix and tell it to make another expansion for freaking Final Fantasy XI already. Seriously, Wings of the Goddess is practically fossilized at this point. We're on the game's eighth year of operation in North America -- midway through the ninth in Japan -- and boxed editions of WotG require a team of university archaeologists and possibly carbon dating to identify.

I never claimed it was a great analogy.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Another course

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Another course originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 29 Oct 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Add some Silent Hill nurses, and this would basically just be a waking nightmare.
With Halloween just around the corner, perhaps your thoughts have turned to some of the genuine horror lurking throughout Final Fantasy XI. The Emptiness that was the focal point for several parts of Chains of Promathia was genuinely terrifying, conceptually as well as mechanically, for a very long time. (The removal of level restrictions made it a bit less frightening to run through.) So it's fitting that the game has just unveiled a minor version update in time for the holiday that takes players back to the Emptiness for a few new battles.

New Burning Circle battles can be fought at the spires of Holla, Dem, Mea, and Vahzl, using orbs obtained via Kindred Seals. Victories produce items that can be traded in at the NPC Shami for rewards. There are also updates to the Voidwatch battles and a few bugfixes, which should prove a nice garnish to the main course of the update's Emptiness-related battle candy for Final Fantasy XI's players.

MassivelyNewest update to Final Fantasy XI is empty inside originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefieldsburning-circlechains-of-promathiadevelopmentemptinessffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xisquaresquare-enixupdatesWed, 26 Oct 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XI gets an updated roadmap]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/24/final-fantasy-xi-gets-an-updated-roadmap/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/24/final-fantasy-xi-gets-an-updated-roadmap/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/24/final-fantasy-xi-gets-an-updated-roadmap/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Don't ask why, it's on a chart. It must be true if it's on a chart.
The promised day is coming to Final Fantasy XI. Specifically, the promised day on which the level cap finally reaches its long-awaited new limit of 99, something that players have been waiting for more or less since the game's launch. But that's not the only thing that's coming around the bend, as detailed in the game's new roadmap stretching from this month out until March of next year. While the dates listed are only for the rollout of features onto the game's test server, it still gives a good idea of what players can expect shortly thereafter.

Updates to jobs and Merit Points are pretty easy to predict as the game rolls to its last update of the level cap, as are the addition of new Magian trials. Players can also expect updates to the Voidwatch battles, new Burning Circle battlefields, and a variety of quality-of-life improvements to several facets of gameplay. There's no hint on what might be coming after March, but it looks as if Final Fantasy XI will at least be starting the year off on the right foot.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XI gets an updated roadmap originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>development-roadmapffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xifuture-patchesfuture-updatesgame-roadmaplong-term-previewspatchespreviewssquaresquare-enixtestingupdatesMon, 24 Oct 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Beauty of the beastmen]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/01/the-mog-log-beauty-of-the-beastmen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/01/the-mog-log-beauty-of-the-beastmen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/01/the-mog-log-beauty-of-the-beastmen/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Mog Log header illustration by A. Fienemann
Well, it turned out to be a very good thing that I wasn't planning on talking about Final Fantasy XIV's patch 1.19 today, since it's not quite available just yet. That includes the absolutely enormous list of updates and changes to crafting, with several items apparently being yanked out of rotation altogether. Use up the ones you have and get ready to just vendor the rest, from the looks of it. Perhaps make some lumber ahead of time. At least your inventory woes should be somewhat diminished.

But this week's plan wasn't to talk about the patch; it was to talk about beastmen once again. Regular readers will note that I've already spoken about beastmen once before, taking a look at the often fascinating societies of non-human creatures living outside of the major cities. (I'm using "human" as a blanket term here for hume, elvaan, tarutaru, etc.) Today, I want to look at this in a bit more depth. What exactly do both Final Fantasy XIV and Final Fantasy XI use the beastmen for in terms of storytelling? What makes them compelling and interesting?

Continue reading The Mog Log: Beauty of the beastmen

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Beauty of the beastmen originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 01 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorybeastmencolumnfeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivloreopinionsettingsquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logSat, 01 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Newest version update lands for Final Fantasy XI]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/19/newest-version-update-lands-for-final-fantasy-xi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/19/newest-version-update-lands-for-final-fantasy-xi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/19/newest-version-update-lands-for-final-fantasy-xi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Yes, I know, this is Abyssea. I'd like to thank Square for making all of its official screenshots of the game at what I can only assume is meant as a mobile resolution.
It's time for players to advance once again in the latest update to Final Fantasy XI. Another increase to the game's level cap has gone live with this patch, with the new cap set to 95, just a stone's throw away from the promised height of 99. But the addition of the newer cap and all that it entails isn't the only thing of note with this update, which includes new battlefields, the next installment in the Voidwatch battles, and of course a plethora of new items and balance tweaks.

Along with those major changes comes a host of smaller updates, including a long list of items that can be sent through the mail to other characters on the same account and the addition of Grounds of Valor tomes to several areas previously lacking them. Dynamis has also received another pass of updates, up to and including the option for players to resell any timeless hourglasses they no longer have a use for. It's a good day to be a Final Fantasy XI player, even if waiting for the update to download might feel like an eternity.

MassivelyNewest version update lands for Final Fantasy XI originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dynamisffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xilevel-caplevel-cap-increaselevelsnewspatchesseptember-version-updatesquaresquare-enixsystem-updatesupdatesversion-updatevoidwatchMon, 19 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Throwing out the barriers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/17/the-mog-log-throwing-out-the-barriers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/17/the-mog-log-throwing-out-the-barriers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/17/the-mog-log-throwing-out-the-barriers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Mog Log header image by A. Fienemann
If you're starting Final Fantasy XI fresh right now, you'll have the most fun if you have absolutely no idea how much stuff you have to do -- not just because it's intimidating, although that's certainly an element, but because it's a huge pile of things that you can't do by yourself in any meaningful fashion. You have to rely on charity or making friendships based solely on your charming personality because you've got pretty much nothing else to offer when you start off, and no one at level 85 really wants to go farming for subjob items yet again (to say nothing of gysahl greens).

These sentiments are not new. This is not something that I have never said before or a thought that had remained unexpressed for ages until just this moment. I've long talked about the fact that there's a huge barrier to entry for the game, one that essentially locks the game in for the people who are playing right now and no one else. But for all that talk, I can also see some very good reasons to keep those barriers in place because they're providing some useful functions -- or at the very least, they're not actively harmful.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Throwing out the barriers

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Throwing out the barriers originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 17 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Mog Log header image by A. Fienemann
Physical levels are leaving Final Fantasy XIV. We've all known that for a while, to the point that I even wrote a column speculating, in part, about what will happen to the whole bonus point system once that change goes live. As it turns out, what will happen for the time being is that it will be abandoned altogether, with character development going automated until at least 1.20. No more allocation of points to attributes any longer, and no word on what this will mean for the many traits designed to muck about with attribute distribution.

This is going to result in a bit of a downgrade for some players (if you're physical 40 and leveling something at rank 10, for instance), but by and large it's also going to help correct a longstanding issue that the game has had. We've got a lot more options for playing around with attributes and abilities when it comes to FFXIV than we did in Final Fantasy XI, but the downside of the breadth has been the simple problem that no one knows what the attrbute values actually mean. You know the number, but the number itself is pretty much meaningless.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Point by point

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Point by point originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 10 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A few weeks back, I got an email from a reader talking asking about getting back into Final Fantasy XI after a long absence. As he put it, he and his girlfriend were thinking of going back to the game together, duoing their way through Vana'diel. Which is a great idea, as it's a game very well suited toward duoing, now more than ever with the existence of varied regimes and training manuals.

Of course, there's more to the equation than just throwing two classes together and hoping for the best. There are a lot of things that you can do to make your experience harder than it needs to be, something that I'm unfortunately familiar with from my own experience. So this week, I'm going to take a look at what you can do to make your life easier when running as a team, no matter what resources are available to you in terms of jobs, gil, and fellow players.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Duo feature

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Duo feature originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 06 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advicecolumnduoduoingfeaturedffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xigame-mechanicslevelingopinionsquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logSat, 06 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XI brings out another Mumor event for the summer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/final-fantasy-xi-brings-out-another-mumor-event-for-the-summer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/final-fantasy-xi-brings-out-another-mumor-event-for-the-summer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/final-fantasy-xi-brings-out-another-mumor-event-for-the-summer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Summer means different things for different people, but if you're familiar with Final Fantasy XI events of years past, you know it includes a summer event out of place anywhere other than Vana'diel. Fantastic Fraulein Mumor is coming around once again on August 2nd through August 14th, and just like previous years, there are plenty of fun activities for adventurers of all ages at this seasonal stage show. And just like with previous years, the stakes of the lore have been upped just a little more this time around...

But that's not the biggest draw for most players -- that would be the variety of cosmetic rewards and seasonal minigames that the event brings with it. This year is no exception, with players able to take part in the stage show to help ensure Mumor and Uka emerge victorious against demonic forces. Successful participants will earn a new yukata to show off participation, as well as unlocking new levels of challenge in the goldfish scooping minigame. And really, if you're a fan of FFXI, isn't the promise of taking part in the yearly magical girl event reward enough?

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XI brings out another Mumor event for the summer originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy XI has a pretty expansive list of classes, and while that gives players plenty of freedom, it can pose a headache for design trying to keep each job distinct. But the development team has managed thus far, and the latest update previewing the future philosophy for job adjustments shows that there are still more elements to be brought into play. Each of the game's 20 jobs has a unique vision and role, with several potential new abilities discussed.

While none of the directions design is taking jobs will be of huge surprise to veteran players, there are some interesting promises of future abilities and goals. For example, the team wants to give Beastmasters the tools to be useful and desirable in a party, while Dragoons are potentially getting more enmity management and more synergy with the wyvern. Final Fantasy XI players should look at the full rundown to see where their favorite class sits in terms of design -- as well as hints of what might be coming down the line.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XI outlines the road ahead for classes originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 17 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abstractclass-abilitiesclass-balanceclassesdesigndesign-directiondevelopmentffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xisquaresquare-enixSun, 17 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Winging right along]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/16/the-mog-log-winging-right-along/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/16/the-mog-log-winging-right-along/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/16/the-mog-log-winging-right-along/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Out of every expansion that Final Fantasy XI has sported, Wings of the Goddess feels the most incidental to me in some ways. Not that it was bad or unimportant or anything of the sort, just that it wasn't quite like the other expansions in the game's history. Part of that is because of the fact that it was released at a time when I was taking an extended break from Final Fantasy XI, but part of that is because it's probably the least ambitious of all the game's expansions.

Rise of the Zilaart was unambitious, but for most gamers in North America, it wasn't really a distinct expansion so much as another part of the core game. Chains of Promathia and Treasures of Aht Urhgan were both ambitious, with the former probably being the least successful of the lot and the latter probably standing out as the "best" expansion. That leaves WotG in the unenviable position of being the mediocre expansion, just good enough to beat out the nadir but not nearly good enough to reach the game's apex.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Winging right along

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Winging right along originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 16 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's not definite yet, but signs are pointing to a possible port of Final Fantasy XI over to the recently announced PlayStation Vita in the indeterminable future.

Siliconera reports that Square Enix is mulling over a basic port of the aging title to the beefed-up portable platform. While the plans are not definite at this point, it's an intriguing concept especially when you consider Vita's Wi-Fi and 3G capabilities.

Hiromichi Tanaka, former lead designer for Final Fantasy XI and producer for Final Fantasy XIV, says that while a Vita port is a possibility, the difficulties of working with the PlayStation 3 mean that a version on that console doesn't look likely (the PS3 version of XIV is still in limbo).

Final Fantasy XI recently received a dollop of quality-of-life improvements in the July update.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XI may be ported to PlayStation Vita originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3gff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivHiromichi-Tanakaplaystation-3playstation-vitaportps-vitaps3square-enixvitawifiWed, 13 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST