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 2015 AOL, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV's patch 1.18a due for Monday]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/final-fantasy-xivs-patch-1-18a-due-for-monday/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/final-fantasy-xivs-patch-1-18a-due-for-monday/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/final-fantasy-xivs-patch-1-18a-due-for-monday/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Final Fantasy XIV's last major update wasn't so long ago, but another patch is set to go live on Monday. 1.18a contains nothing as large as the mechanical revisions found it its predecessor, but there are still some pretty big improvements, starting with an improvement to skill point rewards for levequests across the board. The biggest improvements will come for the rank 20-30 leves, but all players leveling Disciplines of War and Magic should notice an improvement. The leves will also reward points for shield skill when players have a shield equipped, something that has thus far been lacking.

In quality of life improvements, the visibility of several frames has been adjusted, a supplementary log window is being added for players to use, and the process of setting a crystal as the destination for Return has been changed. There's also a new emote being added to the system and the beginnings of the new tool-hiding functionality that will be finished in 1.19. 1.18a won't be the game-changer that 1.18 proved to be, but it looks to still be a solid update in its own right.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV's patch 1.18a due for Monday originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.18ffxiv-patch-1.18afinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivimprovementslevelingleveling-speedpatchesquality-of-lifesquaresquare-enixupdatesFri, 05 Aug 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Into the depths of Toto-Rak]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/30/the-mog-log-into-the-depths-of-toto-rak/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/30/the-mog-log-into-the-depths-of-toto-rak/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/30/the-mog-log-into-the-depths-of-toto-rak/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Aw, jeez. Not only do I have an extant interesting question posed to me by a reader, I had another interesting question posed to me over the course of the last week. They're both questions that deserve a lengthy answer, with the full complexity and subtlety of a column devoted to them.

But I'm not going to be talking about either of them this week.

See, I had the good fortune to run through the Thousand Maws of Toto-Rak while it's still pretty much new content. And there's some confusing stuff going on in there, some awesome moments, and more to the point no hard written information in a central space to refer back to. So I figured this would be as good a time as any to put together my notes about Final Fantasy XIV's lower-level raid for public viewing, so that other players can hopefully assemble a more definitive guide over time. And besides, who wouldn't want to talk about a dungeon that sees you exploring the Empire's chthonian machinations?

Continue reading The Mog Log: Into the depths of Toto-Rak

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Into the depths of Toto-Rak originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columncontentdungeondungeon-mechanicsdungeon-walkthroughfeaturedffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.18final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgroup-contentnew-contentopinionraidsquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logwalkthroughSat, 30 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV's newest producer letter addresses balance and changes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/27/final-fantasy-xivs-newest-producer-letter-addresses-balance-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/27/final-fantasy-xivs-newest-producer-letter-addresses-balance-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/27/final-fantasy-xivs-newest-producer-letter-addresses-balance-and/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Final Fantasy XIV underwent some major changes last week with the release of the 1.18 patch, ranging from mechanical changes to combat to the introduction of new mechanics with the Grand Companies. It's enough for players to feel just a little overwhelmed by everything, and so executive producer Naoki Yoshida has taken his most recent producer's letter to talk a little bit about the overhauls from the patch. He's proud of what it accomplished, but in his own words, it might have been a bit much to drop at once.

The biggest topic of discussion of late has been class balance, as 1.18 also ushered in some minor drops to the power of spellcasters and Archers. Despite this, however, Yoshida is happy to see how people have received the upgrades to combat and the introduction to the game's instanced raids, both of which require a higher portion of strategy from the playerbase. He also finishes off by noting that the game's summer event will be rolling out in August, giving everyone a chance to earn the swimsuits previewed in the previous letter.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV's newest producer letter addresses balance and changes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balanceclass-balanceclassesffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.18final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgame-balancemajor-patchesnaoki-yoshidapatchessquaresquare-enixupdatesWed, 27 Jul 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Proof of concept]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/23/the-mog-log-proof-of-concept/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/23/the-mog-log-proof-of-concept/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/23/the-mog-log-proof-of-concept/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Final Fantasy XIV's last major patch was back in March, when 1.16 brought out the first iteration of the game's quests. Sure, we've had updates since then, but even 1.17 didn't really have the appeal and the energy that you'd expect from a major patch. And 1.16 was something of a disappointment at the time -- not bad, but not nearly what the game needed. There was an awful lot missing there, stuff that seemed basic. I wasn't happy, in other words.

Well, here we are now, at 1.18. Any better?

In a word, yes. A lot of the stuff that needed to be fixed has been, and a lot of the improvements the game has needed have come through. I've unfortunately only had a little time to play around with the update, but what I've played has been pretty uniformly positive. Positive except for the notable issues that the game was having with the login server right after the patch, but who actually expects patch day to go smoothly? (Other than me, I mean.)

Continue reading The Mog Log: Proof of concept

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Proof of concept originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 23 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto-attackbattle-mechanicscolumnfeaturedffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.18final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgame-mechanicsgrand-companiesimprovementsinterfacelevelinglevelsloreopinionpatchpatchesskill-pointsskillssquaresquare-enixstorylinethe-mog-logupdatesSat, 23 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV launches patch 1.18]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/21/final-fantasy-xiv-launches-patch-1-18/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/21/final-fantasy-xiv-launches-patch-1-18/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/21/final-fantasy-xiv-launches-patch-1-18/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Final Fantasy XIV players have been waiting for patch 1.18 to drop for quite some time, but the wait is finally over. Players can finally access the variety of updates and improvements that the newest patch has promised, including a large overhaul to the combat system that ushers in auto-attack functionality and the addition of the new Grand Companies. While the former is just the first step toward making a more thorough overhaul of the game's combat engine, the latter will give players rank 22 and up new missions to participate in while attempting to safeguard Eorzea.

Other improvements include a streamlining of the enmity system complete with in-game warnings, improvements to repair functionality, and a general streamlining and adjustment of the guildleve system. All told, it's quite a large change to the existing elements of the game, something that Final Fantasy XIV players will no doubt want to devote a fair chunk of time to exploring.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV launches patch 1.18 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 21 Jul 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adjustmentsattackauto-attackbalance-adjustmentscombat-systemsffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.18final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgame-mechanicsgrand-companiesguildleveslevequestsmechanicsnew-systemsnewspatchessquaresquare-enixupdatesThu, 21 Jul 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Newest Final Fantasy XIV producer's letter addresses design philosophy and summer events]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/20/newest-final-fantasy-xiv-producers-letter-addresses-design-phil/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/20/newest-final-fantasy-xiv-producers-letter-addresses-design-phil/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/20/newest-final-fantasy-xiv-producers-letter-addresses-design-phil/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The US is currently experiencing a bit of a heatwave, the sort of thing that doesn't really call for any reminders about the time of year. Apparently Japan hasn't been exempt from the heat either, according to the most recent Final Fantasy XIV producer's letter from Naoki Yoshida. But that won't stop the game's staff from rolling out a new summer event celebrating the heat of summer, as well as promising to introduce a familiar enemy well-known for getting things a little bit hotter.

Most of this installment of the producer's letter is given over discussion about the design philosophy of the game, both for this week's patch 1.18 and moving forward. As Yoshida puts it, he wants to create the feeling for players that the game will be accessible on each individual's schedule, with accommodations for players who can only play for a little while each day as well as those with more time to enjoy the game. Take a look at the full post for a clear picture of how the philosophy applies to Final Fantasy XIV's combat, transport, and future content. There's also a new interview available from the Eorzeapedia team covering content in 1.19 and beyond.

MassivelyNewest Final Fantasy XIV producer's letter addresses design philosophy and summer events originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.18final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivin-game-eventsnaoki-yoshidanewspatchesproducers-lettersquaresquare-enixupcoming-patchesWed, 20 Jul 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV previews upcoming outposts]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/final-fantasy-xiv-previews-upcoming-outposts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/final-fantasy-xiv-previews-upcoming-outposts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/final-fantasy-xiv-previews-upcoming-outposts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

As patch 1.18 draws close for Final Fantasy XIV, the development team has been stepping up the rate of previews. The latest one highlights a feature discussed previously but not seen for some time: the addition of several outposts across the landscape, hubs for adventurers to explore as they take part in new content. Six outposts are listed in the newest preview, two for each of the major regions in the game and each with a distinct thematic focus.

Each of the outposts listed highlight the environment of the nearby city-state -- the outposts in Gridania are concerned with hunting and maintaining security in the wood, while Ul'dah's settlements focus on more mercantile and mineral concerns. In addition to the stops for adventurers, beastman settlements are said to be on the plate for patch 1.18 later this week. Final Fantasy XIV players who can't wait to see the new hubs can take a look at the preview for a glimpse at the expanding and improving environment.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV previews upcoming outposts originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>environmentsffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.18final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivnewsoutpostspatchesregionssquaresquare-enixupdatesTue, 19 Jul 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV opening up the Grand Companies]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/final-fantasy-xiv-opening-up-the-grand-companies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/final-fantasy-xiv-opening-up-the-grand-companies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/final-fantasy-xiv-opening-up-the-grand-companies/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

They've been previewed on the main page, they've been hinted at in quest texts, but the Grand Companies of Final Fantasy XIV haven't been seen in the game -- at least, not until now. Along with all of the mechanical shifts, patch 1.18 is also bringing the long-awaited organizations into play, offering players new opportunities for adventure and advancement. A new official preview has placed the process for joining the Companies and adventuring with them in the spotlight, giving a clearer picture of what can be expected from the upcoming patch.

As previously noted, there will be a company in each of the three city-states, but players are not required to join the company corresponding to their home state. Rather, characters past rank 22 will be presented with a mission, and success will give the opportunity to join the company. There will also be a new part of the UI added to track a character's standing with the Company of choice. The full preview should help get Final Fantasy XIV players excited for the patch, due to release late next week.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV opening up the Grand Companies originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Fatigue system was one of the most hated features of Final Fantasy XIV before the game had even hit release. Even though it was almost impossible to hit the mythical point where you started getting less experience, nobody liked the idea of having your gains cut when you were having fun. So there will be few tears shed when the entire system is removed in patch 1.18, which has already promised a number of sweeping changes to the game's functionality.

Of course, it's not all about making life easier for players, as both the death penalty and Return option are seeing their functionality tweaked. Previously, players would sometimes die and use Return to avoid an anima cost while still making a fast trip somewhere. As of the newest patch, using Return to revive will incur a small durability penalty, offset slightly by the improvement of the Raise spell. Final Fantasy XIV players can check the official release for details on the slight rearrangement of penalties, aimed at keeping gameplay more dynamic and active.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV removing old penalties and adding a couple new ones originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With a confirmed date finally in place for Final Fantasy XIV's patch 1.18, players are eagerly anticipating both the new content and the new changes to systems. The past several days have seen previews for system updates, but today players are being treated to a sneak peek at one of the new dungeons, including a short video detailing an excursion into the Dzemael Darkhold. And while the preview does feature a rather notable adversary at the end, it's hardly the only interesting element on display.

As with the earlier preview, the dungeon is hinted to have both Imperial forces and more primal ones working in concert to make the twisting passages more dangerous for adventurers. The Darkhold is the higher-level of the two dungeons, aimed at parties of eight at rank 40 and up. Final Fantasy XIV players should glance at the lore-filled preview as well as the video teaser, embedded just past the cut.

Continue reading Final Fantasy XIV previews the newest instanced dungeon

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV previews the newest instanced dungeon originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contentdungeonffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.18final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivlorepreviewsquaresquare-enixtrailervideoMon, 11 Jul 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Final Fantasy XIV producer's letter announces the next patch date]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/new-final-fantasy-xiv-producers-letter-announces-the-next-patch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/new-final-fantasy-xiv-producers-letter-announces-the-next-patch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/new-final-fantasy-xiv-producers-letter-announces-the-next-patch/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Naoki Yoshida is many things, but a man of brevity is not usually among his qualities. Most of his letters to the Final Fantasy XIV community are quite long, with a great deal of information contained therein. But the most recent producer's letter is a departure from form, with only one real substantial piece of information -- the release date for patch 1.18. However, considering that the patch will usher in new combat mechanics, new content, and large overhauls to the game's content development, it's the sort of thing that can speak for itself.

According to Yoshida, the patch is scheduled for July 21st, with only some testing on the upcoming instanced raids to be completed. (As he puts it, the team is opting for "raid" rather than "dungeon" just because you can raid something that isn't quite a dungeon in structure.) There may be a slight change in either direction by a couple days, but Final Fantasy XIV fans will be happy to have a target date for this large patch.

MassivelyNew Final Fantasy XIV producer's letter announces the next patch date originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Jul 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>announcementsffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.18final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgame-mechanicslaunch-datenaoki-yoshidapatch-datepatchessquaresquare-enixupdatesyoshi-pFri, 08 Jul 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV outlines changes to the enmity systems]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/06/final-fantasy-xiv-outlines-changes-to-the-enmity-systems/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/06/final-fantasy-xiv-outlines-changes-to-the-enmity-systems/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/06/final-fantasy-xiv-outlines-changes-to-the-enmity-systems/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Enmity, hate, threat, or whatever term you prefer is a big part of combat in any MMO. It's the principle around which the concept of a tank is based, the idea that you can have one person responsible for drawing the attention of monsters. And in Final Fantasy XIV, the process of holding that enmity was complex, lacked an indicator, and was generally difficult to gauge. As part of patch 1.18's major battle system overhaul, the functions of enmity are being changed, streamlined, and improved to make tanking more straightforward for all players.

Monsters will be gaining a new indicator for enmity, allowing each player to effectively judge whether or not to hold back on attacking based on enmity. Similarly, the process of accumulating, holding, and dispelling enmity will be significantly streamlined. Final Fantasy XIV players fond of taking on the tanking role will want to take a look at the breakdown, which promises to make threat that much easier to hold on to.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV outlines changes to the enmity systems originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Jul 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy XIV's next major patch doesn't currently have an announced date beyond the ever-ambiguous "soon," but two of the central features will be the reworking of the battle system and the implementation of the auto-attack system. Considering the game's current balance around the Stamina gauge, players knew that there would be some rather significant gameplay changes for battle. A good portion of those changes have been outlined in a recent preview post, complete with promises about future updates to the system.

The three biggest abilities being changed are those whose functions depended on the Stamina gauge -- Speed Surge, Ambidexterity, and Chainspell. Speed Surge will be shifted into a straight haste effect for auto-attacks, Ambidexterity will allow for increased blocking chance rather than reduced action cost, and Chainspell will simply have its Stamina-reducing properties removed. There will also be changes to the various basic attacks that are purchased via guild marks, with recasts adjusted to make these attacks still relevant and useful. Final Fantasy XIV players should check out the newest preview to get a clearer picture of what the game will look like after patch 1.18 drops in the near future.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV outlines attack plans for patch 1.18 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Patch 1.18 is going to contain a lot of content for Final Fantasy XIV, enough that the original launch date has required a delay. But looking at the latest preview of what's coming next, we think it might just be worth the wait. The first of the game's instanced battlefields has been fully unveiled on the official site, hinting at both the rewards as well as the locations of these dangerous yet profitable sites.

The Thousand Maws of Toto-Rak will be the lower-level of the two instances, with a minimum rank of 25 and a maximum party size of four. A former Gridanian prison, the halls of the cavern have been overrun with feral beasts and Garlean soldiers. For characters at rank 45 and up, the Dzemael Darkhold will offer up to eight party members greater challenges and greater rewards in a subterranean fortress of Ishgardian design. Final Fantasy XIV players can take a look at both of the official previews now on the Lodestone site.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV shows off dungeons originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycontentdungeonsffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.18final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivlorenew-contentnewssquaresquare-enixupdatesMon, 20 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Full auto]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/18/the-mog-log-full-auto/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/18/the-mog-log-full-auto/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/18/the-mog-log-full-auto/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

For this week's installment of The Mog Log, despite my hints last week, I'm going to do something fairly conventional. I'm going to type at about 500 words a minute. More accurately, I'm going to discuss the two-minute preview we received earlier this week regarding the game's combat with auto-attack, and at the usual length of this column that winds up at right about... yeah, you got the joke.

Of course, it's not just the video preview that's interesting in the producer's letter. The preview is nice, don't get me wrong, and it gives a good idea of what sort of things we can expect to see when 1.18 launches... but we also have more specific information given on exactly what players can expect from the system changes. And there are some pretty big ones mixed in there, either stated or implied by the video, which ties into the state of Final Fantasy XIV at the moment and where it's going to be in the future.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Full auto

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Full auto originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 18 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto-attackcolumnfeaturedffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.18final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgame-mechanicsmajor-patchesmechanics-changesopinionpatchespreviewssquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logSat, 18 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV's latest producer's letter shows off auto-attacks]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/14/final-fantasy-xivs-latest-producers-letter-shows-off-auto-atta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/14/final-fantasy-xivs-latest-producers-letter-shows-off-auto-atta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/14/final-fantasy-xivs-latest-producers-letter-shows-off-auto-atta/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

It probably feels like it's past time for another Final Fantasy XIV letter from producer Naoki Yoshida, but the wait is finally over. In the latest installment of what's become a regular dispatch from the company to the fans, Yoshida discusses the upcoming changes and additions due for patch 1.18. But rather than waste space describing what the updates to the game's battle system will be like with the inclusion of auto-attack, Yoshida instead opts to show players with a short video demonstrating the system in action.

The one piece of bad news in the letter is that the patch is going to run a bit later due to the extra balance issues introduced, overshooting the previously stated window of mid to late June. Yoshida estimates a roughly two-week delay, putting the patch in early July. Still, Final Fantasy XIV players should be happy with the contents of the letter, especially the preview of auto-attack combat (embedded just past the break).

Continue reading Final Fantasy XIV's latest producer's letter shows off auto-attacks

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV's latest producer's letter shows off auto-attacks originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Jun 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto-attackbattle-systemdelaysffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.18final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgame-mechanicspatch-delayspatchessquaresquare-enixupdatesTue, 14 Jun 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Pre-reaction]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/28/the-mog-log-pre-reaction/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/28/the-mog-log-pre-reaction/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/28/the-mog-log-pre-reaction/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

So Naoki Yoshida's producer's letter came just a bit too late last week for me to rewrite my column, which focused mostly on the dungeons and rampant speculation regarding same. This week, however, I can write about all of the things that came out of both his producer's letter and Akihiko Matsui's combat revision document, both of which provide a lot of meaty information for Final Fantasy XIV players to digest. Pretty much all of it is good, with only a couple of downsides here and there.

Since there's way too much to possibly digest point-by-point, I'm going to hit the parts that strike me as having the most far-reaching impact and the most concrete data. A lot of this is going to pertain specifically to the combat revisions, as well, since let's face it -- the meat of the game is in fighting things off, solo or in groups. And it's with the battle revisions that one of the biggest changes is coming to Final Fantasy XIV, namely, the removal of physical levels altogether.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Pre-reaction

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Pre-reaction originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 28 May 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-mechanicsclassesfeaturedffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.18final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgame-mechanicsjobsmajor-patchesmechanical-updatessquaresquare-enixsystemsystem-changesthe-mog-logupdatesSat, 28 May 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Company car]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/21/the-mog-log-company-car/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/21/the-mog-log-company-car/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/21/the-mog-log-company-car/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The silence that had been hanging over Final Fantasy XIV since the end of the supremely creepy Hatching-tide event has finally been broken, with more Grand Company information as well as what appears to be the first dungeon preview. And yes, it's all pure lore rather than major mechanical updates, but there's still an abundance of interesting stuff to peer into within the update, especially when you take it in light of some previous statements made by the development team.

Among the information shared, the note that membership in the Grand Companies doesn't have any ties to national allegiance is a good thing when we consider the different foci of the organizations, but it also makes me wonder about what we're going to see in terms of player rewards. It seems like this is one of the first steps toward making the game's content even more open than it's previously been, with plenty for players to do straight on down the line.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Company car

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Company car originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 21 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columndungeonsfeaturedffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.18final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgrand-companiesopinionsquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logupdatesSat, 21 May 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV updates Grand Company page with more details, dungeon preview]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/final-fantasy-xiv-updates-grand-company-page-with-more-details/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/final-fantasy-xiv-updates-grand-company-page-with-more-details/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/final-fantasy-xiv-updates-grand-company-page-with-more-details/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Grand Companies of Eorzea have been getting quite a bit of foreshadowing in Final Fantasy XIV, but they haven't yet made their full appearance. Patch 1.18 promises to change that, however, and in preparation for the game's next major patch, the official page on the Companies has been updated with information on the process of joining in the war effort. Each Company will have a distinct ethos and overall goal, and it will be up to each individual player to determine which of the organizations to work alongside.

In addition, the page details the first of the promised dungeons, starting with the Gridanian prison of Toto-Rak. Originally meant to house truly vile criminals, the dungeon has become a recent hotbed of Garlean activity, and there are ominous hints that something even worse may be lurking in the depths. Final Fantasy XIV players can look forward to the update itself in June, but the promised content certainly looks ambitious thus far.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV updates Grand Company page with more details, dungeon preview originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 May 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dungeondungeonsffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.18final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgrand-companiesgrand-companypatchespreviewsquaresquare-enixupdatesWed, 18 May 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Newest producer letter for Final Fantasy XIV talks patch 1.18, dungeons, and camps]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/newest-producer-letter-for-final-fantasy-xiv-talks-patch-1-18-d/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/newest-producer-letter-for-final-fantasy-xiv-talks-patch-1-18-d/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/newest-producer-letter-for-final-fantasy-xiv-talks-patch-1-18-d/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Starting in the next patch for Final Fantasy XIV, the little aetheryte camps won't be the only signs of civilization outside the main cities. According to the newest producer's letter from Naoki Yoshida, new camps and hamlets will be added to the map with the next patch, which is also slated to include the first changes to the game's battle system and instanced dungeons for ranks 30 and 50. These are features that players have been hearing about for some time, and it's excellent to have a more definite timeline for the implementation.

The down side to this, of course, is that the larger dose of content and upgrades will mean a longer gap between patches, as patch 1.18 is currently set to be released in mid-June. Yoshida goes on to say that it's quite possible the team will break some of the content down and release a 1.17b patch at some point in May, just to help tide players over. Final Fantasy XIV players are encouraged to read the full letter and get ready for more sweeping changes, along with further previews of the dungeons due in the near future.

MassivelyNewest producer letter for Final Fantasy XIV talks patch 1.18, dungeons, and camps originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 May 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>campsdungeonsendgameffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.18final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivhubsnaoki-yoshidanewspatchespending-updatesquest-hubsquest-updatesquestsupdatesMon, 02 May 2011 20:00:00 EST