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The Mog Log: Distinct linked games

Eliot Lefebvre — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Final Fantasy XI, Game Mechanics, Opinion, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV, The Mog Log

By early next year, the environment will be an interesting one for both Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV. Both games will have a major update out, whether that update is a large-scale revamp or a trim new expansion. (Speculation on that last one, yes; munch on a grain of salt as we proceed.) They'll both be poised for players to enjoy, each with its own distinct flavor... possibly.

See, there's a definite problem with all of the coming updates in the online Final Fantasy space. Both games need a distinct identity, and yet they're also both overlapping in several core areas. Square-Enix clearly wants players to be able to enjoy Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV as two different experiences, but is that really possible?

I'd like to think it is. I think that both games can deliver a rich experience for players of all stripes without becoming mirrors of one another, even disregarding superficial elements like jumping. I think both games also need to come together on certain points of common ground, so players of either can enjoy certain shared features that would otherwise be taken for granted.

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The Mog Log: Distinct linked games originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 14 Jul 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Mog Log: What we saw of FFXIV at E3

Eliot Lefebvre — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Events (Real-World), Patches, Previews, News Items, Opinion, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV, The Mog Log

When it became clear that we weren't getting our 2.0 trailer at this year's E3, I sort of assumed that Final Fantasy XIV fans would have to be content without much new information. As usual, Naoki Yoshida proved me wrong in the most excellent way possible. So while we've only seen the tip of the iceberg about what's coming into the game, that tip is providing quite a bit of fascinating information all on its own.

My first thoughts on seeing the screenshots for the second version was that it might as well be an entirely different game. It's familiar elements ported into an altogether unfamiliar setting. I've been looking forward to it before, but I think this was the first time that I truly believed that this was going to happen and that it would be awesome. So if you've been following along with the game's E3 coverage across the web -- and I know you have -- let's just dive into reaction.

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The Mog Log: What we saw of FFXIV at E3 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 09 Jun 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Mog Log: A look forward to Final Fantasy XIV pets

Eliot Lefebvre — Sat, 12 May 2012 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Classes, Game Mechanics, Opinion, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV, The Mog Log

Pet classes and I have an odd relationship. I don't generally like them, but I like having them there, and when they're done right, I'm very fond of the option. Final Fantasy XIV currently has a grand total of none of them; we have not even a summoner or beastmaster to call our own, but we've been told that this is all changing in version 2.0. And with November just half a year away, it's time to start thinking about what form these pets are going to take.

Of course, this isn't virgin territory for the game series. Final Fantasy XI featured four different pet classes, which have had differing levels of success over time. And even though Final Fantasy XIV isn't meant to be Final Fantasy XI in a new skin, the game can certainly take some inspiration from its predecessor even while forging a unique legacy. And hey, we've got at least three of the four pets from the previous game in Eorzea at this point. So let's talk about the past set of pets, where we are in the present game, and how those systems might make it into the main game.

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The Mog Log: A look forward to Final Fantasy XIV pets originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 12 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sub up or lose out: Final Fantasy XIV suspending accounts Thursday

Justin Olivetti — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Business Models, Free-to-Play, Final Fantasy XIV, Promotions

A month ago we reported that Square-Enix is finally ready to transition Final Fantasy XIV to a subscription model. This comes after more than a year of an unlimited free trial for users while the dev team shored up the title following its rocky release. It's important to note that this change happens this week -- specifically on Friday the 6th.

Square-Enix's account system has notified players that "the free trial period for the following service will soon end. Please note that after the end date, you will be billed service fees for your automatically continuous options."

No player will get charged against their will as the company is suspending all accounts on the 5th so that everyone can have a choice whether to subscribe or not. Until the launch of Final Fantasy XIV's 2.0 patch, the game will be available for a discounted rate of $9.99 a month, assuming that you're sticking with just one character (additional characters are $3 apiece). After 2.0, the subscription cost will increase to the standard rate $12.99/month.

Sub up or lose out: Final Fantasy XIV suspending accounts Thursday originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Mog Log: Non-reactive

Eliot Lefebvre — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Game Mechanics, News Items, Opinion, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV, The Mog Log

As pretty much everyone reading this column knows, there was a big bombshell dropped on the community on Friday of last week. As at least a few people reading this column also know, this column is written on Thursday. This isn't the first time that this has been relevant to the discussion, but what might seem a bit unusual is that last week's column did not discuss 2.0 or the billing cycle at all. It just continued on with my impressions of 1.19. To be quite honest, my actual Friday was spent at the local casino for dinner and some shopping.

I could have, of course, written a new column for last week by virtue of that breaking news. Certainly it was big. But as it stands, I looked at it, considered it, and realized that I didn't actually have a strong reaction to what had been announced. I was vaguely excited about 2.0, of course, but for the most part all of the big sweeping announcements about the future of Final Fantasy XIV didn't make nearly the impression that one might think. And there's a good reason for that, I believe -- it's because these announcements weren't as sudden or shocking as they look at face value.

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The Mog Log: Non-reactive originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 22 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Our interview with Final Fantasy XIV's Naoki Yoshida

Eliot Lefebvre — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Classes, Game Mechanics, Interviews, Launches, Patches, Previews, News Items, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV

There are big changes on the horizon for Final Fantasy XIV, as revealed last Friday. After a year of free play, the game is bringing its extended free trial to a close and setting the stage for further large-scale improvements, culminating in the preview of "version 2.0" that will change the face of the world and the game forever. It promises to be a year filled with new content, time-limited events, and plenty for players to enjoy as the new version approaches.

We were fortunate to have a chance to talk with the man at the head of all the changes, Naoki Yoshida, about the changes already put into place and the ones on the horizon. Past the break are Yoshida's opening remarks regarding the state of the game and the community as well as our questions, which covered everything from class balance to the end of the very extended free trial period.

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Our interview with Final Fantasy XIV's Naoki Yoshida originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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