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Final Fantasy XI launches May version update

Eliot Lefebvre — Tue, 10 May 2011 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Final Fantasy XI, Game mechanics, Patches, News items, Consoles

The version updates for Final Fantasy XI have always packed a great deal of content, and this month's patch is no exception. The May version update is now live, and it carries with it new battle styles, new content, and more updates for the venerable game. Centerpieces for this particular update include the new Voidwatch battles, new Grounds of Valor for players inside dungeons such as Garlaige Citadel, and new improvements to make Dynamis more relevant once again.

Aside from those updates, players are seeing several new battlefields added for battles with notorious monsters. There are also new synergy recipes to add augments to existing equipment, revised experience penalties for low-level characters, and a variety of job improvements. Not to mention a significant improvement to quality of life for storage, mailing, and general transportation. Final Fantasy XI players will have to wait through the usual download time, but given the content awaiting the patient, we think it should be well worth the wait.

Final Fantasy XI launches May version update originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 May 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy XIV unveils the Grand Companies

Eliot Lefebvre — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Game mechanics, Lore, Patches, News items, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV

The nations of Final Fantasy XIV are scattered, and odds are high that if the Garlean Empire invades once again there will be no chance of resistance. But large-scale threats are nothing new to Eorzea, and the tradition that has defended the continent before is being revived once more, in the form of the Grand Companies. Hinted at several times by producer Naoki Yoshida, today's patch is the start of the new content associated with these overarching gatherings, with the corresponding lore page explaining what these companies are and what threats they face both within and without.

Each of the three companies -- the Order of the Twin Adder, the Maelstrom, and the Immortal Flames -- is detailed on the official page, with information about the past and present of each organization. They also lie at the heart of some of the new sidequests released with this update. Patch 1.17 also contains new notorious monsters, new equipment that requires rather than favors specific disciplines, and changes to party size and Behest. Final Fantasy XIV players are encouraged to read the full patch notes as well as the Grand Company page -- it looks as if the game's storyline content is starting to move forward after the past several system tweaks.

Final Fantasy XIV unveils the Grand Companies originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy XI developers answer more player questions

Eliot Lefebvre — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Final Fantasy XI, Game mechanics, News items, Consoles

Let's face it, sometimes Final Fantasy XI players can be all "???" about the game. And that's not apropos of nothing, since the most recent developer dispatch talks about the multi-function "???" used for both Notorious Monster spawns and event triggers. While players had asked to see a change to distinct symbols such as a "!!!" for events, the technical effort required to make the switch wouldn't be worth the relatively minor functional update. The same rule goes for the /names command, which players would like to see toggle for NPCs or PCs selectively.

The latest answers aren't all bad news, however, with one of the more interesting factoids being the roundabout announcement of official forums for the game. There's also news about updates to General Rughadjeen in response to his strange behavior following Protect V or Shell V, a problem originating from the fact that the spells didn't exist when Besieged was created. Final Fantasy XI players are encouraged to read the full list of answers.

Final Fantasy XI developers answer more player questions originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy XI's February mini-patch dated

Eliot Lefebvre — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Final Fantasy XI, Game mechanics, Patches, News items, Consoles

Fans waiting expectantly for the Final Fantasy XI February update are going to have to wait a little while longer. But not too much longer... just until the 14th, at which point it will go live and bring accelerated experience and improved storage functionality for all. That's one of the major takeaways in the newest set of questions and answers from the development team, a steady feature since December that's helping to give players a clearer voice in the game's progress than ever before.

While the date of the patch is good to know, there are a lot of other interesting tidbits in the rundown, including a chance for players to suggest new prizes for future Mog Bonanza events. The team is also looking into addressing the issue of the most popular Notorious Monsters, storage for less-armor-related items that players tend to acquire in large quantities, and of course the squashing of troublesome bugs. Final Fantasy XI players should look at the full rundown and get ready for a number of improvements going live in just a few short days.

Final Fantasy XI's February mini-patch dated originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy XIV's December update goes live

Eliot Lefebvre — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Game mechanics, Patches, News items, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV

Final Fantasy XIV players can take heart, as the first of two promised updates in December has just gone live. The game's last major update a month ago was centered on quality-of-life improvements, but this update is focused toward content as well, with the addition of several new guildleves and the promised notorious monsters. That doesn't mean that there's a shortage of improvements to the game's interface, however, with several persistent issues having been addressed or expanded, even beyond the previously known changes.

Among the more welcome interface changes are the addition of visible timers to all status effects, an increase in the chat character limit, and improved display of an item's durability. As for content, players not looking to kill monsters can enjoy the first part of the promised recipe book and lessened spawns around gathering points, not to mention the option to abandon unwanted local levequests. Final Fantasy XIV players can look forward to a second update later in the month, that promises to build upon this update and offer further improvements to the game.

Final Fantasy XIV's December update goes live originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Familiar faces and holiday places in Final Fantasy XIV

Eliot Lefebvre — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Events, in-game, Patches, Previews, News items, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV

While Friday saw a massive news bomb dropped for players of Final Fantasy XIV, life in Eorzea continues, albeit with a touch of a specter hanging overhead. Still, one can only hope that the first Starlight Celebration in the game will help alleviate some of that sense of doom and gloom. To the surprise of nearly no one, the celebration features a number of gifts for players, as well as a three-piece set of thematic attire that can be either crafted or received via helping needy children. It's also one of the first glimpses at the game world's backstory beyond those tantalizing glimpses in story quests.

But perhaps you couldn't care less about the celebration and just want to go toe-to-toe with something more dangerous than a marmot. The December update should be good for what ails you, with the most recent preview offering up several new notorious monsters as well as two returning enemy groups. Flans, of course, have been a staple of nearly every game in the series -- but goblins are a welcome returning foe from Final Fantasy XI, complete with the same design and mercantile nature. Final Fantasy XIV players don't have a definite date for the update just yet, but it should be in the very near future, possibly even this week.

Familiar faces and holiday places in Final Fantasy XIV originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Third Final Fantasy XIV notorious monster previewed

Eliot Lefebvre — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Previews, News items, PvE, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV

Zanig'oh is a monster. Not really by his own decision, as he was bred to be a biological weapon, further augmented by alchemical arts and powerful warding runes etched into his scales. But as far as Final Fantasy XIV players will be concerned, he's still the sort of monster that needs to be put down as fast as possible. After all, he's the third notorious monster previewed by the development team, and he drops the runestones that are already known to be the key to powerful armor sets. That means it's drake-hunting season once the December update arrives.

This newest preview also contains the third set available from the allagan runestones, with this set suited toward the more lightly-armored disciples of war. With a strong pirate theme, the set is heavy on evasion, thus making it ideal for players who prefer a more nimble playstyle. We're also promised further previews of the non-levequest notorious monsters, something that should entice Final Fantasy XIV players with the prospect of more rewards and challenges in the wilds of Eorzea. After drake-hunting season is over, anyway.

Third Final Fantasy XIV notorious monster previewed originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy XIV shows off its first notorious monstrosity

Eliot Lefebvre — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Game mechanics, Previews, News items, PvE, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV

Notorious Monsters. The name is well-known to any veteran of Final Fantasy XI, denoting an especially powerful opponent with accordingly potent rewards. Final Fantasy XIV is set to receive its own set of notorious opponents with the December update, and the first preview of such has just been released. Deadeyes, a wolf deep within the forests of the Black Shroud, is the first one announced, and the preview details both why Deadeyes is to be feared and what players can hope to gain from the challenge.

The preview implies that Deadeyes will be encountered via a faction levequest, thus clearing up questions of how spawns of notorious monsters would work within the game. It also explains that upon his defeat, he will reward players with one of 12 runestones, with each stone being turned in to an Ul'dahn trader for a powerful piece of armor. The Harlequin set, a four-piece set for Disciples of Magic to use to enhance the potency of their magic, is shown off as one of the possible rewards. Final Fantasy XIV players have quite a bit to look forward to in the next update, and Deadeyes looks to be just the beginning.

Final Fantasy XIV shows off its first notorious monstrosity originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Famitsu previews upcoming additions to Final Fantasy XIV

Eliot Lefebvre — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, Previews, News items, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV

Discussion about Final Fantasy XIV of late has centered around the coming November version update, currently slated for today. But there's more coming beyond simply a host of UI fixes and system improvements, some of which have been previewed by Famitsu recently. The translation crew at FFXIVCore has put together a gallery of images as well as small descriptions of what's coming for the game, albeit without much contextual information about when these additions can be expected.

The new retainer outfits are a cosmetic addition that's welcome without being overwhelming, but the previews of monsters show off familiar foes from the series as a whole, familiar faces from Final Fantasy XI, and new enemies to fight. And the weapon preview seems to hint at some of the equipment players can look forward to from the notorious monsters slated for implementation before the end of the year. Final Fantasy XIV players are encouraged to take a look at the preview -- and possibly put some time aside for play today.

Famitsu previews upcoming additions to Final Fantasy XIV originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Nov 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The spawning grounds expand for Final Fantasy XIV

Eliot Lefebvre — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, Previews, News items, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV

After the development team discussed the more technical side of the coming November version update yesterday, today's preview for Final Fantasy XIV is back to the gameplay. That's not to say it doesn't have any technical details or enticing hints for veterans of Final Fantasy XI, considering that the newest preview is discussing monster spawn placement and the upcoming notorious monsters. For example, the new preview notes that server processing is being spread across multiple servers, which should help handle large groups of monsters more effectively -- and should also help mitigate server lag and some latency issues players have experienced.

As for notorious monsters... it seems only fitting that some of the most iconic residents of Vana'diel will apparently be getting a nod or two, with a promise that veterans may find some familiar faces among their new targets. The details of what can be looted from these creatures and who is coming to fight over dinner will be posted to the site in the near future. Final Fantasy XIV is working hard at making up for the issues many players had at launch, and that includes giving said players more monsters to fight against.

The spawning grounds expand for Final Fantasy XIV originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy XIV news from between the lines

Eliot Lefebvre — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, New titles, News items, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV

With all of the flurry of new information surrounding Final Fantasy XIV, it's understandable that some things can get missed in the hubbub. (For instance, the team behind the game has had an official Twitter feed running since the 30th... albeit one that's been largely silent on news.) Eorzeapedia, one of the larger fan sites for the game, has put together a helpful compilation of some of the little bits and pieces that have surfaced recently.

Some of the news has been seen in detail elsewhere, such as new information regarding some of the heretofore unseen disciplines. Other pieces are small, but still enlightening, such as the fact that the Playstation 3 version of the game is being held back largely due to RAM issues. We also learn that instanced dungeons are in the works along with notorious monsters, taking both from more recent design and the classic setup of Final Fantasy XI. If you're hungry for more Final Fantasy XIV tidbits, take a look at the roundup.

Final Fantasy XIV news from between the lines originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 11 Jul 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Massively's hands-on with Final Fantasy XI's April version update

Seraphina Brennan — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Final Fantasy XI, Expansions, Game mechanics, New titles, Reviews, PvE, Opinion, Consoles, Massively Hands-on

Prophecy, valor, campaign, and item augmentation, oh my! This latest version update was packed with goodies for the Final Fantasy XI player base, making sure that something for everyone was included in the game. I recently got the chance to sit down with the Final Fantasy XI team and play through some of the content, experiencing what their newest mini-expansion, A Crystalline Prophecy, had to add to the game.

Past that, I also had the chance to see the new Fields of Valor areas in action, aid the Mithras in defending Windurst from the beastmen during the Crystal War, and experience some of the hard tasks in the campaign missions first hand.

So does the April update get a thumbs up? Is Crystalline Prophecy worth the ten bucks? Those questions and more will be answered within.

Continue reading Massively's hands-on with Final Fantasy XI's April version update

Massively's hands-on with Final Fantasy XI's April version update originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 May 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy XI's April version update to include a mog house full of new features

Seraphina Brennan — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Final Fantasy XI, Game mechanics, Patches, News items, PvE, Consoles

The version update is a special time for all Final Fantasy XI players. A time where people gather around Tetra Master while they wait for the servers to come back up, a time when people cry nerf when Square-Enix changed how their class worked, but especially a time to drool over all of the coming new features.

We already heard that Square-Enix would be expanding the Fields of Valor and Moblin Maze Mongers systems, but now we get to see that there's much more in store for April's update. Things like brand new nation missions, more areas in game that support treasure casket drops, notorious (elite) monsters appearing in the campaign system, and the huge announcement of "item augmentation," a type of enchanting system for pieces of equipment.

For a game over six years old, FFXI keeps proving to its community that it can keep up with the features of newer MMOs, as well as deploy features that aid the playability of the game. As more information comes in regarding all of these new changes, we'll keep you updated with all of the juicy details.

Final Fantasy XI's April version update to include a mog house full of new features originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy XI update to eliminate 18+ hour boss takedowns

James Egan — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Final Fantasy XI, Events, in-game, Forums, Game mechanics, Guilds, Patches, News items, PvE

The players of Final Fantasy XI have voiced their anguished concerns over a certain Notorious Monster (NM), and Square Enix seems to have listened. We recently reported on the extreme levels of commitment needed to take down the NM Pandemonium Warden in Final Fantasy XI. A linkshell (guild) ironically called Beyond the Limitation attempted to take the boss on over a solid 18 hour period, and still weren't able to succeed. Consensus from FFXI's players who've been vocal on the matter is that Pandemonium Warden isn't just beyond this particular linkshell's limits, they're beyond anyone's limits.

In response, Square Enix stated, "Discussion has spread significantly throughout forums, and it has become apparent that this is indeed an issue of major unrest in the community." The company implied that the methods players have employed may have been sub-optimal, as Square Enix didn't anticipate that NM encounters would be as protracted as they've proven to be. To remedy this, they will alter the difficulty of defeating Pandemonium Warden, Absolute Virtue, and Jailer of Love. "The aim of these changes is to create battles where a decisive outcome may be reached within a shorter period of time," they said. The changes will go into effect with the next version update, which is scheduled for early September.

[Via 1up]

Final Fantasy XI update to eliminate 18+ hour boss takedowns originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 24 Aug 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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