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: Another course]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/29/the-mog-log-another-course/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/29/the-mog-log-another-course/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/29/the-mog-log-another-course/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

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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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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We still don't have a roadmap for the future of Final Fantasy XI, but now seems like a fine time to start speculating. Yes, the February update was nice, but it was only a patch on certain issues -- it makes leveling lower-level jobs far easier without giving players much of anything new to do. And while the game is at an age when running out of things to do is pretty darn unlikely, we're still going to need some content on the horizon, something to look forward to. (Especially since a lot of the older content we can do has been somewhat invalidated.)

I've said before that I'm hoping for another boxed expansion, but I've also said before that I have my doubts about whether or not that's actually viable. But even if we just get another add-on trilogy (which seems more likely even if it's not what I want), we're still going to be dealing with a massive shadow that Final Fantasy XI has been living under for a very long time now. To put it very bluntly, we're running out of a resource that's far more valuable than PS2 hard drive space -- story.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Playing in the epilogue

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Playing in the epilogue originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 Feb 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Last year around this time, people were saying that 2009 had been a terrible year and 2010 could only be an improvement. This year, people are saying the exact same thing. Maybe those of us in the MMO-sphere are just perpetual downers -- I don't know. It's certainly been a pretty significant year for players of Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV -- heck, it's been outright impossible for a Final Fantasy XIV player to exist before now, if you want to get hung up on pedantry.

Whether or not you enjoyed the launch, of course, is another story altogether, one that Square-Enix itself doesn't seem to have closed the book on just yet. And over in Final Fantasy XI, we got an announcement that had been about seven years in the making, not to mention a plethora of new additions to the game -- some stunning, some lackluster. So let's take a look back at the year for both games, since the new one is starting right about, well, now. (OK, it's been started for a few hours, you get the idea.)

Continue reading The Mog Log: The year that was

MassivelyThe Mog Log: The year that was originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 01 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abysseacolumnconclusionsend-of-the-year-2010ffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivhiromichi-tanakalaunchlaunchesleadership-changesmissionsopinionsquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logwings-of-the-goddesswotgyear-in-reviewSat, 01 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Stare too long into the Abyssea]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/18/the-mog-log-stare-too-long-into-the-abyssea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/18/the-mog-log-stare-too-long-into-the-abyssea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/18/the-mog-log-stare-too-long-into-the-abyssea/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The first of two December version updates has hit the community, and as a result I'm torn. On the one hand, this means that Final Fantasy XI has seen another major upheaval in the form of more levels and new content, which is really significant... if you're up at those levels. I am not, and consequently a lot of what I can say about those high levels is pretty darn speculative. Most of the concrete information I have heard about the update seems to concern problems with console installations rather than substantive information.

But I do feel fairly confident in talking about Abyssea. The second trilogy of mini-expansions has come to an end, with a very different focus than the previous unconnected addons. I'd say that it's been both a good and a bad thing for the game as a whole, both in the way that leveling has become tied to the new areas and in what it might mean for the game in the future. So with the whole setup out of the way, let's talk about what's been done and what might be coming as a result.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Stare too long into the Abyssea

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Stare too long into the Abyssea originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 18 Dec 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's hard not to be overshadowed by the arrival of a certain expansion tomorrow, but Final Fantasy XI players are getting their own major update today. Aside from unlocking the content in the new mini-expansion Heroes of Abyssea, the update brings with it the long-awaited boost to level 90 and a host of new abilities, not to mention new job emotes, a new form of storage, and adjustments to high-end battlegrounds across the game, giving the update something new for players of nearly any level.

Aside from the many larger changes, the patch also features several improvements to quality of life, such as dropping the price of Instant Reraise/Warp scrolls to almost trivial values. The stealth spells (Invisible, Sneak, and Deodorize) have also all been given a longer duration and less variation in their effect length, a boon to any players planning on sneaking from place to place. The full patch notes contain a piece or two of rather cryptic information, as always, but they should be enough to bring a smile to any Final Fantasy XI player.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XI's December version update goes live originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The December version update is kicking off the end of many things for Final Fantasy XI -- the end of the year, the end of the level cap from the last update, and perhaps most notably the end of Wings of the Goddess. After a very long and drawn-out storyline and series of missions, it's time for players to finish up their adventures in the past. But as can be expected, it's not going to be quite as simple as walking up to the Spitewardens and politely asking them to pack up shop.

After a series of defeats, challenges, and the usual confusion regarding any time-travel storyline, it seems the final movement begins in Grauberg with a rather flustered Cait Sith and moves on to the Walk of Echoes. It's time to face off against the Spitewardens and Lillith, the main villains of the expansion's arc, if adventurers want to maintain any hope of a future controlled by the free people of Vana'diel instead of the beastmen. While the preview only gives us a small taste of what's coming, Final Fantasy XI players had best steel themselves in advance -- this promises to end with a bang.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XI previews the end of Wings of the Goddess originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>december-version-updateexpansionexpansion-storylineffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-ximissionmission-conclusionmissionsspitewardenssquaresquare-enixstory-arcstorylinewalk-of-echoeswings-of-the-goddesswotgFri, 12 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XI December update is on track]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/09/final-fantasy-xi-december-update-is-on-track/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/09/final-fantasy-xi-december-update-is-on-track/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/09/final-fantasy-xi-december-update-is-on-track/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Rumors of the death of Final Fantasy XI have been greatly exaggerated. Even with the game having celebrated eight years of operation earlier this year, there's a lot of life left in the world of Vana'diel, and the update cycle is continuing apace. We knew we were due for another version update soon, and the most recent news from Square-Enix confirms that the December version update is on track for early next month. It's an end-of-year treat for the game's many devoted players.

And it should be quite a treat, at that. Along with the next installment of level cap updates -- complete with improved and added job abilities -- the update will feature the conclusion to the storyline of Wings of the Goddess at long last. It will also likely include the last installment of the Abyssea expansions, and it will definitely feature the job-specific emotes that were advertised at the beginning of the year. Final Fantasy XI players should keep their eyes open for more reveals on the next update, as it seems to be just around the corner.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XI December update is on track originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Nov 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's a good day to be in Vana'diel, as Final Fantasy XI's much-awaited September version update is now up and running on the live servers. That means another increase in the level cap, new missions for Wings of the Goddess, and many other improvements to the game. The full list of changes may be found in the official patch notes, which also include a few pieces of information not previously disclosed.

As expected, the majority of the changes center around the increase of the level cap to 85, complete with levels for the previewed new abilities and traits. There are also several smaller quality of life improvements, and the usual array of bug fixes across the board. Players waiting for the update to download (which can take quite some time, as any Final Fantasy XI veteran can attest) can peruse the full list of changes and get ready for some interesting new experiences.

MassivelySeptember version update live for Final Fantasy XI originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Time travel storylines are one of the most complicated things that can be done in any sort of fiction, even more so in MMOs. But Final Fantasy XI has been working hard at keeping the story of Wings of the Goddess personal and engaging, and players have responded positively to the experience as a whole. Still, all good things come to an end, and the expansion storyline will be coming to a close with the September version update.

The small preview of the upcoming conclusion hints at what might be around the corner for the adventurers who have braved the time-ruining antics of the Spitewardens and Atomos. Lilith's appearance marks further wrinkles in the already-convoluted timestream, with the possibility of her future inching ever closer for all of Vana'diel. If you've been following the story from the beginning, it promises to be a very emotional finale, and Final Fantasy XI players will be able to enjoy it starting next month.

MassivelyThe coming conclusion for Final Fantasy XI's Wings of the Goddess originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's easy to get jaded about Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV at times, right up until you open your eyes and see how immense the worlds of both games can really be. The scope and the sweep of both games is dwarfing. One human being could spend quite a bit of time studying them to try and internalize all of the available knowledge. And I found the guy who did precisely that and stole his notes, so I can answer your questions about both games today. Isn't that special?

egobrane asked:
"What's with people crying about huge system requirements [for the benchmark]?"

Not everyone has a hugely powerful computer, and there are a lot of fans of Final Fantasy XI who would probably like to be able to dive straight into Final Fantasy XIV. The problem is that the former has been around for eight years, and the latter is just now coming out. That's leaving aside the fact that FFXI's American release came a year and a half after the Japanese release, which meant that a computer that could run the game well was that much cheaper.

Continue reading The Mog Log: For bidden knowledge

MassivelyThe Mog Log: For bidden knowledge originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 Jun 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amidst all the changes coming with the June version update for Final Fantasy XI, players will finally be able to explore some of the Walk of Echoes. One of the most iconic and surreal parts of the Wings of the Goddess expansion, this region has only been visited in cutscenes up until now. This would be welcome in and of itself, but the implementation of the area is unique, a mixture of special battlefields and the Campaign battles. To start, players must be at least level 70 and have progressed to the "Cait Sith" mission in Wings of the Goddess. A moogle takes on the role of your transport to the timeless region, wherein adventurers will find several portals to battlefields.

Once within a battlefield, players will be subject to a time limit to face off against several enemies, with no limitations on new players entering the battlefield and engaging the monsters. The loot system is poised to work similarly to Warhammer Online's Public Quests, with all participants having a shot at rewards and the highest contributors getting bonuses. Final Fantasy XI players only have a couple days left before they can take part in the new content, but there's still time to familiarize yourself with this strange new region.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XI walks the Walk of Echoes originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's a truism of any good story: all good things must come to an end. And it's certainly true of the overarching story for the last Final Fantasy XI expansion, Wings of the Goddess, which is finally approaching a conclusion after two and a half years. The upcoming June version update won't conclude the overarching mission storyline, but it will draw the nation-specific quests to a finale. Square-Enix has given the players a brief peek at what's awaiting them in these final movements of a story that quite literally stretches across a huge span of time.

The San d'Orian story forces the nation's forces deeper into enemy territory, investigating rumors of a resurrected Count Aurchiat. Citizens of Bastok, meanwhile, will pursue the would-be assassin Klara Bester straight to Castle Zvhal itself... where Zeid's past is waiting to confront him. And as Windurst nears its final victory against the Yagudo, their final push brings out the true cost that the war has exacted on its people. It's the last hurrah for these stories, and the strength of storytelling is one of the greatest assets within Final Fantasy XI, so players are encouraged to look at the coming ending.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XI posts previews of the nation quest conclusions originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 May 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's been a while, but we're finally seeing more information trickling out about the upcoming Final Fantasy XI add-on pack Visions of Abyssea, with the launch of the official teaser site. The first of three mini-expansions designed to help players hit the promised new level cap, the new page reveals that it's scheduled to go live with the June version update that hosts the first of three increases leading to 99. It also announces that there are plans for pre-purchases starting in early June, and gives a few more hints as to what the mysterious new zones will actually be.

According to the backstory on the official site, players will apparently travel from Vana'diel to Abyssea via new Cavernous Maws, which leads to obvious suggestions that it's tied into the overarching and soon-concluding plot of Wings of the Goddess. There are also two screenshots of what may be assumed to be Abyssea itself -- or more accurately, a version of La Theine Plateau with a red sky. It would appear that the "mirror world" concept is close to the add-on indeed, but Final Fantasy XI players will have to wait a little longer to be totally sure.

MassivelyNew Visions of Abyssea site for Final Fantasy XI launches originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 May 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eight years doesn't sound like a very long time unless you're talking about MMOs. Then it's the equivalent of dog years, only larger. But Final Fantasy XI has been running for all that time, and the game is still running strong -- and more to the point, bringing out a number of updates, improvements, and other positives for the game. Even as a veteran player, I haven't seen all of the content that's out there -- really, I'd be surprised if I've done much more than scratch the surface.

I was given the lucky opportunity to get a guided tour of all the improvements and new content that the game had added with the most recent update, and it's certainly one of the more impressive drops the game has seen. Two entirely new summons, a new quest type, the penultimate missions in Wings of the Goddess, new Notorious Monsters, new areas... it's dwarfing to even consider it. I only had a chance to hit the highlights, and even then it was a lot to cover. So jump on past the cut, and see what's there to be seen.

Continue reading Massively's tour of Final Fantasy XI's March update

MassivelyMassively's tour of Final Fantasy XI's March update originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Apr 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alexanderbackstorybifronscount-bifronscutscenecutscenesdeveloper-tourfeaturedffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xiloremarch-updatemissionsodinsquare-enixsummonerssummonstourwings-of-the-goddesswotgxbox-360Tue, 13 Apr 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[March update comes to Final Fantasy XI]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/22/march-update-comes-to-final-fantasy-xi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/22/march-update-comes-to-final-fantasy-xi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/22/march-update-comes-to-final-fantasy-xi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

According to the old saying, March should be shuffling out meekly like a lamb at the moment, but the March version update to Final Fantasy XI has just come roaring on to the live servers. Usually we get a bit more warning from Square-Enix before a patch goes live, but with all of the information we'd heard about the contents of the update from VanaFest 2010 it came with no warning other than an early rumor. That means that trivia contest winners and attendees of the festival will gain access to their special hats, and it means that everyone gets a huge load of content added to the game.

The latest patch's inclusion of Odin and Alexander as summons was well-known, as was the continuation of the Wings of the Goddess storyline as it nears its conclusion. Less sweeping but still significant is a number of boosts to Puppetmasters, including an upgrade in hand-to-hand skill to B+ level and the removal of range-based calculations from automaton ranged attacks. There are also new Notorious Monsters and new Campaign locations for players to enjoy, so if you're a Final Fantasy XI player you should probably get to downloading the update.

MassivelyMarch update comes to Final Fantasy XI originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 22 Mar 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-ximarch-version-updatepatchesspecial-hatssquare-enixupdatevanafest-2010wings-of-the-goddessxbox-360Mon, 22 Mar 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[More on Final Fantasy XI's VanaFest prize and March update]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/more-on-final-fantasy-xis-vanafest-prize-and-march-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/more-on-final-fantasy-xis-vanafest-prize-and-march-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/more-on-final-fantasy-xis-vanafest-prize-and-march-update/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Although VanaFest 2010 is moving into the memories (fond or otherwise) of Final Fantasy XI fans everywhere, there are still bits and pieces that remained unanswered questions. For instance, what exactly are the prized Chocobo Berets going to do when players get their hands on them? Thanks to Corinth on the popular fan translation site JP Button, we finally have our answer: they turn players into chocobos. Using the hat turns everyone in the party into an egg which, when hatched (by removing the buff), will temporarily turn a player into an adolescent chocobo that improves their movement speed somewhat. High time to start making friends with attendees or trivia contest winners for that.

The translated information also points to the hats being available with the March version update, which looks to be going live on March 23rd. The VanaFest site has a full breakdown of what's due with the update, but in short it's set to include the penultimate parts of the Wings of the Goddess storyline, job adjustments, and the long-awaited Odin and Alexander summon spells. It's also introducing the new "Trial of the Magians" quests. so the end of the month promises to be very busy for Final Fantasy XI -- even if you're not waiting to hatch from a hat-induced egg.

MassivelyMore on Final Fantasy XI's VanaFest prize and March update originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alexanderchocobochocobo-beretff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-ximarch-version-updateodinsquare-enixsummonsvanafest-2010wings-of-the-goddessxbox-360Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: You've got questions, we've got deflections]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/27/the-mog-log-youve-got-questions-weve-got-deflections/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/27/the-mog-log-youve-got-questions-weve-got-deflections/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/27/the-mog-log-youve-got-questions-weve-got-deflections/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

It's time to kick off one of the features that we're hoping will become a regular standby on The Mog Log -- community questions and answers. It's a chance for you to all ask the questions about the game that you'd like answered, and a chance for me to shuffle awkwardly and stare at my feet. Kidding aside, if you have a Final Fantasy XI or Final Fantasy XIV question that you'd like answered, send them to me, and I'll happily answer them to the best of my ability. It's all the edification of research without the actual research part.

We'll start with a question from Simon:
"Are we sure about when the beta for FFXIV is going to start?"

Nothing is certain, least of all what Square-Enix decides to do. Right now, they're content with not filling us in on the start date of beta, but they might very well share that tomorrow at VanaFest. On the flip side, they might hold on to that tidbit until after the stateside launch of Final Fantasy XIII, just to keep excitement up for the title. Keep your eyes peeled tomorrow, we should know then.

Continue reading The Mog Log: You've got questions, we've got deflections

MassivelyThe Mog Log: You've got questions, we've got deflections originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>characterexpansionsfeaturedff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivgendergrindmitoqeroedegyansoloingsquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logwings-of-the-goddessxbox-360Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XI's November version update announced]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/28/final-fantasy-xis-november-version-update-announced/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/28/final-fantasy-xis-november-version-update-announced/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/28/final-fantasy-xis-november-version-update-announced/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


While it was a foregone conclusion that we'd be seeing a content update in Final Fantasy XI very soon, thanks to the release of the trailer for "A Shantotto Ascension," we now have confirmation on the target month for the gigantic update -- November.

The November version update will include new Wings of the Goddess nation quests, more Moblin Maze Mongers features, a mysterious new "item related system," and a continuation of the job targeted enhancements. The next few months will be filled with exciting news as we'll get to find out what jobs are being targeted for changes during this update and what exactly this mysterious new system is.

Of course, the version update will also come with the newest mini-expansion, "A Shantotto Ascension," which we have the trailer for already! So check out the trailer, and stay tuned to Massively for all the information related to the upcoming version update!

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XI's November version update announced originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yes, yes, you're all clamoring about Final Fantasy XIV, but let's get real here people and get to the present. Final Fantasy XI isn't dead yet and it's getting itself a nice version update.

The upcoming version update will bring a new slew of Wings of the Goddess missions as usual, but players will also be able to look forward to seeing brand new areas of past Vana'diel being made available, more job adjustments like what was done with the White Mage, more additions to campaign and Moblin Maze Mongers, and even more that's still being kept secret.

The update is currently being scheduled for late July, but more information about the update will be released in the coming weeks. Keep your eyes peeled for more new things coming to FFXI!

MassivelyJuly version update scheduled for Final Fantasy XI originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>campaignffxiffxi-july-updateffxivfinal-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivjob-adjustmentsjuly-version-updatemoblin-maze-mongerspast-vanadielshadowreignversion-updatewings-of-the-goddessTue, 09 Jun 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XI Fanfest 2008 information overload]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/08/final-fantasy-xi-fanfest-2008-information-overload/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/08/final-fantasy-xi-fanfest-2008-information-overload/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/08/final-fantasy-xi-fanfest-2008-information-overload/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The 2008 Final Fantasy XI Fanfest has wrapped up and 1up.com has collected all sorts of information from it. From the looks of things, the future is very bright for denizens of Vana'diel. The new Level Sync functionality -- which lowers high-level players' level so they can play with friends -- is getting more updates in the future, as are many of the game's systems in an effort to enable everyone to play less time and receive more experience. Or in other words, the development team is working to make the game less frustrating for new and old players.

The other big news to come out of the Fanfest was that in the coming year Square Enix will be developing the storyline brought into the game with Wings of the Goddess. Apparently players can expect loads of Cait Sith, a Gigas assault on Jeuno, and some type of sultry new villainess. We're curious how much of this is going to be incorporated into the trio of mini-expansions coming for the game.

The player base in Final Fantasy XI may not be huge, but the group is incredibly dedicated. Plus, as one of the very few Japanese MMOs (and the only Final Fantasy one) the game garners many Japanese players who share their servers with North Americans. With these forthcoming updates, the servers are likely to surge with new and old subscribers.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XI Fanfest 2008 information overload originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1upfanfestfanfest-2008final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-xisquaresquare-enixvanadielwings-of-the-goddessMon, 08 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings of the Goddess missions roll forward]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/12/wings-of-the-goddess-missions-roll-forward/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/12/wings-of-the-goddess-missions-roll-forward/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/12/wings-of-the-goddess-missions-roll-forward/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The official Final Fantasy XI site has updated with the news that the storyline behind the game's overarching mission quests continues to roll forward. The quest line, which we discussed in Massively's Wings of the Goddess tour, features the antics of the mysterious Cait Sith and the time-twisting dancer Lilisette. Adventurers who are diligent about pressing forward through the content will soon be neck-deep in the dangers of the mysterious portals, the mystery of dance Troupe Mayakov, and the drama of the Crystal War.

The site also notes that Adventurer Appreciation week has just kicked off! The in-game holiday started early this morning, and the event will be running through the early morning of May 28th. During this time, Moogles will be hanging around the three nations of Vana'diel, just waiting to help out with a few entertaining trinkets. Past events have offered a variety of items, but the only gift we're certain players will get their hands on is the ever-useful Anniversary Ring. Bonus XP and a pack of Moogles at your beck and call ... good times.

MassivelyWings of the Goddess missions roll forward originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 May 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ffxifinal-fantasy-ximissionswings-of-the-goddessMon, 12 May 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EU version of Final Fantasy XI 2008 hits stores May 28th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/02/final-fantasy-xi-2008-edition-hits-stores-may-28th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/02/final-fantasy-xi-2008-edition-hits-stores-may-28th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/02/final-fantasy-xi-2008-edition-hits-stores-may-28th/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Square Enix has announced that they plan on releasing the 2008 edition of Final Fantasy XI at the end of this month on May 28th. The box will come with the original game plus every expansion released to date. That means players will get Final Fantasy XI, Rise of the Zilart, Chains of Promathia, Treasures of Aht Urghan, and Wings of the Goddess all in one purchase.

This is nothing new from Square Enix, as they've done this the past couple of years. We would just like to thank them for keeping all the expansions purchasable in a single box, as it makes things a lot easier on newer players trying to get into the game -- or even returning players who've lost their original boxes.

Update: May 28th is actually the release date for the EU version of Final Fantasy XI 2008 Edition. The US version of this bundle was released on April 15th, 2008.

MassivelyEU version of Final Fantasy XI 2008 hits stores May 28th originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 May 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Late last week we had the opportunity to get a hands-on look at the most recent expansion to the venerable MMO title Final Fantasy XI. Wings of the Goddess was released to excited Taru Tarus and enthusiastic Galkas in November of last year, but the new content is still being explored by the several hundred-thousand strong playerbase. Featuring two new jobs and an intriguing story arc that ties the present of Vana'diel to its war-torn past, Wings is easily the most ambitious project the Square/Enix development team has delivered to the online space. While it hasn't been as well received as some previous expansions, it's nonetheless a watershed moment in the game's history.

The reason? The FFXI developers are reaching out to the community, both inside and out of the game. Don't play Final Fantasy XI? Don't worry - we haven't in a while either. That's why we went on this tour, to experience the newest and greatest the gameworld had to offer. While talking to the developers was great, nothing can compare with seeing the sights and trying out the two new classes firsthand ... and did we ever come back with spoils! We have descriptions of playstyles for both of the new classes, details on the newest Campaign-style collaborative combat gameplay, dozens of screenshots, half a dozen videos, and one very special cinema featuring a certain cat that might be very familiar indeed ...

Gallery: FFXI Wings of the Goddess Walkthrough Gallery

Continue reading A video and screenshot tour of FFXI's Wings of the Goddess expansion

MassivelyA video and screenshot tour of FFXI's Wings of the Goddess expansion originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 25 Mar 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cavernous-mawdancerfeaturedffxifinal-fantasy-xijoystiqfeaturesscholarsquare-enixtaru-taruwings-of-the-goddessTue, 25 Mar 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Building a better MMOusetrap: Starting over]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/02/building-a-better-mmousetrap-starting-over/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/02/building-a-better-mmousetrap-starting-over/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/02/building-a-better-mmousetrap-starting-over/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

So I have been talked into starting over an old game I quit over three years ago, deleted all my characters and vowed to never go back. Now, it's taken six months (or more) of convincing and pleading and begging, but the thing that finally sold me was "they made leveling a lot easier, it's not like it used to be."

That right there makes FFXI so much more exciting to go and play again, because as anyone who has ever leveled a character to 75 in that game knows, it was a full time job. I didn't want to go and do that all over again, forsaking the other games I play, my real job, family friends, etc etc (because, let's face it, we all do that from time to time, to get that one next level). But with the prospect of the leveling being easier, more casual friendly where it only takes a matter of weeks (or months) instead of years to get to 75 and have some fun, the game just seems, somehow better.

So that got me thinking about the other games I had left, and if they had made changes over the years to bring people back. Sure there have been the Resurrection Scrolls, and the Return Home to Vana'diel campaigns, and I'm sure countless others. But I'm not talking about promotions, but actual game changes, to speed up leveling, make crafting less of a headache, and allow people to join in, this late in the game.

Continue reading Building a better MMOusetrap: Starting over

MassivelyBuilding a better MMOusetrap: Starting over originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Jan 2008 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzarddevelopmentfeaturedffxifinal-fantasy-xigame-designgame-developmentjoystiqfeaturesmmommo-industrywings-of-the-goddessworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 02 Jan 2008 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XI hacked; Square-Enix hides behind policy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/17/final-fantasy-xi-hacked-square-enix-hides-behind-policy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/17/final-fantasy-xi-hacked-square-enix-hides-behind-policy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/17/final-fantasy-xi-hacked-square-enix-hides-behind-policy/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Numerous reports have come in concerning the recent hacking of Final Fantasy XI player accounts, with the concomitant liquidation of assets, leaving many users without gear and gil. Although complaints to the game admins have been many and passionate, Square-Enix seems to be employing a strategy of claiming that the hacked users are somehow to be found at fault for downloading keylogging software, or somehow allowing their account information to be taken by malicious hackers.

There is an interesting theory circulating that the attacks are in response to S-E's crackdown on real money trading (or RMT) activities, which in general drive up inflation of in-game economies. It's been supposed that " ... RMT have decided for Christmas to meet demands for the people who buy the games currency (gil) to hack droves of veteran characters and sell everything of value in an attempt to meet the demand with the least amount of labor as possible", to quote player Sparthos.

Interestingly, many of the hacked account holders place the inception of these attacks as occurring shortly after the release of FFXI's newest expansion, Wings of the Goddess. If there is a connection, it might be possible for there to be some weak code in the expansion that allows a hack of this nature to occur. With S-E's refusal to acknowledge legitimate grievances on the part of the players, however, it's not likely that we'll have this either confirmed or denied. We'll keep an eye on this story and see how it develops.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XI hacked; Square-Enix hides behind policy originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Dec 2007 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>final-fantasy-xihackedreal-money-tradingrmtsquare-enixwings-of-the-goddessMon, 17 Dec 2007 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Make your own FFXI dungeons, Fan Fest recap]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/recap-of-the-final-fantasy-xi-fan-festival/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/recap-of-the-final-fantasy-xi-fan-festival/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/recap-of-the-final-fantasy-xi-fan-festival/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Writing for Gamastura, freelance writer Emily Balistrieri has a lengthy run-down on the biggest party of the year for Final Fantasy XI fans: Fan Fest. She offers up two features for the price of one. The first is an interview with some folks from the development team, including Hiromichi Tanaka, and Global Online Producer Sage Sundi. The second is a breakdown of the events of the Fest itself, from the introductory speech to the obligatory game music concert.

Another very popular event returning from last year was held Friday at 3:00 PM: The Tarutaru Marathon. Registered players were each assigned one tiny, adorable, level one Tarutaru character to send hurtling through a perilous dungeon. Monsters there could smite these wimpy Tarutaru into dust with just one hit, so stealth -- well, more so just running like hell -- played a big part in advancing the furthest. No one actually managed to cure the goal Galka character before the 20 minutes was over, but the closest three were awarded pretty sweet tech prizes. In fact, the top prize for many of the contests was a new PC.

One additional element not covered in her writeup, but touched on in an update to the official site: the prospect of player-created dungeons! This idea is so out there that the language on the site sounds especially cautious:

The development team hinted at the possibility of a function that would allow players to design their own dungeons. These adventurer-created dungeons could then be attempted by and traded between friends. However,this idea is still in the early planning stages, and there is a chance it may not come to fruition.

If this was of interest, don't forget to check out our own Jason Dobson's gallery of photos from the event, and his own chat with the dev team.

MassivelyMake your own FFXI dungeons, Fan Fest recap originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cosplayfan-festffxifinal-fantasy-ximithrasquare-enixtaru-taruwings-of-the-goddessTue, 27 Nov 2007 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[FFXI: Wings of the Goddess and The Version Update take flight]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/20/ffxi-wings-of-the-goddess-and-the-version-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/20/ffxi-wings-of-the-goddess-and-the-version-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/20/ffxi-wings-of-the-goddess-and-the-version-update/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Wings of the Goddess, FFXI's fourth expansion hits desktops today. It's out there waiting for a corner on your sad lonely desktop that could use a wallpaper update. Salivating FFXI players can wait along with the expansion because all that fabulous new content isn't accessible until the 22nd. (The official site says the 21st, but they are on some weird funky-town time.)

Xan and other FFXI aficionados must be shaken and distraught over this unbearable conundrum. (whut) We very few at Massively feel their pain, and I believe it is my duty to offer few tips to help pass the time until the expansion opens its gates: Step 1. Cut a whole in a box. Step 2. Register the expansion, this will come in handy when it comes time to play it. Step 3. Put your e-junk in that box. Done? Sift and drool through all the patch notes on the official FFXI website. Ta-da! What's that? 'How about removing a pound of flesh from your cold dead corpse instead." Get in line, people -- no need to shove. More disappointment after the jump. I can't hog the whole page.

Continue reading FFXI: Wings of the Goddess and The Version Update take flight

MassivelyFFXI: Wings of the Goddess and The Version Update take flight originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Nov 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ffxifinal-fantasy-xisquare-enixthe-version-updatewings-of-the-goddessTue, 20 Nov 2007 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[FFXI: The Allied Campaign is about to begin... Wings of the Goddess launches tomorrow!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/ffxi-the-allied-campaign-is-about-to-begin-wings-of-the-godd/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/ffxi-the-allied-campaign-is-about-to-begin-wings-of-the-godd/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/ffxi-the-allied-campaign-is-about-to-begin-wings-of-the-godd/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Give it up for the holiday weeks that involve stuffing our gullets with chocobos and consuming new MMOG expansions for dessert. The next FFXI expansion, Wings of the Goddess, is hitting desktops tomorrow. I recommend current players clear some room -- you know, for the bird.... We didn't completely miss out on the FFXI Fan Festival either, one of our very own Jasob Dobson was able to meet up, and toss a few questions at some FFXI devs.

If you haven't been in the Vana'diel loop over the past few years, some deleted characters were reverted to the back-burner. Meaning former FFXI players with inactive character(s) that were marked for deletion may be retrievable for play now. I don't know who is keeping the naughty or nice list, but the hits seem to be random. One hit occurred to fellow Massively writer, Dave Moss, his high-level Paladin wasn't spared, but his other lower-level character made the cuts. As for another friend who played FFXI, all his characters that were, according to Play Online, "permanently deleted," magically reappeared when he checked in several weeks ago. This is definitely worth looking into if you are thinking about playing FFXI again.

One big feature upcoming in the new expansion, aside from the two brand-spanking new jobs: dancers, scholars; or the plethora of fabulous FFXI expansion information that 1up covered, which made Massively writers look like a bunch of MMOG nubs, (I challenged that writer @1up to a duel in EVE -- my Mining Corp versus The Scope, still waiting for a reply) is get ready, it's coming, cue the trumpets... The Allied Campaign! This one will be more epic than its predecessors, the last Besieged system was epic too, but this one is the epitome of epic... until... the next expansion!

The new battle-system can be divvied up into four categories: Campaign Battles; Campaign Ops; Headhunting; Tactical Assessment. I summed up the deets after the jump, or you can check out the official word on the FFXI website.

[Sincere Thanks, Xan!]

Continue reading FFXI: The Allied Campaign is about to begin... Wings of the Goddess launches tomorrow!

MassivelyFFXI: The Allied Campaign is about to begin... Wings of the Goddess launches tomorrow! originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Nov 2007 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingexpansionffxifinal-fantasy-xisquare-enixthe-allied-campgainwings-of-the-goddessMon, 19 Nov 2007 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XI Fan Fest live: devs speak out on Wings of the Goddess]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/final-fantasy-xi-devs-speak-out-on-wings-of-the-goddess/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/final-fantasy-xi-devs-speak-out-on-wings-of-the-goddess/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/final-fantasy-xi-devs-speak-out-on-wings-of-the-goddess/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


It's odd to think that any one game could inspire players from all walks of life to set aside two days and flock to one location in celebration, but MMORPGs are unique in that they are as much instruments for social networking as they are video games. Because of this, perhaps it isn't all that surprising to see such fantastic devotion as we've seen here at Final Fantasy Fan Festival (say that five times fast), Square Enix's annual party celebrating all things Final Fantasy XI.

The event, limited to just 1500 attendees, also doubles as a launch party of sorts for the MMO's latest expansion, Wings of the Goddess, which ships on November 20. Goddess adds a number of interesting changes to the existing formula, including two new jobs - Dancer and Scholar - as well as takes the setting back in time to let players take part in, and possibly change the events that helped shape the history of Vana'diel. To find out more about this game, as well as the other changes Square Enix has in store for the MMO, we went straight to the horse's mouth, and joined a handful of other journalists in a private interview session with the game's development team, including Hiromichi Tanaka, Akihiko Matsui, Mitsutoshi Gondai, Kouichi Ogawa, Kenichi Iwao, and Sage Sundi.

Gallery: Final Fantasy XI Fan Festival 2007

Continue reading Final Fantasy XI Fan Fest live: devs speak out on Wings of the Goddess

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XI Fan Fest live: devs speak out on Wings of the Goddess originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Nov 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Akihiko-Matsuidancerfeaturedfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-xiHiromichi-TanakaKenichi-IwaoKouichi-OgawaMitsutoshi-GondaimmorpgSage-Sundischolarsquare-enixVana'dielwings-of-the-goddessMon, 19 Nov 2007 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XI kicks-off event: Crystal War Revisited]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/08/final-fantasy-xi-kicks-off-event-crystal-war-revisited/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/08/final-fantasy-xi-kicks-off-event-crystal-war-revisited/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/08/final-fantasy-xi-kicks-off-event-crystal-war-revisited/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A Final Fantasy XI update! Actually, there's a lot going on in Final Fantasy XI. It's been five years since launch and the fourth expansion, Wings of the Goddess, is shipping nationwide on November 20, 2007. If you had an account that was obliterated for not paying the upkeep, it's a good time to check out Vana'diel again as Square Enix recently reactivated all deleted player accounts. If you like déjà vu and hunting crystals, the Crystal War Revisited in-game event will be running until Thursday, November 15th.

To take part in the event, talk to any of the moogles found in Southern San d'Oria (K-9), Bastok Markets (G-8), and Windurst Woods (K-10). Raid one of the following basment-held positions and obtain a fragment of the Huge Crystal being kept at: Ghelsba Outpost, Palboruough Mines, Giddeus, Davoi, Beadeaux, Castle Oztroja. Defeating the special Notorious Monsters near the huge crystal will result in a temporary bonus that grants more crystals to be carried. Good news is the crystals can be traded and sold.

Next step, spectacle profits:

[Dandy Spectacles: All races / All jobs / Head : ACC+2 - Nighttime ACC-20]
[Fancy Spectacles: All Races / All jobs / Head : ACC+3 - Nighttime ACC-30]

[Thanks, Xan!]

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XI kicks-off event: Crystal War Revisited originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Nov 2007 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crystal-war-revisitedffxifinal-fantasy-xiwings-of-the-goddessThu, 08 Nov 2007 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Building a better MMOusetrap: Can you teach old content new tricks?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/07/building-a-better-mmoustrap-can-you-teach-old-content-new-tric/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/07/building-a-better-mmoustrap-can-you-teach-old-content-new-tric/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/07/building-a-better-mmoustrap-can-you-teach-old-content-new-tric/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,



A common outcry I hear when playing MMO's, has to do with expansions and their almost unfailing ability to devour original content, and let it die a pitiful death. It's as if overnight, the quests people had been grinding on, the bosses they have endlessly battled, or the items they had no longer matter. Everything you worked for up to this point, is instantly obsolete.

Most recently I have been talking with WoW players in relation to the release of The Burning Crusade expansion, and how those who were not in the forefront of raiding content before the expansion most likely will never get to see the old 40 man raid content. There have been all sorts of statistics thrown around since TBC came out that only 2% (or 10%, or 40%, etc) of the population of WoW actually got to make it into Naxxramas, with only a slightly larger number having made it into the 40-man wing of AQ.

This sort of thing isn't just afflicting WoW either, back in the day when I was playing FFXI, and new expansions came out (Chains of Promathia, I'm looking at you), there was a great deal of content from the original game, or the Rise of the Zilart expansion I hadn't seen yet. Now on its third expansion (Treasures of Aht Urhgan) and on its way to the fourth in Wings of the Goddess there are a lot of players who are crying out that they have so much left to do.

Continue reading Building a better MMOusetrap: Can you teach old content new tricks?

MassivelyBuilding a better MMOusetrap: Can you teach old content new tricks? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Nov 2007 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardfeaturedffxifinal-fantasy-xifuture-expansionsgame-designjeffrey-kaplanmmo-industrynaxxramastigolewings-of-the-goddessworld-of-warcraftwotlkwowwrath-of-the-lich-kingWed, 07 Nov 2007 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy Fan Fest reveals new expansion details]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/06/final-fantasy-fan-fest-reveals-new-expansion-details/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/06/final-fantasy-fan-fest-reveals-new-expansion-details/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/06/final-fantasy-fan-fest-reveals-new-expansion-details/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

We've already talked about the big news from this past weekend's Final Fantasy XI Fan Fest - the announcement of the Scholar class. We've also noted the ease with which you can revisit the game, as deleted characters can be restored for folks coming back. But there were several other minor details dropped by the Square/Enix folks in the last few days.

A few of the moves for the other new class, the Dancer, were announced. They'll be a front-line melee class - hitting mobs to build up TP, and then expending it to fuel their healing dances and enfeebling steps.

Some more random details were also announced, affecting all players, like the expansion of the macro pallet to 4000 buttons. Little things make the game, right? I know I for one will be happy that players can now invite others into their Mog houses.

The developers also confirmed what everyone already assumed, that portals to the past will be opening across Vana'diel. Known as 'cavernous maws', they will allow adventurers to move some twenty years into the gameworld's past.

Finally (just in case you'd forgotten), the game will be shipping on or around the 20th of this month. There are so many new features that all players (regardless of whether or not they're buying the expansion) will need to endure a pair of updates. The first dropped earlier this week, while the next is scheduled for about the 12th.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy Fan Fest reveals new expansion details originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Nov 2007 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>expansionfan-festffxifinal-fantasy-xischolarwings-of-the-goddessTue, 06 Nov 2007 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Scholar job to be introduced in FFXI: Wings of the Goddess]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/05/scholar-job-to-be-introduced-in-ffxi-wings-of-the-godess/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/05/scholar-job-to-be-introduced-in-ffxi-wings-of-the-godess/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/05/scholar-job-to-be-introduced-in-ffxi-wings-of-the-godess/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Insert jokes about study groups; pen is mightier than the sword; and dance/scholar is a stripper at university. What exactly am I referencing to? The two jobs (classes) to be released alongside Final Fantasy XI's upcoming Wings of the Goddess expansion scheduled to launch on November the 20th. Play Online recently announced the Scholar with a nifty back-story (worth reading for any Final Fantasy XI player); the second job revealed thus far, the first being the Dancer. I guess there is a third class rumored, always some rumor going around and I've seen Geomancer bandied about.

For those hardcore Final Fantasy players, you may remember the Scholar originally appeared in Final Fantasy III, at their initial inception their primary objective was to scan enemies and I forget what else, hey it's been awhile since I played it. I believe it wasn't until another Final Fantasy game where they could use White and Black magic. In Final Fantasy XI, Scholars will be able to cast some curative, White Magic, and some offensive, Black Magic. Scholars use Grimoires when engaging in battle because they got book smarts. Under the effect of White Grimoire, cast time and mp usage is reduced, and abilities for the White Grimoire are activated. Under the effect of Black Grimoire, cast time is increased, and MP usage is slightly increased. Changing between the two schools is instantaneous; a similar comparison to how the switch between the two schools might be better visualized for non-Final Fantasy XI players if they think of each one as a different stance.

Does scholar equal mandatory leveling as a mage sub job? So what level will your scholar be 37 or 75?

[Thanks, Xan!]

MassivelyScholar job to be introduced in FFXI: Wings of the Goddess originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Nov 2007 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ffxiffxi-jobsffxi-scholarfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-xijobssquare-enixwings-of-the-goddessMon, 05 Nov 2007 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Square offers to bring back deleted characters for new expansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/01/square-offers-to-bring-back-deleted-characters-for-new-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/01/square-offers-to-bring-back-deleted-characters-for-new-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/01/square-offers-to-bring-back-deleted-characters-for-new-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Are you or someone you love a former Final Fantasy XI addict just itching to get back in the game again? No? Well me neither, but Square Enix is offering its services for those looking to fall off the wagon again. They're bringing back the "Return to Vana'diel" campaign, where players who have previously deleted their Content IDs or PlayOnline accounts can have them automagically restored. And wouldn't you know it, they're starting the campaign a scant three weeks before the release of their fourth expansion, Wings of the Goddess. The "Return to Vana'diel" campaign is set to run through the end of February though, so it's no rush.

Personally, when we have enough strength of conviction to delete a game after we unsubscribe, it's usually evidence enough that we don't want to go back. So whether Square Enix is being nice and just offering a service to its former players or whether they're just being dirty rotten enablers hooking in former addicts, is certainly a question open to interpretation.

MassivelySquare offers to bring back deleted characters for new expansion originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Nov 2007 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ffxifinal-fantasy-xiplay-onlinereturn-to-vana'dielsquare-enixwings-of-the-goddessThu, 01 Nov 2007 12:02:00 EST