Creator’s Voice Z has just posted a few pictures of the Shadow Lord in-game statue prize.

As part of her post, Destiny does a parody of the well-known 年末ジャンボ commercials. In fact, the title of the post is a little pun: “Year-end Jumbonanza.” Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the commercial online to post here, but this one from the “Summer Jumbo” lottery has the tune in the middle and contains the requisite amount of wackiness.

Those golden things falling from the sky are 夢 “yume” , which means “dream.” In other words, winning the lottery will make your dreams come true. Or, at the very least it will rain golden 夢s that you can sell for cash.

The current Mog Bonanza is called 初夢ボナンザ. 初夢 refers to one’s first(初) dream(夢) of the year. That particular dream is supposed to set the tone for the year to come. Hitting it big in either the Jumbo lottery (top cash prize of 200 million yen) or the Mog Bonanza would certainly be an auspicious omen.

This piece of artwork was recently posted over at Creator’s Voice Z. It was done by Fumio Minagawa to celebrate the release of A Shantotto Ascension, the latest add-on pack for Final Fantasy XI. Minagawa was the artist behind the add-on’s cover art.

Along the top: “Congratulations on the release of A Shantotto Ascension!”

Shantotto is squeezing her Moogle Rod, letting out a “giri giri” sound. Besides being a squeezing, grinding noise, “giri giri” also means “just barely” as in “just barely making a deadline.”

The Moogle warns, “You had better make that deadline, kupo…”

Along the bottom, Minagawa admits, “This is an illustration that I forgot to enter into the FanArt Competition. (true story)”

If you enjoy Minagawa’s artwork, you can see much more at RGB230.com

Creator’s Voice Z has added the new Community Site Tool to their sidebar and provided an explanation of what’s in store for fan sites everywhere. The tool, which is available to site owners registered with PlayOnline, is a special gift as part of a “Community Site Renewal” effort kicking off within the next few days.

The new tool has been specifically designed to fit snugly into the sidebar and comes with a variety of useful functions. It contains the important PlayOnline information always offered by the tool, but now includes a visit counter that will have Community Sites ranked by their traffic. In addition, the tool can be set to display one of a few selected characters that come with individual animations.

Creator’s Voice Z calls on all Community Site members to set up the new tool on their own sites and blogs. Plus, non-registered fan sites don’t have to feel left out and are encouraged to send in applications to PlayOnline and become a Community Site as well!

The Community Site Renewal project will go live very soon, so get on board!

Is there anything more delicious than copyright infringement? This shop may have the answer. 「管」, the admin over at Michael’s Site found this snack bar over in 神奈川 Kanagawa prefecture. The sign says スナック “snack,” which is basically a euphemism for “snacks and, oh yeah, hostesses who flirt with you for cash while serving you alcohol.”

Kanagawa is actually right next door to me (stop over and say hi, next time, 管! ) but these places tend to be crazy expensive, and sometimes dangerous. Depending on the management and how reputable the establishment is, they can surprise you with a trumped up bill and cause a lot of trouble. For now, you’ll have to be satisfied with trying out your best Final Fantasy-related puns. May I suggest something about Leveling Up?

I’m running out the door (and so is Corinth unfortunately) but we wanted to throw up some cool new info from Creator’s Voice Z. Here’s the summary:

Square Enix Under Attack!

The FFXI Development area has fallen under Beastman control!

Destiny hints that these artistic creations will have some use in the future… but for now, it’s a secret!

Star Onions Songs for the Cell Phone

Starting May 1st, you can download certain songs from the upcoming Star Onions CD for use on your cell phone. You have to scan and activate the QR code located in the banner of the post on JP PlayOnline.

Songs to be made available are: Voyager, Mhuara and Gustaberg.

artwork by Shade

Vana’diel Population Boost

SE’s Ninja Nerfs

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Along with the version update, service has started for “A Crystalline Prophecy”.
Has everyone seen the first cut scene for it yet?
I’ve been very curious about what happened to the siblings in the opening movie for FFXI as well as wondering what will happen to them in the future…
Could it finally be that all is revealed?!?!
I’d like everyone to enjoy this very momentous story! ^^

I was just as disappointed as the next guy when I read about the results that came from the Augment system. Many are also less than impressed by the content of the expansion. However, I noticed this on a Japanese forum, which may prove it’s a little quick to judge A Crystalline Prophecy, despite the current flaws:

That’s a Gold Ring with MP+11, INT+1 and MND+2.
To the right is an Angel Ring with Accuracy+6 and Pet: Accuracy+4, Ranged Accuracy+4.

It seemed way too good to be true… not to mention the Angel Ring is level 72. However, the owner posted another screenshot for proof:

The third piece piece equipment shown is the body piece reward for finishing A Crystalline Prophecy.

Apparently, you receive keys upon completing the later BCNMs in the expansion. Players who help will also receive keys they can use to open a chest in the Tenshodo HQ for a reward. The Angel Ring was a reward for helping in the final BC, while the Gold Ring was a reward for helping in the Fei’Yin BC.

In a recent video interview, it was mentioned that players could repeat A Crystalline Prophecy content over and over to obtain as much equipment as they wanted. This is probably what they were referring to… and a free Sniper-quality ring should be more than enough enticement to give your friends (or even enemies) a helping hand.

Destiny is teasing us all again. This time, she’s uploaded 6 images containing some of the Rank 5 prizes for this year’s Mog Bonanza. Check out the original entry here.

Ta-da~!
It’s time once again for the Mog Bonanza~~^^
Don’t miss out on your chance to buy into the Final Fantasy XI 7th Anniversary Commemorative Mog Bonanza!
This is the 2nd Mog Bonanza and we’ve prepared all sorts of prizes that will have you drooling.

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Yesterday the first add-on scenario, A Crystalline Prophecy, went on sale!~
Please look forward to the version update scheduled for early April ^^
Also, be sure to look at the special page for the add-on scenarios for detailed information on the equipment you can get after clearing the scenario.

Now that I think about it, March is almost over.
A few blossoms have started to appear on the cherry blossom trees in the park next to our company building.
I wonder if the trees will be in full bloom by the weekend.