With Memorial Day only a little more than a week away, Square Enix has been busy trying to ensure Final Fantasy XIV becomes the game it was meant to be. With that being said, I give you love from Square Enix!
Also, on May 23'rd all Worlds (servers) will be brought down to impliment patch 1.17b. Check back here for more information on what this patch has in store for us!
The June version update is here, marking the arrival of "Vision of Abyssea", the first in the Abyssea series of battle add-ons set to offer epic new challenges to adventurers who would take up arms under the sunless skies of this forbidding realm.
But that's not all! This update will feature the long-awaited lifting of the level cap, accompanied by a host of new weapon skills and job abilities. Adventurers can also venture into the newly unlocked Walk of Echoes and experience the climactic conclusions of the Wings of the Goddess nation quests. There's bound to be something for everyone!
Players are also encouraged to revisit the Vision of Abyssea site, where the latest information on the formidable set of arms known as "Empyrean Weapons" has been revealed.
Visit the Final Fantasy XI official website for the full patch notes.
To celebrate FINAL FANTASY XI reaching its 8th anniversary, Square Enix has announced that a brand new album, "FINAL FANTASY XI 8th Anniversary ~ Memories of Dusk and Dawn", is now available for purchase on iTunes.
The album is filled to the brim with some of the most recognizable songs from Vana'diel. From the soothing sounds of "Ronfaure" that accompanied your first steps outside Kingdom walls to the epic "Awakening" that brings back memories of hard-won battles, there is something for everyone.
Don't miss this perfect opportunity to relive the adventures of yesteryear as you prepare to embark on those of tomorrow!
Kotaku posted a breakdown of the controls for the Final Fantasy demo that was premiered at the Premiere Party we covered previously. The controls are the same as the bundled demo that came out in Japan last March. If youd like to know how it plays look below.
Directional Pad
Field: Not used
Battle: Toggle through targets, commands
Left Stick
Field: Move character
Battle: Not used
L1 Button
Field: Field items
Battle: Paradigm Shift ("Optima Change")
Select Button
Field: Navigational Map
Battle: Not used
Start Button
Field: Pause Menu
Battle: Pause
Circle Button
Field: To select things, make decisions, etc (The equivalent of the "X" button)
Battle: Input commands, select targets
Square Button
Field: Open Area Map
Battle: Driving Mode (Type of attack used when Summons are in Gestalt Mode)
Has the release date for Final Fantasy XIII been revealed? According to Kotaku a supposed date has been found hidden in a flash file. The unconfirmed date for Japan is December 17th 2009. Hopefully Square Enix reveals the official release date very soon.
If they reveal anything about the North American release date well make sure to post it here!
Kotaku recently took a trip to GamesCom and cornered a representative about the possibility of an FF7 remake. According to Square - No project exists for a next generation version of Final Fantasy Seven. For now we will have to enjoy playing the original on the PlayStation Network. Here is the official quote:
"There's not official project that's up and running for a remake ofFinal Fantasy VII at this point. Both Toriyama-san and Kitase-san were involved in the development of the game, however, and it holds a special place in their hearts. They do talk about it on a personal level, like, 'If we did it it would be like this or like that.'
So, they do talk about it, but there's no official project yet. But there's that PSN release that just came out, so if you could play that for the time being, it should be fun."
Are you disgruntled that you have no say over when holidays fall in real life?
Well Square Enix wants to take away some of that angst by introducing a new Player Event Support system.
If you want to hold an event, you can have Moogles dress up as monsters, items and more, just to add some pizazz to your online get togethers, parties, and virtual "type-like-a-pirate" days.
"Any players idea can blossom into a new and amazing event!" they say.
You do need to apply for the special treatment, but I sense some YouTube videos coming our way as people get creative.
Final Fantasy fans 'listen' up! It has been announced at E3 that the new FFXIV game is in fact an MMO that will be exclusive to the PS3! You can view the trailer in the news post below or read upon the official announcement on IGN PC: FFXIV Online and view the live blog from the Q&A; Session with Square Enix!
Square Enix has revealed a new Final Fantasy MMORPG is on the way. First announced during Sony's E3 2009 Media Briefing, Final Fantasy XIV Online will have a simultaneous worldwide release in 2010.
Little is know about the title but Chocobos are confirmed for the game.
Up until now, adventurers wishing to make a comeback from early retirement have had to wait for the limited-time event, the Welcome Home to Vana'diel Campaign, to swing around. But due to popular demand, from today onwards, we are proud to announce that this long-serving campaign has been succeeded by a permanent feature: the "Character Reactivation Service"!
Unlike the Welcome Home to Vana'diel Campaign of old, no bonus items will be distributed to users of this new service. However, we feel that this will be more than compensated for by the fact that your retired heroes can be restored to active service whenever the itch for adventure overwhelms you!
Seven glorious years have passed since adventurers began striking out for the far reaches of the ever-evolving realm of Vana'diel. What exciting changes has the world undergone since you last set foot upon it? There is only one way to find out!
Learn more about the "Character Reactivation Service" here.
-Mog Bonanza is Here
-Introducing Mog Tablet
-7th Anniversary Art Contest Winners!
-Community Podcast Tour
-7th Anniversary Vana'diel Census Survey
-Community Team Version Update Report
-Special Edition 7th Anniversary Official Wallpaper from Square-Enix (^_^)!
Hail, gallant adventurers! Thanks to your feats of detection and derring-do, the lost Mog Tablets of King Kupofried have been recovered, and their mystic "Super Kupowers" freed to fill the realm with happiness and joy. The first phase of the quest will soon draw to a close, but fear not! After a random period of time (eight to twenty-four hours), the tablets will once more be scattered to the winds, and the quest will begin anew!
Would-be relic hunters be warned! The ethereal glow of the tablets will be faint this time around, testing your sleuthing skills to the fullest.
But stand strong, and shirk not from your moogle-appointed task! Restore the eleven tablets and their Super Kupowers to Vana'diel, and this time you could be among those to claim the elusive Kupofried's Ring!
Peruse the full details of the Mog Tablet quest here.
Seven years...
That's right folksseven glorious years have zipped by at the speed of a race-bred chocobo since adventurers began stepping forth into the wilds of Vana'diel. This year, as in the past, we will be holding the Adventurer Appreciation Campaign as a way to express the incalculable feelings of gratitude we harbor for all the loyal and stalwart adventurers out there. And to make this year's celebration even more festive than previous occasions, there are plans for
Hm? That moogle over there with her head in a turban is gesturing for me to shut my trap like there's no tomorrow. I guess I'd best leave the rest to the professionals...
Proceed here to lend an ear to the overexcited moogle's spiel.
It is our distinct pleasure to announce that during the third week of April, the total number of active characters across all worlds in FINAL FANTASY XI has exceeded the two million mark for the first time! Since the commencement of service on May 16th, 2002, Vana'diel has gone on to become a vibrant gathering place for adventurers hailing from all corners of the globe. Boasting four expansions and one add-on scenario with two more in the pipes, FINAL FANTASY XI continues to evolve into an ever richer realm of magic and adventure.
We would like to thank you, our fans, for your loyal patronage over the years, and look forward to your continued support for many more to come.
It has been our distinct pleasure to reunite with the multitudes of adventurers that have returned home to Vana'diel via this year's campaign. Those of you who have yet to take advantage of this offer—take heart! The campaign will continue until Tuesday, April 28th at 1:00 a.m. (PDT).
Improvements to the system this time around have made it possible for the vast majority of your beloved characters—with only the rarest exceptions—to be reactivated, and participants will be rewarded with the ever-popular Anniversary Ring accessory. Don't miss out on this special opportunity!
For further details regarding the campaign and how to apply, see here.
Alrighty folks, its just about high time for a new poll! Our last poll discussed your thoughts on new alternative payment options for Final Fantasy XI, where two definite camps emerged. The overwhelming majority of votes went to Advance payment and Paypal, while others suggested an online banking option, or no change whatsoever. Click on the "Read more" to see the previous poll's results.
Our new poll, predictably enough, is regarding the new Add-on scenario: A Crystalline Prophecy - How're you doing on it so far? Struggling with the (excruciating) item farming? Or are you sporting your brand new armour? Let us know on the new poll:
Question:
How far have you gotten on A Crystalline Prophecy so far?
Choices:
Option 01: Beaten it
Option 02: The BCNM in Stellar Fulcrum / Delkfutt's Tower climb
Option 03: Qu'Bia Arena Bcnm
Option 04: Gathering the key items and fighting nms
Option 05: Gathering items
Option 06: Waiting to start / didn't buy the expansion
Or play it on your PSP, even. That is, if you have a Japanese PSN account. Today, Square Enix released Final Fantasy VII International on the PlayStation Network.
Final Fantasy VII International is how Square Enix re-released the new and improved American version in Japan on the PlayStation. The International version featured improvements like on-screen arrows, an enhanced management system and an added cut scene that helped explain Cloud's past.
The Japanese language game is priced at ¥1,500 (US$14.93) on the PSN.
