Final Fantasy XI: Online
Even Square's been bitten by the massive online RPG bug; and they're taking the PS2 with them.
This is one game that will have a lot to deal with. All of its predecessors were excellent, Final Fantasy VIII was, and still is, one of the best games ever made. So how can you possibly improve upon perfection? Well, this is Squaresoft we are talking about; they have decided to create a massively multiplayer RPG for the PS2. Cripes. Talk about taking the bull by the horns...
This game, no matter how you look at it, will be groundbreaking. It will be astounding. This game should, in theory, take over your life. Why? Gather round kids, I will try to explain… This, ladies and gentlemen is the very first en-masse multiplayer game to ever grace a console. You will be able to join up with your friends from across the globe and go on an adventure through your PS2.We are talking Everquest with bells on, Phantasy Star Online with knobs and whistles, this should be the game of 2002. Well, for the PS2 anyhow.
Final Fantasy XI is set on the planet Vana Diel, a paradise apparently, as are most Final Fantasy settings. However, things are not as they seem, Vana Diel has a rotten core and monsters and demons are rife. Ah. Right, yeah, as I said, a common Final Fantasy setting. That’s more or less where the similarities end though. This is not your common RPG. This is special. Really special. Anyhow, more on the planet itself. Vana Diel is split into several kingdoms or areas, giving a potentially huge area to explore, at this time they are:
The Republic of Bastok
This area is where is humanoid races reside (more on classes/races later). Its an advanced nation with plenty of technology and valuable resources, including the classic Final Fantasy mineral, Mithril.
United federation of Windurst
This area is inhabited by the Tarutaru. The cities in this area have an almost organic feel, a perfect setting for the Tarutaru to work on their magic.
Kingdom of San D’oria
The Elvarn race resides here. There is constant threat of civil war, only a fragile alliance between the ruling Monarchy and the other parties stands between peace and complete destruction.
Gustaberg deadlands
A barren, dead space surrounding Bastock. No Flora survives here, only the withered remains of the past.
Sarutabaruta Plains
A vast, wide open plain near Windurst. Plenty of plants grow here, these attract monsters great and small to the area.
Ronfaure Forest
A lush, beautiful forest near San D’oria, a strange presence appears to reside here.
Comments
From Canada, your article on FFXI is really in depth and excellent, much better than any I found. FFXI will likely be the greatest game(any platform) of 2002.
Its annoying to hear that only those with PS2 will get to enjoy FfXI. Its an mmorpg, how hard can it be to allow PC users to join in.
Last I heard, Square intended to publish this game for "all systems." The PC was specifically mentioned, and a lot of people have inferred that the game will make an appearance on the Xbox and Gamecube as well. This is gonna a really big game, no doubt very successful, and I see no reason that Square wouldn't try and get as many people as they possibly could into the game.
Have you not heard of Phantasy Star Online? Aside from this I'm reasonably certain there are other console mmorpg's. This is however NOT a new idea in any way.
Not that I disagree or deny what you say, but I find it a little mindboggling to consider that FFXI will debut on each of todays consoles. Would that it were true, it would be a breakthrough that has apparently never been considered by any manufacturer. First off, how would you bridge the performance gaps? The PS2, XBOX, and PC should certainly be able to handle the load, but the Dreamcast? I agree anything can be done, and after Square's flop with FF: The Spirits Within this would promise to bring them back up to speed. If they pull it off, can you imagine the future of gaming ever being the same? Well, all said and done I believe if ANYONE can do it, it's Squaresoft.
PS - Am I the only person that wishes they would have released FF9 & 10 on PC the way they did 8?
I realise that Phantasy Star Online was an online RPG, however, this is completely different. PSO confined you to a ship or four combat environments. FFXI has an entire world that you are free to explore, it is a different kettle of fish altogether. I also realise that online RPG's are nothing new, but this will be the first console RPG to use a broadband system and hard drive, thus making it (so far) unique. Imagine PSO as a day trip to gaming paradise. FFXI is immigration!
As for the multi console release... it may just be a rumour, but I will check it out at let you all know.
Here's the problem, different consoles are programmed in different ways. For the most part they're all hardware dependant, everything in the code calls for processor functions, graphic controls and even sounds. When you move from platform to platform you run into major problems with this, a MMORPG would be VERY difficult to complete if you need to have 2 (or more) sets of programming spanning multiple platforms. However there is a bright side, it seems that with the "invention" of Microsoft's XBox, console games and PC games will eventually use the same hardware technology, and hence, will only need to be programmed in 1 language. Anyways, I'm sure it isn't mission: impossible :) I just personally wouldn't be suprised if FFXI is only released on the PS2. (due to Sony and other console makers not wanting to share trade secrets.) Maybe FFXII will be multi-platform?
Why is this site referring to Final Fantasy 10 as Final Fantasy 11?
I know that some FF games have different numbers than the ones in Japan... but Squaresoft US and Japan are calling it FFX as well as Australia... or do they just like confusing people in Europe.
This IS Final Fantasy XI.
Final Fantasy X is already out for PlayStation 2. It's the one with the blitzball player named Tidus who sleeps a thousand years.
Yuna and LuLu vs. Sin, you know.
The site refers to this game as FFXI because it is FFXI! thats why its such a 'rough' preview... a more up to date 'proper' preview will be posted in due time.
So far from what Im seeing, this so called MMORPG has nothing that sets it apart from any of the current MMORPG Kings (Ultima Online, Asherons Call, Everquest, Dark Age of Camelot...etc).
I'm not exactly sure whether or not Square is even taking notes from any of these current MMORPGs. WHat does this mean? They are going to make TONS of mistakes when it comes to gameplay. Sure, Square is capable of making a great console game (And even that is debatable after seeing FF8, FF9, and certains faults in FF10) but they are treading new territory with a massive online game. I see Square screwing this up ROYALLY.
The best part is this game will have no monthly fee! I wouldn't have even considered getting this game if there was a monthly fee, but now I'm definitely getting it.
The part I hate, though, is that they seem to be getting rid of the classic Final Fantasy races/locations/classes, and opting for a traditional D&D-type roster. I hate D&D with a passion, and much prefer Japanese-style RPG elements.
Shade, are you insane? Final Fantasy 9 was easily the best in the series.
Leo Drak, FFX is already out and is not an MMORPG. FFXI is coming soon and is and MMORPG. You are confused.
Locke, it's easy. The PC market is easy to ignore because it is so small, yet it causes the most technical headaches. The consumer base is so small on the PC that it's not worth it worrying about all of the cheaters, software pirates, hardware incompatibilities, and tech support that will go with making a game on PC. Not to mention the fact that FF is a popular series, and your average Joe has a PC around 500MHz, 64MB RAM, and a TNT M64 video card. It'll be impossible for everyone to get the enjoyment of FFXI on PC. It's probably not even possible to render FFXI on the PC.
Also, if you think it IS possible to render FFXI on the PC, then why don't any games on PC look nearly as good as it does?
Find a game with graphics as good as Metal Gear Solid 2 or Gran Turismo 3 on the PC. There aren't any. PC games look terrible, so it leads me to believe the PC just can't do it.
For comparable games, take a look at Everquest. Even with its recent upgrade, it looks worse than an N64 game. Asheron's Call doesn't look that great either. The best looking game out on PC is probably Max Payne, and it doesn't look even close to a good looking PS2 game.
Check out the detail of MGS2 or GT3 and compare it to Max Payne's graphics. Polygon models in Max Payne are blocky, the textures are low detail, everything pretty much looks like crap compared to what you can find on the PS2.
Take a look even at Soul Calibur on the Dreamcast. No PC game even comes close to looking that good, and everyone knows the PS2 is even more powerful than the DC.
It's just not going to be done.
Looks great, although f really hope more classes are put in by the time the game is released. Personally, I think going with some of the "newer" classes/jobs, such as those used in FF5/FFT, would give a lot more diversity to the game. Unless there are a lot of racial abilities, it seems everyone will end up being the same.
Of course, five classes are quite a bit easier to balance than, say, thirteen or more like some other MMOPRGs have had.
I have to disagree with the comment Anthony made about PS2 games looking better than PC games. Look at Half-Life for PS2 then look at Max Payne. I know for a fact that Max Payne looks a hell of a lot better for PC than any first person shooter does on PS2. The problem isn't the power of the average PC graphics card (the M64 is almost as powerful as the PS2 in real-world terms), it's the fact that the function calls are more complicated because there are more diverse graphic cards on a PC so you can't code for each specific GPU, but for the API (such as Direct3D). I'm sorry to tell you, but the reason so many things look better on PS2 is because the resolution of a TV is much smaller than that of the average computer monitor. I do love PCs, but I also love consoles. I admit it's easier to code good graphics on a console, but as for raw power, the PC has the PS2 beat.
Yes ok, currently the PC's graphics are not as good as the Playstation 2. But by the time FFXI is released the PC will have caught up. It is likely that the PC GTA3 will be better than the PS2 version, and if MGS2 is converted, as the first was, it will look better on PC. The current fan base for MMORPGs is greater than that for consoles, although not comparing to the FF fan base on consoles. I have heard now that a monthly charge may be in order, PC gamers are more likely and used to paying such a charge that many console owners would not. Also many PC gamers have a solid telecommunications network in place and could get connect much more simply than the majority of console owners.
Well, they way i heard it was that FFXI would be using a job system similar to that of FFV. Fighter, Monk, Thief, White Mage, Red Mage, and Black Mage will be the original classes with more opening up the further you advance into the game.
I do think that Square will be able to do a good job on this. Sure, it won't be what Dawn was going to be, but hey, I dont see anything like that coming out for a long time. They did a great job in the past, if you can forgive the leveling system of FFVIII and the main character development (excluding Vivi, who rocked) of FFIX. Besides, the latter issue shouldn't be a problem in a non-linear game, and I've heard that they will be going back to a traditional exp system. Props to Square, I'm sure they'll surpass our expectations
Why the hell is this site promoting FFXI when SquareSoft aren't even promoting it yet? And why the hell does the link to FFXI on this site have a picture of Yuna from FFX... Would someone tell the webmaster to get it right.
Are all of us going to look like walking fashion disasters in FFXI... as far as i know, it's ff history......... every lead character in every ff game are walking fashion disasters...
I'm new in the world of MMORPG, but i don't think that playing with humain is a real evolution.
It's different, sur but...
Playing on-line is so borring.
Have you got da Patchs 9.9.9.9.00.233.xyz...?
No? Buyyyy...
'got the password of the "clan" ?
No? Buyyy...
Tchhh...FFIX ?
Is the PS2 ready for the "on-line" world ?
Is Sony ready...?
I don't think so. Maybe with the PS3, who knows...
No structures, no hardware (rumors only rumors...)
You all are dreamers...
" welcome to the real world! "
Well FFX was released in Japan like 6-7 months ago, in the states, Dec18th, they are now making FF12 in Japan(probably come out late 2003 for most people), FF11 in almost done.
To play FFX on the PC, you need at least a 32 meg Video card, with huge polygon pushing power, at least a GeForce2, only like 10-15% of PC owners are gamers, and only like 10% of that can play the latest graphic intensive games. There must be 600+ milliion PC's around the world, but only about --60-70 million are 'gamers' and only about 10-15 million can play a game like FFX.
PS2 userbase is 20 million so far, video games make more money than PC games. FF7 for example sold 9 million units worldwide, oriignal Mario sold 15+ million units, Myst for exmaple has sold around 8 million worldwide. Average console games sells 3-4 times more units than it's PC counterpart.
I would like to address Anthony â I agree that FF9 was one of the best in the series, (and anyone who says otherwise jut expects too much,) but I very much disagree with your assessment of the PCâs capabilities when compared with the PS2. After all, it was the invention and innovation of the PC that sparked the conception of all the modern game consoles. In essence, the PC is the mother of all gamming consoles. The Playstation, N64, Dreamcast, Playstation 2, GameCube, and even the Xbox are all unique to the PC because they are what I refer to as a âDedicated Hardware Interfaceâ where as the PC is not. This means that the hardware scheme for each console is pre-specified by the manufacturer. Think of it this way, everyone in the world who owns a PS2 owns the SAME PS2, yours is no different from mine in any way except that you may have different accessories or games for yours than I do. The same can hardly be said of PCâs. You may have a Macintosh where I have an IBM Compatible, or you may run Linux where I run Windows, or you may have â98 where I have XP. The point is that on a game console such as the PS2 the designer only has to code for one specific hardware structure. The Video Processor in one PS2 is located in the same place and is the same type as every other PS2. Again, this is not always so with PCâs. Therefore it is harder to plan for and design a game for a PC where every other person has a different video card, sound card, Processor, amount of/and bus speed of RAM, and all located in various ports, (ISA/PCI/AGP) and all running at different speeds across different operating systems where as your PS2, X-Box and every other console is indifferent to itself. You ask, âCan FFXI, (yes 11, not 10 we are talking about the next one coming out in this forum) be made for PS2, Xbox, PC, and GC?â I answer, âProbably not the GameCube, but the others, Yes.â Although anyone wanting to buy this game for the PC would undoubtedly have to meet strict hardware requirements, (but what PC gamer out there worth the title is not already equipped enough?) Methuseus is correct in stating that a Televisions Pixelling and refresh rates are much lower than a PC Monitors by far. But what the infusion of HDTV perhaps that can no longer be said, and maybe that heralds more to come. But for now, I have yet to find a game console that can match the graphics of an nVidia GeForce3 64MB 4XAGP Video Adapter, or the loading speed inherent with a PC equipped with an AMD Duron 2.0GHz paired with 768MBâs of PC2100 RDRAM. And for that matter what game console do you know of that can support up to 2 Hard drives and 2 Disc Drives internally, with the possibility of other networked drives, making memory cards obsolete? Anyone who thinks that the PS2 is a better gamming platform then the PC must also think that a Boeing 747 is better suited to taking us to Mars then the Space Shuttle!
FF8 the best FF ever? Jeebus, get a clue, please.
Isn't there a black mage included on that list, even though your list isn't final. Also, do you think that there will be an end to this game or will the evil just keep coming back like SIN in FFX? Either way i think ffXI will be incredible.
i´ve got the name-simply perfect
are there going to be summonings?
it should come out for gamecube too
do u have to pay money every time u get on
I think that final fantasy 11 may [B]not[B/] be as good as the rest because they cannot give a character a background so to speak.
E.G Demia is the princess of merina her mother went mad on the second disk.
in 11 it will just be like oh hes just there theres no reason of him being included.
First of all, I still have as my favorite FF title number 8, why, I don´t know, even with the cheesy love story and all its my favorite of all. Second, I didn´t like the whole idea of an online FF cuz I like the feeling you get on playing them when you are just bored and need a little simple(sometimes difficult) entertainment. However this title shows promises, i hope us Latin Americans can play it. And third, I can´t be happier about the possible addition of jobs. Final fantasy 4 showed this and so did Tactics and the latest ones have somehow this goodies(Rikku and Zidane were thiefs and Garnet and Yuna Summoners). All in all this seems like a good aproach but square should not leave the characteristics of old game(not online), just to keep the tradition.
Hey This game is gonna be awesome. but whens it getting released in britain and isnt online i heard?[b]
How much will this bloody game cost?!
this looks nothing like the others could it be the worst yet?
which is better ff8 or ff10/b
play
how do you login in to play on ffxi on line and creatv your players plese tell me
Are there anyways for SQUARE to release FFXI on PS2 "offline" with the similar story line as online one? It must be someway to do so. Therefore, a mad fan like me could complete all series of Final Fantasy. I have played since FF1 to FF10 and FF tactics. I feel upset that I have to miss FFXI. There is no chance for me to play it: no technical support. no credit card, or no ability to read japanese language. I think SQUARE made a wrong decision that is why the company made a profit just "BREAK EVEN."
I don't really think that Final Fantasy XI should be online it should really be both if they wanna make it online well hell they can knock themselves out. but do us all a favor make it offline so we can get the old final fantasy goodness
it
im a square fan thru and thru but this one might be worse than the bouncer
i think final fantasy is an overall good franchise in gaming today i just hope that they dont blow it please dont blow it
You shuld not pu FF11 online it would beto confusing and i'd bet that the graphics arn't half as good as Ps2 . How much would this gam even cost? What about people who dont have creditcards, only cash? dont put FF11 just on the computer, what about the people who dont have computers, only PS2 thre will be crashed hearts. Then they would have to pay double for the computer than PS2 Then he game added, Please do every a favor and either just on PS2 or on Ps2 and Online. Please
Itz
Brilliant Genus lol
Dont take FF11 From me
Please dont do
It wont be right most people will be depressed with thegame you made.............pl pl pl Please dont do diss t me
i have oner word
vaperwere
nice pictures
Will FFXI be coming out in the UK as i have heard rumors that it is not
I have heard Rumors that FFXI will not be coming to us in the uk?? is this a rumor or is it true????
[b] [u]FFXI will not be coming to us in the uk?? is this a rumor or is it true????
<html>FFXI will not be coming to us in the uk?? is this a rumor or is it true????</html>
FFXI will not be coming to us in the uk?? is this a rumor or is it true?
FFXI will not be coming to us in the uk?? is this a rumor or is it true?
bring out for ps2 not online
OFFLINE
I'm from the UK, and really want this game to be released in Europe. I doun't mean to sound bad but if language barriers are a problem then just connect UK with the USA service, we speak the same language anyway. They don't have to release it all over Europe.
Nice article BTW. :)
I've heard this and that, this and that, and I want FFXI! It seems to me than square is trying to avoid the release of this game since it has been pushed back nearly 1 1/2 years, and theyre trying to cover it up with Final Fantasy XI.5 or whatever the hell it is. I really don't like FF10, Tidus is a dike and I hope they can develop a more masculine character for the plot, cause he spoils everything. As for Wakka, Lulu, and Rikku, ROCK ON!
But honestly does anyone have any proof that FFXI is coming out? If u do please post. Cause I'm tired of the kids here saying that its coming out on a certain date and it never does.
And I have to agree, the Class System of FF5 and FF Tactics own. I would defiantely be intrigued if they added that in FFXI, also FFVII has a very nice system with materia that they could combine with the job system. Well who knows, to me FFXI is still a dream pretty far off. No one really knows then its comin out, or what its like. So I geuss we'll just have to wait and see.
I've been waiting for this game for ages and much antisipated it's arrival, but one thing annoyed me about this game. Your review said you could "join up with your friends across the globe" but the PS2 isn't capable of that, unless you add the Japanese HDD which hasn't arrived here in the UK yet, so how am I suppose to play this magnificent game without spending money for a HDD?
I think the pictures you have on the site is cool,but could you add more,much more? Because I only see a few.
In reply to what that fellow said about releasing FF9 and FF10 on PC... You're definitely not the only one
Well this is my comment on the game, you see squaresoft fans(including me) there is also a game out there coming out that is almost the same platform as this... surprised? i ain't cause i have waited on both these games. The game i am talking other than Final Fantasy 11 is World Of Warcraft! Now i rather by Final Fantasy 11 cause i a geek for it but just to tell you, its not the only game out there coming out like this..and i beleave they both started at the same time.
Hey, hey, hold on a second here. You're forgetting something very important. The PC is VERY capable of doing this. Come to think of it, if you had to jack up your PC, it'd outmatch PS2 in every aspect. Memory, speed, graphics, the works. The recommended 5 GB requirement for the PC wouldn't even touch some people's computers nowadays. I can agree on the Max Payne deal. Let's face it -- Final Fantasy 11 is created with Maya, only THE BEST graphics program to date. Max Payne? Milkshape 3D. Now just compare these two. Milkshape 3D has less features and the vertices turn out pretty blocky. Maya 3D can render the models so they look smooth. You'll be surprised at how many people will choose Maya over Milkshape 3D, probably about 99%. I bet if they re-vamped Max Payne with Maya 3D it wouldn't be half as bad as it is.
i wanna play it! gimme it!
Any way to email square about a huge mistake they are making, namely taking any pvp fighting away from ff xi. I agree it fixes problems, but why not make the cities safe houses(no pvp there). and make it where you have to challenge them if they decline you cant fight them. And what would be better than the game itself... well not really but... to have a huge war against one alliance of parties and another. Does anyone agree?
no words will discribe this rpg
an by the way it is coming out in e.u .ive seen a demo an that was last year in the uk of a mag an it should be out soon? I HOPE:)
Will FF11 Ever be released in UK? as there has been some rumours that it might not even Arrive!
also, you CAN NOT Fight another Player, Its Just not possible. SquareSoft made Sure of it, as there would just be a Huge Newbie Hunt, and the More Experienced Players would attack the Weaker ones!
...but lets be honest here,moogles are cute.
IAM GOOD AT FINAL FANTASY GAMES TRUST ME
de butt pirates stole me treasure!argh!?
I HAVE P III 500 WITH GEFORCE 2 MX400. WHAT SHOULD I HAE TO DO TO PLAY IT. UPGRADE OR BUY PS2
How are you stupossed to do this on a key board eh??
this game looks good,it going to laugh at other on line games!!!
hey i need some help where do u download ff11
this kinda like a chat room eh?
cant wait for ff 11
How much will it cost for online gameplay?
Thus it is another FF hit but, will everyone buy the mods,and everything u need to play,from platform to platform on this game from what i understand there is going to be and external drive that you will need play an on-line fee making it never the less much like everquest wasted money,, don't get me wrong i love ff but, don't you think its bull to have to buy the game then have to pay again to play it..plus not to mention the extra 300$ you will need in upgrades for the ps2?
Sin! I hate you Dad!
I'd pay $50 up-front and maybe $5 a month to play, but no way am I paying $100+ up front and over $10 monthly for this.
Blimey.
Maybe if I was a kid just out of school, living with my parents, it would be worthwhile. But I'd only want to play it a few hours here and there afterwork. That's not worth that kind of money.
any one there?
FFXI IS PC and PS2 Only Full Online only, they already have the expansion coming to Jap, the FFXI its due for winter in US. PC version will probably come out first, the PS2 one will come WITH the hardrive, since its already been out in japan Expect major Patched compared to what you may of heard from Japan, This MMORPG WILL be different i guarante it
I know this game is cool and all, but when you get the game on the pc do you have to pay a monthly fee in order to play this game?
are you sure we dont have to pay anthony? Because whenever i try to load or install it, for some reason it doesnt do anything at all. I read the instruction book and i dont know what to do because i followed every single direction in there. Its like they want me to login to playonline and then I could play it, but whenever i try to log in a screen pops up saying i have an incorrect password or ID. I even made new members and memorized their passwords and IDs and the screen still pops up. How can that be? Help me guys.
are you sure we dont have to pay anthony? Because whenever i try to load or install it, for some reason it doesnt do anything at all. I read the instruction book and i dont know what to do. I followed every single direction in there. Its like they want me to login to playonline and then I could play it, but whenever i try to log in a screen pops up saying i have an incorrect password or ID. I even made new members and memorized their passwords and IDs and the screen still pops up. How can that be? Help me guys.
i just want to play final fantasy 11 offline
Is the computer version of FF11 as confusing to set up and use? please some one tell me!!
They are not trying to confuse you, they are talking about a totaly diffrent final fantasy nr 11. They are already talking about 12 aswell. Final fantasy 10 is old news.
You are in for a big surprise my dear, square is going to do better then all of the others put together....Ha.ha.You just wait and see.
I totaly 100 percent agree with you. They should not take the elements away that we became use to and love. Hope its free though
There I have to disagree with you, FF8 was better then ff9 and ff10 beats all of them
I loved all the charactes from FF8 and the developments between them were just great. It was an alround stunning game. If you don't think so that's your problem!
Im sorry to say, but Final fantasy spreaded its roots from the beginning on consoles. We console users grew up with final fantasy as a household name not the PC users! THe biggest amount of players of final fantasy is found on the console. PC guys have there own type of games that we do no have access to, like everquest etc. The game will probably in anycase come out on PC aswell. Believe me they are making enough mony on the PS 2 they do not need the PC!
Sorry Man FF10 the best Then FF8 Then FF7 And then FF9. Final fantasy 9 was also exelent but it felt like playing with characters in pre school.
That is a very good question. I loved the summonings in FF10 the most of all the FF games. FF8 story was great. If I realy had to choose between them I would have to choose FF10
Your bad talking Tidus not a good idea!!!. He is not my favourite character also Una is, but still it was the most awesome of all the final fantasy games with FF8 coming in a close second. Tidus is a lovely character where you expecting an big body builder with hair all over, to be the main character. He is also the first main character that could talk and remember he is still very young, they can't give him a deep manly voice.
i don't have a creditcard and can't play ff XI, can someone give me a valid number + reference or an password with a membername or username or ID of the veryy begin of the game.
thanks
i don't have a creditcard and can't play ff XI, can someone give me a valid number + reference or an password with a membername or username or ID of the veryy begin of the game.
thanks
i don't have a creditcard and can't play ff XI for PC, can someone give me a valid number + reference or an password with a membername or username or ID of the very begin of the game.
thanks
can a check card be used to pay the mouthly payments