From PlayOnline.com:
Hello there, adventurer. Can I interest you in a prrretty little story? It'll only take a moment of your time. It's something about the Starlight Celebration I picked up during my rrrecent trip to Bastok—a story of this handbell, here...
Read on for aspiring journalist Payuh Milmorah's tale of the magical handbell of legend.
Back by popular demand, we're proud to announce that the Return Home to Vana'diel Campaign is now better than ever before!
In this latest version of the campaign, the types of characters that can be restored have been vastly expanded! Also, these characters will be able to enjoy the benefits of the previous campaign by receiving the ever-popular Anniversary Ring.
There's never been a better time to dust off your armor, sharpen that sword, collect a free Anniversary Ring, and get back in the chocosaddle again! Don't miss out!
The Return Home to Vana'diel Campaign is scheduled to begin on Thursday, December 18th, 2008.
Ever wanted to work on Allakhazam? Are you a strong writer with knowledge about what makes the gaming industry tick? We're hiring!
The Editorial team is hiring two part-time editors to help improve the overall quality of our content. If you're interested in finding out more about the requirements, check our job opening page.
The Allakhazam team is hard at work this week, bringing you a comprehensive write-up on last weekend's Fan Festival 2008. Here are several forum topics focusing on the Festival for you to enjoy:
After Fan Fest: Random Thoughts
Friday's Dev Panel Interview with Allakhazam (summary)
Moblin Maze Mongers First Look
Special Fan Fest Event: The Swarm
From PlayOnline.com:
Since the implementation of the latest version update on Dec. 8, 2008, we have confirmed the following issues. Investigation and recovery work is currently underway.
- With cretain ranged weapons, the actual interval between the attack is longer than the interval listed on the weapon's help message.
- Even though the actual gendor of chocobo is female, NPC in Chocobo Stable says that the gendor is male.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
New Items: Gothic Sabatons ; Rambler's Gaiters ; Rambler's Coat ; Noble Poulaines ; Goblin Cracker ; Etoile Cape ; Argute Belt ; Argute Pants +1 ; Argute Pants ; Etoile Tights +1 ; Nomad Moogle Shield ; Etoile Tights ; Scholar's Pants +1 ; Dancer's Tights +1 ; Argute Bracers ; Argute Bracers +1 ; Etoile Bangles +1 ; Etoile Bangles ; Scholar's Bracers +1 ; Dancer's Bangles +1 ; Argute Mortarboard +1 ; Argute Mortarboard ; Argute Gown ; Etoile Tiara +1 ; Etoile Tiara ; Scholar's Mortarboard +1 ; Dancer's Tiara +1 ; Argute Loafers +1 ; Argute Loafers ; Etoile Shoes +1 ; Etoile Shoes ; Scholar's Loafers +1 ; Dancer's Shoes +1 ; Argute Gown +1 ; Etoile Casaque +1 ; Etoile Casaque ; Dancer's Casaque +1 ; Scholar's Gown +1
Updated Items: Sinfender
Updated Quests: Lure of the Wildcat (Jeuno)
Updated Mobs: Va'Gho Bloodbasked ; Blifnix Oilycheeks ; Ga'Lhu Nevermolt
New and Updated Spells: Enlightenment ; Stormsurge ; Equanimity ; Tranquility
The December version update, with more new content and adjustments than you can wave a stick at, is now ready for download! The following and much, much more awaits you!
- New missions for the Wings of the Goddess expansion.
- The new in-game system, "Fields of Valor."
-The addition of the Group 2 merit point category for dancers and scholars.
- More rewarding adventuring with Treasure Caskets.
- Additions and adjustments to Campaign.
- Further tweaks to the Level Sync system.
Around 10,940 accounts in violation of the FINAL FANTASY XI user agreement were suspended or banned today.
We would like to report the termination today of multiple accounts held by players involved in the usage of third-party tools or cheats, or engaged in RMT (Real Money Trading) activities.
Based on the results of our investigation, around 10,660 PlayOnline accounts were terminated while around 280 accounts were temporarily suspended.
Additionally, we have increased the number of mass bannings against certain PlayOnline violations in order to prevent illegal acts.
After a week of voting in what was without a doubt our most competitive pumpkin carving contest yet, the votes have been counted and examined and we now have our list of winners!
Before we get to that, Allakhazam is very happy to announce that the development team and the community team looked over the entries and provided us with the following excerpt for the winners:
"The entries this year are really impressive! We’re particularly amazed at how many people know how to carve into a pumpkin without going all the way through to create different shades and levels of depth. We loved how so many different entries this year focused on recent additions and changes to the game.
The winners this year are far and away the most amazing pumpkins we’ve ever seen. It is clear the artists paid great attention to detail. The winning entries are so imaginative too! Each winner took interesting concepts and made them their own by thinking in very creative ways.
Congratulations to all the winners!"
-- Final Fantasy XI Development Team and Community Team
See the full story for the list of winners.
The Child's Play 2008 charity drive has officially launched, and the Web site has been updated so you can donate toys and games to children in hospitals worldwide. The charity was organized in 2003 by Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik of Penny Arcade.
We ended our 2007 drive with over 1.3 million dollars in donations, thanks to gamers all over the globe. We’re welcoming ten new hospitals in Canada and the US to the Child’s Play network, so please have a look at the map to see if your local children’s hospital has come on board. Every hospital has a wish list full of gifts, and is hoping for your support.
We hope you'll visit the Child's Play site and consider purchasing some gifts. All you have to do is click on a hospital on the map and you'll be sent to the hospital's wish list on Amazon.com. It's that simple. For more information, check out Mike's recent post on the Penny Arcade site. The "thank you" letter they received from a hospital in Connecticut says it all. The full post is also below.
