Square Enix Announces Final Fantasy XIV Online!

Today at the Sony Press Conference, Square Enix delivered exciting news to the MMORPG world and to the citizens of Vana'diel. A new world, Eorzea, is the stage set for their new title, Final Fantasy XIV Online, apparently set for release in 2010 for the PC and PlayStation 3.

Threads in the FFXI forums have already begun to spring up faster than you can say "chocobo," but the ZAM Network has created a special forum for discussion and speculation on this brand new title. Be sure to head on over there to swoon over the trailer (now available in HD at the official website) and discuss anything and everything FF14 related with the gaming community!

Also, stay tuned tomorrow for our coverage of the Square Enix Press Conference at E3, scheduled to begin at 11:30 AM PST! Tamat, our Editor in Chief, will be there to report all the details on the forums, so be sure to keep an eye on the FFXI General Discussion Forum tomorrow morning. For those of you unable to view the forums at that time, we'll also be providing Twitter updates here. Or simply follow us on Twitter to get updates sent directly to your cell phone!

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Will Try it
# Jun 08 2009 at 12:53 PM Rating: Decent
I will buy it. I feel the same way lots of others feel. I started on day one and quit / started up several times over the years. As long as I can play alone when I don't have 5+ hours to search and HOPE I get a party, I will be more than content. I have been looking for a reason to come back to FF online. I liked the strategy involved in the game, it's one of the reasons I could never play WoW.

I don't mind the deleveling. I believe there must be a penalty for death. most mmos do something like deleveling AND loss off items and gold! Does deleveling suck? Hell ya ,sucks balls, but it could be way worse. Imagine dieing and deleveling , loosing 20-50% of your gold AND dropping your +5 weapon that took you 2 months to farm the gold for. This happens in other mmo.
I am for it
# Jun 05 2009 at 12:34 PM Rating: Decent
This will totally rock if you read the Q&A they state it will have both solo and group content not totally grouped like ffxi YAYAYA and since its a FF game its going to have Some same Races but also Brand new races also they state there will be no transfers from 11 to 14 Since its a totally different world.

Also i was thinking of trying aion because of the graphics but if 14 will look this good i will definatly be going there. Only this time i will make a healer or a mage neva again a thief or a class no one will want in there groups. Hopefully they have balanced classes with multiple tanks healers and dps with a greater veriety like EQ2 dose.

Another Huge plus is there going to release all regions and countrys also they said there will be specific servers for people that just want american or japanesse servers along with there mix of both NA/JP servers
lowest common denominator
# Jun 04 2009 at 11:25 AM Rating: Decent
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1,726 posts
*Sigh*, it looks like SE is deciding to appeal to the most base audience for FFXIV. So, in the big promo image they show, they prominently feature a chick's ***, hoping to attract players that want to chase some tail(feathers) in Eorzea.
FFXIV From Interview with Tanaka
# Jun 03 2009 at 2:17 PM Rating: Decent
22 posts
Quote:
Building, Expanding, Maintaining -- A Tough Task

The company clearly hopes to run both of its MMOs concurrently. Still supported, expanded, patched and played, FFXI is an important revenue source for Square Enix. Said Tanaka, "The development ideas for FFXIV started appearing four or five years ago, and we just started getting into full gear in the past few years... this has been going on at the same time of FFXI. We have no plans to stop the development of FFXI."

Of course, two games will be running at the same time -- and industry observers have seen from EverQuest II that MMO sequels are a difficult proposition. Tanaka was adamant that the new game is in a new world and will feature new characters -- but the new game also retains the same races and similar art direction to the original to ease fans of XI into the new world of XIV. But will players play both? "It's up to the community themselves," said Tanaka. "We hope the community will get on and play XI one day, and then the next, play XIV."

So why even make a new game when FFXI is still popular, asked one journalist? Again, Tanaka: "We've been asked that question by a lot of people. It comes down to -- FFXI was originally designed for the PlayStation 2... a lot of people have asked for a port of it to current generation machines. Porting that would take too much time to convert it to the new technology. Rather than doing that... we decided to use that time to make something new."

So -- can players port their XI characters? Tanaka said, "The game system and world are completely different, and the progression system is completely different, so you can't port your character. But the character designs are similar so you create a similar character you've been playing. However, the friend lists you have, we hopefully will be moving over."

Walking the fine line between getting the old community to support the new game, and building a game that innovates while attracting longtime fans will be a big challenge. While characteristically tight-lipped about the "how", Square Enix seems to be pondering the challenge with some seriousness.

But What of WoW?

Of course, the 800 pound gorilla reared its head quickly, in the form of a question from IGN's Jeremy Dunham. What lessons has the team learned from the genre's clear leader? The director, Komoto, responded, "As with World of Warcraft, and how they've aimed with casual users, we do want to put some of that in FFXIV as well -- however, we don't want to make a copy of World of Warcraft and we want to have things that are unique in our game."

In a follow-up, the evolving design of FFXI game over the past seven years since its 2002 Japanese release was discussed. The game was originally party-focused, but solo play features were later added. This accumulated design evolution will flow into FFXIV.

Though details were scarce, the Square Enix team alluded to improvements to the genre that will help the game stand out. But what are they? Said Komoto -- at the top level -- "Our vision with Final Fantasy XIV was to make the best possible Final Fantasy game available. We thought about how we could do that, and we decided to do that through the MMO genre."

Tanaka added, "We're trying to implement a lot of [gameplay] systems that MMOs haven't seen in the past that we hope are revolutionary." Of course, tight-lipped initial announcements don't allow room to begin to suggest what these might be.

A questioner asked why a beginning MMO player would choose FFXIV over the competition. Komoto answered, "We believe that players will fall in love with the world that we have created, and the story that we have to offer, and that's probably our biggest thing." Unlike many MMOs, and like most of Square Enix's games, Final Fantasy XI offers a very strong story; it seems assured that FFXIV will continue in this vein.

And What of The Game Itself?

A question came from Famitsu Xbox 360 -- whether or not the trailer released online represents realtime game graphics. Said Komoto, "There were parts that were prerendered and those that ran on the realtime engine." The part of the trailer that is running in realtime is the battle scene with the large bestial Galka character battling, according to Tanaka. The team plans to maintain that quality, in large and small battles, in the final product.

Another Japanese journalist asked for Komoto and Tanaka's opinion on what's important about the game -- and what they'd like to highlight. "For Final Fantasy XIV, the keyword we've been using is 'growth' of the character. We'd like to expand on the in-game systems, and through these new types of systems, the player will grow and develop in a natural way." Tanaka added, again, that flexibility for solo and party and big and small time commitment gameplay styles will be supported -- showing recognition of the changing MMO marketplace since FFXI's 2002 Japanese launch.


http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=23910


EDITED TITLE

Edited, Jun 3rd 2009 6:19pm by Genko
I think it looks good
# Jun 03 2009 at 11:05 AM Rating: Good
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1,634 posts
Looks interesting.
Hmm
# Jun 03 2009 at 8:54 AM Rating: Decent
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351 posts
Yeah mixed feelings indeed, if they introduce a char transfer system it might soften the blow to some of us old timers though I seriously doubt they will. On the other hand it breaths new life into a franchise some of us might have grown tired with. At any rate this will more than likely cause the same fuss as when EverQuest 2 came out people that loved it and people that hated it.

I am considering this though especially if my friends move to it and if the interface has been improved over the current... only time will tell though. Still much, much to early to make a solid decision.
FFXI
# Jun 03 2009 at 8:34 AM Rating: Default
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218 posts
So, is this their Rapture project they promised 1,000 times over that wouldn't be Final Fantasy related?
dieing?
# Jun 03 2009 at 8:04 AM Rating: Decent
how can ffxi be dieing?? se just recently announced 2million active members"!! the highest ever since the game was launched!!. what about PC players??
idk
# Jun 03 2009 at 6:14 AM Rating: Decent
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254 posts
I'm not sure what to think.

Don't get me wrong. It looks amazing. But it took me long enough to get what I have, only now learning that I'm wasting my time.

Edited, Jun 3rd 2009 9:15am by Skreechy
idk
# Jun 03 2009 at 4:52 PM Rating: Decent
For me it was more about the journey than the destination.

Though, the FFXI journeys I had were all rather rough.
!!!
# Jun 03 2009 at 5:40 AM Rating: Decent
So awesome!!!!!!!!
YAYYAAYAYAYYAY
^^
# Jun 03 2009 at 3:20 AM Rating: Good
2010 worldwide release for Japan, NA and Europe :)
Interesting
# Jun 03 2009 at 2:31 AM Rating: Excellent
I might actually consider picking this up on my PS3 and giving it a go...

Never did try FF11...
a connection
# Jun 02 2009 at 11:47 PM Rating: Good
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334 posts
Quote:
As I've said, I believe that since this is still very new footage of XIV, they decided to just recycle existing character models into the new engine, but will give us new races once the game is to be released.


Unless Eorzea is the Paradise mentioned in FFXI? Would make sense as to why they called it Project Rapture, and talk about eternity and a land embraced by mighty gods in the opening lines. Besides, they have all 5 races on the scrolling picture of the FFXIV main page. So I don't think it is coincidence. I think it means something, and shows a genuine connection to FFXI.
dont think so
# Jun 02 2009 at 11:37 PM Rating: Decent
after the way SE has treated its customer base with FF11 I seriously doubt that im going to spend another 5 years of my life playing another MMO.

After FF11 thats it for me.
=x
# Jun 02 2009 at 8:07 PM Rating: Decent
I hope there are tarutarus
interesting...
# Jun 02 2009 at 7:56 PM Rating: Good
if they take away de-leveling, and add more soloable content, then im on board

Edited, Jun 3rd 2009 12:04am by trendkillcfh
interesting...
# Jun 02 2009 at 9:28 PM Rating: Good
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381 posts
Quote:
if they take away de-leveling, and add more soloable content, then im on board


This.

I'll be watching this game with interest. Watching, not buying, until I know for certain (from player reviews) that it won't become a joyless party only grindfest like FFXI was. I was burned by SE once, and I'll be damned if I'm going to give them my money again for the same thing all over.
interesting...
# Jun 02 2009 at 10:28 PM Rating: Decent
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3,451 posts
Took the words outta my mouth.
interesting...
# Jun 04 2009 at 5:31 AM Rating: Decent
Yes, De-Leveling was one of 2 reasons I left game. Nothing pi**ed me off more than gaining a level, then dying and going down a level and then the party disbanding and stiffing the rest of us cus of a death.

I am an avid WOW player and have been looking for a reason to go back to ffxi but couldn't bring myself to going back and having to figure out everything again.

I will definitely be loading this on my pc as soon as it comes out. In the meantime I will be watching the msg boards for anything having to do with a beta for it.
interesting...
# Jun 04 2009 at 5:30 AM Rating: Decent
Yes, De-Leveling was one of 2 reasons I left game. Nothing pi**ed me off more than gaining a level, then dying and going down a level and then the party disbanding and stiffing the rest of us cus of a death.

I am an avid WOW player and have been looking for a reason to go back to ffxi but couldnt bring myself to going back and having to figure out everything again.

I will definitely be loading this on my pc as soon as it comes out. In the meantime I will be watching the msg boards for anything having to do with a beta for it.
So long FFXI
# Jun 02 2009 at 5:32 PM Rating: Decent
So long FFXI, it was a sweet ride. FFXIV is set to take over and directly compete with WoW now for real.
Looks good
# Jun 02 2009 at 4:24 PM Rating: Good
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656 posts
I guess it's time to pack up and move onto the new game, don't wanna be left behind this time around and start late like when i started 11 XD

This pretty much clinches it for me on buying a PS3, online game that at least will have a min of a 7 year span like 11 did, and some already solid titles in it's library should be more than enough for a gamer like me.

Race
# Jun 02 2009 at 4:09 PM Rating: Decent
Quote:
A new world, Eorzea


For a new "world" it sure looks like all the old races again :( (Galka/Hume/Mithra/Elvaan all in trailer). Guess we get to look forward to another 7 years of race debates lol
Race
# Jun 02 2009 at 7:01 PM Rating: Excellent
bimrog wrote:
Quote:
A new world, Eorzea


For a new "world" it sure looks like all the old races again :( (Galka/Hume/Mithra/Elvaan all in trailer). Guess we get to look forward to another 7 years of race debates lol


As I've said, I believe that since this is still very new footage of XIV, they decided to just recycle existing character models into the new engine, but will give us new races once the game is to be released.
____________________________
Lady Jinte wrote:

Vlorsutes' Negotiation Skill rises 0.2 points
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Vlorsutes' Argument Diffusing Skill rises 0.1 points

hmm
# Jun 02 2009 at 3:08 PM Rating: Decent
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104 posts
no more "ps2 limitations"

hmm
# Jun 02 2009 at 8:59 PM Rating: Excellent
In 3 or 4 years it will be PS3 limitations :-)
/cry
# Jun 02 2009 at 2:58 PM Rating: Decent
35 posts
I don't know whether to be happy or sad about this :o
/cry
# Jun 03 2009 at 10:35 AM Rating: Decent
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340 posts
Daclivont wrote:
I don't know whether to be happy or sad about this :o

Yes.
/cry
# Jun 02 2009 at 3:15 PM Rating: Decent
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253 posts
Daclivont wrote:
I don't know whether to be happy or sad about this :o


Mixed feelings indeed, final straw in the ongoing FFXI is dieing, however great happyness at uber new ff mmo.
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