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[Xux]

Really strange that they'd do this. Assumedly your character knows when he/she is experiencing an echo, so it's kind of weird to have a plot twist that your character already knows about. I guess this was going to be revealed in missions released after the original game, but they never got around to it for obvious reasons.

I don't think your character knows until the final City-State cutscene when the Sharlayan NPC brings it up. Your character seems to be just wandering around town asking about the stuff in these people's memories like it's happening as you're there. The cutscenes seem to be designed to be as seamless in their transition in and out of the Echo as possible aside from the whoosh and music change that it would seem like your character just has a weird headache and then someone walks up behind them that the the person you're talking to remembers.

 

[Riposte]

Woo! Finally done with my GotY list. That was draining.

This is the level of content I was thinking of having for our ARR OT:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=490246

The trouble is finding really good images I think. For one thing, I envisioned high quality gifs of Hildibrand posing as a topic breaker. That seems hard to get though.

Btw, it seems we'll have to make an OT2 for this one at some point. The OT I signed on to make was only for ARR. Just so there is no confusion...

 

[omlet]

It's a Paladin. I'll never forget how ugly the relic shield sits on my Hyur's back.

ikr, PLD relic weapon and shield are so clunky and big and ugly. Makes me sad.

The trouble is finding really good images I think. For one thing, I envisioned high quality gifs of Hildibrand posing as a topic breaker. That seems hard to get though.

I think at this point we're going to have a hard time getting art assets for ARR at all. Once beta phases start maybe there will be more to work with?

 

[staticneuron]

Someone posted an interesting reply on the forums: perhaps having FFXIV 1.0 Gridania music for night-time (or a remix of it, or even a completely new song). I seen this suggestion before but it really makes sense, more so given how lively the new theme is.

Great idea. I have been trying to stay away because I don't want to set my expectations on an unrealistic level but I am certainly eagerly anticipating this release.

Lol, looking at the spreadsheet my info is really out of date.

 

[BLCKATK]

The trouble is finding really good images I think. For one thing, I envisioned high quality gifs of Hildibrand posing as a topic breaker. That seems hard to get though.

Maybe just use a ton of the Yoshida artwork that has been popping up? There is a bunch of artwork lying around, with the right cropping it could work well in a thread.

 

[2San]

So I'm interested in playing FFXIV ARR, but not really interested in playing FFXIV 1.0. However the game is only 5 euro. Should I just buy it now and play it later when FFXIV ARR hits? Or is that a bad idea for whatever reason?

 

[DimmuBurgerKing]

So I'm interested in playing FFXIV ARR, but not really in playing FFXIV 1.0. However the game is only 5 euro. Should I just buy it now and play it later when FFXIV ARR hits? Or is that a bad idea for whatever reason?

Servers for 1.0 were taken offline anyway. I'd wait, honestly. Former subscribers definitely won't need the updated client, but I'm not sure what that looks like for folks buying the game and being unable to add a subscription right now.

 

[2San]

Servers for 1.0 were taken offline anyway. I'd wait, honestly. Former subscribers definitely won't need the updated client, but I'm not sure what that looks like for folks buying the game and being unable to add a subscription right now.

Ah ok, thanks.

 

[Riposte]

On my wishlist I'm hoping for day and night tracks for towns. Xenoblade did this so right.

 

[DimmuBurgerKing]

On my wishlist I'm hoping for day and night tracks for towns. Xenoblade did this so right.

FFXIV 1.x had a lot of great music, and I'd be sad to see all of it gone. Using some of the old songs for night would be a nice compromise.

 

[IonicSnake]

More info on LS and FC tools.

For those of you asking if the same management tools for removing inactive and offline players will be implemented for linkshells as well, the answer is yes!

We also have a few more details to share with you.

The dev. team is currently looking into the possibility of allowing players to leave messages in the LS and FC (ex: /lsmes). They are also thinking about implementing a feature for free companies to leave comments for members. On top of member comments, they plan on allowing leaders to customize different ranks and access levels within their free company. Lastly, free companies will have their own chat so there is no need to create a linkshell for your members to communicate with each other.

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/threads/57277-Linkshell-Management-in-2.0?p=940213#post940213

 

[Munba]

According to the new Reinheart dev-post translations, there will be a new producer letter in 2 days and the beginning of beta news/info just after that (by blog posts probably -about 2 news every week-).

 

[Jinko]

Bleh /lsmes is bullshit for an MMO in 2013, we should have in game calenders where we can leave detailed schedules and messages for events and whatnot.

 

[Excko]

The dev blog just got updated. got some pictures of a primal on the link.

Click here

 

[Munba]

New Shiva art and rendering:

http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/blog/post/171

 

[elyetis]

They should use the colors ( skin, armor ) the artwork has, nothing in their 3d model make me think of shiva/ice.

 

[Tomodachi]

Not a great artwork => 3d render model translation if you ask me, as elyets said there's something very off with the colors.

 

[Animekatt]

That Shiva artwork looks very different. It's interesting how they chose to make her look more human/elven with normal skin color than the usual icy blue hues.

 

[ebil]

Not a great artwork => 3d render model translation if you ask me, as elyets said there's something very off with the colors.

That's because it's a render with absoluteley no context, ambient lighting and effects, which can vastly change colors (or at least one's perception of colors).

 

[Nakazato]

liking that art work

 

[Allard]

That's because it's a render with absoluteley no context, ambient lighting and effects, which can vastly change colors (or at least one's perception of colors).

Not to mention its a Zbrush render, for those that don't know that earthy red that is all over the model is the default texture in zbrush. As said in the blog its a normal map of the final model, its details created that will project onto the final much lower poly model that will be used in game and when that is created they will re-texture the skin and everything else. Consider this a high-res preliminary mockup model that will be passed off later to a different art team to make it closer to the final concept work. The colors currently are mockups for the zbrush modeler to differentiate different pieces of the model (cloth, skin, armor, hair etc.)

 

[elyetis]

That's because it's a render with absoluteley no context, ambient lighting and effects, which can vastly change colors (or at least one's perception of colors).

She is far too 'neutral' ( in the sence of not giving an Ice feeling ) and I don't think it can come from lighting/effect only. Kind of like if ifrit wasn't red when he is not close to a source of red light.

With the artwork they give I would expect something among the line of that :

( by no mean i did a good job there, but you got the idea )

Not that i'm saying the model they show is the final result, it's probably more to show the modelisation work than the ( placeholder ? ) texture.

 

[2San]

Not a good idea to release such an early image, people will misunderstand. Always release these after it's shown properly.

 

[Mature]

Not a good idea to release such an early image, people will misunderstand. Always release these after it's shown properly.

Yeeeeep.

 

[Munba]

Yeah the final colors are still missing in the rendering.

It's a dev blog so it is supposed to see the "work in progress" stuff after all

 

[ebil]

I'd rather have sneak peeks and work in progress than an information drought to be honest.

At least they're showing something and allowing the Lodestone to complain, which is mildly entertaining while waiting for beta to start.

 

[Ravidrath]

You guys are doing a great job of illustrating why devs are often times reticent to show work-in-progress stuff.

Those are not the final textures, just geometry colors to contrast and differentiate the parts of the model to make it easier to work with.

 

[IonicSnake]

Can't wait to have her statue in my house!

 

[elyetis]

You guys are doing a great job of illustrating why devs are often times reticent to show work-in-progress stuff.

Those are not the final textures, just geometry colors to contrast and differentiate the parts of the model to make it easier to work with.

It's good to know. And could actually, you know, be said like that in their official post.

 

[Allard]

It's good to know. And could actually, you know, be said like that in their official post.

Well they did but they are using 3D modeling lingo, that is what a normal map is, it is a high res model that is being made exclusively to project details on a much lower res model and texture work is usually place holder because of that.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_mapping

Think some of you are forgetting this is a developer blog and its a sneak peak behind unfinished work

 

[Kokonoe]

Does anyone know if it's possible to transfer a FFXIV account to a different Square Enix account?

 

[IonicSnake]

Does anyone know if it's possible to transfer a FFXIV account to a different Square Enix account?

Don't think so, best you can do is talk with S-E support (Godspeed) and see if they can help you.

 

[N.A]

From Reinheart's awesome translation thread on the official forums:

Battle with Primal Shiva will be post relaunch, but this is to show that the development team is not only working towards beta and release but post ARR launch patches already!

Seems they already have a lot of great content planned for after launch (Housing, chocobo breeding, gold saucer)

 

[Xux]

Wow, Shiva looks awesome. I should try and fight one of these Primal things when the game comes out.

Also...apparently Shiva's summoned by new beastmen in "the north"? Like, Dravania or Xelphatol north? So this is an expansion fight, maybe?

And lol at Fern poking fun at the people that thought it was Siren on that one poster.

 

[Jinko]

They should use the colors ( skin, armor ) the artwork has, nothing in their 3d model make me think of shiva/ice.

I was thinking this, she needs to be blue.

Love the fact that she has long hair and cloth, hope the physics in ARR are good for that stuff. (kind of hoping those cloth things are her weapons )

Well they did but they are using 3D modeling lingo, that is what a normal map is, it is a high res model that is being made exclusively to project details on a much lower res model and texture work is usually place holder because of that.

Normal maps are normally colourless and textureless though, so its not really a proper normal map.

 

[suzu]

Shiva needs to be more blue, yeah. lol

Looks decent though.

 

[N.A]

From the official forums:

Thal's Balls! These forums are hot enough to melt an ice goddess.

I suppose some of that might be due to slight lack of info in my latest Developers' Blog post. (Looks around... Crickets chirp...) Okay, I suppose most of that might be due to a slight lack of info in my latest Developers' Blog post.

So, I just wanted to pop in to clear things up.

The ZBrush models you see are a Work In Progress. The colors you see are mostly for aesthetic purposes so the designer's eyes don't bleed after staring at a grey blob all day, and the final textures will more than likely end up being a lot similar to what is shown in the original concept art. YAY!

Even with that said, works in progress are just that, and as the work progresses, Yoshi-P may have an epiphany and decide to give her a second head, convert one of her legs into a machine gun, and rename her Jezebel (hopefully not, though... At least the second head part...)

Either way, I apologize again for the confusion, and in future Dev Blog posts, we'll make sure that works in progress are properly tagged and branded.

-----

For those of you not familiar with ZBrush, a few users such as Hulan, Zantetsuken, Imoen, and Gramul have already posted (in this very thread!) some basic info on the program, and what it's used for.

 

[N.A]

New Letter:

Hello again to all of you eagerly awaiting FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn. Yoshi-P here, ringing in the new year with the forty-first Letter from the Producer.

We've been back in the office for almost three weeks now, and our calendars are already marked full of meetings and deadlines. It won't be long before beta testing begins, and soon after that, the release of FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn! Looking at the beta test road map we released last month, the road from beta to release would appear to be a long one, but the testing will be over before you know it. There's not a moment to spare in preparation for release, and the development team will stay at full throttle to make sure we get there.

First things first, let's talk a bit about the beta test. Phase one will begin in February, and we were thrilled to see so many players from around the world signing up to participate. I know the beta test is just around the corner, but I'd like to show you guys a few screen shots to tide you over until then.

Here's the title screen, new and improved with a "beta version" tag. The BGM has been changed as well...another little tidbit to look forward to.

Starting from phase 1, all races will be available for testing, so it's time for roll call! First up is the Hyur Midlander female.

The Hyur Highlander female is also front and center, looking strong and sexy.

Next up is the Elezen male smartly sporting race-specific gear.

The Lalafell looking adorable as always, but don't count them out in PvP.

The Miqo'te male makes his long-awaited debut, fueling fan desires for a new project: Miqo'te Online.

Last but certainly not least is the Roegadyn female, with strength matched only by her beauty.

With all these screen shots, it'd be a shame not to include one of the benchmark. We're still putting the finishing touches on it, so pay no mind to the score.

Although all races will be available from phase one of the beta test, not all customization options will be available. We're putting a lot of work into various options such as hair styles and colors (a whopping 192 shades are being planned!) based on feedback from the alpha test, and everything should be ready by phase three.

We wasted no time getting back to work after the New Year's holiday, but you know how we like to start off the New Year...with good old hatsumōde! We broke away from the development floor just long enough to round up the team for our annual trip to Sensōji in Asakusa. With the launch of A Realm Reborn to take place this year, the trip was all the more meaningful.

Here's to a game that fans around the world can enjoy! (Yes, I really did drop that big bill in there.

)

This next part is a little tricky, so a bit of explanation is in order for those who've never visited one of these temples. When drawing an omikuji (strips of paper with fortunes written on them) at Asakusa's Sensōji, there are seven possible fortunes: great blessing, blessing, half-blessing, small blessing, future small blessing, future blessing, and curse. To the dismay of visitors to Sensōji, the chance of drawing "curse" is a whopping 30%—three out of every ten people! Those unfortunate enough to draw "curse" better bear down hard all year long, or suffer the consequences.

Now then, which fortune do you think I drew?

Great blessing, of course. Would you expect anything less from–

What? It looks like I'm holding up more than one, you say? Okay, you got me, I didn't draw the great blessing. It belongs to project manager "M," who's in charge of the Developers' Blog. But no need to worry—I still managed to draw a small blessing.

The fortune itself was very encouraging. So much so, that I'd like to share it with you guys.

• Much like treasure seen across the vale, the things you desire, no matter how close they seem, are not easily obtained.
• Do not let your heart falter. Patience is the key to reaching your goals.
• Stay focused and consistent in your work. When the time is right, the things you desire will be at hand.
• Remember that you are not alone in your endeavors. Like the phoenix taking flight, you will rise up and find success.

In short, if we keep working tirelessly as we have done so far, without getting hung up on profits or discouraged by the workload, A Realm Reborn is bound to succeed. With the ongoing support of our fans, FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn will rise up from the ashes like a phoenix and soar towards success! At least, that's my take on it. You guys know me—I'll continue working like a man possessed. (lol)

Poor Komoto drew another "curse" this year. I know the chance of drawing it is three out of every ten people, but one can only be so unlucky. I'm sure next year will be better... maybe.

As we returned to working around the clock preparing for beta, two very special guests paid us a visit: Jeff Skalski from EA Mythic, who's been a great friend since I joined the FFXIV team, and Mesanna, the current producer of Ultima Online, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year.

Jeff got into the gaming industry as a level designer for Dark Age of Camelot, which I am a huge fan of and played to bits and pieces. He then moved on to Warhammer Online, and is now executive producer for the Ultima Online franchise. He's a big fan of the FF series, and during our visit to Germany, he wasn't ashamed to tell me how FFVI made him cry (lol). He played quite a bit of FFXI as well, and naturally he's attained legacy status for FFXIV. (Jeff was selected for phase three of alpha testing, and was so excited he filled my inbox with screenshots.)

Since they were kind enough as to drop by on their trip to Japan, I showed them around the office and gave them a peek behind the scenes, from the development process to the managerial side of things. There was also time to talk shop and compare notes, and over dinner we discussed the future of the MMO market.

FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn is taking on an unprecedented challenge in the MMO market, and we have not only the support of fans, but also that of our peers in the industry. Taking heart from all this positive energy, we will see the game through to a successful launch and beyond!

See you next time, on the forums, or in the Beta Test!

 

[Munba]

Like the female highlander design.

 

[Xux]

Jeeze, they're dead set on only showing one Miquote Male design 'til the Beta. ...Wish we had a better pic of a Roegadyn female, too. :|

Anyway

Spoiler

, I believe in you, Yoshi-P.

 

[Qvoth]

Female roegadyn.....
This might be interesting to say the least...
A shame it will most probably never go f2p, this being s-e
Edit: just saw female highlander, now this is even more interesting...

 

[N.A]

Female roegadyn.....
This might be interesting to say the least...
A shame it will most probably never go f2p, this being s-e
Edit: just saw female highlander, now this is even more interesting...

Not going f2p is a good thing. They can then focus on great content to keep subscribers instead of focusing on micro-transaction bullshit.

I'll probably quit if it does go f2p.

 

[Munba]

Not going f2p is a good thing. They can then focus on great content to keep subscribers instead of focusing on micro-transaction bullshit.

I'll probably quit if it does go f2p.

Totally agree.

 

[Jinko]

Not going f2p is a good thing. They can then focus on great content to keep subscribers instead of focusing on micro-transaction bullshit.

I'll probably quit if it does go f2p.

Couldn't agree more, if this game ends up F2P I won't be playing it any more thats for sure.

 

[NinjaJesus]

Female roegadyn.....
This might be interesting to say the least...
A shame it will most probably never go f2p, this being s-e
Edit: just saw female highlander, now this is even more interesting...

F2P is bad. Pretty sure if it ever gets to that point, they'll just scrap it.

 

[DimmuBurgerKing]

Elezen's race-specific clothes look pretty cool.

 

[Mature]

The new year producer letters are always so heart warming.

 

[Cetra]

Holy shit... female Roegadyn looks awesome. Hell, they all do. I can't wait. I've been missing FFXIV something feirce. I really can't wait to get back to, beta or not. I just want Eorzea back.

 

[Robobandit]

Not going f2p is a good thing. They can then focus on great content to keep subscribers instead of focusing on micro-transaction bullshit.

I'll probably quit if it does go f2p.

Agree completely.

 

[staticneuron]

Agree completely.

Same here. Almost every F2P game I have played is a timesink. Most MMO's are but for F@P games it normally goes beyond grind and is at the level of it being a "job". It takes out the sense of accomplishment and fun.