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https://twitter.com/FFXI_JP/status/577747954741608449
http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/index.shtml

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gepgoUDxs6Y

Didn't see a thread, couldn't find one with search either. This is pretty curious. Wonder what's happening. EOL announcement? F2P transition?

We will be holding a press conference regarding our plans for FINAL FANTASY XI going forward, with the event broadcast live on the internet.

Date and Time: Thursday, March 19 starting at 12:00 a.m. PDT

Viewable on YouTube Live

*The stream will be in Japanese only and will be made public when the event begins. An English language digest will be made available on the official forums.
* Note that the broadcast may not be available in all regions.

Edit: Update 2 - Official info in English: http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/46414

The Vana'diel Project Summary

1. Rhapsodies of Vana'diel: FINAL FANTASY XI's
Ultimate Scenario Content

The first chapter in FINAL FANTASY XI's final main scenario, Rhapsodies of Vana'diel, will be implemented in the May 2015 version update.
This scenario will serve to tie together fourteen years of FINAL FANTASY XI, and we aim for it serve as the ultimate compilation of all we have accomplished to date, with major characters from throughout the game's history making appearances--a feat that only a game as storied as FINAL FANTASY XI can offer.

The scenario will consist of three separate chapters, debuting in the May, August, and November version updates, respectively.
Coming along with the scenario are exciting new battle content, never-before-seen rewards, and a variety of other additions to engage players of all different stripes.
We plan for this to be a grand conclusion to the FINAL FANTASY series' first MMORPG--and indeed, the first console MMORPG--in a way that will be recorded in the annals of the genre's history.

FINAL FANTASY XI's major version updates will conclude with the implementation of the final chapter of Rhapsodies of Vana'diel, but there will continue to be minor version updates that address bugs and contain various balance adjustments.

Further, PlayStation®2 and Xbox 360® service will cease in March 2016. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to those who have enjoyed FINAL FANTASY XI on these platforms and to those who have assisted us in bringing Vana'diel to you.

Going forward, the team will renew its focus on providing an enjoyable FINAL FANTASY XI experience on the Windows platform.

We have also decided to hold a new event known as The Goddess's Gala as a show of appreciation for those who have loved Vana'diel throughout the years.

The Goddess's Gala is a series of various campaigns that have been held previously to great acclaim and can be enjoyed by both regular players and returnees alike.

These campaigns are not limited to in-game events, as we are also considering a welcome back campaign as well as a variety of anniversary events. We will work our utmost to bring everyone who has ever enjoyed Vana'diel an event to remember and hope that players both new and old will take this chance to visit our humble land and her people once more.

The staff is working tirelessly day and night to make Rhapsodies of Vana'diel the most spectacular event for FINAL FANTASY XI, but we also recognize that adjustments to currently existing content are equally as critical. Please continue submitting your feedback and making your voices heard on the official forums.

The development and operations teams alone could not have brought Vana'diel this far; it is because of all of you that adventures in Vana'diel have come to life. The world that you have created together with us is what FINAL FANTASY XI truly is, and nothing can ever change that.

We earnestly look forward to continue working with you in the future.




2. FINAL FANTASY GRANDMASTERS: A New Online RPG for
Smartphones Set in the World of Vana'diel

FINAL FANTASY GRANDMASTERS is a full-scale online RPG for smartphones that shares the characters and world setting of FINAL FANTASY XI.
Players are able to freely combine their favorite jobs and dazzling equipment to create, strengthen, and power up their characters. Chat and communicate with those you meet, engage in real time cooperative battles, and make new friends as you vanquish foes and assist allies.

Keep your eye on this new generation of FINAL FANTASY scheduled for release in 2015, brought to you in all its glory in collaboration with Crooz Inc., creators of numerous smash hit social games such as The Knights of Avalon.
* At present, the game is scheduled for release in Japan only.




3. A Native App Project Providing A Full-Fledged FINAL FANTASY XI
Experience on the Mobile Platform

Going forward, FINAL FANTASY XI will aim to transform into a completely new format on the mobile environment so that players can easily experience Vana'diel whenever and wherever they want.
Battles optimized for touch-screen interfaces will feature further improvements to basic FINAL FANTASY XI systems such as jobs and skill chains, providing a speedier and more user-friendly experience, and features such as improved partying systems and solo activities enable players to find a playstyle that suits them.

Additionally, dynamic events that spawn under a variety of conditions help build the world in a way that only a mobile game can.
We are pleased to welcome as our partner NEXON, Co., Ltd., a company that boasts a variety of experiences and a world class track record in both developing and operating MMORPGs on mobile platforms.
We plan to extend service to Japan, Korea, and North America, as well as Europe and the rest of Asia, with an eye toward release in 2016. Be on the lookout for a renewed FINAL FANTASY XI as a massive multiplayer mobile role playing game combining MMOs with mobile devices.

Get ready to experience these new projects that further expand on FINAL FANTASY XI and the world of Vana'diel.

 

[Dega]

Full HD remake.

 

[Robin64]

Why didn't everyone jump ship to XIV by now?

 

[SkylineRKR]

Servers offline.

 

[djplaeskool]

I'm thinking F2P transition.
As a long-time vet of FFXI, an EOL announcement would be painful.
Alas, it would be inevitable. I wouldn't have imagined a world started in 2002 would still be going in 2015. May marks its 13th anniversary.

 

[Jomjom]

Single player version for one of the best stories in FF.

 

[tmtyf]

Full HD remake.

i would so drop 14 for a full hd remake of 11

 

[DJIzana]

Single player version for one of the best stories in FF.

Was just going to say that!

 

[Dega]

Why didn't everyone jump ship to XIV by now?

They're pretty different.

 

[The End]

didn't everyone jump ship to XIV by now?

that's what i thought

i loved FFXI back in the day, but I can't imagine there's more than a core of diehards left

XIV is better in every conceivable way

 

[artsi]

I don't think they're killing it or turning it F2P any time soon as it's still bringing in mad cash.

According to SE's annual report:

FINAL FANTASY XI,” which has entered its thirteenth year of operation—maintain nearly 1,000,000 paying subscribers all together, and have established a solid revenue base.

 

[Arzehn]

Why didn't everyone jump ship to XIV by now?

Because XI is the better game.

Spoiler

They are actually just very different.

Hope it's server merges + expansion + Vita/PS4 ports.

 

[Stone Ocean]

Why didn't everyone jump ship to XIV by now?

FFXI vets prefer it over XIV for the most part AFAIK

 

[Borman]

Hoping for a PS4 or Vita port, either would be incredible.

 

[Clear]

Cannot see them making it F2P, the game simply isn't built for the number of players required to make that revenue model work.

It'd require not only a significant expansion in back-end support to manage a heavy influx of new players, but the "layer system" they've adopted in recent years to get around the lack of true instancing for event zones would simply crumble under the weight of a population spike.

 

[Robin64]

FFXI vets prefer it over XIV for the most part AFAIK

I couldn't get into, though I tried. Is it because XI is less "theme-park MMO" than XIV?

 

[DrROBschiz]

Full HD remake.

As cool as this would be there would need to be some HUGE systemic changes that are outside the scope of what their goals would indicate

Plus it would compete directly with the already successful XIV

I still like XI better than XIV in some ways and hate it more in others though.....

 

[Macstorm]

Single player version for one of the best stories in FF.

I've been screaming this for years and would LOVE it.

 

[Gunslinger]

They probably gonna announce the closing of the servers.

 

[Stone Ocean]

I couldn't get into, though I tried. Is it because XI is less "theme-park MMO" than XIV?

I couldn't say, I never actually played XI. But from what I hear it was a deeper game overall gameplay-wise? Something like that.

 

[60EffPeeEss]

All those days spent playing my Beastmaster, alone in the wilds, conquering a list of Notorious Monsters I swore could be solo'ed, and the days of attempting to do Besieged without my 360 locking up.

I miss 11, but I doubt there'll be any kind of re-release for new platforms. No idea what this announcement is otherwise though.

 

[Leunam]

Why didn't everyone jump ship to XIV by now?

It's not like XIV is a sequel. Some would say XI is the better game.

 

[LiK]

Oh man, if this means they're shutting it down, that would be huge.

 

[DrROBschiz]

They probably gonna announce the closing of the servers.

Seems the most likely

XIV is too big now to split resources... which is a shame cuz I honestly am not a fan of XIV as an RPG.

Its an MMO through and through and was fun up until it laid bare the limitations it placed on itself

 

[Kandinsky]

Full HD remake.

*dies*

 

[Robin64]

It's not like XIV is a sequel. Some would say XI is the better game.

Nope, XII is the sequel. XI -> XII. Dur.

But seriously, I'm just curious what remaining players consider to be better than XIV and worth sticking around for.

 

[Clear]

They probably gonna announce the closing of the servers.

Nah, a server merge wouldn't justify a press conference and they aren't likely to shut down a service that's still extremely profitable for them.

If I was to guess, I'd suspect it would be a timeline leading to the abandonment of PS2 support, including the launch of an expansion and level cap raise (Abyssea v2?) for PC only.

 

[DrROBschiz]

All those days spent playing my Beastmaster, alone in the wilds, conquering a list of Notorious Monsters I swore could be solo'ed, and the days of attempting to do Besieged without my 360 locking up.

I miss 11, but I doubt there'll be any kind of re-release for new platforms. No idea what this announcement is otherwise though.

Yeah

I mean 11 had its own set of ridiculous gameplay limitations that were infuriating but despite that people found all sorts of complex ways to tackle any situation due to its inherent complexity

Closest thing to the discovery in FFT I have seen in awhile. Bravely default kind of did it but even that game hits a wall systemically

 

[georly]

Single player version for one of the best stories in FF.

I would adore a game which is just the FFXI missions and next-to-no grinding. Day 1. Keep the same combat engine.

 

[60EffPeeEss]

They just finished off the latest expansion, and keep adding more and more content (even though its recycled from old content), so its unlikely to be a closure of the game.

 

[Dunkley]

Why didn't everyone jump ship to XIV by now?

Because it isn't completely a better game than FFXI.

Hoping for a PS4 or Vita port, either would be incredible.

That would be fantastic.

 

[DrROBschiz]

Nope, XII is the sequel. XI -> XII. Dur.

But seriously, I'm just curious what remaining players consider to be better than XIV and worth sticking around for.

The very best thing I could say about XI is that it was more RPG than MMO

While XIV is exactly the opposite

There is a laundry list of pros and cons. I hated XI as much as I loved it to be honest but I at least recognize the few things it did right that made it more compelling than XIV

 

[30yearsofhurt]

I can't believe this is still a viable thing. What are these subscribers doing?

 

[SubtleTea]

My guesses are:

-dropping of ps2 and potentially 360 support
-announcement of a new expansion
-single player version
-port to ps3 and/or vita, ps4, 3ds, xbone, mac, android, ios
could be any of those, or something completely diffrent

 

[Ocelott]

Full HD remake.

I would cry

 

[JMDSO]

I couldn't get into, though I tried. Is it because XI is less "theme-park MMO" than XIV?

A lot of it is nostalgia, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Some people loved the challenge and the brutalness of its flaws.

 

[Matt Attack]

I hope it's good news. I haven't had much of a chance to play this yet, but I still really want to.

 

[SEGAvangelist]

I can't believe this is still a viable thing. What are these subscribers doing?

Enjoying a game they like with a community they're familiar with? It's not unheard of to play classic MMOs.

 

[Devilgunman]

Single player version for one of the best stories in FF.

If SE can pull this off, it will sell like gangbuster. Rebalanced Offline FFXI HD for PS4. BOOM!

 

[duckroll]

I can't believe this is still a viable thing. What are these subscribers doing?

Playing the game? There's still new content every month. It's not a dead service which S-E just leaves running. There's still a development team on it. People still play WoW after all.

 

[ApharmdX]

PS2/360 support is hopefully ending. This needed to happen 4 years ago, and it still needs to happen.

Why didn't everyone jump ship to XIV by now?

Because XIV still doesn't match the amount of content in XI? Or because some of us have lots of XI friends left that we'd hate to lose?

 

[Stone Ocean]

Hmm, a single player version of XI would certainly be interesting.

 

[Stimpack]

Why didn't everyone jump ship to XIV by now?

Hahaha. Because it's not the same at all.

Personally, I'm excited!

 

[impact]

Why didn't everyone jump ship to XIV by now?

That's like asking a bunch of steak fans why they haven't jumped ship to McDonalds

 

[DrROBschiz]

Why didn't everyone jump ship to XIV by now?

I Did

For awhile

XIV's limits become woefully apparent once you get to a certain point. Its an excellent game and superior to XI an many simple ways

But no better in the complex ways. Its an Arena MMO like WOW.... and the Loss of key JRPG gameplay, character building, strategy and mechanics start to hack away at you.

Im not saying XI didnt have its horrible parts. It had MOUNTAINS of flaws but the parts that sucked you in.... really sucked you in

 

[Baleoce]

Port of the PS2 version to PS4

 

[frequency]

Why didn't everyone jump ship to XIV by now?

I prefer FFXI.

And oddly enough, FFXI is actually more soloable than FFXIV now because of level syncing in FFXIV and trusts (AI party members) in FFXI.

Also I kind of like just running around doing GoV/FoV (basically kill quests) in any area I choose rather than FFXIVs limited leve system and farming fates in the 3 areas people farm fates in or running the same leveling dungeons another 2000 times.

 

[fahr]

This is just my opinion, but I actually miss a lot of the gameplay style of Ffxi vs wow or ffiv.

The world in Ffxi felt real. You went out into a huge open wilderness and explored. There was no icon on the map showing you your next mission. If you needed to find an item in a cave, you had to go find the cave. And chances are you may not make it there alive because the world was freaking dangerous.

The fact that you lost xp for dying sucked ass, but then again it really made you fear death. The further out you explored the more white knuckle it became.

If you wanted to level, you had to find a good place to hunt. Yeah it was a grind, but it made every nook and cranny of the world feel important. I remember finding tucked away a areas of the valkyrm dunes away from other hunters and spending a evening with a party just hunting away.

A lot about modern mmos are better, don't get me wrong. But that sense of exploring an unknown world is just plain gone in today's quest logs and map markers and high speed leveling treadmills.

 

[LevelNth]

It's very ironic the reception this game first received back in 2000 when announced, and 15 years later to be easily the most profitable and successful FF iteration of all time.

Such a great game. Wish I had the time to still play it, but alas it's been over 10 years.

 

[Robin64]

I prefer FFXI.

And oddly enough, FFXI is actually more soloable than FFXIV now because of level syncing in FFXIV and trusts (AI party members) in FFXI.

How easy is it to get trusts?

See, my experience of XI was that I made a thief, I think.. got to about level 5 in some desert and started finding it really hard. Someone said I needed a party already.

In comparison, I've done most of what XIV has to offer, save for the endgame raiding which doesn't interest me.