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Gold Saucer opens in Final Fantasy XIV: Chocobo Racing, Triple Triad, & more.

S

Shamdeo

Member
Starting today, as part of Patch 2.51, the Manderville Gold Saucer is now open in Final Fantasy XIV.

Based on Final Fantasy VII's Gold Saucer, it will serve as something of a mini-game hub. This includes Chocobo Racing, Triple Triad, Gold Saucer-themed FATEs called "GATEs", a daily/weekly lottery called "Cactpot" (named after Cactuars, of course), and various carnival-esque small scale games.

You won't have to pay anything extra to access Gold Saucer, and there are no microtransactions associated with its content. However, you will need to play the main story until Level 15 where you unlock airship travel between city-states. That also means that free trial accounts should be able to check it out.

Patch 2.5 Trailer, including Gold Saucer footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj3hGDaDZqI#t=4m31s
Patch 2.51 Notes, with the nitty-gritty details: http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/topics/detail/fb9f6956394bb5547bdc91b2062ec4fa99fee568

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♦ Chocobo Racing
♦ So you think you can race this chocobo!?
In the Final Fantasy XIV version of chocobo racing, the so-called "sport of sultans", you will play the part of jockey, trainer, and breeder. When you obtain your racing chocobo you will need to name it by selecting a combination of phrases, adjectives, nouns, etc. You'll be able to queue for races on three different tracks located in The Black Shroud, Thanalan, and La Noscea.

Chocobos will run automatically, much like Final Fantasy VII, and you'll have control over the steering. You can boost your chocobo's speed by expending Stamina, which slowly recovers during the race. Be warned, liberal use is likely to tire out your chocobo. You don't want that to happen in a close one.

"Magicked panels" are placed on a course will bestow positive or negative status effects, including a burst of speed or Heavy - a slowing status effect. You can jump to obtain items hanging over the track to use - think something similar to Mario Kart. You will be matched with up to seven other players based on your chocobo's rank.

♦ So you think you can train this chocobo!?
Participating in races will earn your chocobo experience points towards increasing its rank. Feeding your chocobo various items will also affect stats comprising its racing pedigree, such as: maximum speed, acceleration, endurance, stamina, and cunning.

♦ So you think you can breed this chocobo!?
By choosing to retire a chocobo, its racing days are done - but, you can choose to have it breed with another bird in a system called "Covering". This is in attempt to produce an offspring of a higher Pedigree Level - better stats, basically. The new chocobo may also inherit traits and abilities from its parentage, such as Increased Stamina or Heavy Resistance.

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♦ Triple Triad
♦ Triple Triad returns in Final Fantasy XIV
Triple Triad, a card minigame featured prominently in Final Fantasy VIII, returns in Final Fantasy XIV. If you're unfamiliar with how it works, a simple explanation is that each player selects five cards from their collection, all have have four values (ranging from 1-9, A) that represent the "strength" of its four sides. By placing a card with a stronger value adjacent to an opponent's card that has a weaker value will cause the card to "flip" and will score you one point. Each match is decided in nine turns with players alternating what cards to play and where to place them.

You can employ the use of different rules to add extra layers of challenge to the game, and the team has developed additional, original rules not seen featured in Final Fantasy VIII.

♦ Play against NPCs or other players
NPCs that are available to duel will have a special icon, and serve as one way to build your deck by claiming cards in victory. While you can't lose cards to other players, as the challenger you will be able to set the rules of the match beforehand. In addition to the rules that were in Final Fantasy VIII, new ones have been developed for Final Fantasy XIV including: Order, Chaos, Reverse, Fallen Ace, etc.

♦ 80 cards available to collect; more will be added in subsequent patches
Cards can be obtained in several different ways. You can win them from NPCs, purchase them in Gold Saucer for Manderville Gold Saucer Points (MGP), or win them as drops from battle content. You'll be able manage your collection and arrange your decks through a Gold Saucer user interface.

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♦ Other Attractions
♦ Gold Saucer Active Time Events
A recreational spin on "Full Active Time Events" or "FATEs", (Final Fantasy XIV's spin on public battle events) GATEs take place exclusively in the Gold Saucer and can be joined by anyone by speaking to various attendees.

Examples of these impromptu mini-games include a Simon Says-like GATE called "The Time of Your Life" in which you must perform emotes in a specific order to avoid elimination. A luck-based GATE called "Any Way the Wind Blows" features Typhon, who will have you stand in different positions on a platform. When he appears, his fearsome randomized snorts may eject you from the arena. Those who remain on the platform split the winnings.

Other GATEs include platforming challenges, one of which is called "Cliffhanger". You must ascend to the top of an obstacle course to rescue a chocobo chick while a goblin drops bombs on your path - potentially knocking you back down to the bottom. Remember the Nickelodeon show "G.U.T.S" and its "Aggro Crag"? It's kinda like that.

♦ Cactpot
The Cactpot is a daily/weekly lottery in which players can win MGP to spend on various Gold Saucer-exclusive prizes. You enter by selecting a four digit code, purchasing your ticket, and then waiting until the winning numbers are drawn.

Drawing times will be different based on peak times for each data center with the weekly drawing on the weekend.

♦ Mini-games
Four different mini-games to test your skill are also available. "Monster Toss" is a spiritual successor to Final Fantasy VII's Super Dunk, in which you must use precise timing to shoot a Bomb into a basket. Other games of this type include: "The Moogle's Paw", a crane game to fetch a prize, "Crystal Tower Striker", a type of high striker or strongman game, and "Cuff-A-Cur", a punching mini-game that will have you throwing fast ones at a Gilgamesh doll.

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♦ Map of Gold Saucer
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More on Final Fantasy XIV:

• Do I get any free time if I buy this?
Yep! You receive 30 days with purchase of any version.

• How about a free trial?
[Windows PC] [PlayStation 3] [PlayStation 4]
14-day trial, Level 20 cap, communication restrictions (anti-RMT), other restrictions apply with free trial version.

• This is one of those SUBSCRIPTION GAMEZ! What are the monthly fees like?
[USD] [GBP] [EUR]
60-day time cards are also available from select retailers.

• Can I still upgrade from PS3 to PS4 for free?
Yes, the free version upgrade lasts until Tuesday, March 31st, 2015. You will need to download, install, and log in to FFXIV on your PS3 first -- updating the game is not necessary. Then, proceed to the MogStation to continue the process.

• Do I need PlayStation Plus for this?
Nope!

• Can I use Steam Wallet to pay for my subscription?
Yep!

• Show me what's come out (trailers and patch notes) since the game launched! Show me THE FUTURE too!
2013.09.27 » Version 2.0: A Realm Reborn [2.05]
2013.12.17 » Patch 2.1: A Realm Awoken [2.15|2.16]
2014.03.27 » Patch 2.2: Through the Maelstrom [2.21|2.25|2.28]
2014.07.08 » Patch 2.3: Defenders of Eorzea [2.35|2.38]
2014.10.28 » Patch 2.4: Dreams of Ice [2.41|2.45]
2015.01.20 » Patch 2.5: Before the Fall (Part I)
2015.02.24 » Patch 2.51: (Gold Saucer, Chocobo Racing, Triple Triad)
2015.03.?? » Patch 2.5: Before the Fall (Part II) (The Battle of Ishgard)
Spring 2015 » Version 3.0: Heavensward

• Resources?
About Final Fantasy XIV: http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/pr/
The Lodestone, official community resource: http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/
A Realm Reborn official product page: http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/pr/product/
Heavensward pre-order mailing list sign-up: https://ffxiv.na.square-enix.com/

• Where's GAF at!?
NeoGARF Community thread: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?p=136499500
 
Yoshichan

Yoshichan

And they made him a Lord of Cinder. Not for virtue, but for might. Such is a lord, I suppose. But here I ask. Do we have a sodding chance?
Hitting every point on my body... this is too much for me :_:
 
KyanMehwulfe

KyanMehwulfe

Member
Do they do free log-in weekends for most content patches or just rarely for the biggest ones? I've been waiting for another to check it out again (got a Dragoon at... Lv45 or so) and I saw I just missed one. I love snowy mountain forests (and I loved those ogre FATEs on that Ishgard snow area) so I'm rather interested in Heavensward (and leveling a DRK). I also haven't tried it on PS4 yet (already upgraded and patched it from PS3, just haven't subbed), and the game already had some of the most gorgeous environments (especially sunrises and weather) on just the PS3 so I want to explore Ul'dah desert areas again even just for a couple days.
 
dreamstation

dreamstation

Member
Absolutely loved Triple Triad in FFVIII. I probably spent more time playing that damn minigame than the actual game. Loved it that much that I have used the name for various characters in MMO's and is the name of my Driveclub club :)
 
Kirye

Kirye

Member
Gooood I can't wait for this to come out. I hate that I have to work tomorrow, I need me some Triple Triad now.
 
U

Unknown Soldier

Member
KyanMehwulfe said:
Do they do free log-in weekends for most content patches or just rarely for the biggest ones? I've been waiting for another to check it out again (got a Dragoon at... Lv45 or so) and I saw I just missed one. I love snowy mountain forests (and I loved those ogre FATEs on that Ishgard snow area) so I'm rather interested in Heavensward (and leveling a DRK). I also haven't tried it on PS4 yet (already upgraded and patched it from PS3, just haven't subbed), and the game already had some of the most gorgeous environments (especially sunrises and weather) on just the PS3 so I want to explore Ul'dah desert areas again even just for a couple days.
Click to expand...

They have done a few free weekends already but who knows when they'll do another.
 
W

Wazzy

Banned
Okay I'm back in. I took a break but this? I'm back.

I will play triple triad all day.

And yes Shuffle or Boogie better play.
 
Yoshichan

Yoshichan

And they made him a Lord of Cinder. Not for virtue, but for might. Such is a lord, I suppose. But here I ask. Do we have a sodding chance?
Kagari said:
Join us Yoshichan. Best FF in years right here.
Click to expand...
Can't stop feeling that it's too late to start now! Just like every other MMOROG, it feels like it'll take ages to catch up. How "many hours" in is the Gold Saucer content?
 
S

SpiceMelange

Member
This game is just as good as FFXIV 1.0 was terrible. I never could imagine such a turnaround. The only themepark sub based MMO that actually didn't make me feel like just going back to WoW instead. And SE is killing it with a barrage of new content since launch, complete night and day compare to Blizzard's 1.5 years of the same raid.
 
W

Wagram

Member
Yoshichan said:
Can't stop feeling that it's too late to start now! Just like every other MMOROG, it feels like it'll take ages to catch up. How "many hours" in is the Gold Saucer content?
Click to expand...

The prerequisite is a quest that's around lvl 15. So probably 5-10 hours?
 
M

MeBecomingI

Member
I had to cancel my subscription so I could pay off my debt. Now that I've done that, this stuff is tempting me so bad to renew and get back into it. But, I'm not sure that alone is worth it... the end game content has been a little dismaying to me because I had a pretty lazy and shitty free company and the grinding was getting grating, especially with no help from other people. Kind of started to feel like FFXI in that regard. But we'll see.

I may re-sub for a month and see where that takes me.
 
M

MultiJhonny

Banned
Yoshichan said:
Can't stop feeling that it's too late to start now! Just like every other MMOROG, it feels like it'll take ages to catch up. How "many hours" in is the Gold Saucer content?
Click to expand...

Na you can get to Level 50 pretty quickly. It isn't too late at all. The playerbase is very active and quite big AND there are a good amount of new players all the time as well.
 
G

Giever

Member
There's already too many games I have to play, can't commit to an MMORPG again.. as much as I'd like to. T_T
 
KyanMehwulfe

KyanMehwulfe

Member
How's the PvP, it's mostly 4v4 PvP and then... 18v18v18 RvR? I spent an hour googling about class balance and itemization a week ago, and it seemed the class balance is actually pretty good for a MMO, though a few classes did stand out a bit in each mode...and PvP item reward progression is fairly linear regardless if you win or lose (some folks mentioned spamming losses at a very fast pace) can still earn items at a good rate). The PvP is mostly limited to that, right -- leveling a PvP rank to get PvP item sets? Are their equivalent to higher-end raid gear and/or stats mostly geared to just PvP or PvM, too? Any broader impact on the world, factions, housing, crafting, etc, or basically just points for your 'PvP level'? I know the game is obviously highly PvE centric but it seems they did put decent effort into the arena mode and some pretty good looking armor sets so was just curious about it.
 
S

Shamdeo

Member
By the by, those of you interested in Triple Triad...

In addition to the rules that were in Final Fantasy VIII, the Final Fantasy XIV team has developed new rules such as:

Order: A rule wherein you are required to play each card in the order that it appears in your deck.
Chaos: A rule wherein the card you play each turn is selected at random from your deck.
Reverse: A rule wherein the conditions for capturing cards are switched so that smaller numbers are more powerful than larger numbers.
Fallen Ace: A rule wherein the all-powerful "A" becomes susceptible to capture by the lowly "1." If the Reverse rule is also in play, a "1" will then become vulnerable to capture by an "A."
Ascension: A rule that affects cards that are grouped into a specific type, such as "Primal" or "Beastman." When placed on the playing grid, the number values on these cards are increased by one for every card of that type that is in play. Numbers that are increased to "11" or more are considered to be of "A" rank.
Descension: A rule that affects cards that are grouped into a specific type, such as "Primal" or "Beastman." When placed on the playing grid, the number values on these cards are decreased by one for every card of that type that is in play. Any number that is decreased to "0" or less is treated as a "1."
Swap: A rule wherein one card from your deck is switched with one of your opponent's before the match begins. The cards to be swapped are chosen at random, and are returned to their original owners at the end of the game.
Roulette: When the "Roulette" rule is in effect, the advanced rules for the match will be chosen at random.
 
T

Tirod

Member
Yoshichan said:
Can't stop feeling that it's too late to start now! Just like every other MMOROG, it feels like it'll take ages to catch up.
Click to expand...

The game is in the perfect time period for catch up. We are in the vanilla period so to speak of ARR specifically, and the final high end content has already been released. We still don't have a date on the expansion, which is just labeled as Spring 2015.

That's more than enough time to level up any sort of battle job to 50 and perhaps a few gathering/crafting classes as well; in addition to completing whatever high end content interests you the most.

As someone who plays casually and has subbed on and off since launch, I'm simply going at my own pace level capping all my jobs and crafting.
 
S

SOLDIER

Member
Cloud's outfit also comes out this patch, I believe.

Also, requesting a photoshop of either Cloud or Setzer with a card that says "it's time to du-du-dudududu-duel!"
 
D

DJIzana

Member
I've waited for this since 2.0. Looks great!

I may actually have to take a break eventually with how many good games are coming out. Also, kind of losing interest. Heavensward will easily pull me back in but the fact how dungeon / raid centric the content is reeeeeeeeeally is getting to me. I prefer more of the open world content.
 
L

LuuKyK

Member
That Tuxedo Cactuar, omg. Not creepy at all.

Also lol at that one machine you need to hit Gilgamesh to earn points. MagiusNecrus in ruins (I dont even know if he is around anymore).
 
W

Wazzy

Banned
Yoshichan said:
Might just do this just to experience Gold Saucer in HD :(... I want this badly!
Click to expand...
Do it!

It doesn't take long. I hit 50 in about a month or so and I wasn't playing frequently.
LuuKyK said:
That Tuxedo Cactuar, omg. Not creepy at all.

Also lol at that one machine you need to hit Gilgamesh to earn points. MagiusNecrus in ruins (I dont even know if he is around anymore).
Click to expand...
He's still around though I don't see him post as much. I miss the constant Gilgamesh posting.
 
L

Lumpy Onion

Member
Oh cool, the cards have neat lore notes for them. Always wanted something like bestiary notes for the various monsters and this is kinda close.
 
P

pablito

Member
Hope they add snowboarding someday.

Twines added to weeklies was perfect timing for me. Can't hunt anymore because less playing time. Nice.
 
J

JNA

Banned
I've always wanted to play this game but dat subscription. :(

Probably a stupid question but is it worth it? The PS4 version anyway.
 
Perfo

Perfo

Thirteen flew over the cuckoo's nest
JNA said:
Probably a stupid question but is it worth it? The PS4 version anyway.
Click to expand...

It's really a good polished game but... like for every mmorpg it's an huge time-sink for the most. It depends how much time you wanna dedicate to it.
 
G

grimmiq

Member
Yoshichan said:
Can't stop feeling that it's too late to start now! Just like every other MMOROG, it feels like it'll take ages to catch up. How "many hours" in is the Gold Saucer content?
Click to expand...

New expansion is set to release in Spring this year, raising the level cap from 50 to 60 as well as adding 3 new classes (So there'll be plenty of people in the low level zones again), so if you pick it up soon you can easily get 1-2 classes to 50 ready for the new content, then level any additionals with the horde of people playing the new classes.
 
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