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[Jonnyram]

http://watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20050522/e3_ff11.htm

Here's some snippets:
- The 360 version of FFXI will use the same graphics as the PC version. Textures will be the same and it will run at 1280x720. Developers are looking at ways to use alpha channels (?) to change colours of existing things, but nothing is final yet. They don't want to interfere with the current patching schedule, so bump-mapping and other such ideas are not being considered right now.
- The Promathia missions are close to ending... they can release the rest of the story at any time.
- The next expansion has been in development ever since Promathia was released.
- There will be a beta version for 360, maybe around the same time 360 is released, but it's more to check the connection between Xbox Live and PlayOnline than the contents of the game.
- The demo of another MMORPG that was seen at E3 was just a demo and may not end up in a game. If there is a FFXI-2 or similar, it won't come out for a long, long time. Possibly after 2007...
- They've been looking at a Chinese release of FFXI, but China has strict laws and they would need to set up a server in China for this. So far, nothing's been decided for the rest of Asia.

 

[Spiritreaver]

- The next expansion has been in development ever since Promathia was released.

I seem to remember a few claiming it'd be unlikely any new expansions were coming, or better yet that any new expansion was even in the works. Then again, I'm sure the 360 launch change things, but it seems like this has been planned long before that. Good news! I'm glad I was right, in a way. Another branch of storyline is fine with me.

 

[Azrael]

They must have scaled back CoP at some point, since it was originally announced as having 12 chapters, and it looks like they're ending it with chapter 8.

 

[Azrael]

Considering there are entire continents referenced in the game that aren't on the map, there's tons of room left for further expansions.

 

[Scott]

Well, a lot of that isn't really surprising, but the Promathia bit kind of is. I was really expecting that to be finalized around the end of this year (as did a lot of other people in the last thread about it), so seeing it done so soon... well, I guess it just means I need to get my ass started on it.

- The next expansion has been in development ever since Promathia was released.

*waves to Jonnyram*

- There will be a beta version for 360, maybe around the same time 360 is released, but it's more to check the connection between Xbox Live and PlayOnline than the contents of the game.

Hm, wonder if they'll run a beta phase in the US, as well... I'd totally hop on board, if only to check out how the Live/POL mixture works, and see how the game runs.

Guess we'll see.

 

[Jonnyram]

*waves to Jonnyram*

I'm actually more surprised than anyone, but err, nevermind
I think I translated the stuff about Promathia wrong at first... he doesn't say it will be in the next patch, but it will be closer than people realise. Also there seems to be mention of a big area where most of the high level players will play after the missions are complete. Does this refer to Tu'lia mk.2 or something else?

 

[john tv]

I own the PC FFXI... but haven't played it.

I own the PS2 FFXI and Chains of Promathia... but haven't played it. (Well, I played the Japanese one for like two hours way back in the day, but that's it.)

I'll buy the Xbox 360 one, though... and I'll most likely play it! Cause Xbox Live rocks.

 

[Belfast]

They've gotta quit doing this to me! Maybe I'll come back....once they allow me to play my deleted character. I guess I could always start over, though. Unfortunately, that means reinstalling everything and trying to make it work (last time I attempted it, PlayOnline kept crashing on me).

 

[DrForester]

I think Chapter 8 might end it, but I can see them getting 1 more chapter out of it. They've already released up to the Boss Battle fight in Chapter 8 and it end there until they add more of the story. I don't know how into the story that boss battle gets you. Im on chapter 8 right now and it seems there's alot left to cover.

Chapter 8 gets you access to the last new region of the expansion. And the missions in that chapter get you access to more areas within that region.

I kind of wish they'd make a offlien FF game based arround teh CoP story line, it's really good.

 

[Suikoguy]

I own the PC FFXI... but haven't played it.

I own the PS2 FFXI and Chains of Promathia... but haven't played it. (Well, I played the Japanese one for like two hours way back in the day, but that's it.)

I'll buy the Xbox 360 one, though... and I'll most likely play it! Cause Xbox Live rocks.

Err.. its not really xbox live
I hope your being sarcastic

Oh and those surprised its seeing an expansion
Click Here

 

[Scott]

Oh and those surprised its seeing an expansion
Click Here

Um, what does this have to do with anything?

Anyway, people aren't surprised simply because FFXI is getting an expansion, as it's seen 2 already (Rise of the Zilart & Chains of Promathia). They're surprised because Chains of Promathia was the last of what was originally planned (at least, going from what Jonnyram has said), as it wrapped up all of the plot arcs, filled in the current world map, etc. So it's surprising to some people, as they thought that might be where Square would stop.

 

[Suikoguy]

Um, what does this have to do with anything?

Anyway, people aren't surprised simply because FFXI is getting an expansion, as it's seen 2 already (Rise of the Zilart & Chains of Promathia). They're surprised because Chains of Promathia was the last of what was originally planned (at least, going from what Jonnyram has said), as it wrapped up all of the plot arcs, filled in the current world map, etc. So it's "surprising" to some people, as they thought that might be where Square would stop.

Oh, I see
I've been outta the loop since I played it 2 years ago.
Although, like seasons of a TV show, new story arcs can always occur.

 

[DrForester]

Chains of Promathia has set up for a future expansion.

One of the NPC characters you interact with makes numerous mentions to the "Land to the east that he came from"

 

[Kintaro]

Chains of Promathia has set up for a future expansion.

One of the NPC characters you interact with makes numerous mentions to the "Land to the east that he came from"

Pfft, several NPCs speak of other lands. There's a couple from the "Land to the North." and etc. The East is mentioned far more, but North is mentioned several times as well. And they don't mean Northlands (Xarca) either. =) No doubt, "The East" will be explored a lot more.

Edit: That said, FFXI has a shitton of problems to correct before introducing yet, another expansion. How about the claim bug and the review of the policy about stealing mobs ><

 

[Belfast]

Well, if they don't plan on releasing a sequel for another 3-4 years, hopefully future expansions will include graphical updates a la EQ. The only thing holding it back would probably still be the PS2 version, and that would unfortunately shut out a lot of Japanese players.

 

[Kintaro]

Well, if they don't plan on releasing a sequel for another 3-4 years, hopefully future expansions will include graphical updates a la EQ. The only thing holding it back would probably still be the PS2 version, and that would unfortunately shut out a lot of Japanese players.

I, for one, hope a sequel would segment the servers. It's a nice idea to have one world share all the servers, but in reality, fuck that. I love a lot of my jp friends, but their advantages break the game.

 

[seismologist]

They need to work on the sequel soon. As great as FFXI is, I'm already bored of it

Cant see myself starting up again unless there's some major changes.

 

[Belfast]

I, for one, hope a sequel would segment the servers. It's a nice idea to have one world share all the servers, but in reality, fuck that. I love a lot of my jp friends, but their advantages break the game.

Agreed. I mean, they could still have some servers with mixing, but I think at least some should be allocated for each. That way the Japanese players don't have to deal with NA n00bs and the NA people can play through the game without getting spanked by the Japanese around every corner.

But still, I really like FFXI's art design, it just needs the graphical prowess to match it. It already looks pretty good, technically, it just needs the support of high-res textures and more variety in player skins/clothing/weapons/etc. Less repeating areas would be nice, too.

 

[Zaptruder]

FFXI has really nice art design... but the lack of variety and the technical shittiness kill it.

Also the gameplay in FFXI needs a dramatic revamping.... it would be nice if they maybe created 2 player classes that would allow for casual players and hardcore players...

such as a casual player class only allowing for 1 job class and no subjobs but advancing much faster, where as the hardcore class allows job switching and a subjob.

They also need to fix the overall speed of the entire game and the experience system that allows for single player but still promotes group play (as I've said before, 1.5kxp should be the kind of baseline soloing should get any class, where as 3k should be the baseline for any normal party).