Final Fantasy XI
News, coverage and analysis tracking Final Fantasy XI across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Final Fantasy XI adds new notorious monsters and invites players to return home to the game
Final Fantasy XI's August update introduces new notorious monsters in the Seekers of Adoulin areas and updates the Ambuscade rotation. A "Return Home to Vana'diel" campaign is also active, alongside discount and login campaigns offering cosmetic gear.
Vague Patch Notes: In praise of the loneliness of MMORPGs
This opinion piece discusses the concept of loneliness in MMORPGs, arguing that games like Final Fantasy XI and World of Warcraft leverage the feeling of emptiness in their vast worlds to encourage player interaction. In contrast, games like Star Wars: The Old Republic actively try to eliminate loneliness, which the author believes diminishes the sense of a living world and the impetus for social connection.
Final Fantasy 14, Monster Hunter, and Animal Crossing top new survey of games Japanese players have spent the most time…
A survey of 5,400 Japanese players revealed the games they have spent the most time playing, with Final Fantasy 14 topping the list. Other notable entries include Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G, Animal Crossing New Horizons, and Minecraft, while surprisingly, no Pokemon titles made the top 20.
Final Fantasy 14's Third Walk raid starts with FF11's most infamous boss being bodied in a cutscene because a raid designer wanted to show off the true strength of your first foe
Final Fantasy 14's battle content designer Masayoshi Ishikawa discussed the inclusion of Absolute Virtue in the Final Fantasy 11 crossover raid, explaining it was to showcase Shantotto's power. Ishikawa noted that while Absolute Virtue was a notoriously difficult boss in Final Fantasy 11, Shantotto defeats it in a cutscene before the fight in Final Fantasy 14, demonstrating her formidable strength.
The Daily Grind: Which early MMO did the most to shape your MMO preferences?
This article discusses how early MMORPG experiences, particularly with Final Fantasy XI, significantly shape a player's long-term preferences and dislikes within the genre. The author reflects on how their initial strong reactions to FFXI's design philosophy influenced their subsequent gaming choices and overall playstyle.
Final Fantasy XI brings back Celestial Nights next week with its July version update
Final Fantasy XI is bringing back its Celestial Nights in-game event next week as part of its July version update. The update, scheduled for July 9, will also include a new high-tier mission battlefield, revisions to Limbus battle content, and Ambuscade updates, alongside various boosts to in-game rewards and mechanics.
Vague Patch Notes: Who owns the eras of an MMO?
This analysis explores the concept of ownership in MMORPGs, questioning who truly owns specific eras or versions of a game that evolves over time. It argues that while players form strong attachments, the ultimate ownership and decision-making power rests with the development studio, such as Blizzard Entertainment for World of Warcraft. The article suggests that accepting this reality and engaging with the current version of a game is more productive than dwelling on past iterations.
Choose My Adventure: Cutting through the latest normal raids of Final Fantasy XIV Dawntrail
The author recounts their experience tackling normal raids in Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail, specifically the Arcadion and Vana'diel series. Despite initial trepidation and some challenging encounters, they found enjoyment in learning mechanics and the overall vibe, particularly the pro wrestling theme and music of the Arcadion raids, though the story of the Vana'diel raids felt middling.
Final Fantasy 11 is one of the greatest MMOs of our time
This article reflects on the enduring legacy of Final Fantasy XI, an MMO nearing its 20th anniversary. Despite its age and a complex login process, the game's design fostered cooperation and friendship, setting it apart from modern, more frictionless MMOs. The author explores the game's unique job system and the challenges of returning to a once-beloved world that has significantly changed.
Final Fantasy XIV recaps the journey of the Echoes of Vana’diel raid series
Final Fantasy XIV has released a retrospective detailing the 'Echoes of Vana’diel' raid series crossover with Final Fantasy XI. The article highlights the collaboration between the development teams, including producer and director Yoji Fujito and composer Naoshi Mizuta, and emphasizes the care taken to faithfully recreate PlayStation 2-era models and environments.
We're getting our first HD-2D Final Fantasy game, and it's based on the now-shuttered mobile title Brave Exvius
Square Enix announced Final Fantasy Resonance, the first HD-2D Final Fantasy game, set to release on October 22nd for PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch. The game adapts the story of the now-shuttered mobile title Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius, rebuilding and reimagining its narrative with new elements, a new turn-based combat system, and classic Final Fantasy features like chocobos and airships.
Guild Wars 1 and 2 will continue to get updates even after Guild Wars 3 is out: 'We are not replacing your favorite…
ArenaNet has announced that Guild Wars 3 will not lead to the discontinuation of Guild Wars 2 or Guild Wars. Both existing titles will continue to receive updates for the foreseeable future, with Guild Wars 2 seeing a slowdown in new content as Guild Wars 3 approaches release. This approach mirrors successful strategies seen in other long-running MMORPGs like Final Fantasy XIV and RuneScape.
As someone with over 1,000 hours in Guild Wars 2, I hope ArenaNet has a better plan this time around
ArenaNet has announced Guild Wars 3, a follow-up to their long-running MMO Guild Wars 2. The announcement comes after a period of inconsistent content updates and narrative conclusions for Guild Wars 2, leading to player concerns about the developer's planning. The new title aims to be a fresh start for the series, with hopes of attracting new and returning players.
Vague Patch Notes: Let’s talk about MMORPG balance
This analysis delves into the critical concept of game balance, particularly within MMORPGs, emphasizing its necessity for a healthy and engaging player experience. It uses examples from games like chess, World of Warcraft, and Final Fantasy XI to illustrate how imbalances can negatively impact gameplay and player enjoyment, arguing that while achieving perfect balance is complex, its pursuit is essential for game design.
Wisdom of Nym: What will Final Fantasy XIV’s next ranged DPS job be?
This article speculates on the potential next ranged DPS job for Final Fantasy XIV, analyzing hints from developer statements and imagery. Potential weapon concepts discussed include dual pistols, throwing axes, crossbows, whips, and gun-and-sword combinations, with arguments for and against each based on existing jobs and franchise history.
There's one game Don't Nod narrative designer Nina Freeman won't ever uninstall from her PC, because it's banned on Steam: 'It's tragic, because everyone should play this game'
Narrative designer Nina Freeman discusses her PC gaming habits, highlighting Devotion as a game she will never uninstall due to its quality and controversial Steam ban. She also shares her most played game, Dota 2, and her appreciation for complex branching narratives in titles like Scarlet Hollow.
The Daily Grind: Which MMORPG has the worst bug enemies?
This article discusses which MMORPG features the most unsettling "bug" enemies, distinguishing between in-game creatures and technical glitches. The author shares a personal aversion to the spider enemies in Final Fantasy XI as an example of a particularly disturbing in-game bug creature.
Vana’Bout starts for Final Fantasy XI’s anniversary and almost immediately ends in victory
The Vana'Bout in-game event for Final Fantasy XI has concluded with 100% completion achieved almost immediately by dedicated players. While the collective race for rewards is over, players can still earn individual plaudits until June 2nd to unlock in-game items.
Final Fantasy 11 Team Explores Adding New Areas as Player Count Explodes
Following a significant surge in player count for Final Fantasy XI, attributed to a Final Fantasy XIV crossover event, director Yoji Fujito is exploring the possibility of adding new areas and story content to the 24-year-old MMORPG. This renewed popularity has prompted discussions about future expansions for the game.
Final Fantasy XI is expanding its free trial without time limits after realizing new players stick around
Final Fantasy XI producer and director Yoji Fujito has confirmed that the game's free trial will be expanded to remove the time limit and allow players to reach level 75. This change comes as the development team has observed sustained player interest beyond initial expectations, particularly following a crossover event with Final Fantasy XIV. An exact release date for the update has not yet been announced.