FFXIVstuff, aka monster hunter XIV Options

[Alisha]

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/04/final-fa...new-job-system/

The latest edition of Famitsu Wave recently hit newsstands in Japan, bringing with it a DVD which contains an 8-minute exposé on Square Enix's second stab at the MMO genre, Final Fantasy XIV. The whole video is posted after the break. Fret not -- it sports convenient English subtitles.

Here's some of the more titillating excerpts: The game features a reinvented character progression system which does not include experience points or leveling up. The job system from XI will make an appearance, but in a heavily altered form -- an interview with the game's director, Nobuaki Komoto, revealed that the game will place a focus on the weapons players use, explaining that your armaments will determine "the way you play" and "the way you grow." Sounds reminiscent of Final Fantasy IX. (That's a very good thing.)

In addition, FFXIV producer Hiromichi Tanaka explained that the game takes place in a new region with a more "modern" feel to it -- the mysterious Eorzea which was mentioned in the trailer. The new world features familiar races (albeit with new names), and plays host to a "deep story," which is told through cut-scenes and quests. For more FFXIV info than you can possibly handle, check the video after the jump.


sounds similar to monster hunter no?

Race Scans

Someone translated the text on BG Forums regarding the characters:

"When you make your character, aside from choosing the race, you will also be able to customize their appearance. Head, skin color, hair type etc, there will be multiple factors. Just how exact we will be able to customize their appearance is still unknown, but we mean it in a good way when we say that it seems like it will become a worry to many players."

[Crushinator]

From RPGsite:

PS3 fans who want to beta test the newest online Final Fantasy epic may want to think about upgrading their PCs as Final Fantasy XIV director Hiromichi Tanaka told Japanese publication GameWatch that FF14 XIV beta testing will initially only be carried out on the Windows platform.

In the same article information was revealed about how the beta testing will be conducted. To begin with, the beta will not be continuous, only lasting for a couple of hours at a time so the development team can directly monitor the goings on. They'll also be conducted with a relatively small group of people from all over the world.

As the game is tightened up and nears release a full 24-hour beta will begin on the PC, finally ending with a full, free open beta.

It was also revealed that this game is being designed for PCs and ported to consoles - the opposite of PS2-developed FF11. The game is being built with Direct X 9 in mind. You can get more from the Final Fantasy experts at UFFSite.

Ooooohhhh, so much for TR3Y 4 LY4E as far as FF14 goes. Starting development on PC will make it a lot easier to get on both PS3 and 360 eventually, though.

I have to question why they are using DirectX 9, especially when we're on the verge of the launch of DX11 with Windows 7, DirectX 10 has matured a lot by now and sticking with DX9 will really hold back FF14 in the graphics dept.

Technology Information
FF14 is being developed for PC first and then ported to consoles - the opposite of FF11, which was made for PS2.

Fans can expect support for systems with multiple cores and 64-bit machines, unlike FF11.

FF14 is designed with today's higher end machines in mind.

The team is working on seperate graphics for the PS3 and PC versions.

The PS3 version will likely run in 720p - the PC version will depend on the settings and hardware the user has.


Beta Information
Early beta testing will only be a small group worldwide and will only take place in 3-4 hour segments.

Currently the planned beta is only for the Windows version.

Length of testing will gradually increase as the game nears completion until the beta is online 24 hours a day.

Eventually there will be a free open beta for everyone to join.

Originally the development team anticipated it would take 6 months to go from closed beta to open beta - now they believe it could be shorter.

Ultimately how long the open beta takes to arrive will depend on the feedback offered by members of the closed beta.