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."

[Scan_Man]

Those are very shitty release dates for both versions. Square has to know they are in a tight spot.

It would be nice if the PC version and PS3 version were released closer together, but the competition is forcing Square in a corner here. They need to get the PC version out as soon as possible because of WoW: Cataclysm. They are probably betting that Cata will be out no sooner than late October; giving them enough time for people to choose FFXIV instead. But, Blizzard has always released new content when a new MMO tries to challenge them. So I expect a similar release date for Cata. Especially, since on the very day Square announces release date for FFXIV, and a closed beta coming soon, Blizzard sends out their closed beta invites for Cata. So there is going to be closed beta competition too.

A spring release for PC version would be decent because it gives all those players who want to try WoW enough time to experience the content available, and decide if they want to continue or quit. However, The Old Republic is going to be released in the spring. So the Sept 30 release date makes sense. Square needs to get the game out as soon as possible. The anticipation for both Cataclysm and The Old Republic are relatively higher than FFXIV among PC gamers.

If you are a PC FFXI fan, that has no interest in WoW, you will be happy with the release date. But it has got to suck for Square. And it sucks for people like me that play WoW and were interested in giving FFXIV a try.

And the monthly pricing is stupid as hell. What are they thinking? Subscription models are dead. It only works for WoW. And even WoW is slowly transitioning to micro transactions; though until maybe 5+ years down the road.

Not to say this anything to do with the quality of FFXIV as a game. But, they are coming into this as a major underdog for capturing the PC player base. An uphill battle that's for sure.


I'm going to have to pass on this one, barring exceptionally excellent reception, until some time after The Old Republic comes out.

It's very fascinating to me though. Can't wait until fall to see how it all turns out.

This post has been edited by Scan_Man: Jun 30 2010, 10:59 PM