Collection of FFXIV News from Media Sources

[Elmer the Pointy]

This thread is a collection of translated information from Japanese media sources.

Questions and comments are welcome, but if discussion gets lengthy on any one article, it will be moved into its own thread and I'll provide a link for you to continue your conversation. This is just because as a compilation of news, this thread will be around a long time, so I don't want it to get too out of control.

Any tips you may have, or any interesting articles/interviews/blogs/posts you may find would be greatly appreciated.

Enjoy

*List is in chronological order from bottom to top. Magazines are listed by their cover dates and may appear out of order.

July 2010

Tanaka & Komoto Discuss Themes & Goals
Game Entertainment interview with Hiromichi Tanaka and Nobuaki Komoto about FFXIV goals and themes.
Game Entertainment Vol. 8

Idols in Eorzea - A Beta Play Report
Idols Ai Takahashi and Linlin try out the FFXIV beta.
Game Entertainment Vol 8

Better Beta Battles
Famitsu published a few comments from Battle Planner Atsushi Okada on some of the improvements he has made to the battle system.
Famitsu, July 22nd

ITMedia Games Interviews Hiromichi Tanaka
Tanaka sheds some light on his motivations and those of his team and tries to explain how FFXIV will set itself apart in a world already swamped with MMOs.
ITMedia Games, July 1st

June 2010

Famitsu Presents New Monsters
Spriggan, Drake, Bomb, Meglo-Crab, Goobbue, Apkallu, Funguar Salamander
Famitsu.com, June 24th

Changes from Alpha to Beta
Famitsu.com compiles a list of changes made going into the beta version.
Famitsu.com, June 24th

Dengeki and Tanaka at E3
An in-depth interview on new information released at E3.
Dengeki Online June 18th

May 2010
Moving from Alpha to Beta
Dengeki, June 11th
Discussion with Tanaka, Komoto and Iwao on the current progress of the alpha and the future of the beta.

Map of Eorzea
Famitsu, June 4th
An official map of Eorzea

April 2010
Famitsu Exclusive Interview with Tanaka and Komoto
Famitsu 5/13-5/20
They talk about the state of the alpha test, fixing server problems and the importance of taking in user opinions.

Vanatsu Blog: Alpha Test Impressions Part 2
Vanatsu blog posts more pictures and impressions from the alpha.

Vanatsu Blog: Alpha Test Impressions
Vanatsu blog posts pictures and impressions from the alpha.

Dengeki - Devs Talk Future Beta Plans
Dengeki, April 30th
Dengeki talks with Tanaka and Komoto about the alpha version and plans for the progression of beta testing


Famitsu: Hands-on with Alpha Version
Famitsu, April 22nd
Famitsu this week had an article where they got to actually make characters and play the alpha a little bit.


March 2010

Partying, Active/Passive Mode
Famitsu PSP+PS3 Vol. 262 (2010.05)
A little info on Active/Passive mode and their use in battle. Party sizes flexible, soloing abundant.


Dengeki Games - Mini Q&A
Dengeki Games, Vol. 7
About 1/4 of the questions are reprints from a previous interview, but there's a smidgen more on the beta (testing times separated by region) and details on the UI picture.

Dengeki - Classes and Beta Q&A
Dengeki, March 26th
Even more details on the 9 classes and a look into how the alpha and beta are coming along.

Famitsu - Classes & Battle System Interview!
Famitsu, March 25th
New details revealed for 9 different classes, old and new. Three developers sit down with Famitsu and talk about how the battle system will work.

Detailed Class Info from Famitsu and 4Gamer
March 11th, Famitsu.com, 4Gamer.com
Information on 9 different classes, including abilities and weapon skills.

February 2010

Tanaka talks Beta Test with Famitsu
Famitsu, Feb. 18th
In this interview he gives his opinions on the state and direction of the gaming industry and elaborates a little on plans for the Final Fantasy XIV beta test.

January 2010

Dengeki Games Interview
Dengeki Games vol. 5
Mostly misc. questions about elements of FFXI that may or may not make their way into FFXIV and a little insight into aspects of the game system.

December 2009

Planner Yaeko Sato Details Final Fantasy XIV's Story
Famitsu (posted Dec. 24th, andirasang.com)
Introduces main antagonists, Bashin/Banzoku tribes, Garlean Empire, some details on the game world

Final Fantasy XIII: The Un-boxing -- The FFXIV Beta Code Cometh --
Dec. 17th
The purpose of the "Campaign Code" is finally confirmed first-hand. It grants the in-game "secret item" and serves as an entry in the lottery to win a slot in the first FFXIV closed beta.


November 2009

Equipment for Gladiator and Pugilist Revealed!
(Famitsu, Nov. 12th)
A leaked scan containing some of the weapons and armor that will be available to the Gladiator and Pugilist classes.


FFXIV Campaign Code with FFXIII?
A picture indicating early copies of Final Fantasy XIII will come a "Campaign Code." It is still unknown what you will be able to redeem this for.

October 2009

Connect!On - December Issue
(Connect!On, December)
Some review of released info, opinions and speculation from staff and players and an interview with someone who played the alpha.

Famitsu - Some Q's Some A's
(Famitsu, Oct. 22nd)
Some mini-interviews regarding the new information released in Famitsu and on the official Final Fantasy XIV site.

September 2009

GAME Watch Interviews Tanaka and Komoto at TGS
(GAME Watch Online, Sept. 28th)
GAME Watch got an interview with Tanaka and Komoto at TGS. They talk about the trailer, classes, computer specs, and the beta. Once again, not a lot of very detailed information, but more than anybody has been expecting to come out of TGS.

Final Fantasy XIV - TGS 2009 Trailer Analysis
(Tokyo Game Show 2009)
An overboard, frame-by-frame examination of the trailer released at Tokyo Game Show 2009.

A Pleasant Chat with Tanaka (Unrated Extended Edition)
(Vana'diel Tsuushin, Volume 8 )
The complete footage from interviews with Tanaka and Komoto that were featured in October's Famitsu Wave. A lot of the interview content is restated information, so I try to focus on what might be new and interesting at this point.

Dengeki - Interview with Tanaka and Komoto
(Dengeki, Sept. 25)
A look into some more specific aspects of FFXIV, such as character customization, the role of crafters, Guildleve and graphics.

Sundi Speaks Out Against RMT
(various JP media sites)
Sage Sundi speaks at the CESA Developer's Conference and gives a presentation on RMT tactics of the past and how they plan to continue fighting against them using what they've learned from Final Fantasy XI.
*Related Article: STF & RMT: A Game of Cat and Mouse

Famitsu - Progression of Guildleve
(Famitsu, Sept. 17th)
A step-by-step look at the Puk Extermination Guildleve that was featured at Gamescom.

Famitsu - Classes and Monsters
(Famitsu, Sept. 17th)
Pictures and descriptions of four classes, Archer, Pugilist, Marauder and Weaver. Pictures and descriptions of 9 monsters, Puk, Antelope, Opo-opo, Cactuar, Ahriman, Orge, Mammet, Morbol.

August 2009

A Pleasant Chat with Tanaka
(Famitsu Wave, October 2009)
Hirokazu Hamamura, the CEO of Enterbrain, sits down for a pleasant little chat with Hiromichi Tanaka. Mostly covers the basics, but Tanaka states that the world of FFXIV will be most similar to FFVI, and machines similar to Magitek Armor could very well make an appearance!

Connect!On - Japanese Player Survey
(Connect!On, October 2009)
Connet!On compiled a survey of its reader to see what they thought about Final Fantasy XIV and the information surrounding it so far. There were six main topics: Life in Eorzea, Organizations, Race, Amoury System, Class and In the Media.

Dengeki Online - Developer Interview
(Dengeki Online, August 29th)
Q&A covering several aspects of the game. Interesting points include inclusion of Auto-Translate, HNMs, voice acting, and Guildleve allowing crafting jobs to "level" without fighting.

Dengeki Alpha Report, Developer Q&A
(Dengeki, September 11th)
Dengeki reports on their experience playing the alpha build and gets a few questions in with the developers.

Gamescom - 4Gamer Interviews Sundi & Tanaka
(4Gamer.com, August 22nd)
4Gamer sits down for a full interview and asks new questions about Final Fantasy XIV, including details behind the demo shown at Gamescom.

Tanaka P - The Puk Hunter
(Famitsu.com, August 21st)
Footage of the interview with Hiromichi Tanaka at Gamescom. No new info, but in the video you get to see the demonstration he was giving to Famitsu staff.

Gamescom - Famitsu Interviews Sage Sundi
(Famitsu.com, August 21st)
Sage Sundi returns as Global Online Producer and talks about building a bigger and better community for Final Fantasy XIV.

Gamescom - Famitsu Interviews Hiromichi Tanaka
(Famitsu.com, August 20th)
Tanaka demonstrates a "Puk Extermination" Guildleve and answers questions about the state of the game.

Taking a Closer Look: Dengeki PlayStation
(Dengeki, August 28th issue)
An in-depth look at screen shots and magazine scans that explores just how customizable one's character may become.

FFXIV Media Blitz! Famitsu, Dengeki & more!
(Famitsu, August 28th issue; Dengeki, August 28th issue)
Full report from this week's Famitsu and Dengeki magazines. Tons of scans and information on aspects of the game. Also, Square Enix sends a greeting card to Japanese players.

FFXIV Races, Jobs & Quests
Leaked pictures from a Japanese magazine show some information regarding the races and jobs to be made available in Final Fantasy XIV.

July 2009

Digesting the Trailer, Chewing the Fat
(Famitsu Wave, September 2009)
Two Famitsu Editors chat about their reactions to the trailer. Nothing new, but a mildly amusing snack for those hungry for FFXIV-related articles.

Tanaka & Komoto E3 Interview Footage (Removed by Enterbrain)
(Famitsu Wave, September 2009)
A subtitled video that features some sections of the interview Tanaka & Komoto held with Japanese media sites. It is the same recycled news we have seen before, but in color!

Square Enix Tears Up the Charts
(Famitsu July 31st issue)
Final Fantasy XIV debuts on the Top 30 Most Anticipated New Titles list.

Connect!On - FFXIV News in Review (Connect!On August issue)
Another reprint of E3 Q&A, with additional insight and comments from Connect!On.

Dengeki Interview: The Future of FFXI (Dengeki July 10th issue)
New interview concerning the relationship between FFXIV and FFXI, and the future of FFXI from that point on.

Final Fantasy XIV E3 Trailer: Pop-Up Video style
(Gametrailers.com, July 6th)
Gametrailers.com gives the E3 Trailer their "pop-up" treatment, inserting currently known facts into the video.

June 2009

Dengeki speaks to Tanaka & Komoto (Dengeki June 26th issue)
Reprint of E3 interview with some additional comments directed to FFXI players

Famitsu: E3 Reactions (Famitsu July 3rd issue)
Selected comments from Japanese players reacting to the FFXIV presentation.

Tanaka & Komoto Interview (Japanese websites, E3 2009)
Review of join interview conducted at E3 by Gamewatch, 4Gamer, Famitsu et al.

[LD]

http://www.21stcenturyabe.org/wp-con...ln_awesome.jpg

[Hyan]

I wonder when we're gonna get some new info... all signs point to TGS, however in around month and a half there's gonna be that new games convention that supposedly replaces the one held in Leipzig every year, "Gamescom".. It could be that depending on SE's presence there we might get to hear some new details before TGS (afaik SE had a big stand in Leipzig last year so it wouldn't be too unreasonable to think something new comes out, even if the event is in lolEurope).

[LinktheDeme]

Connect!On August - FFXIV News in Review :: Final Fantasy XIV (FF14) at ZAM
Notice how when they said FFXI team it only has two people in the picture. I KNEW IT ALL ALONG

[Elmer the Pointy]

FFXIV debuts on the Top 30 Most Anticipated New Titles chart

FFXIV enters at rank 28. Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest help SE to claim 1/3 of the entire chart.

[Null]

SE does indeed have a good year ahead of them. Makes up for the rather lackluster years as of late.

[Elmer the Pointy]

Tanaka & Komoto E3 Interview Footage

This is the video version of the interview that was paraphrased and published across several Japanese sites. For most FFXIV fans there is probably nothing new, but it's nice to get a glimpse at the actual Q&A session.

[Bwelch]

Neat. Looks like Kotaku picked up your video. :D

Final Fantasy XIV Video Interview - Final Fantasy XIV - Kotaku

[Mizango]

Kick ass Elmer.

[Sonomaa]

http://minus-k.com/nejitsu/loader/up14951.jpg


avve sent me that picture, probably posted already but just to get it out there.

[Bwelch]

Holy shit awesome. XD

[Elmer the Pointy]

Got an article up about the pictures

FFXIV Races & Jobs - Teaser Shots

We post a revised version once I get the magazine.

[Raogrimm]

h t t p:
//ameblo.
jp/nekonyan13
/entry-10314473443.html


fix the url (i cant submit them since i have so few posts)


i pmd elmer but he seems to be out for the night. some good info but i cant tell the source and it needs some good translation. google works ok for the anxious.

[Kilhart]

http://ameblo.jp/nekonyan13/entry-10314473443.html

Nice find. Google translate will do for now, I suppose.

Google Translate

So Miqo'te end their sentences in "nya"?

[Koul]

mmmm the humans and.. dare I say galka? actually look hawt.

I know SE likes to stress pimping out one character but I hope they don't charge money for different characters like they do in FF11... playing as the same race can get old sometimes

[Elmer the Pointy]

I'm going to add all that to the article once I get home.

[Mistress Stowastiq]

Thank you Elmer for the translation. I know you are busy as hell lately. Much appreciated.

[Elmer the Pointy]

Added more info, pics and Guild Leave system

[Recaldy]

Added more info, pics and Guild Leave system

Very nice update. ^_^!

[xopher]

Added more info, pics and Guild Leave system

Is there any way to get scans of this stuff?