A Message from the FINAL FANTASY XI Development Team (12/10/2010)

[Kimiko]

The development team is pleased to announce that Mr. Mizuki Ito, director of the Abyssea series of battle area add-ons and creator of a wide range of battle content to date, will be taking over the helm as director of FINAL FANTASY XI.

Assisting him as associate director will be Mr. Yoji Fujito, known to players as the creator of the Trial of the Magians and chocobo raising systems.

Both directors are committed to seeing that Vana'diel continues to evolve as a realm of rousing adventure and camaraderie.

It is an honor and a privilege to be given this opportunity to assume the role of FINAL FANTASY XI director from my colleague Mr. Matsui.

With my experience on the team, I understand how deeply our players treasure the memories they have made over eight-plus years in Vana'diel, and I will do everything in my power to see that the greatest adventures are still yet to come.

Mizuki Ito
Director, FINAL FANTASY XI

As associate director, I look forward to working with Mr. Ito to guide FINAL FANTASY XI into its next great age of adventure.

Though the challenge is a daunting one, we will endeavor to create content that offers new challenges and rewards for all adventurers who call Vana'diel home.

Yoji Fujito
Associate Director, FINAL FANTASY XI

[Cleverness]

Wait what?

http://www.bluegartr.com/threads/981...809-01-2010%29

They promoted a guy there in September, and he's already been replaced?

[Hyan]

The current XI director moved to product and direct XIV?

Because the leadership was changed in the XIV team as well.

No, wait a sec. Akihiko Matsui is probably the new Battle Director of XIV, while Naoki Yoshida is the new producer & director.

Lead Combat System Designer
Akihiko Matsui (FINAL FANTASY XI)

Now it says so in the XIV page.

XI team is the new XIV team

[Vincento]

"Everything we do will be for our players and customers"

Was the closure of an email I just got from them, in regards to this and the further delay of FFXIV PS3 - for the better in my opinion - and the extension of the free trial period until the fans are satisfied with the "end of beta".

What is going on at Square, someone must finally have cracked the whip.

[Kimiko]

Yeah, it's a shitstorm over on XIV at the moment. The entire original dev team has apparently been sacked.

[Skjie]

Wada was watching the stock plummet and decided that enough was enough.

[Gwynplaine]

What is going on at Square, someone must finally have cracked the whip.

Hrmmm
http://www.next-gen.biz/news/square-...op-75-per-cent

[Xanthu]

This.....owns? Certainly doesn't seem bad for XI. Abyssea is more up than down, and Magians, while tedious, are at least worth a damn and not god awful.

[mdkuser]

Looks like the fired the responsible of the mass quitting.

[TacoTaru]

Figures just as I come back the god mode developers leave. Hopefully these new guys carry on the awesomeness that was running rampant in my absence so I get to enjoy it first hand and not coming back three~four months after the fact. <_<

[SnickySnacks]

Dear new director of FFXI,

I love you.

Thanks,

Snicky

[Hyan]

Can't say I would be worried if the Abyssea director is the new game director. Now we'll just get Abyssea - Chocobo Raising.

[solanis]

As long as we get to keep the majority of the current dev team...

[Hyan]

Fuck no. Leftovers to XI.

[Gwynplaine]

Apparently Ito was behind Pande Warden and director of Abyssea, while Fujito was behind things like MMM, Synergy, and Evolith, choco raising, and magians.

While outgoing guy Akihiko Matsui was apparently director for Chrono Trigger, and involved in XI for years. Zam: "the battle director of FFXI, plans job adjustments to balance the game's battle system."

So, eh. It seems like every phase of FFXI is either kickass or terrible. (zilart kickass > cop terrible > AU kickass > wings terrible > abssyea kickass) I hope there's a little while left before FFXI sees its shadow again.

[Hyan]

As far as I know, Daisuke Sase was behind PW, AV, and Silver Sea Remnants. Any source (I may be wrong)?

[Forte]

So Ito makes fun things, and Fujito makes failed content...

Dammit are we back to square one again?

[Fereydoon]

I don't know whether to rage or be happy. On one hand the Abyssea dude is director now, this can be good. On the other hand XIV just stole our fucking director. WE JUST GOT HIM YOU CAN'T HAVE HIM NO I WON'T GIVE IT NO STOP NOOOO. We'll have to wait and see how this turns out. But if our miracle worker left I'm so pissed.

Sidenote, how long has Wada been head of SE?

[Hyan]

He was around at the time of XI's release iirc.

[Fereydoon]

I know he was around at least then. He was head of Square before they merged. But I have no idea when he actually did take the helm. Part of me wants to say right around IX, as Sakaguchi/spirits within were beginning. But I don't know if Sakaguchi lead Square for very long.

Edit: It seems Sakaguchi didn't lead square and I'm a herpderp. I still want to know when Wada took over though.

EditEdit: The oldest dated thing I was able to find (I didn't look very hard) was work on X. If he took helm around then... well, it would explain quite a bit actually.