4-8-2011 The FINAL FANTASY XI roadmap for the twelve-month period commencing April 2011

[Karbuncle]

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/th...ing-April-2011

April – September 2011
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Three version updates are slated for this period.

Generally, major patches will see the release of new content, whereas minor patches will focus on the refinement of existing features. Job adjustments will form part of all version updates, though the scope of changes may vary.

* May Major Version Update
“Voidwatch,” a new battle system designed with high-level adventurers in mind, will be introduced alongside new battlefields in order to reinvigorate existing areas. Rounding off the host of battle-related improvements planned for this patch is a major overhaul of Dynamis, which will include monster redistribution.

Playability-enhancing tweaks are also in the pipes, such as an auction house merger and delivery system improvements.

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June Minor Version Update
This version update will revolve around fine-tuning content introduced in May
# August Major Version Update
The level cap will be raised to 95 and accompanied by a broad range of changes; new content and job abilities will be added, and existing ones adjusted. This penultimate stage in the level cap increase will usher in large-scale changes while preserving balance in anticipation of the impending final rise to level 99.

The test server will be launched as the testing and fine-tuning grounds for new content being planned, and can be considered a realm wherein adventurers can experience new features under development. More details regarding the server will be made available in the near future.

# July – September 2011: Test Server to Go Live
In conjunction with the test server, subforums dedicated to hosting player feedback will be established in the official forums, the two combining to mark the birth of a new development cycle as outlined below.

1) Content under development
2) Content announced via the test server and official forums
3) Testing
A) Player testing and feedback
B) Testing by Development and QA teams
4) Fine-tuning
Balancing and debugging based on the findings of step 3; test server updated
(*Repeat from step 2)
5) Version update released

October 2011 – March 2012
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With the introduction of the test server, we intend to shift from alternating between major and minor patches to more frequent version updates, each of which will host the latest fruit of the new development and testing cycle.

* Version Update Highlights

o Level cap increase to 99
o New adventurer growth elements
o Job adjustments
o In-game systems:

+ Voidwatch parts 3 and 4
+ The Last Stand (name TBA)
+ Dungeon crawling (name TBA)
+ New battlefields
+ New Grounds of Valor areas
+ New treasure casket areas

o Monster redistribution
o Fellows adjustments and additions

+ Level cap increase (95 and 99)
+ New summonable areas

o Crafting adjustments and additions

+ Synergy: recipes to augment existing gear
+ Synthesis: skill cap increase

o Playability enhancements

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Please keep in mind that items featured in the roadmap and their implementation schedule are subject to change. Further details about these and other new content will be released as soon as they become available, so stay tuned to the official channels.

They're Really pumping out the Info. Should click on the link and check out those Screenshots...

Edit: Date says 4-18 sorry, Thats my Birthday, Today is the 8th.

[Karbuncle]

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/at...3&d=1302265353
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/at...4&d=1302265353
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/at...5&d=1302265353
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/at...6&d=1302265374
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/at...7&d=1302265375
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/at...8&d=1302265395
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/at...0&d=1302265400
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/at...9&d=1302265397
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/at...1&d=1302265405
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/at...2&d=1302265406

[Hyan]

New area? Amazing art either way.

[Esvedium]

Did they really just say they're gonna give players access to a test server?

[Karbuncle]

Like that Snow-globe looking thing...

[Vandalhart]

I wonder how the test server is going to work. Will we be able to connect with our current characters, be provided level capped characters, or just have to start from scratch?

It's an interesting concept, I'd probably enjoy jumping on there from time to time to test some stuff. Unfortunately, it also means that the populace from the official forums will be getting on there and being tools about what they test out.

[Darkmagi]

The Last Stand is an empty existing zone in the .dats already IIRC. Probably what that art for what looks like a new zone will be.

[Karbuncle]

The Last Stand is an empty existing zone in the .dats already IIRC. Probably what that art for what looks like a new zone will be.

Yeah, I was thinking of bringing that up. I remember the zone "The Last stand" kinda looked like Horutoto Ruins IIRC.

Would be interesting to see if they finally release that zone, and what the story to it is.

[aduidarnenye]

I wish the pictures were bigger. Hard to really see much detail at that size.

I like all the info they've been giving out in the last couple of days.

[Karbuncle]

Definitely looks like the majority of them are using New weapons.

[Shenrien]

I can't wait.

[Not Kuno]

Version Update Highlights

* Level cap increase to 99
* New adventurer growth elements
* Job adjustments
* In-game systems:

o Voidwatch parts 3 and 4
o The Last Stand (name TBA)
o Dungeon crawling (name TBA)
o New battlefields
o New Grounds of Valor areas
o New treasure casket areas

o Voidwatch parts 3 and 4
o The Last Stand (name TBA)
o Dungeon crawling (name TBA)
o New battlefields
o New Grounds of Valor areas
o New treasure casket areas

o The Last Stand (name TBA)

o The Last Stand

HOLY FUCKING SHIT

[Not Kuno]

They better keep it named that btw. It just sounds so epic (and appropriate).

[Darkmagi]

In before WOE 2.0. I was pretty much OSHITing when I first saw WoE too. :/

[Gokulo]

Wow, aren't they going crazy today.

[Toth]

Holy cow! Well, I for once am now excited for the new year. So much to come!

Only disappointment? Where be new actual zones in the southern islands / far east ; ; Guess we are never going there...maybe next year? They did say the level cap can go to 120 or something, didn't they?

[Gokulo]

Well 120 is the system limit I think, but they called it "final rise" here. And I don't think they will want to go even further with levels.

[6souls]

August for 95... oh poo.

Well 120 is the system limit I think, but they called it "final rise" here. And I don't think they will want to go even further with levels.

Game limit is 250. It's a Enix thing.

[Xanthe]

I wonder how the test server is going to work. Will we be able to connect with our current characters, be provided level capped characters, or just have to start from scratch?

I imagine there would be an import function that would let you bring your character over from your server. It would be terribly inefficient for testing if they couldn't quickly get a whole spectrum of characters.

[Karbuncle]

new image sorta

http://www.ffxiah.com/images/polnews/6424.jpg

You can see a pretty BA looking wand.