Dev Tracker

[drwaffles]

I assume they're spreading out adjustments that must literally take less than two hours to make over several months in order to make the road map look less embarrassingly barren.

[Slycer]

Also, those updates are essentially a final round-up of updating old events, which leaves open the late November/December timeframe for a new expansion or the start of a new expansion scenario series. Once they finish up Salvage, there aren't really any other old events that could be updated.

If I had to guess, I'd say they have something to announce in June, but they realized that since that's two months off and there's literally no expectation of content for the next few months except Limbus updates and new 2 hrs, they wanted to get this out to show us concretely that at least some other stuff is coming for the rest of the year.

[transmit]

New Windows Version User Interface

Greetings, adventurers.

As announced in the FFXI 2012 Roadmap, an extensive user interface overhaul is currently in development for the Windows version of FINAL FANTASY XI. Today, I would like to take this time to outline some of changes we have in the works for the UI of the Windows version of FFXI.

Multi-window Mode
Users will be able to open and manipulate multiple windows.

Layout Customization
Users will be able to drag UI elements with the mouse to new locations, which will be saved for future gaming sessions.

Multiple Log Windows
Users will be able to open multiple log windows and apply different filters for each one.

Font Vectorization
TrueType fonts will replace the current bitmap fonts.

Continual Display of Macro Palette
In addition to the existing Crtl/Alt macro palette, there will be an option to use a three-rowed palette that is constantly displayed and utilizes the 1 – 0 keys as well as mouse clicks to activate macros.

Macro Recast Time Display
The macro palette will display the time remaining until each macro may be used again.

Individual Magic/Ability Icons and High-Resolution Status Effect Icons
A new set of detailed high-resolution icons will be introduced, with new icons added for specific magic, abilities, and status effects.

Macro Palette Icon Display
Users will have the option to display icons for magic and abilities contained in macros.

User Customization Features
The window scheme and GUI scripts for FFXI will be released so users can design their own interface features.

Drag-and-drop Equipment Interface


Other, more technical modifications are also under development that will eventually culminate in an overhaul of the entire user interface.

As previously announced, we are planning to make it possible for area maps to be brought up at all times, which would be implemented in advance of the more comprehensive UI overhaul described above. More information on this will be forthcoming, so please check the forums periodically.

More about the UI changes.

[Selamis]

Why do I have the sinking feeling that these improvements to the UI is going to be a total and utter disaster? Also, is it me or does adding multi-window mode make it seem like they are giving their blessing to officially dual box? lol

[pancakesandsex]

You guys

User Customization Features
The window scheme and GUI scripts for FFXI will be released so users can design their own interface features.

YOU GUYS!

[Alkar]

I think Tanaka was kidnapped and brainwashed at some point and decided to mess with the UI after that. The rest of the content was already planned though so it's here to stay.
They better have something huge at Vanafest because this is not looking good. Also funny that Atomos is nowhere to be seen despite being planned as an AF avatar with 1 ability.
That said I'll probably renew this summer and get SMN to 99 just in case... of course Cait Sith will probably require Voidwatch so I'll be stuck either way.

[Mrbeansman]

Lol, ok.

SMN "soloing" is already trash compared to other jobs. And this would have no fucking impact on anything that actually matters. (aka: not soloing)

What's next, are you going to complain that you never want to have to cast a cure spell, and that you wish you were the best dd in the game?

Yeah not having auto attack taken away is totally an unreasonable request and in every way comparable to asking for smn to be a being a top tier dd.

[MaachaQ]

Still nothing on that list that will bring me back to the game. Guess I have at least until June and the FanFest to play other things like TERA...

[Nattack]

omgomgomgomg sange updated!

but wait... what am i going to throw?

[The Blackrose]

Someone must be giving Tanaka the really good shit.

[Kaisha]

Still nothing on that list that will bring me back to the game. Guess I have at least until June and the FanFest to play other things like TERA...

Same thought here.

I was hoping it'd just be bullshit for a couple more months until Vana'fest came and did a surprise "Hey, we been making a new expansion secretly during your last 6 months of Voidwatch bullshit!", releasing the same week.

[machiko]

I was hoping it'd just be bullshit for a couple more months until Vana'fest came and did a surprise "Hey, we been making a new expansion secretly during your last 6 months of Voidwatch bullshit!", releasing the same week.

I hope Vanafest really does bring good news and not what I'm fearing with looking at these updates, I'm getting a horrible feeling free to play might be the true announcement, and by free to play I mean buy to win.

Would certainly explain the huge investment in the UI above content and almost everything else.

[Darkmagi]

Can't see myself seriously playing this game anymore if they don't release a new expansion, so many good games coming out.

[NynJa]

You obviously don't know how a SMN solos.

The advantage of avatars auto attack instinct is that it lets the SMN stay out of harms way when the avatar engages the mob again. This is useful parly because SMN def is like paper and also cos assault range isnt that great. Done properly, the act of avatar attacking draws hate from the mob chasing the SMN, keeping him out of harms way.

Simply resummoning carby is carby kiting, and you'd typically only do that soloing bombs (ie to say, not anymore). Standard avatar kiting these days involves BP as well.

If you've ever had a SMN help you clear Golden Salvage you should already know its the same mechanic at work
Besides, skill is hardly a relevant factor to this discussion. Changing that would still change a core mechanic in the way SMN is played, especially solo.

How is this at all different from what I said? You cant use any BP's during the entire mob's lifespan since using BP will generate enmity, and even the slightest bit of enmity makes smn solo completely fucked since once you resummon a dead avatar, it'll take more than one hit to get the mobs attention...which is pretty much death.

[Spira]

How is this at all different from what I said? You cant use any BP's during the entire mob's lifespan since using BP will generate enmity, and even the slightest bit of enmity makes smn solo completely fucked since once you resummon a dead avatar, it'll take more than one hit to get the mobs attention...which is pretty much death.

nah.. if you're BPing, then initially one hit (not whiff) would be enough to get the mobs attention. thereafter, you'd need to establish hate through a subsequent dmg BP at the start of the next avatars life, preferably merit BP due to its range/reliability. You can replicate the auto-attack with assault, but it basically means you have slightly less distance within 20' to work with, and also more time during which the mob is actually facing you instead of away, at the avatar.

honestly i care for the auto-attack thing more just so i know when i get aggro, something is there to act upon it immediately. Or it tells me when I do have aggro lol.
all 4 pet jobs have pets with different instincts. i just think its nice to keep them for diversity, and also because it has its uses.

[Dazusu]

I'm getting a horrible feeling free to play might be the true announcement, and by free to play I mean buy to win.

This game will be over on so many levels if that's the case. I can kind of see this as a possibility too.

[arus2001]

So much blanket hate on F2P without specifics.

Anyway, my take on reading the road map: Lots of little shit that would've originally been in a single patch (with even more on top), now spread over half a year.

[Septimus]

How did Free to Play even come into this discussion? It seems silly that they would dismantle a steady cash cow in order to place in a gamble that may make them more money or may drive away most of the player base.

[ronin sparthos]

How did Free to Play even come into this discussion? It seems silly that they would dismantle a steady cash cow in order to place in a gamble that may make them more money or may drive away most of the player base.

You almost make it seem like SE is known for rational decisions.

Once XIV 2.0 is in place the actions being put forth by SE (barring a HUGE fanfest surprise) is to put XI out to pasture and cash shop elements in addition to a subscription would be a proven way to squeeze out more money from this game. People did buy the "add-on scenarios" during the last content drought and that amounted to some really bad fetch quests for 10 bucks a piece.

[arus2001]

How did Free to Play even come into this discussion? It seems silly that they would dismantle a steady cash cow in order to place in a gamble that may make them more money or may drive away most of the player base.

Always seems like when F2P comes up, the main complaint usually boils down to, "Waaaaah, the WoW kiddiez I'd never play with anyway because I roll with my clique are gonna come and ruin my game!" when, if the core game itself is relatively left untouched, the only real issue in FFXI's case would be zone congestion. If anything, FFXI has the "benefit" of lacking global channels to curb the typical idiocy associated with such plebians that dare partake of free entertainment.

Being hypothetical, how could XI adapt a cash shop model?
- Items that enhance EXP/Skill/Region Currency/Crafting gains for an hour or two.
- Additional Voidstones/Assault Tags/Voiddust/Petrifacts.
- Cooldown resets for Dynamis/Limbus/Salvage/Einherjar.
- Specific BC orbs.
- Mog Sack without ties to the Security Token.
- Gobbiebag quests in general.
- Any kind of fluff/holiday item like the Bonanza statues or pending AA weapons.
- Unlock subjob.
- Unlock a job regardless of meeting minimum requirements.
- Limit Break quests cleared.
- Packages pertaining to teleport crystal KIs or even Outpost Warps.
- The ability to gift any of the above to a fellow player.

I'm sure the list can be expanded upon, but ultimately, the ancillary fear of "hand outs" or catastrophic "pay to win" scenarios aren't present. Anything that involves an event still requires actual event participation, Limit BCs aside. There are some small quality of life improvements that players could otherwise obtain normally, and may even have difficulty soloing at present, but someone starting a fresh/mule account might be willing to splurge on to save some time. Coincidentally, things like the Limit Break could also be the most expensive of the bunch because of what it does.

Edit: I should say I don't expect the game to go F2P, but at the very least am of the mind a price reduction is in order if the past year and the current road map is any indication of future service quality. The "just quit if you don't like it!" SE apologists have yet to really bring any good counterargument to the table in the few locations I've seen the matter come up.