FINAL FANTASY XI at Tokyo Game Show 2006! (28/09/2006)

[spooky]

On September 22, 23, and 24, the Tokyo Game Show opened its doors to game players from around the world, and offered them a peek at some of the biggest titles in development. At the Square Enix booth, a corner was set aside for FINAL FANTASY XI and the eagerly anticipated 2006 Vanafesta.

http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/eve...img/vf_pic.jpg

image The three-day event consisted of several exciting events such as Heroines' Combat, TGS Assault - The Gathering Storm, Who Wants To Be A Vanallionaire, and the Vanafesta 2006 Talk Session. Thousands of adventurers from all across the globe converged on the Makuhari Messe convention hall to take part in this extravaganza, making it one of the hottest spots in the building.

http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/eve...06/img/opa.jpg

Heroines' CombatPlayers took their turns at getting pummeled by some of the most deadly beauties in all Vana'diel.

A rise in the number of adventurers signing up to be mercenaries for far off countries has lit the already short fuse of four war-hardened ladies--the Rose Quartet (Curilla, Ayame, Prishe, and Shantotto). To knock some patriot spirit back into the hearts of these adventurers, the quartet has announced the holding of a Martial Ball, open to all who think they have what it takes to play with the big girls.
The rules are simple--a party of six enters the special battlefield where two of the four roses await. When one has been defeated, another will join the battle. Victory only comes when a total of three are defeated within the 15-minute time limit.

http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/eve...mg/hc_pic3.jpg

Heroines' CombatSeveral adventurers at TGS thought they could muster up enough mettle to pulverize the ladies, but when the sun finally set, it turned out that less than 20% of the parties that stepped into the ring with the mauling maidens made it out in one piece. It seems that most of the adventurers had the most trouble with a certain indestructible blonde Tarutaru whose dark spells scorched the battlefield and made mincemeat of all in her path.

It is safe to say that all who attended the event found new respect for these fine female fighters, but the roses' work is not yet done. They soon plan on taking their challenge across the globe to a fan event near you!

http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/eve...mg/hc_pic4.jpg

TGS Assault - The Gathering StormAdventurers had a chance to go all out on a horde of unruly beasts in a special Assault mission that planted parties right in the middle of the Mamool Ja Training Grounds.

http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/eve.../aslt_pic2.jpg

The objectives for this mission were kept simple--take out as many monsters as you can in five minutes. To make it even more interesting, auto-refresh, auto-regen, and auto-TP restoration were given to all participants. This allowed players of all jobs to get down and get dirty with their weapons and spells of choice without having to worry about running out of MP or being KO'd--even the white mages were pulling off skillchains while performing their own MBs. From inexperienced novices, to hard-core veterans, there wasn't a single adventurer without a smile on his/her face after racking up a load of easy kills.

The original mission objectives required that 40 monsters be defeated in the five minutes, but most parties went above and beyond their call of duty, with one group pulverizing 89! That's almost 18 a minute!

Just as with Heroines' Combat, TGS Assault - The Gathering Storm is being readied for up and coming fanfests.

Who Wants To Be A Vanallionaire?Everyone in attendance at the Vanafesta was able to participate in this quiz that featured various wacky questions to stump even the biggest FINAL FANTASY XI fans.
Here are a couple to test your wits. Can you answer them all?

Click HERE for Details

http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/eve...img/qz_pic.jpg

Vanafesta 2006 Talk Session For the first time in Tokyo Game Show history, the FINAL FANTASY XI development team held four talk sessions over three days, in which they spoke of the future of the game, revealed exciting new features scheduled for future patches, and took questions from the audience.

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Here is a condensed list of some of the version update-related topics that were introduced:

September 22 (Day 1)
"4 Years of FINAL FANTASY XI - A Summary"
* Development and Management
"Treasures of Aht Urhgan"
* Beseiged/Assault
* Massively Multiplayer Battle Areas
* Chocobo Raising
* Chocobo Racing

September 23 (Day 2)
"The Job System and the Battle System - Regarding Future Adjustments"
* Job System Concept
* Battle System Concept and History
* Job Characteristics and Future Adjustments

September 24 (Day 3)
"The Vana'diel Economy"
* The Importance of an MMORPG Economy
* Vana'diel Economy
* Steps Being Taken

EDIT: pics

[spooky]

For the first time in Tokyo Game Show history, the FINAL FANTASY XI development team held four talk sessions over three days, in which they spoke of the future of the game, revealed exciting new features scheduled for future patches, and took questions from the audience.

new chocobo colorNew Features in the Next Version Update
Some of the new features to be added in the next version update are a variety of massively multiplayer battle areas much like those used in Assault, Beseiged, and Dynamis. A total of four new areas are to be introduced and have been designed to test the teamwork of alliances of up to 18 adventurers. Only groups who have refined their strategies will be able to proceed through these challenging areas. In addition, players will be drained of certain abilities or attributes, such as the ability to cast magic or use weapon skills, upon entry.

http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/eve...tlk_pic_d1.jpg

Miscellaneous
Question: Will there be more chances to obtain relic equipment or abjurations in the future?
Matsui: We are currently planning to increase the number of opportunities players will have to obtain abjurations. As for relic equipment, we are planning to release similar equipment in the Aht Urhgan areas.

Question: Can you make it so a fellow does not depart when changing areas? Also, will there be any follow-ups to the fellow-related quests?
Ogawa: The programmer in charge of the fellow system is currently working hard on this issue. Hopefully he will have something soon. As for the quests, most of our planners are busy writing new Aht Urhgan content. It may be difficult for them to make new fellow material until the upcoming quests and missions are finished.

Question: How do you obtain the Parade Gorget?
Matsui: You'll first need to make a Goblin Drink (culinary skill of around 80 required). Then you'll need to trade that to a ??? in Oldton Movalpolos. To make the Goblin Drink you'll need 8 items - Gysahl greens, La Theine cabbage, and... we'll tell you the rest over the next two days! See if you can't figure out the recipe yourself!

Regarding Chocobo Raising
1. We feel that chocobos' attributes are not growing quickly enough within the current system. The system will be adjusted in the near future.

2. Question: My chocobo won't wake up. Is there something wrong?
Answer: Chocobos "resting" for indefinite periods of time is not a system bug. However, we realize that tending to a chocobo that is always asleep is not the pinnacle of excitement. We tend to address this issue in the next version update.

Finally, we will be introducing two new chocobo colors in the next update--red and...??? Also, the outward appearance of chocobos will change depending on their attributes.

Absolute Virtue How to Enfeeble Absolute Virtue
The regen effect will be cut in half by defeating as many of the Ru'phuabos, Qn'xzomits, and Qn'hpemdes summoned by the Jailer of Love as possible. In addition, using an elemental based attack that corresponds to the current day of the week (i.e. using Fire spells on Firesday) will stop the remaining regen effect.

http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/eve...tlk_pic_d2.jpg

Regarding Job Adjustments
[ Warrior ] - Weapons experts capable of using a variety of different weapon skills
Adjustments Planned: Changes to the number of equippable weapon types as well as an increase in the type of professions that are compatible as support jobs.

[ Monk ] - Melee experts known for their large amount of HP and quick attacks.
Adjustments Planned: Making the job more useful in a variety of situations.

[ White Mage ] - Experts in healing and support magic.
Adjustments Planned: Increasing the benefits of using white mage as a main job as well as increasing the number of ways white mages can contribute to parties.

[ Black Mage ] - Experts in dealing damage with powerful black magic spells.
Adjustments Planned: Making it so black mages are more effective when partied up with other jobs.

[ Red Mage ] - Enfeebling experts.
Adjustments Planned: Will continue to find ways to put red mages in positions where they are required to be ready for anything.

[ Thief ] - Experts at tricky attacks
Adjustments Planned: Adding elements that will allow thieves to increase the potential of their parties.

[ Paladin ] - High defense makes them experts at defending their parties
Adjustments Planned: Improving the performance of paladins when fighting in continuous battles.

[ Dark Knight ] - Powerful attackers with the ability to drain their opponents' abilities.
Adjustments Planned: Increasing power when equipped with a scythe.

[ Beastmaster ] - Experts at taming and controlling the most powerful of beasts.
Adjustments Planned: While there are no plans on adjusting aspects of solo play, adjustments are underway to widen the possibilities for party play.

[ Ranger ] - Attackers with the potential of dealing deadly damage from afar.
Adjustments Planned: Making adjustments to accuracy rate and damage based on distance from target. Look forward to these changes in the next version update!

[ Samurai ] - Experts at storing TP and carrying out powerful weapon skills.
Adjustments Planned: In addition to re-evaluating Overwhelm's calculation method, two new job abilities will be introduced at levels 25 and 35. The keyword here is "two-handed weapon." We want players to have the option of choosing to take either an offensive role or a defensive one. Finally, we are working hard to make samurai a more attractive choice for support job. Please look forward to seeing these changes in the next version update!

[ Ninja ] - Dual-wielding masters of ninjutsu, also capable of protecting a party from damage.
Adjustments Planned: There are no plans to strengthen the job of ninja, only make it more useful in a variety of varying situations.

[ Dragoon ] - Attackers known for their impressive jumping abilities and their trusty wyverns.
Adjustments Planned:
1. Super Jump recast will be reduced to 3 minutes.
2. Empathy ability will provide both dragoon and wyvern with stoneskin effect.
3. Spirit Surge will have an added effect with the ability to reset the recast time of all jump abilities.
Please look forward to seeing these changes in the next version update!

[ Summoner ] - Powerful mages with the ability to use their mana to call forth mighty avatars.
Changes regarding summoning magic skill:
1. Blood Pact recast time will now be based on the type of special attack used--healing/enhancing or damage dealing.
2. Summoning magic skill may increase not only when summoning an avatar, but also while using Blood Pact.
3. Blood Pact special attack bonuses may be earned while equipping items that give summoning skill bonuses.
Please look forward to seeing these changes in the next version update!

[ Corsair / Blue Mage / Puppetmaster ]
Adjustments Planned: There are still many things that we are planning to adjust as well as implement. We should have most of these ready by late December.

*** The next two ingredients in the Goblin drink recipe are frost turnips and wild onions.

image The Importance of Economy in MMORPGs
When inflation becomes a problem, players new to the game often find it difficult to purchase items. While a little inflation is normal, massive inflation can be detrimental.

Inflation in FINAL FANTASY XI
We are currently experiencing a slight drop in inflation as a result of measures taken to reduce actions not in accordance with the official rules of gameplay (RMT, etc.). This, in turn, has resulted in a drop of gil in circulation within Vana'diel.

http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/eve...tlk_pic_d3.jpg

Once inflation has stopped, we can take the next step to returning the Vana'diel economy to normal levels.
* Dealing with NM camping
* Dealing with fishing macro problems

Policy
In October we will be forming a special task force to concentrate solely on locating those players violating the user's agreement. This team will be separate from the GMs and will work directly with the development team.
Since we realize it is often difficult to convict a player based on in-game evidence alone, we will continue to search for new ways to prove someone has been involved in restricted activities.
We promise that we will continue to work diligently to rid Vana’diel of all players using illegal tools and plug-ins.

*** The next two ingredients in the Goblin drink recipe are one San d'Orian carrot and one thundermelon. We won't tell you the final two ingredients, but we will give you a couple of hints.
With a name like Goblin drink, you have to assume that the items are going to be a little on the crazy side. However, the first of the two is not what you may think it is--Movalpolos water. It is in fact, just normal water. The final item is something a little (a lot) bit stranger. We'll let you figure out that one for yourself!

[Warthog]

I guess this thread is just a confirmation of http://www.bluegartr.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12598.

Policy
In October we will be forming a special task force to concentrate solely on locating those players violating the user's agreement. This team will be separate from the GMs and will work directly with the development team.
Since we realize it is often difficult to convict a player based on in-game evidence alone, we will continue to search for new ways to prove someone has been involved in restricted activities.
We promise that we will continue to work diligently to rid Vana’diel of all players using illegal tools and plug-ins.

Very curious to see what that means.

A total of four new areas are to be introduced and have been designed to test the teamwork of alliances of up to 18 adventurers. Only groups who have refined their strategies will be able to proceed through these challenging areas. In addition, players will be drained of certain abilities or attributes, such as the ability to cast magic or use weapon skills, upon entry.

That looks like the CoP Team hard at work. /cues Septimus's rant. More work beforehand for more restraints.

I really hope its independent from Dynamis/Limbus.

Once inflation has stopped, we can take the next step to returning the Vana'diel economy to normal levels.
* Dealing with NM camping
* Dealing with fishing macro problems

Right, can't wait to see that. What they NEED to do, is just have a GM drop by on a king camp at random.

So they can see when a "non-botter" is claiming and 10 people's casting shows up in the log, as opposed to popping claimed.

Regarding Job Adjustments

The job adjustments are vague, as usual. Nothing new either, most of us knew these were in the works.

Just hope they don't suck, or tremendously change a job's usage for the worse... w/e the hell that means.

[Lordwafik]

The objectives for this mission were kept simple--take out as many monsters as you can in five minutes. To make it even more interesting, auto-refresh, auto-regen, and auto-TP restoration were given to all participants. This allowed players of all jobs to get down and get dirty with their weapons and spells of choice without having to worry about running out of MP or being KO'd--even the white mages were pulling off skillchains while performing their own MBs. From inexperienced novices, to hard-core veterans, there wasn't a single adventurer without a smile on his/her face after racking up a load of easy kills.

The original mission objectives required that 40 monsters be defeated in the five minutes, but most parties went above and beyond their call of duty, with one group pulverizing 89! That's almost 18 a minute!

IF THEY PUT THIS IN FF I WILL DROWN IN MY OWN SEMEN BECAUSE THAT IS FUCKING AWESOME

[Dein]

New Features in the Next Version Update
Some of the new features to be added in the next version update are a variety of massively multiplayer battle areas much like those used in Assault, Beseiged, and Dynamis. A total of four new areas are to be introduced and have been designed to test the teamwork of alliances of up to 18 adventurers. Only groups who have refined their strategies will be able to proceed through these challenging areas. In addition, players will be drained of certain abilities or attributes, such as the ability to cast magic or use weapon skills, upon entry.

So this means we'll see this stuff in October instead of December? Not that I didn't mind a december date but earlier is always good news.

[spooky]

The objectives for this mission were kept simple--take out as many monsters as you can in five minutes. To make it even more interesting, auto-refresh, auto-regen, and auto-TP restoration were given to all participants. This allowed players of all jobs to get down and get dirty with their weapons and spells of choice without having to worry about running out of MP or being KO'd--even the white mages were pulling off skillchains while performing their own MBs. From inexperienced novices, to hard-core veterans, there wasn't a single adventurer without a smile on his/her face after racking up a load of easy kills.

The original mission objectives required that 40 monsters be defeated in the five minutes, but most parties went above and beyond their call of duty, with one group pulverizing 89! That's almost 18 a minute!

IF THEY PUT THIS IN FF I WILL DROWN IN MY OWN SEMEN BECAUSE THAT IS FUCKING AWESOME

lol... I think it was just something "fun" they had setup at the event for people to mess around in. Would totaly fucking awsome if they did add it though! :D

[Everlasting]

I hope for the best but it's pretty vague and non-committal.

It really bugs me, all the excuses they make about why they can't do something about X or Y or Z but they own and control the game 100%.

[Charla]

1. Blood Pact recast time will now be based on the type of special attack used--healing/enhancing or damage dealing.
2. Summoning magic skill may increase not only when summoning an avatar, but also while using Blood Pact.

Am I the only one who still cares about stuff smns spent the last 3 years begging for?

[spooky]

The SMN change is totaly insain, they are basicaly 1/2 BP recast. Which is a massive change. Normaly they do things that are fairly subtle, but this is huge. Yay SMNs. I think you might actualy see SMNs replacing BLMs in PTs now, instead of lolmainhealing. Well that would be if BLM could get a PT invite...

[Akiyama]

Yeah. More smns will get parties I hate the "Don't invite me to a party if you want me to heal".. well sub BLM then! >.>

[spooky]

Making a Job use nearly only its subjob functionaly is kinda unfair though... You have to admit if people only invited you based on your subjob and spected to use no or very few abilitys/spells from your main, you would kinda get sick of it too...

[Akiyama]

I just don't like summoners too much. I guess I've been spoiled with god awful, I'm super leet summoners. x.x "We can easily out damage a BLM and heal better than a WHM" Well damn! Lol, yeah. -.-

[Sasarai]

Making a Job use nearly only its subjob functionaly is kinda unfair though... You have to admit if people only invited you based on your subjob and spected to use no or very few abilitys/spells from your main, you would kinda get sick of it too...

I can understand, but the primary reason for SMN being invited to "main heal" is because parties need just that, main healers. Parties don't need more damage dealers, debuffers, buffers or the like. Really though, no matter what SE do to SMN if they sub anything but /WHM they just aren't as helpful in a party situation as they could be.

[Lithiani]

Part of the problem with Summoner, IMO, is that no subjob actually helps their behaviour as Summoners.

With Melee DD jobs, for example, they tend to select a support job based on what it brings to their main job - Guaranteed Crit WS for /THF, Berserk and DA from /WAR, and so on

Colour-Mages tend to sub one anothers job for more MP, E and D Seals, access to different spells and job traits like Clear Mind and Conserve MP

There is no job that improves a Summoners Ability to work as a summoner. They have Clear Mind already, Conserve MP doesn't work with Blood Pacts, Magic Accuracy doesn't have any effect on them at all, Subcap skill levels mean that nothing offensive works from subjobs past level 10.

So they end up subbing WHM, because it's a bit more XP and Healing Magic skill doesn't have much effect on White Magic effectiveness.

If a support jobs abilities affected the behaviour and power of summons in any way, SMNs would sub differently. But subjob has negligible effect on the power of Summoner main job, so they default to /WHM.

[Xavier]

Absolute Virtue How to Enfeeble Absolute Virtue
The regen effect will be cut in half by defeating as many of the Ru'phuabos, Qn'xzomits, and Qn'hpemdes summoned by the Jailer of Love as possible. In addition, using an elemental based attack that corresponds to the current day of the week (i.e. using Fire spells on Firesday) will stop the remaining regen effect.

Drag the JoL fight out longer, kill the AV faster?

If Square wants me to use a Great Axe, they either need to lower the delay on 2 handed weapons by about 100, or actually make the dmg representitive of the base dmg on the weapon. 40 DMG weapons hitting for 20 less than a 95 DMG weapon twice as fast is why they're broken.

[chibbs]

I leveled smn til about lvl 40, looks like i'm a pick it back up. lol. Kinda really getting tired of my HNMls going into this big BLM craze. I don't care much though, lol because They only use my BRD. Wish i could come as my other jobs, but i'm denied as usual because we don't have that many brds, and most of the other brds are.... BLM.

[Kirst]

Red Mage: Adjustments Planned: Will continue to find ways to put red mages in positions where they are required to be ready for anything.

I am a rdm. I maintain a full refresh cycle + a full haste cycle. I can main heal. I debuff mobs, I can sleep multiple mobs. I can keep myself alive while doing all of the above at the same time, apparently seamlessly. I have an amazingly flexible 2 hour ability. I solo well. What on earth are they expecting us to do - do a song and dance routine as well??

[spooky]

Red Mage: Adjustments Planned: Will continue to find ways to put red mages in positions where they are required to be ready for anything.

I am a rdm. I maintain a full refresh cycle + a full haste cycle. I can main heal. I debuff mobs, I can sleep multiple mobs. I can keep myself alive while doing all of the above at the same time, apparently seamlessly. I have an amazingly flexible 2 hour ability. I solo well. What on earth are they expecting us to do - do a song and dance routine as well??

No, soon they will expect you to do all that, AND melee, self SC and MB, while singing and dancing.

[Aelfinn]

Red Mage: Adjustments Planned: Will continue to find ways to put red mages in positions where they are required to be ready for anything.

I am a rdm. I maintain a full refresh cycle + a full haste cycle. I can main heal. I debuff mobs, I can sleep multiple mobs. I can keep myself alive while doing all of the above at the same time, apparently seamlessly. I have an amazingly flexible 2 hour ability. I solo well. What on earth are they expecting us to do - do a song and dance routine as well??

rdm/brd.

[spooky]

Red Mage: Adjustments Planned: Will continue to find ways to put red mages in positions where they are required to be ready for anything.

I am a rdm. I maintain a full refresh cycle + a full haste cycle. I can main heal. I debuff mobs, I can sleep multiple mobs. I can keep myself alive while doing all of the above at the same time, apparently seamlessly. I have an amazingly flexible 2 hour ability. I solo well. What on earth are they expecting us to do - do a song and dance routine as well??

rdm/brd.

RDM/SMN? >.>