VanaFest Coverage (now with actual LiveBlog)

[Croy]

Well this has potential...

"Clearing a maze will yield two types of rewards: treasure chests and M.M.M.-specific points. Within the chests, players can expect to find any of a variety of equipment and M.M.M.-related items. Also, amassing M.M.M. points will allow players to purchase other M.M.M. pieces. There are even designs to introduce gear which can only be obtained by braving the mazes!"

From the english version of the dev blog.

The First Scenario! (FINAL FANTASY XI クリエイターズボイス)

Probably not extremely good gear though lol.

[Deader2818]

heh, wyverns dont even seem to stay out that long sometimes

[Tomiko]

20:29 now they're all thanking the players

Sounds like the end

[Minions]

Is it my imagination, or does SE even know how to fix BST?

BST gain strength like wyverns...too bad they can't stay out long like wyverns...

No shit.... freaking most have < 30min timers.... at least the good ones. Might be good for a super powered funguar though.

[Tomiko]

Well this has potential...

"Clearing a maze will yield two types of rewards: treasure chests and M.M.M.-specific points. Within the chests, players can expect to find any of a variety of equipment and M.M.M.-related items. Also, amassing M.M.M. points will allow players to purchase other M.M.M. pieces. There are even designs to introduce gear which can only be obtained by braving the mazes!"

From the english version of the dev blog.

The First Scenario! (FINAL FANTASY XI クリエイターズボイス)

Probably not extremely good gear though lol.

Just like fighting enemies virtually anywhere else in Vana’diel, combat within the maze depths will yield both experience points and skillups. There is also the possibility of increasing your crafting skills, should the theme of the maze be based on synthesis. Capable of accommodating players up to a crafting skill of 60, it may be just the right venue for you and a friend to practice your handiwork.

I have yet to decide if this is good or bad.

[Jingseng]

20:31 and now the players are rioting since they didn't talk about AV or PW

[Keyln]

Timeo upu for the panel.

Some things to look forward to, like improved automaton casting AI and new armor storage.

Just hope that SMN ability isn't a trait, like resist amnesia.

Biggest news of all...Shantotto in Dissidia...

[Griselda]

They posted a whole post in English on the Creator's Voice Z page.

FINAL FANTASY XI クリエイターズボイス


2008年11月22日
The First Scenario!


The First Scenario!
http://blog.square-enix.com/ff11/2008/11/post_298.html

■Version Update Plans
・When a Level Sync designee levels up, party members will no longer lose the effects of beneficial statuses such as Protect, nor will they lose their TP. Charmed pets will also no longer be released, even if they are of a level higher than the player controlling them. In addition, “evasion,” “enmity,” and “HP/MP recovered while healing” will be added to the list of equipment attributes which will remain active and be adjusted by the Level Sync system. While keeping both the gear for certain level ranges and their attributes in mind, we plan to continue to carry out modifications to make both Level Sync and level-restricted areas as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

・New Starlight Celebration Items

http://blog.square-enix.com/ff11/ima...5%AD-thumb.jpg

http://blog.square-enix.com/ff11/ima...%A02-thumb.jpg



・Wings of the Goddess Missions
http://blog.square-enix.com/ff11/ima...C%91-thumb.jpg

http://blog.square-enix.com/ff11/ima...%B32-thumb.jpg

Further details will be revealed via Topics on the official FINAL FANTASY XI site.

Keep an eye out!
・The Mysterious Young Beauty

http://blog.square-enix.com/ff11/ima...3web-thumb.jpg

It certainly looks to be that fiery lass around which the Wings of the Goddess missions are revolving, but something seems…different.


http://blog.square-enix.com/ff11/ima...1%A1-thumb.jpg

■Delve into Business with the Moblin Maze Mongers!
・”Moblin Maze Mongers” is the official, final product of the work-in-progress introduced at last year’s Fan Festival under the provisional moniker, “Private Dungeon.”

Outline)
The sole premise behind the development of M.M.M. was a to fashion a system defined by the ability for anywhere from one to six players to engage in relatively laidback gameplay.
In keeping with several of the pre-existing themes of Vana’diel, we decided to implement the system as a series of labyrinths run by Moblins for adventurers to explore. Let the spelunking begin!

Flow)
・First, the players themselves determine the rules for their maze. Once these rules are in place and the proper preparations made, it’s down into the maze! Should players prove fortuitous enough to clear their maze, their efforts will not go unrewarded.
Designed to accommodate both inexperienced newcomers and seasoned veterans alike, maze options will cover a wide spectrum of possibilities, while at the same time maintaining an easy-to-grasp simplicity.

Rules)
There are two main categories of items which are utilized in the new M.M.M. system.

The first of these are “Maze Tabulae.” These are best thought of as a
kind of game board. By placing various pieces, described below, on this board, players will determine the specific nature of their maze.
The second category of items is comprised of “Maze Vouchers” and “Maze Runes.” These will be used by players to set the rules and arrange the interior of the maze.

The vouchers determine what type of adventuring the player will undertake. For example, it may be an all-out brawl against a large number of foes, or overcoming obstacles through skillful acts of synthesis, etc. The runes, then, will function to set up and populate the maze in accordance with the rules laid forth by the vouchers. This includes, but is not limited to, such details as the type of enemies that will be faced and their degree of difficulty, the location of objects throughout the maze, the imposition of further rules and regulations, and so on.

Maze Vouchers & Maze Runes)
http://blog.square-enix.com/ff11/ima...BC01-thumb.jpg

If the Maze Tabula represents the game board, then the Maze Vouchers and Maze Runes can fittingly be thought of as the game pieces. By arranging these on the tabula, players will determine the rules and layout of their mazes. When designing their mazes, players will have to take into account that certain pieces are specific to certain maze configurations. For example…
http://blog.square-enix.com/ff11/ima...BC02-thumb.jpg

http://blog.square-enix.com/ff11/ima...BC03-thumb.jpg

Procuring Items)
To start with, the Moblins will furnish players with a beginner’s set. At present, the idea is for players to obtain other tabulae, vouchers, and runes as rewards for their maze escapades, with even further items possibly becoming available in the future at public events such as Fan Festival or in-game seasonal events.

There’s More!)
In addition to all of this, the M.M.M. system will also allow players to share their maze creations with one another. Although a restriction will be imposed limiting the number of uses, players will be able to obtain these “third-party” tabulae from a mediator NPC. The rewards available will be directly affected by the rules and degree of difficulty in play, so be sure and try your hand at as many variations as possible!

Myriad Uses)
Just like fighting enemies virtually anywhere else in Vana’diel, combat within the maze depths will yield both experience points and skillups. There is also the possibility of increasing your crafting skills, should the theme of the maze be based on synthesis. Capable of accommodating players up to a crafting skill of 60, it may be just the right venue for you and a friend to practice your handiwork.

Rewards and Remuneration)
Clearing a maze will yield two types of rewards: treasure chests and M.M.M.-specific points. Within the chests, players can expect to find any of a variety of equipment and M.M.M.-related items. Also, amassing M.M.M. points will allow players to purchase other M.M.M. pieces. There are even designs to introduce gear which can only be obtained by braving the mazes!

http://blog.square-enix.com/ff11/ima...8%90-thumb.jpg

[Lebzile]

3 new expansions

[Jingseng]

Timeo upu for the panel.

Some things to look forward to, like improved automaton casting AI and new armor storage.

Just hope that SMN ability isn't a trait, like resist amnesia.

Biggest news of all...Shantotto in Dissidia...

I kinda think some of the other news was bigger... sad day for ffxi fest when the biggest news is about a different game =/

[Corrderio]

20:34 3 new expansions!

OMFG

[Massimo]

Wtf, 3 expansions

[Griselda]

http://blog.square-enix.com/ff11/ima...3%89-thumb.jpg

Wow so spiffy.

[Keyln]

3 new expansions? Woah...but not full on expansions. Mini expansions bought via download?

[Croy]

They sound like those adventure packs from Everquest II... at least from the sound of it (Like 3-5 new zones + new exclusive content.)

[EdgeMoragan]

These 3 new expansions could go either heaven or hell.

Seems they wanna treat this like FF13 now.. That or pokemon <_<

[Cow_k]

FFXI downloadable content? Nuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu~~~

[Sanjiyan]

shorts + leather boots

at least could've made them pants

[Tomiko]

I like this one:

http://blog.square-enix.com/ff11/ima...%E8%A3%85.html

Sch Relic looks kinda meh.

http://blog.square-enix.com/ff11/ima...E6%9D%9F2.html

[EdgeMoragan]

The dream which the stone is seen = 石の見る夢

Night of [mogu] celebration = モグ祭りの夜

According to usually shitty Babelfish translator