omg where to purchase game???

[Donjarfi]

So, i've been off of FFXI for over a year now and want to get back into it since i have some spare time. where the hell can i purchase it? i can't find a single store that carries the PC version. prz halp!!!

(in all seriousness)

[Gergall]

From their website?

Playonline Store
(EDIT: They will link you out to Amazon or Gamestop)

If you want to reactivate your old character here is the process:

Character Reactivation Service

[Donjarfi]

I just want to buy a copy out. don't want to have it shipped
Do stores carry it anymore?

Also I cant reactivate previous char

[Gergall]

Even if a gamestop store doesn't carry Vanadiel Collection 2008, ask them if they have the Final Fantasy XI Starter Pack - it sells for like two dollars (literally) and contains only the basic game (no expansions).

One time (a good year+ ago) I went to a gamestop and they had about 20 of these starter packs sitting in a box on the counter. They aren't on the counter anymore but I'm willing to bet they never sold out or got thrown away.

You can always download the expansions later and buy registration codes here:
FINAL FANTASY XI Official Web Site

[Deimos]

You can buy and download it through Direct2Drive: FINAL FANTASY XI Vana'diel Collection 2008 Download | Buy FINAL FANTASY XI Vana'diel Collection 2008 from D2D

[Sarial]

If you have an account, you can just download the version of the game by going for the 14 day trial, and just not registering the trial.

[Gwynplaine]

I'm actually happy someone asked about this because I just went over this trying to find the Wings expansion for someone. And I was shocked to find Direct2Drive is considerably cheaper than Square themselves.

If you need the game itself you can probably buy the compilation in a gaming store for $25~30ish which now combines all registration codes into one simple code.

If you aren't concerned about owning a physical copy of the games CD you might consider the Direct2Drive downloads. Especially if you don't need the main game and only require one or two of the newer expansions. Honestly all that matters is the registration codes for the content. If you have them you can get download the the game data in any number of simple ways.

Now here's where it gets interesting so if your money is important pay attention. If you're someone interested in purchasing just the registration codes and downloading the content there's two ways to do it.

Either have the cost added directly to your monthly bill via the Playonline Viewer (instructions are here on official website) or from Direct2Drive (link here) who will e-mail you a reg code and you can download from them

Square offers:
Rise of Zilart: 9.99
Chains of Promathia: 9.99
Treasures of Aht Urhgan: 14.99
and they do not offer Wings of the Goddess or a compilation of any kind...

Direct2Drive offers:
Chains of Promathia: 9.95
Treasures of Aht Urhgan: 9.95
Wings of the Goddess: 9.95
FINAL FANTASY XI Vana'diel Collection 2008 (every expansion): 14.95

The price of AU and the fact they still don't even offer Wings after all this time is pretty laughable. It's like finding a book you were looking for at Menard's after finding out Barnes & Noble didn't carry it.

[Gergall]

The price of AU and the fact they still don't even offer Wings after all this time is pretty laughable. It's like finding a book you were looking for at Menard's after finding out Barnes & Noble didn't carry it.

Yeah pretty ridiculous.

I'm thinking they might have some agreement with vendors like Gamestop that they wouldn't sell the reg codes online for a certain amount of time. Maybe the reg codes for WotG will go up for sale when it hits the 2-year-old mark at the end of this year.

[TheMysteriousX]

I suspect they may be readying the Vana'Diel collection 2009... IIRC the game is always hard to find when they're about to release a new compilation.

[Minions]

I suspect they may be readying the Vana'Diel collection 2009... IIRC the game is always hard to find when they're about to release a new compilation.

They normally release them after expansions.... so are they gonna release one with the new "DLC" based expansions?

[Donjarfi]

I finally found a gamestop in my area that carried the vana'diel 2008 collection -- 15 bucks. not back considering i paid like 30 bucks a pop when game first released/each new expansion release. lol.

[Redivider]

Direct2Drive has it, thats what i used, gives you the option to save it and to redownload it in the future in case u ever have to reformat.

[Gergall]

They normally release them after expansions.... so are they gonna release one with the new "DLC" based expansions?

Sounds like the easiest gimmick ever. Package the 2008 disc(s) into a new box and include registration codes for the DLC addons.

[solanis]

I started playing FFXI back in March. I just walked to the local Gamestop, they had a copy of the Vana'diel Collection for something like $15.

Ironically, they also had a big cardboard standing ToAU promotional thing out front. Kind of weird.

[Rieken]

Another option would be to download the ISO off of a torrent site, if you're playing on PC. Usually about 4gb for game and all 4 expansions.

[bungiefan]

They normally release them after expansions.... so are they gonna release one with the new "DLC" based expansions?

In Japan, they normally release them annually to minimize patching for new players. All platforms get a Collection released every year, and have since 2003. NA Collections have been released yearly for PC since 2006 or so.

[Aphelidia]

I have another question regarding this. I've been playing the game on PS2 for years, but now my PS2 is like... old and worn out and cant read any disc. Recently I bought a PS3, but this newer generation of PS3 cant read PS2 discs, so I cant install FFXI on it from the discs I have. Is there a way to download FFXI onto my PS3 without the use of a disc?

The problem is that even if I bought another PS2, I wouldnt have a hard drive on it since these arent sold anymore. So I would end up with 3 consoles; one solely for FFXI, another being the PS3, and the last one for other PS2 games I have, and thats kind of a hassle.