XI/XI/XI Celebrations, Vanacon, and You!

[Hvinire]

Hello everyone,

It's me Hvinire, the Community Manager behind the scenes. I wanted to pop in to talk a little about our XI/XI/XI promotions.

As you may have read on PlayOnline.com we're running a sale on FINAL FANTASY XI Ultimate Collection Abyssea Edition, 50% off for one week. For any of you who still haven't picked up this full collection of FINAL FANTASY XI content, you can get your copy off our Square Enix Online Store for only $9.99. Plus you'll also receive 111 Members Points, more the double the value of any other game purchase!

After 9 years of service, adding the Abyssea battle add-ons, and raising the level cap, the game has seen a lot of changes. Enough changes that we saw this a perfect time to launch our new FINAL FANTASY XI 14-Day Free Trial! So if you still have some friends who haven't seen the plains of La Theine during a summoner's spring, or stepped into the Duchy of Jeuno to wrangle their first chocobo--here's a great opportunity to invite them along your adventures in Vana'diel.

You also might have noticed that our friends in Japan held a concert today. The show is called Vanacon, during which 14 tracks from the FINAL FANTASY XI soundtrack were played by full orchestra or in one instance solo'd by acclaimed piano virtuoso Kumi Tanioka, whom you might remember from Fan Festivals past.

We invited ZAM Editor Elmer to attend these majestic performances. After the concert, Elmer had this to say about his experience:

As a musical tribute to the history of Final Fantasy XI, Vanacon proves once again why this MMO deserves to be a numbered title. The beautiful orchestrations were familiar and close to my heart, yet vibrant and new in their arrangements. City themes, field tracks and epic boss battles echoed through the hall in all their symphonic glory as in-game video played back classic adventures from expansions past.

The encore was a stirring rendition of the classic Final Fantasy theme, which seemed to invite all fans to step forth into a new decade of adventure. It was a captivating performance, and it would be heartbreaking if they did not share it with more fans around the world.

Please check out Elmer's full concert report here.

Since first announcing this concert and hearing Elmer's appreciation for it, we've considered perhaps that NA players would also like the opportunity to attend a similar event here at home. We've heard a few of you speak up and ask that, yes we hold a concert here, but how do the rest of you feel? We'd love to hear your feedback about whether or not a FINAL FANTASY XI orchestrated concert is something you'd be interested in attending.

Please give your thoughts in this thread, I'll be sure that we take all your feedback into account and report back on such a possibility.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a great XI/XI/XI!

[Zubis]

After attending a very memorable Distant Worlds concert in London last week I would almost fly to the States for a FFXI concert

[Kyte]

I'd really like to see something on the east coast.

[Rianon]

I'd totally attend an orchestral FFXI concert, and knw quite a few people who would as well. Like Kyte said though, east coast, please.

[Frapp]

In regards to having a concert in the USA, there needs to be more than one way for your fans to get to experience the event. Not to be Captain Obvious, but the United States is significantly larger than Japan. Merely having one concert is going to shut out a massive portion of fans who may only have the means to purchase tickets, but then can't pay for travel expenses. If there could possibly be a concert for most of the major markets, it will give more fans a bigger chance to experience the concert. While I can only speak for myself, I would gladly pay a higher ticket price if it meant the extra cost would allow for the orchestra to travel and give fans the opportunity to participate.

If such a thing is not possible, get a film and/or audio crew to the concert and have them record the performance. Having access to a hard copy of the properly recorded video/audio of the concert would be the next best thing. Having to settle for audience member Handy-Cam footage on YouTube is downright depressing.

[Tsukino_Kaji]

So when you but it, how are the reg codes distributed? Do you just get an email containing them? Do you have to start the download client to get them? Dose this still include the code for the hat?

[Altheav]

Concert in the US? OMG {Yes, please.} Chicago would be most easily accessible for me, but I'd be willing to travel for this. Wouldn't be the first time I've traveled to attend a Final Fantasy concert.

[Quetzacoatl]

I'd really like to see something on the east coast.

^ This. So hard

[esoR]

how much effort would it take for a tour? seems like we'd need two dates/cities.. maybe even three. (east/mid/west) since it's a concert, not a convention.

[Helel]

east coast!