I am posting this to once again say thankyou to SE for creating Vana'diel, all those many years ago.
There is actually no way for me describe the joy and wonder that Vana'diel has brought into my humble life, for the last twelve years.
I have already written long lavish posts about why FFXI is the greatest computergame of all time, and I will stand by that verdict until I see a better computergame. I played my first computergame in 1981, and being a disabled girl I decided early on to spend most of my free-time playing computergames. I've played a lot of really good games in the last 35 years. But no game has ever completely stolen my heart like FFXI has.
I loved FF7 and FF8, especially FF8 which is still my favourite PS game. FF8 had the beauty, magic, romance and amazing NPC characters that I had craved for my whole life. FF8 had so much wonder and immersive battle content, it took my breath away.
I was less excited by the 9 and 10 games, although I do rate them as good games.
FFXI arrived, and suddenly all the pieces fell together for me. This was how games should be. Was this game even possible? Was I really playing this game? I was instantly and totally captivated by Vana'diel.
So what, you say. Well, the remarkable thing is, I am still totally mesmerised and in love with Vana'diel twelve years after I loaded FFXI for the first time.
Every time I log in and see my Tarutaru scurrying around, or see my automaton waving his little arm at me, or run across my favourite old zones, I am silenced by a depth of emotion and wonder, that I've never felt in any other games.
Vana'diel has a truly unique wonder and joy, if a person will take the time to just feel it. We are always rushing around ingame, to get things finished so quickly, we risk overlooking the simple beauty of the most amazing computergame world of all time.
I want to say thankyou to SE, one last time. FFXI gave me so much happiness for twelve years, and I pray it will continue to for years to come. Vana'diel fills my dreams when I sleep, and fills my heart when I am awake.
Thankyou for Vana'diel.