"Freshly Picked Vana'diel 13" Digest

[Camate]

Greetings,

To coincide with the November version update, Producer Akihiko Matsui held another "Freshly Picked Vana'diel" to go over some of the new content and discuss other topics pertinent to adventuring. Below is a digest of what was discussed.



Hello,
Matsui here.

Thanks for tuning into Freshly Picked Vana’diel 13.

For those of you who were unable to watch the stream, I've created this digest of what was discussed.

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/_jpyLzRY1uA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Table of Contents

Final Chapter of Seekers of Adoulin (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/45061-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-13-Digest?p=531769&viewfull=1#post531769)
Unity Concord (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/45061-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-13-Digest?p=531775&viewfull=1#post531775)
New NMs (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/45061-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-13-Digest?p=531776&viewfull=1#post531776)
Trust (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/45061-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-13-Digest?p=531778&viewfull=1#post531778)
Job Adjustments (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/45061-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-13-Digest?p=531779&viewfull=1#post531779)
Linkshell Concierge (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/45061-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-13-Digest?p=531781&viewfull=1#post531781)
Mog Gardens (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/45061-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-13-Digest?p=531791&viewfull=1#post531791)
11/11 Campaigns (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/45061-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-13-Digest?p=531795&viewfull=1#post531795)
New Soundtrack On-sale (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/45061-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-13-Digest?p=531797&viewfull=1#post531797)
Sunshine Seeker Event (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/45061-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-13-Digest?p=531800&viewfull=1#post531800)
Pictlogica Final Fantasy Collaboration (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/45061-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-13-Digest?p=531802&viewfull=1#post531802)
December Version Update Preview (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/45061-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-13-Digest?p=531805&viewfull=1#post531805)
Conclusion (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/45061-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-13-Digest?p=531806&viewfull=1#post531806)

[Camate]

Final Chapter of Seekers of Adoulin



(06:32~ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jpyLzRY1uA#t=6m32s))
We’ve added the final chapter to the Seekers of Adoulin missions. Compared to chapters 1-4, this final chapter has a huge volume of high-quality cutscenes as well as a wealth of battles.

We’ve tuned these battles so that a party of six players using item level 117 equipment can win. Fight alongside the NPC's of the storyline, emerge victorious, and check out the epic conclusion to the storyline.

Additionally, we’ve released a relationship chart to the official Seekers of Adoulin site (http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/adoulin/index.html) that looks back on the story.

There are some spoilers on the page, so please be careful if you decided to read it.

[Camate]

Unity Concord



(11:50~ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jpyLzRY1uA#t11m50s))
*The video shows the flow of participating in Unity Concord as well as a wanted battle.

We created the brand-new community element “Unity Concord” based on the concept of creating a loose in-game community that’s closer than conquest yet less binding than linkshells.

We’ve also made adjustments to the minor competitive element between Unities, Unity Ranking, to coincide with this concept.

For example, we’ve prepared bonuses so the high ranking Unities will see stat increases for certain gear, whereas the lower ranking Unities will receive a boost to the amount of Unity accolades they receive. We did not, however, make it so these differences are very large.

By participating in Unity, there are a bunch of Unity-specific objectives you can undertake through Records of Eminence. There are daily objectives, weekly objectives, and there are also wanted battles where you can fight against high-tier versions of nostalgic NMs.

We’ve created all these with the idea that you can enjoy each objective easily with your Unity allies, and many of the objectives that were added are fairly easy to get into.

We planned for this to be content where you can talk to others in Unity chat, head off together to complete objectives, and then spend the saved up Unity accolades to fight wanted battles.

More than anything else though, I hope the Unity Concord system serves as a way for adventurers to meet one another.

[Camate]

New Notorious Monsters



(30:50~ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jpyLzRY1uA#t=30m50s))
We’ve added trigger-style NMs to dungeons in Seekers of Adoulin areas. We’ve continued to use instances for Adoulin-related content, but we’ll be striking a nice balance of content that does not use instances as we move forward without creating congestion in specific locations.

[Camate]

Trust Initiative



(31:45~ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jpyLzRY1uA#t=31m45s))
In the June version update we enhanced player’s weapon skill power and as a result there was a difference in the power of weapon skills used by alter egos. Because of this we made adjustments to close the gap.

Compared to support- and healer-type alter egos, it’s been difficult to use melee-type alter egos in battle, so these adjustments should make them easier to utilize than before.

[Camate]

Job Adjustments



(32:45~ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jpyLzRY1uA#t=32m45s))
We made the following job adjustments.


Beastmaster
We changed “Ready” so that familiars can use special attacks even without full TP as long as you have charges. In the next version update we will be looking to add methods to boost the power of special attacks even more.

Additionally, we added the new ability “Bestial Loyalty” that allows you to summon a familiar without consuming jugs. With this ability, you’ll be able to more easily use pets that require expensive jugs.

We’ve also added new types of familiars expanding the selections available for level 119 pets.



Summoner
To coincide with the increased effect of Avatar’s Favor, we’ve eliminated the effect penalty when using Blood Pacts, and made it so that each time you use a Blood Pact the effect of Avatar’s Favor grows.

Additionally, we made adjustments to add skill chain properties to certain physical attack-type Blood Pacts that did not previously have them.

In the next version update we will be introducing various new Blood Pacts including Hastega II.

[Camate]

Linkshell Concierge



(38:18~ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jpyLzRY1uA#t=38m18s))
*The video shows the flow of how to register a linkpearl with the linkshell concierge and how to get a linkpearl from the linkshell concierge.

Up until now the only way to distribute linkpearls was by hand, and we had been receiving a lot of feedback about meeting players with similar goals in mind.

The linkshell concierge is a new way for you to distribute your linkpearls via NPC. For those of you who wish to increase your linkshell members or those of you who are searching for a linkshell to join, please be sure to head to a linkshell concierge.

I hope that new relationships can be forged using the linkshell concierge.

Moving forward we will be making adjustments to linkshells and the chat system, and we are looking into a system for having a sub-linkshell as well as a system that would allow you to have separate chat windows.

[Camate]

Mog Gardens




(45:12～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jpyLzRY1uA#t=45m12s))
*The video shows off the flow of how to raise a baby cockatrice and gathering multiple times from gathering points using fertilizer.

We made adjustments based on feedback we received in regards to the multiple gathering feature we added to Mog Gardens. One of these adjustments was adding a system that would stop multiple gathering when the effects of fertilizer wear off. The other adjustment is that we added fertilizer to prevent gathering points from moving while in the midst of multiple gathering.

Additionally, we’ve unlocked rank 2 for monster rearing, and we’ve made it possible to raise a number of monsters including a cockatrice.

Moving forward we plan on adding other fun elements for monster rearing.

[Camate]

11/11 Campaigns



(55:06~ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jpyLzRY1uA#t=55m06s))
We’re in the midst of holding various events to commemorate 11/11, “FFXI Day”.

Return Home to Vana’diel Campaign
Until November 17th, we’re holding a special campaign for all of the adventurers that are in the midst of taking a break. Please take this opportunity to experience and try out the current Vana’diel. Tetsuya Nomura has also created a nice illustration for the Return Home to Vana’diel Campaign.

Visit the official site (http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/campaign/wcb/index.html) for details.


Discount Campaign
The downloadable versions of FINAL FANTASY XI: Ultimate Collection Seekers Editions and the Seekers of Adoulin expansion pack are available at a discounted price for a limited time.

Visit the official site (http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11us/detail/13257/detail.html)for details.

Adventurer Appreciation Campaign
As a token of appreciation for all of our active adventurers, we are sending everyone a red mog pell that can be used to purchase various items.

Read here (http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11us/detail/13259/detail.html) for details.

Idyllic Vana’diel Campaign
Additionally, we’re holding 11 bonus campaigns at the same time.
Amongst these bonus campaigns, we’re giving SP Gobbie keys as a present that will allow you to use the special dial of the Goblin Mystery Box and there is also a Meeble Burrows campaign – both of which can be enjoyed immediately by adventurers coming back to Vana’diel.

Read up on all the campaign details (http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11us/detail/13261/detail.html).

[Camate]

New Soundtrack On-sale



(58:25～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jpyLzRY1uA#t=58m25s))
*Lyrics lead Yaeko Sato joins the stream and talks about the lyrics for “Forever Today”.

The new mini-album that contains the Seekers of Adoulin ending song “Forever Today” is now on-sale.

The mini-album’s digital jacket was illustrated by Tetsuya Nomura! Additionally, you can view the promotional video for “Forever Today” as well as other details on the official site (http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/topics/special/forevertoday/index.html).

[Camate]

Sunshine Seekers Event




(1:04:02～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jpyLzRY1uA#t=1h04m02s))
*The video shows off alter egos of Babban Ny Mheillea and Abenzio.

The Sunshine Seekers event will last until Tuesday, November 25th.

By participating in the event you’ll be able to obtain a special Mandragora suit as well as the cute Babban Ny Mheillea alter ego. This is an event that you can enjoy even at level 1.

Read the details here ( http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11us/detail/13286/detail.html ).

Additionally, you’ll also be able to obtain an alter ego of Babban Ny Mheillea’s friend Abenzio from the November Login Campaign. (http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/campaign/login/login17.html)

[Camate]

Pictologica Final Fantasy Collaboration




(1:08:18～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jpyLzRY1uA#t=1h08m18s))
*The video shows off furnishings that can be obtained through the event.

Starting on Tuesday, November 25th at 6 a.m. (PST) we’ll be holding a collaboration event with “Pictologica Final Fantasy”.

We’ve prepared special pixel art furnishings of NPCs special for this event. You’ll be able to obtain these furnishings from a variety of locations and you can also trade them with other players. Search for these items, trade them with others, and collect the whole set!

Additionally, from the end of November there will be a special event for FFXI on the “Pictologica Final Fantasy” app.

Following the beginning of the FFXI storyline you can obtain the characters you know and love through quests, and once you complete them all you will obtain Shantotto.

Please be sure to check this out.

[Camate]

December Version Update Preview



(1:12:41～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jpyLzRY1uA#t=1h12m41s))
We’re currently in the midst of preparing the content for the next version update, and I’d like to give you a sneak peek at what’s to come.

New battle content with the Xol Triumvirate
New battle content where you can once again fight the Xol Triumvirate that makes an appearance in the Seekers of Adoulin missions is currently in-development. We’re planning to make this a bit different than the high-tier mission battlefields you’ve seen up until now.



Character growth elements using job points
We’re currently developing character growth elements that will allow you to enhance your job depending on the number of capacity points you spend. To start off, we’ll be adding a system for capacity point bonuses and additional job traits; however, in the future this will be used to learn new spells as well.



Sub-linkshells
We’re working on making a system that allows you to have an additional linkshell for the December version update. We’d like this system to work in tandem with the recently added linkshell concierge to improve linkshell usability.

[Camate]

Conclusion



I hope you all enjoy the ending to the Seekers of Adoulin missions and have a new community experience with the Unity Concord system.

One of the many uses of the Unity Concord system could be to find friends to challenge the mission battles.

Though the Unity Concord system is still brand-new, we’ll be expanding it and making it easier to use as we move forward.

I look forward to hearing feedback from those of you who use this new system.