¿Goodbye, Vanadiel? Please, tell me not!!

[Daray]

I returned to the game a month ago and I 'm really enjoying all changes. But Square- Enix has announced a press conference and people talk about closing servers . It is true that there is much less active people, but are so few that kill Vanadiel?

[Shirai]

As far as I know FFXI still turns a major profit for Square-Enix so I don't think FFXI shutting down will be the main talk.
At least, not for the next couple of years.

The main theories among both the English speaking and Japanese communities are indeed a reduction in the number of servers (Merging of worlds) and the end of FFXI support for the Playstation 2.

[Daray]

Hopefully you're right :)

[Roja323]

Id also guess quarterly updates instead of monthly

[Teraniku]

Press Conference could be good or bad, depending on how you look at it. If they were going into maintenance mode or server merging, why hold a big press conference?, they'd just issue an announcement on the website like they always do.

The only reason for a big press conference, yeah they could be sunsetting FFXI, or they could be going free to play, they could be announcing a new expansion or dropping PS2 support, we won't know until Thursday so let's not worry about it, until we know what they are doing.

[Roja323]

You are missing the point...theres nothing else to talk about in these forums, so why not talk about what might be!

[evanwimbish]

Earlier this year SE posted an ad in game informer about how much money ffxi still makes after 12 years of online gaming , they won't be closing the game any time soon, they are most likely going to address the game balance as they did pre-seekers (meaning the plans for new expansion, or how they intended ffxi to be played in short amounts of time, but recieve large benefits (skirmish)

[Mnejing]

I wonder if the english digest translations will be made during the live broadcast. Though I wouldn't be surprised if its whenever the community reps get to translate it like how freshly pick is done.

[Tidis]

Would be about time they dropped PS2 support, it's a 15 year old console, I'd slap someone for using a 15 year old PC. That or I'd be shocked it's still working.

[Darkdragongers]

hmm probly possbile would like see add new Expansion in Far Eastern?

[Alhanelem]

I returned to the game a month ago and I 'm really enjoying all changes. But Square- Enix has announced a press conference and people talk about closing servers . It is true that there is much less active people, but are so few that kill Vanadiel?
They're making some sort of announcement, people are just letting their imaginations run wild. I don't think they're shutting the game down. They wouldn't still be posting news about version updates if that were the case. There COULD be a server merge but it seems odd that they would do a big announcement for that.

It could be just about anything: Dropping PS2 support, a new expansion, server merges, going free to play, some sort of special event, putting the game on a new platform in an effort to boost subs, whatever. Nobody knows what it's actually going to be about.

But I really don't think they'd do a live stream on youtube with a translation digest to announce something bad.

[Bluestar2kx]

One thought I had was announcing FFXI's updating to a new engine^^
Unlikely. But who knows, their updating the UI slowly, maybe a new engine is coming, Not likely FFXIV's engine, tho that might be easier as some of XIV's assets could likely be used, but maybe something a bit :nicer: and more modern but cheaper to run then XIV, like a modified XII/XIII engine?

Either would likely mean end mainstream support for PS2 either way, but it could also mean opening it up for PS4 support.
A new engine, and PS4 support could open the game up a bit more. I know a lot of people these days who've not played XI, don't want to because of the engines dated look.

But at the same time, that could end up being too costly for XI by raising the costs of upkeep on the title.

A graphical overhaul, a new expansion (how about one that fits both the 50's and 60's levels, there's only a few good choices for the 50's), and one for 99+?), I hope something really nice is coming for FFXI^^
I also hope FFXI isn't in danger. That would be scary ;;
FFXI is one of like, 4 titles I can say I've played fairly consistently for so many years (I think i'm on a decade now of FFXI), that's a pretty exclusive club to be in.

[Edyth]

Press conferences are held to get news media's attention. Whatever news they have is not something that is just for current players; it's something they want people to notice (i.e., game websites). Drawing attention to the discontinuation of PS2 support would not be good for SE's public image. That would be a simple news update on the POL feed, like the discontinuation of technical support for Windows XP and the retiring of the German and French clients were.

This has to be something financially beneficial to SE, such as one or more of the following:


Subscription cost reduction
Massive game engine update / "Vana'diel Reborn"
New platform support (Vita, etc.)
New expansion
Offline FFXI
Free-to-play FFXI


Other things may be announced for current players too, like Monstrosity Strikes Back, server consolidation, major in-game changes for the better, etc.

[Dragoy]

I don't quite see how free-to-play can be even imagined as a possibility, considering how much the game is making money with subscriptions, as well as the lack of micro-transactions (or any other way of making the clink-clink).

I imagine cease of service a more plausible occurrence than that, but let's hope that's not it (and I don't see why they would stop something that is likely to be profitable still).

I'd imagine server merges could be one of the things talked about, but doubtful about PS2 going away. I do think getting rid of the PS2 would be for the best to allow development of things further than currently possible. Yes, it will suck for those still using the system, but they'll have the option to upgrade, too!

Meh, I'm not one to speculate. We'll soon enough know!

[Vivivivi]

(Hello!)
My thoughts:
I don't think they would have a press conference with a live video if they were to deliver bad news. A couple of items worth noting:
Masters of the Masks is a trademark that Square Enix registered in 2014 that has yet to be used... and it follows the same naming scheme as things like:
Wings OF the Goddess
Seekers OF Adoulin
Rise OF the Zilart
Chains OF Promathia... etc.

Additionally, Project Flare aka "Dive In" is SE's new streaming service for mobile devices that let users play games like FF7, and FF13 by streaming the gaming content from the cloud. FFXI was demonstrated using this tech.

I think on Thursday that we'll find out that either:
- A new expansion is in the works
- PS2 support will be dropped and replaced with mobile streaming
- Server Merges will be happening
- Pricing adjustments/Free to Play

Or more unlikely:
- End of service/offline single player mode
- Reset button (FFXIV ARR), new graphics engine, deletion of old content etc
- new console support (ps4, xb1)
- HD remaster upgrade

No matter what, I think we're in for some good news, otherwise a live video stream wouldn't be hyped in advance.

[Raydeus]

I really hoping this is an announcement for an expansion AND the drop of PS2 support with focus on PC improvements going forward.

Hey, one can dream.

[Dazusu]

(Hello!)
No matter what, I think we're in for some good news, otherwise a live video stream wouldn't be hyped in advance.

If they wanted publicity, they would have announced this conference with a lot more than 2 days notice. This tells me they don't want the entire gaming press section present - and only want to hit the players.

If they were announcing an expansion; or something equally exciting - the news wouldn't contain wording like ... "we'll be talking about the future of FFXI", but rather "we're announcing something big!" -- plus, we'd have known about it a long time ago (or at least more than 48 hours notice)

Those of you that think this is going to be completely positive (which is subjective) I fear are really misguided, or being naive.

Still - we can hope. I still call that they're going to put the game in auto-pilot/maintenance mode, reduce or cease content updates, and merge servers so there is less to manage.

[Alhanelem]

Drawing attention to the discontinuation of PS2 support would not be good for SE's public image.How would it not be good for their image? Especially if they announced a new platform in its place (pipe dream, I know) Even people not playing that game would expect it since the ps2 is no longer in any way supported by Sony, and it wouldn't be bad news.

But I have to agree, they wouldn't likely do a live youtube stream to deliver bad news.


If they were announcing an expansion; or something equally exciting - the news wouldn't contain wording like ... "we'll be talking about the future of FFXI", but rather "we're announcing something big!" -- plus, we'd have known about it a long time ago (or at least more than 48 hours notice)But didn't they use this kind of wording prior to audolin's announcement? I'm pretty sure they said something like that when they changed directors/producers (whichever it was).

[Hoshi]

I think it very likely this is an announcement of server merges.

[Keyln]

I don't think it'll be announcing server mergers. They've been merged before, and there was no press event, just an announcement on the playonline site.

They usually do press events for major things, such as Xbox 360 release or a new expansion.

The thing is, though, that the announcement has the same tone as someone saying "We need to talk". As in, "we need to talk, you're being let go" or "we need to talk, we're breaking up" or "we need to talk, you have polio".

Needless to say, I've got a bad feeling about this...

[Avina]

One small seed of comfort maybe--

We're told we'll get a digest here in the forums. If it was something as dramatic as termination of service, I imagine that would be like--an e-mail, a post on the main site... not something that is just covered here, in the forums. That's a major announcement.

So maybe it is really just the closing of the PS2 service (which is largely irrelevant to us over here).

[Bluestar2kx]

I don't think we have much to worry about.
Who makes a broadcast event for worse case scenarios?
Even the government will lie to your face on national TV.

That's like, making a live event on CNN of you shooting yourself in the foot with a shotgun.
SE already has bad publicity going around, esp since the failure of FFXIV 1.0, publicizing bad news on one of their most profitable titles (And imo, and perhaps some those here: one of the most beloved) in the companies final fantasy history would amount to near suicide in gaming circles.

Remember, (in no directly quoted way)
The world ends, not with a bang, but a whimper.

p.s. also take note, it's called a live presentation event. When are presentations ever doom and gloom?

[Allestra]

One thought I had was announcing FFXI's updating to a new engine^^
Unlikely. But who knows, their updating the UI slowly, maybe a new engine is coming, Not likely FFXIV's engine, tho that might be easier as some of XIV's assets could likely be used, but maybe something a bit :nicer: and more modern but cheaper to run then XIV, like a modified XII/XIII engine?

Either would likely mean end mainstream support for PS2 either way, but it could also mean opening it up for PS4 support.
A new engine, and PS4 support could open the game up a bit more. I know a lot of people these days who've not played XI, don't want to because of the engines dated look.

But at the same time, that could end up being too costly for XI by raising the costs of upkeep on the title.

A graphical overhaul, a new expansion (how about one that fits both the 50's and 60's levels, there's only a few good choices for the 50's), and one for 99+?), I hope something really nice is coming for FFXI^^
I also hope FFXI isn't in danger. That would be scary ;;
FFXI is one of like, 4 titles I can say I've played fairly consistently for so many years (I think i'm on a decade now of FFXI), that's a pretty exclusive club to be in.

As someone else who has subscribed continuously for the last 10 years , I tend to hope along the same lines as you. :D

I don't think its time for ffxi to end by any means , its population is far far from what it used to be but there are enough still interested to keep it going for a while yet I think.

FTP would not be worth anything to se, they have nothing to offer cash shop wise, which is the bread and butter of any ftp game. ffxi is too limited in that way to ever be ftp. (no vanity system , no pets, no mounts, no character customization changes, no dyes, no exp pots etc..nothing to ever sustain a ftp design)

Hope it is good news at any rate, I will complain about parts of the game or some decisions made of course!.., but, I'm still subscribed lol

[Chilloa]

FTP would not be worth anything to se, they have nothing to offer cash shop wise, which is the bread and butter of any ftp game. ffxi is too limited in that way to ever be ftp. (no vanity system , no pets, no mounts, no character customization changes, no dyes, no exp pots etc..nothing to ever sustain a ftp design)l

I'm going to keep the optimism train going. Even though I would hate for the game to become F2P, a micro transaction store isn't completely out of the cards. Buying days at a time of double exp., exclusive Trusts, all the exclusive items from the login campaigns can become exclusive to the new store, the items that were released only during events or with the purchase of another item (Tidal Talisman, Gobbie Gavel, Shell Scepter), holiday equipment, Dynamis currency, Alexandrites, Seals from Abyssea, exp. rings, Primeval Brews, a new storage system, exclusive monstrosity monsters. As much as I'd hate microtransactions, it certainly is possible.

Also, I'd like to point out that FFXI does a vanity system. While it is limited, there definitely is one that we can use to equip our favorite armor while maintaining our stats. from our gear.

[Rubeus]

In the same vein as Chilloa, you could also potentially buy things like Bounding Boots (which are r/e and nobody really cares about anymore) in regards to new players. Quite a lot of gear falls into that category of "just until you hit 99" as it is. Personally, I'm really hoping it's an expansion, and that that expansion covers a new continent in any direction. Their exact wording is "Live presentation event" and "our plans for FFXI going forward" not "the future of ffxi." This usually amounts to "New expansion" not "we're terminating." You bid your players farewell on the mainpage and give a notice of the final day of active service if you're going to terminate.
Besides, with Masters of the Masks being trademarked and attached to the ffxi support page, and with every expansion having their own mini-site, the odds are in our favor. They're probably just switching the links around and uploading the page.

[Ethalio]

In FFII the white mask and dark mask are used to acquire the crystal rod, which is necessary to enter the mysidian tower.

[PlumbGame]

/crosses fingers for new server that starts from beginning announced.

[steellords]

I don't think we have much to worry about.
Who makes a broadcast event for worse case scenarios?
Even the government will lie to your face on national TV.

That's like, making a live event on CNN of you shooting yourself in the foot with a shotgun.
SE already has bad publicity going around, esp since the failure of FFXIV 1.0, publicizing bad news on one of their most profitable titles (And imo, and perhaps some those here: one of the most beloved) in the companies final fantasy history would amount to near suicide in gaming circles.

Remember, (in no directly quoted way)
The world ends, not with a bang, but a whimper.

p.s. also take note, it's called a live presentation event. When are presentations ever doom and gloom?

If it were an NA company i'd agree, but there is the whole "honor" element that would prevent SE from just dropping a bombshell in a blurb on pol. This same reason might dissuade them from ditching PS2 support, even if it means no more new content, since so many JP still use it

It's not really a PR disaster either, since they've got two other MMOs and 13 years or whatever is quite an accomplishment. Look at the graveyard of MMOs including "star wars" in the title that have not survived nearly as long. Nothing lasts forever and indeed, WoW is hemorrhaging subs too

It at first blew my mind to see people in the very same post speculate "end of ff11" or "new expansion + graphics overhaul" How in the world can both be possible? Not only is this game not the company's only revenue source (800k-1.2 mil a month is nothing), but i really feel it's a pipe dream to expect expansion + V2 graphics. The last expansion led to *fewer* subs, abyssea too. I also think, unlike others, the mass bans and respectably frequent updates (skirmish, CP, empy reforged) is a sign they are tying up loose ends on content, and they don't care about lost subs from here on

"plans for the future" also sounds long term beyond any 'road map' they've done

So i predict a hefty server merge, continued ps2 support, end of updates in near future, *maybe* lower sub fee or f2p (this would reduce the hostility at least). But no, i don't believe it will be endtimes so soon after these bans and updates, certainly not end of june as one site predicted

[scaevola]

In the same vein as Chilloa, you could also potentially buy things like Bounding Boots (which are r/e and nobody really cares about anymore) in regards to new players. Quite a lot of gear falls into that category of "just until you hit 99" as it is.

The point of a cash shop is to make money. If there were one from which you could buy actual gear/loot, aiming it towards new players would be the worst way to do it.

If FFXI were to include one that sold stuff beyond cosmetics/boosts, the first thing up there would be RME currency. Anyone with the means to pay $300 for a Cat's Eye would be a fool not to, after all.

[Afania]

I returned to the game a month ago and I 'm really enjoying all changes. But Square- Enix has announced a press conference and people talk about closing servers . It is true that there is much less active people, but are so few that kill Vanadiel?

It's very unlikely for SE to shut down FFXI servers due to the lack of active players in the near future. FFXI is an FF MMO, SE seems to manage FF MMO titles differently from how western/Asian game companies treat their MMO titles.

Remember how SE kept FFXIV 1.0 servers up for entire year and remade the entire game just because....it's an FF MMO. This is something Western/Asian game companies usually won't do, since other companies often treat their MMO titles like money generator.

I bet FFXI would get a PS3/PS4 or Vita port(Like Nobunga's ambition online, which is almost as old as FFXI) before server shuts down.

Just my 2 cents, I could be wrong :cool:

[Bluestar2kx]

It's very unlikely for SE to shut down FFXI servers due to the lack of active players in the near future. FFXI is an FF MMO, SE seems to manage FF MMO titles differently from how western/Asian game companies treat their MMO titles.

Remember how SE kept FFXIV 1.0 servers up for entire year and remade the entire game just because....it's an FF MMO. This is something Western/Asian game companies usually won't do, since other companies often treat their MMO titles like money generator.

I bet FFXI would get a PS3/PS4 or Vita port(Like Nobunga's ambition online, which is almost as old as FFXI) before server shuts down.

Just my 2 cents, I may be wrong completely :cool:

FFXI is as most of us understand, pretty cheap to maintain, so I agree, unlikely we'll see a shutdown threat until server populations hit critical levels. (i.e. like less then 100 players each, which none of them are close to even now.)

SE definitely does handle it's MMO's very differently.
FFXIV 1.0 would have shut down completely in the first year of operation if almost any other company was running it, they would not have in a million years spent the money to remake it. That was a brave and dedicated move by SE, and it turns out to have worked, XIV is more popular then most MMO's on the market. Plus, how many other MMO's run their games with populations so low and not shut them down? FFXI is a profit machine still, it's future is safe for awhile yet.

I think, they'll take big steps to try and breath life back into FFXI, now that XIV is launched and set, long before they'd ever consider a shut down.
This means: ports to new systems (PS4 would be ideal, and easy to port to and highest install base of this generation, vita would give nice mobile capability but low population, 3DS or Wii U would be neat for dual screens and space saving, and esp with SE ammibos!!! I'll take prishe^^), graphic overhauls to appeal to wider audiences, and new expansions.

I don't think F2P is in the cards, SE has said not a chance several times, and even avoided it with XIV, I don't think for a moment it would, esp not still turning a profit. Plus a cash shop would take more work to implement then it would give back and have limited options due to the engines limitations, and buying currency as some mentioned would be pay to win and that never goes well, because as was said, who wouldn't just buy a cat's eye, or ampules or tokens and skip all the hard stuff?

Whatever happens, I just hope FFXI's core stays as it was designed to be.
That's why we are all here, and not in XIV.

Plus...
FFXI is my home^^
And I know it's the same for many others who keep coming back, or keep playing, several of my friends, and my partner included. And I'd bet it means a lot to a lot of the staff at SE too, esp those who worked/work on it.

[Glamdring]

to be honest it's been over 2 years since SoA roll-out, given their history I would expect that they are working on the next FFXI expansion pack which I would peg for a fall-likely November-release combined with a server merge. but ending PS2 support is just a pipe dream.

note, I have nothing to base any of this on but the intervals on previous expansions and how stubbornly they have clung to PS2.

either that or they'll be announcing mobile support, the game is small enough to fit in a smartphone or handheld and has been for years, why not? ok, the chat window might be a little small...

[Bluestar2kx]

either that or they'll be announcing mobile support, the game is small enough to fit in a smartphone or handheld and has been for years, why not? ok, the chat window might be a little small...

Handheld it would fit on, maybe. Idk how big the vita and 3DS carts are (tho they both have SDHC slots), but they're definitely strong enough (hell, almost anything is now)
Smartphones are strong enough to run it, but space might be an issue, most smartphones typically have limited storage space these days, and more phones, are removing microSD slots even tho they increase internal storage, only top end phones typically have that, with FFXI being 12.4Gb that could be an issue for some people, esp since a lot of people take video and pictures a lot, space could run tight without microSD slots, even with it really.

But the chat window and typing is the biggest issue I see with portable devices (After touch being awful for most games not built for touch by default), except maybe the 3DS as someone was kind enough to make a photo up in another thread (likewise, the wii u).

[detlef]

Cash shop for missed trusts would be great. Koru-Moru anyone?

Also, some people might not agree, but spending cash for something like Skirmish Stones or Refractive Crystals just might work.

[Himrik]

Remember how SE kept FFXIV 1.0 servers up for entire year and remade the entire game just because....it's an FF MMO.
They kept FFXIV alive because they didn't want any Final Fantasy te be remembered as a failure.

Whatever they say in their conference, FFXI had a great success, and lived a long and "happy" life.

[Shirai]

Cash shop for missed trusts would be great. Koru-Moru anyone?

Kind of off-topic here, but I recommend that you work your way through the Adoulin storyline because Koru-Moru is nothing compared to Arciela.

[detlef]

Kind of off-topic here, but I recommend that you work your way through the Adoulin storyline because Koru-Moru is nothing compared to Arciela.I haven't missed a trust but I know enough people who don't have him that I think his cipher should be made widely available... But you gotta pay!

[Catmato]

They've been researching how much real money people are willing to spend on in-game items for quite a while with their login campaigns, and what kind of (exp, cap, bayld, etc.) multipliers people would be willing to pay for with all of their bonus campaigns. F2P is entirely in the realm of possibility.

[Atomic_Skull]

Kind of off-topic here, but I recommend that you work your way through the Adoulin storyline because Koru-Moru is nothing compared to Arciela.

Arciela will not heal or buff anyone else but you so she's actually a lot less useful than Koru-Moru.

[steellords]

They've been researching how much real money people are willing to spend on in-game items for quite a while with their login campaigns, and what kind of (exp, cap, bayld, etc.) multipliers people would be willing to pay for with all of their bonus campaigns. F2P is entirely in the realm of possibility.

Yeah and mog bonanza would provide data too. I didn't think of it that way, but i'm surprised they haven't done actual surveys like "How much would you pay for a cat's eye or 10,000 byne bill?"

Then again, i guess they could just take a gander at rmt sites to get a baseline and add say 20% for those unwilling to risk getting caught

[pretre]

id buy nirvana

[Alhanelem]

One thing people might not have thought of, they could be going "Freemium" instead of pure F2P, where the option to subscribe is there and gives you extra perks while playing for free is also possible with paywalls or grinding to unlock content.

[Raydeus]

The Last Verse.

Edit > So we finally get rid of PS2 limitations only to get Vana dumped into a Phone game? At least I'll have enough time to finish all the content I have left before the end. #lolGrandMasters

Edit2 > How is the character boost going to work though?

[Dragoy]

Raydeus,

That seems to be the general gist of things.

Same here; I do have plenty I want to still get done, so it's great I'll at least have the time chance for that, from the looks and sounds of it!


Been here for 10 years, and still so much to do (even old things).

Me so lazy.

[mekia]

It all sounds like a lot of stuff no one really cares about >.>

[Dragoy]

Massively Multiplayer Mobile RPG, huh...

I don't even have a smartphone! Not that I'd trade XI for that even if it's kinda Vana'diel...

[Raydeus]

Massive Multiplayer Mobile RPG, with Nexon..!

If I had facepalmed any harder I would've required a trip to the ER. orz


PS > I feel so bad for Matsui-san.

[mekia]

Well that was completely useless like expected

[Raydeus]

Aaaand we are done.

And I'm really looking forward to reading the comments after Camate posts the digest of this thing.

[GameNChick]

New Add-On Scenarios and Major Updates

In May, August, and November there will be 3 major updates entitled "Vanadiel's Song of the Stars".

These will be grand, major updates including new areas, battle content, and battle systems including dynamic events (think RIFTs, FATEs).

Following these updates, there will be no more major content updates for FFXI, but the game will continue to be supported with minor patches and the servers will not be closing down.


Console Support

Playstation 2 and Xbox 360 support will be dropped in March 2016.


MMMRPG

Massively Multiplayer Mobile Role Playing Game. It will include a sort of version of FFXI that will allow you to do some things directly to your FFXI character while incorporating new features not available on the PC. They're looking for ways to "make people want to log in every day".

[steellords]

I do agree with you that they are probably checking out the money spent on mules that people hire for mogbonanza or even just login shanks etc.

However re; Cash Shop / Inhouse RMT, ie. legalised real money trading, dollars for ingame currencies / gear / progress, might have some drawbacks, SE also need to consider how many people would close their FFXI accounts entirely if a Cash Shop arrived. A lot of people despise RMT, and only accept it grudgingly because it is illegal and not sanctioned. But if a Cash Shop arrived, selling currencies or high value gear or progress, this would upset quite a few purists who have never bought gil, and believe that the only way to progress in a game is to play the game. My friends are firmly in this camp, they are roleplayers and see external cash-injections into the virtual character's world, as an unnatural and corrosive factor in online roleplaying games.

Obviously the selling of fancy fun stuff and costumes, things like Tidal Talisman etc. is totally OK, it is just the currencies/serious gear/progress that might cause issues.

I am not going to say anything about my own opinions, because I have now learned that I will just get flamed for that, but I do think that for every person who likes the Cash Shop there may well be a few others who don't like it, and a few who might even /unsubscribe, if currency/gear/progress goes on sale.

Seeing as they're ending updates in 7 months and cutting ps2/xbox AFTER that, i highly doubt that they will care one way or the other. They may go f2p/cash shop as subs really drop a year from now, or just merge into 1 server and keep the sub fee until the game dies off. I doubt it will be financially driven so much as PR driven

[Shadowstrife]

I have been a loyal ffxi player since it was released on Xbox 360,I own ffxiv too and to me ffxi has something about it that's made me and no doubt lots of other Xbox players put much time into it.now today I learn that services are going to be stopped on it,I think this is a mistake because your going to be losing lots of loyal players and servers will be even less populated,lot of people have friends on ffxi on different formats that they will lose too.SE please re-consider this decision and other players out there that agree with me speak up too,we have put many years of hard work into this and it's a shame for it to come to an end like this.its not just the game we lose,it's the friends we made too.keep the game going on all formats and let everyone enjoy the future content together please.

[evanwimbish]

DAMNIT ! I don't want to have to learn how to play 14 and watch as 11 dies WTF!!! I trio box in USA with 2 xbox and 1 laptop

[urzla]

i feel like crying. no more content updates after this year just sucks.

I really wish they would remake this game on a new engine.
with the same job system and battle systems they are perfect in my opinion.

I wish thats what they would of done with FFXIV.


i donno what else to say im just heart broken.

[Ethereal]

This certainly does bring the term "orz" back from the dead.

[Ethereal]

i feel like crying. no more content updates after this year just sucks.

I really wish they would remake this game on a new engine.
with the same job system and battle systems they are perfect in my opinion.

I wish thats what they would of done with FFXIV.


i donno what else to say im just heart broken.

Yea, it's sad. But at least it will keep running indefinitely, until everyone leaves completely lol. Also, they have been pumping out content faster than I can collect gear. It was kind of making me think twice about devoting time toward certain gear. This would now leave a solid path for me for a few years at least. By then, who knows where I/we will be personally as well as where Final Fantasy will be. Maybe another MMO aside from FFXIV will be in the works.

The game can't run forever, they would at least need to remaster the whole thing at some point (i don't count ffxiv as being this).

[scaevola]

I don't even play pet jobs but I hope they turn BST, PUP, and SMN into godmode for this. :(

[Avina]

I've been behind for years--and there is still so much I want to do. As long as I get to do it all, and have the time to do it, I'll be happy.

If the PC version will remain alive for some time, thatI's fine with me. What I fear is them trying to replace the PC version with this mobile thing--which given this company's reputation, will surely flop.

I'm less worried about there not being anymore content. I think with the new stuff we'll be getting, if its done well--well, it could be nice. I pretty much hate FFXIV. It just feels like a game that doesn't take itself seriously--and the FATE system is dumb. I don't see myself sticking with XIV without XI around. XIV is my distraction, XI is my love.

The whole thing though just seems extremely strange. We're told on some level that they are sunsetting FFXI. But then we're told this native app is on the way... its a weird thing to say "we're not developing this anymore" and then say "but we're making a massive undertaking to push it to mobile." I don't really understand.

FFXI Grandmasters looked alright honestly. Too bad SE says no NA region version--because making less money makes tons of sense.

[Ramzi]

I recently started having issues where expanding/trying to change chat windows on my chat log crashes me to desktop. It's actually pretty game breaking, and I haven't been able to get any help solving it, so I'm done. It feels like a punch in the gut to just stop playing so suddenly but I've always preferred to have the proverbial band aid ripped off fast, rather than a slow, painful process.

With a wide variety of games coming out for consoles in the next few months, FFXI would only serve to distract me from giving these games the attention they deserve anyway.
{Take care} XI community.

[Blah]

I hate to put this out there but one reason they may be getting rid of the 360 is because they (Microsoft) maybe be cutting Xbox live service some time in 2016 and this is their way of subtlety giving us a heads up. If that is the case I don't know what the heck Microsoft is thinking and if that's not the case I don't know what SE is thinking.

[Mooserocka]

This is so upsetting. I came from ff 14'and love this game so much more. Now it's done. Also if your going to end the game you seriously have to nerf rudra damn atleast let us enjoy it the last few months the game is available. What's the point now. Also would love if November they just gave away free mythic so to people to get them to stay . I'm just upset and talking nonsense . O well very very depressed

[Alhanelem]

I've been behind for years--and there is still so much I want to do. As long as I get to do it all, and have the time to do it, I'll be happy.

If the PC version will remain alive for some time, thatI's fine with me. What I fear is them trying to replace the PC version with this mobile thing--which given this company's reputation, will surely flop.

I'm less worried about there not being anymore content. I think with the new stuff we'll be getting, if its done well--well, it could be nice. I pretty much hate FFXIV. It just feels like a game that doesn't take itself seriously--and the FATE system is dumb. I don't see myself sticking with XIV without XI around. XIV is my distraction, XI is my love.

The whole thing though just seems extremely strange. We're told on some level that they are sunsetting FFXI. But then we're told this native app is on the way... its a weird thing to say "we're not developing this anymore" and then say "but we're making a massive undertaking to push it to mobile." I don't really understand.

FFXI Grandmasters looked alright honestly. Too bad SE says no NA region version--because making less money makes tons of sense.
Nexon's rep basically comes from 2 things: customer support (far, far worse than SE's) and all the games they serve are pay-to-win. But they don't have the ability to do that to XI.

[edsports1]

I'm not going to get into the good/bad arguments here. Just kind of wanted to share a story about what this game has meant to me throughout the years.

I really clicked on the FF series starting with IV/II-US. I think I played through that game about 20 times over. In comes VI/III-US, and I buy it with my lawn mowing money and play through it several times. VII, VIII, IX, X... ROM-play II-j, III-j, V-j, good stuff each time. Then along comes XI. I joined when the PS2 hard drive version came out. Made mistakes, learned how to act in life, made friends in the aftermath... and then something happened. I really began to enjoy the economic system... probably too much. So much so, I stopped leveling WAR at 40 and worked on crafting almost exclusively. It clicked that I need to become a business guy. Left the game, finished off a failed two campaigns at college, get my General Studies and Business Management degrees. Then lo and behold, I make the MBA program at Oklahoma. And I finish that off, able to return to playing college club soccer for one last round, picked up a state runner-up on a sixth penalty kick shootout loss to go along with 3 other state championships. And in my final semester, found an amazing lady to hook up with, and from China no less.

Then I came back to FFXI while starting up my professional career. It's been two years since my return, certain I missed out on a lot from then to now, and only reconnected briefly with one old pal once in-game. But I picked up a few real life friends who played in the game, and life is good.

I just want to post this mainly to show that all good things must come to end, but all things will be born again. Don't get too caught up in the coming of the end. I too am disappointed, but at the same time, I see it like an old friend telling me it's time to go, let's play one more round. Or an old favorite business that is getting pressure to fix things up for well beyond prudent planning costs to do so, or the landlord wants double the rent, so it's time for an end of business/come get that last sandwich week. So here we are. I came back to finish the story and move on through the XII and up series of games. That's what I'll do. My only wish is that there will be some kind stand-alone legacy thing, which it looks like we are halfway receiving. It's nice to dust off the collection and play offline stuff with friends. I hope that never stops. I hope we get what we deserve with these updates, and I think the effort is there to try.

Come get that last sandwich. Enjoy this Year of the Sheep in-game. We'll see you around inside.

[Olor]

This is so upsetting. I came from ff 14'and love this game so much more. Now it's done. Also if your going to end the game you seriously have to nerf rudra damn atleast let us enjoy it the last few months the game is available. What's the point now. Also would love if November they just gave away free mythic so to people to get them to stay . I'm just upset and talking nonsense . O well very very depressed

Giving people endgame goodies for free wouldn't make them stay... Ever use a gameshark on a game? I don't know about you, but it made it so much less fun... it took away all the difficulty and mystery to it.

Anyway I can understand why folks are upset, but I am not. I haven't completed any of the storylines already available, and I bet most people who have ever played haven't finished all of them either, so I can enjoy the game for years more with what we already have.

With the move to mobile my guess is that the goal is to hook people for awhile with the storylines etc and have lots of churn. Honestly, I could see myself playing for a long time if they drop the sub rates a bit, but if there is going to be no new content produced the sub rates are pretty high (it costs me 20 bucks for 30 days with the exchange rate and a few mules). If they dropped the base rate to 7 bucks or something and kept mules the same price, that would be a bit more fair I think.

I am personally interested in the mobile version. Even if all I was doing was crafting a bit while waiting in line or something, it would be nice... depends on the hit to data.

At any rate, I am in for the year, at least on and off, give the new content a try, get some cool new goodies for my BST, run around in the barren lands on my trusty, slow blue chocobo, and try to have a bit of fun and not take it too seriously.

[Teraniku]

Well the good things: at least the final main Scenario is free

ilevel stays @ 119 cap so everyone can catch up

Still getting adjustments, to gameplay and bug fixes just nothing new a la skirmish etc.

The bad:

Mobile: Bleh
No new content updates, just big fixes
I just need to finish the Adoulin and The new Storyline and I'll have finished all of them. It's been a great ride and I've met some really great people.

(I'm kind of hoping they end it with Trion and Curilla's Wedding and have all the main NPC's show up to attend, I would be totally cool as the camera pans and shows everyone attending)

[Bluestar2kx]

I cried so hard after reading this, i had to leave the room to not scare the kids with momma bent over the computer crying ;;

This is really awful news ;; World shattering i dare say. (no pun intended)
I hoped for an expansion or news of a port to bring in more people to FFXI proper, or a new engine to attract those who won't play because of graphics being dated.

I never expected a sunset announcement ;;

I'm glad PC service won't shut down next march too, but who knows how long that will be after that ;;
I'm hoping not for a few years at least. I've played since 2003, but I've always been slow to get into things. I was always behind a majority of the server. Even now I'm still waay behind, so many stories to do, so much content I've not even touched since old linkshell days, even then I didn't get a lot done outside of sky/sea and some ZNM's, we didn't have great amount of people to burn content easily, but we were family none the less ;;

*R*I*P* TheSpiritsWithin II.

FFXI has been my home online since 2003, I've always come back to it fairly quickly.
And when I divorced and found my new partner, we both play together, and she's not even played FFXI very long ;;

So much left in the world ;; Maybe I should try and find a new social shell while it lasts ;; but my play doesn't fit in so many places I just get left behind :/

But the borders won't expand much more, and the sky will ever so slightly grow more darker every day.

One can only hope for a resurrection project like Earth and Beyond got (I just hope it wouldn't be capped at 75...). Or perhaps SE releasing a server kit for us (hopefully with like dungeon master controls per se).

I'm happy we're not just cut off this year, and FFXI will run for awhile still (Though in a way that kind of prolongs the pain). But time moves quickly, and I definitely feel like the world is a bit darker ;;

When FFXI shuts down, we have no where else to go :/ No other MMO does anything near like what FFXI does, and it's the main title my partner and i play together. XIV is pretty, but it just isn't suitable for a lot of reasons. (Not the least of which is that main content outside of dungeons is locked to solo only, wth is the point of that in an MMO?!)

I guess the old saying will finally reach it's end: You'll always come back to FFXI. ;;

Vana'diel...
You'll be my home until the end, but you'll have a big place in my heart forever.

[Belmonts]

I cried so hard after reading this, i had to leave the room to not scare the kids with momma bent over the computer crying ;;

This is really awful news ;; World shattering i dare say. (no pun intended)
I hoped for an expansion or news of a port to bring in more people to FFXI proper, or a new engine to attract those who won't play because of graphics being dated.

I never expected a sunset announcement ;;

I'm glad PC service won't shut down next march too, but who knows how long that will be after that ;;
I'm hoping not for a few years at least. I've played since 2003, but I've always been slow to get into things. I was always behind a majority of the server. Even now I'm still waay behind, so many stories to do, so much content I've not even touched since old linkshell days, even then I didn't get a lot done outside of sky/sea and some ZNM's, we didn't have great amount of people to burn content easily, but we were family none the less ;;

*R*I*P* TheSpiritsWithin II.

FFXI has been my home online since 2003, I've always come back to it fairly quickly.
And when I divorced and found my new partner, we both play together, and she's not even played FFXI very long ;;

So much left in the world ;; Maybe I should try and find a new social shell while it lasts ;; but my play doesn't fit in so many places I just get left behind :/

But the borders won't expand much more, and the sky will ever so slightly grow more darker every day.

One can only hope for a resurrection project like Earth and Beyond got (I just hope it wouldn't be capped at 75...). Or perhaps SE releasing a server kit for us (hopefully with like dungeon master controls per se).

I'm happy we're not just cut off this year, and FFXI will run for awhile still (Though in a way that kind of prolongs the pain). But time moves quickly, and I definitely feel like the world is a bit darker ;;

When FFXI shuts down, we have no where else to go :/ No other MMO does anything near like what FFXI does, and it's the main title my partner and i play together. XIV is pretty, but it just isn't suitable for a lot of reasons. (Not the least of which is that main content outside of dungeons is locked to solo only, wth is the point of that in an MMO?!)

I guess the old saying will finally reach it's end: You'll always come back to FFXI. ;;

Vana'diel...
You'll be my home until the end, but you'll have a big place in my heart forever.

I... have something in my eye... I'll just sit in that corner for a while...

[Raydeus]

Here is the thing though. After XI drops console support and the limited development focuses on PC improvements there is a VERY GOOD chance older players will actually return to finish the game on a proper PC client. Squeenix has tried killing off XI before, but there's a good chance we might get more people playing after everything is said and done and the PC client gets better.

I mean if that ends up not being the case and XI dies by 2017-ish then that's that, but it would be really funny if XI was "Reborn" (pun severely intended) instead.

ヽ( ´ー`)ノ

[Zeargi]

I'm not gonna lie. This news makes me Angry... Very angry. I know this game can't go on forever, and I know that the 360 is on it's way out. But for the love... WTF a Mobile Game? It's a cool concept, by why would I want to play something like that on a mobile device when I'm at home. I want to play on the Video Game Console that I bought for gaming. I'm okay with them ending support for those 2 consoles, if there was a way that I could continue to play on the next gen that I have. After playing FF14 on the PS3 then going to PS4, I was floored at the drastic changes that were visible. The PS4 already has 1 FF MMO, It can handle the graphical changes for a game like this, and it'll open up to the instant DL Market. HD Remake is something that I'm sure people would get back into, even in they had to start over.

[vienne]

try to have a bit of fun and not take it too seriously.
I suggest that all non minors/non AA people on the servers get drunk the last saturday of every comming month and redo old content for giggles, that would be a fitting goodbye.

[Dragoy]

So much left in the world ;; Maybe I should try and find a new social shell while it lasts ;; but my play doesn't fit in so many places I just get left behind :/

I believe you most certainly should!

I don't know what the social shells over there are, but ours doesn't leave anyone behind! I do hope you can find at least one such shell over there, too.


I mean if that ends up not being the case and XI dies by 2017-ish then that's that, but it would be really funny if XI was "Reborn" (pun severely intended) instead.

Heh, so much what I've been thinking of. How long 'til the next “Adōulin” will be announced... hrhr.


I suggest that all non minors/non AA people on the servers get drunk the last saturday of every comming month and redo old content for giggles, that would be a fitting goodbye.

You buying? -.^

That's quite the offer for quite a few months to come!

(For some reason I first 'read' every week, but that's still a bunch!)

[Shadowstrife]

I'm seeing lots of people upset about Square Enix choice to stop ffxi on Xbox 360 across all different forum sites and I am one of those people too as I said in my last post.in previous updates that they have done with 11 they have said things like "we listened to what you had to say and want in forums and other feedback sites and made it happen",so Square Enix please listen now and look at what forums are sayng here and other forum sites,the decision has made people very sad and it's not to late to reconsider and do the right thing and keep FFXI going on Xbox 360 and other formats too,we don't want to lose 11 or our friends we made over the years.people that agree with me let ur feelings be know if you want to keep ffxi running,post you're thoughts on here and any other sites you are on,there's a big group of us and we need to stand together on this,nobody wants to lose 9 years of of hard work,friends and memories.

[illusionist]

Raydeus,

That seems to be the general gist of things.

Same here; I do have plenty I want to still get done, so it's great I'll at least have the time chance for that, from the looks and sounds of it!


Been here for 10 years, and still so much to do (even old things).

Me so lazy.

Me so lazy too.been here 13 years,and mostly used my time for chatting.
I played FF14 too,but There's little chance to communicate,It's so different.
And for me,JP who like to talk with and play with English speaking players, FF14 offers no chance.

Maybe chatting software will be enough?No,I want to chat while we are in adventure which is impossible in Real life.

I'm soooo depressed.

[Mavelle]

Oh wow, everyone already talking as if the game closes next month. They haven’t announced the sunset yet, true that we don’t know how long the windows version will be online and if they are going to support Windows 10. But it’s still online. Just enjoy its last years.

Just so you know where I came from and why I type this kind of stuff. This is my last MMO of the big three that I played from the start of my MMO life. The first one is Star Wars Galaxies, you all know what happened to that. And the second one was City of Heroes, now THAT had a stupid closing of the game. It was all of a sudden, with only 2 month notice that it’s going to be closed.

So I’m really glad that they announced it this way, so that we at least KNOW that we still have some time left. But that’s it’s just on its last leg.

[PlumbGame]

They never announced FFXI shutting down, just not receiving major updates. I guarantee many of you at the rates you play still have several years till you "complete" the game. This isn't even including what is to come in the 3 major patches or what might possibly exist in the continued minor patches.

[Stompa]

They never announced FFXI shutting down, just not receiving major updates. I guarantee many of you at the rates you play still have several years till you "complete" the game. This isn't even including what is to come in the 3 major patches or what might possibly exist in the continued minor patches.

I agree, there wouldn't be much point adding AF3 reforged, Vagary, and whole new Expansion with new areas and missions and rewards, if the game was then going to shut down six months or a year later. Given that it can take casual players a year to clear mission lines.

And the thing is, everyone I speak to in FFxi says they will keep paying subs anyway, even if FFxi becomes "Han Solo'd" frozen mode, on the shelf. My friends will keep playing it and paying for it, so long as it is online and not bug-ridden. If that is a demographic, then SE have every reason to just keep the game floating in limbo indefinitely, like a virtual museum lol. It is called Nostalgia Gaming, some fans will just play their favourite classic games until the keyboard is just a pile of dust.

[Belmonts]

This was a rehearsal of Matsui and the SquareEnix CEO to let us know they want us to gtfo in the next 2-3 years. They didn't do it on the real press conference, tho. :3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-p15n7ie4Q

[Shay]

Yeah umm so I may be wrong but, just because they're no longer supporting it, does not mean that you cant access the game anymore?

my understanding is that there simply will be no more bug fixes or anything for ps2 or 360 nor any type of minor content update that comes out...

but I maybe wrong

[bungiefanNA]

Dropping support means they will not allow the consoles to connect to the servers anymore. If they continue with monthly bug fix patches, they won't develop them for the consoles, which means the next patch for PC will cause a version mismatch, which will prevent the console from logging in.

[Alhanelem]

Yeah umm so I may be wrong but, just because they're no longer supporting it, does not mean that you cant access the game anymore?

my understanding is that there simply will be no more bug fixes or anything for ps2 or 360 nor any type of minor content update that comes out...

but I maybe wrongYou're wrong. *service* is *ending*. meaning, you won't be able to log in with console versions. it's not just "you wont get content updates", especially considering after the date of the shutdown, there won't be content updates for ANY version.

[bazookatooth]

You can easily test the theory. Do a fresh install and try to play it without updating first.

[Teraniku]

I suggest that all non minors/non AA people on the servers get drunk the last saturday of every comming month and redo old content for giggles, that would be a fitting goodbye.

I've always said they day they shut the servers down I would go to every area of the game and end on Misreaux Coast by the waterfall, because that's where I wanted my character to retire...

[Sayomi]

I'm fairly sure FFXI will be around a very long time, if anyone remembers that time before ToAH where it was just log in, and do meh all day with just occasional balence updates, even After ToAH before WoTG was the same long wait. PC isn't even an issue these days any pc can run XI, a toaster with LCD screen probably could.

[Afania]

It's very unlikely for SE to shut down FFXI servers due to the lack of active players in the near future. FFXI is an FF MMO, SE seems to manage FF MMO titles differently from how western/Asian game companies treat their MMO titles.

Remember how SE kept FFXIV 1.0 servers up for entire year and remade the entire game just because....it's an FF MMO. This is something Western/Asian game companies usually won't do, since other companies often treat their MMO titles like money generator.

I bet FFXI would get a PS3/PS4 or Vita port(Like Nobunga's ambition online, which is almost as old as FFXI) before server shuts down.

Just my 2 cents, I could be wrong :cool:

I guess I was right about keeping FFXI alive....except I wasn't expecting a mobile version lol.

[steellords]

I'm fairly sure FFXI will be around a very long time, if anyone remembers that time before ToAH where it was just log in, and do meh all day with just occasional balence updates, even After ToAH before WoTG was the same long wait. PC isn't even an issue these days any pc can run XI, a toaster with LCD screen probably could.

WoTG release was so empty, it's when most of my original LS quit. Really from end of ToA to abyssea was a huge void in which it *seemed* nothing worthwhile would be added again. If you ask me, the bigger concern in terms of ppl quitting will come before next march. I see again the signs of boredom before this announcement was made, my last good friend from 75 era quit last month too, so i doubt the "finale" updates will hold people over for 2 month interval. Now is the need for better gear and new challenges

But clearly SE reached a point of not caring about vertical progression

[steellords]

I'm not gonna lie. This news makes me Angry... Very angry. I know this game can't go on forever, and I know that the 360 is on it's way out. But for the love... WTF a Mobile Game? It's a cool concept, by why would I want to play something like that on a mobile device when I'm at home. I want to play on the Video Game Console that I bought for gaming. I'm okay with them ending support for those 2 consoles, if there was a way that I could continue to play on the next gen that I have. After playing FF14 on the PS3 then going to PS4, I was floored at the drastic changes that were visible. The PS4 already has 1 FF MMO, It can handle the graphical changes for a game like this, and it'll open up to the instant DL Market. HD Remake is something that I'm sure people would get back into, even in they had to start over.

The kind of remake that would do justice to PS4 would cost tens of millions...It's one thing to do a texture 'enhancement' like FFX HD, but start going into skeletal facial features etc, in a way it's like making a new game and from SE point of view, 14 v1 was the intended HD remake. We're fortunate the release for 14 failed miserably, or support for 11 would've died long ago, i suspect SoA wouldn't even exist

[steellords]

I agree, there wouldn't be much point adding AF3 reforged, Vagary, and whole new Expansion with new areas and missions and rewards, if the game was then going to shut down six months or a year later. Given that it can take casual players a year to clear mission lines.

And the thing is, everyone I speak to in FFxi says they will keep paying subs anyway, even if FFxi becomes "Han Solo'd" frozen mode, on the shelf. My friends will keep playing it and paying for it, so long as it is online and not bug-ridden. If that is a demographic, then SE have every reason to just keep the game floating in limbo indefinitely, like a virtual museum lol. It is called Nostalgia Gaming, some fans will just play their favourite classic games until the keyboard is just a pile of dust.

They're saying that now with the "finale" coming. Ask them in december if they feel the same way

There's a lot of variables though. At the very least, some servers will need merging because "nostalgia gaming" in an MMO with no one to play with doesn't make much sense

[Ulth]

I think everyone is overreacting to them saying there won't be any major updates. There are still going to be minor updates. So expect to see the same sort of updates you have over the last year. Stuff like reused old nms for unity, mog gardens, new high teir battlefields, ect. Also the developers might even change their mind about there being no more expansions. I vaguely remember them saying that Wings of the Goddess would be the last expansion too, but even if they do start working on the next expansion, I wouldn't blame them if they didn't want to tell the players that. Pretty much as soon as seekers came out they were getting hounded for when the next expansion would come out. I can't imagine how annoying that must be.

[bazookatooth]

I think everyone is overreacting to them saying there won't be any major updates. There are still going to be minor updates. So expect to see the same sort of updates you have over the last year. Stuff like reused old nms for unity, mog gardens, new high teir battlefields, ect. Also the developers might even change their mind about there being no more expansions. I vaguely remember them saying that Wings of the Goddess would be the last expansion too, but even if they do start working on the next expansion, I wouldn't blame them if they didn't want to tell the players that. Pretty much as soon as seekers came out they were getting hounded for when the next expansion would come out. I can't imagine how annoying that must be.

They said they would apply bug fixes and balance updates. I doubt that means adding new NMS or battle content.

[elqplau]

Ive been a long time player sence pc and dial up only ....three merges later and 13 years....burned up 3 towers and 1 laptop playing this game...now it ends? Well ill make sure nvr to invest in another SE game again if i have to purchase another laptop/tower to play it will not happen....i play on xbox because some of the people ive played with in the past needed a microphone as they couldnt type id like to have seen wat la theine looked lik in the crystal wars ...well said my say if FFXI ends my RDM that ive worked on though the years dies also my gamer tag will be all thats left Elqplau gone forever

[illusionist]

I've always said they day they shut the servers down I would go to every area of the game and end on Misreaux Coast by the waterfall, because that's where I wanted my character to retire...

I really love the place too.

But I'll choose Lower jeuno's "Chamber of Commerce and Industry" because it was my first LS's meeting place in my early days.Maybe I'm the last one.