New Years message

[Immortal]

Happy New Year, adventurers! I would like to offer you my best wishes as we start the new year.

This is my first New Year's as producer for FFXI, and I feel a slight sense of relief now that it?s behind me and that everything went smoothly.

In May 2023, we finished up The Voracious Resurgence, which was a large part of our product roadmap and the last major update for the game. Even after The Voracious Resurgence ended, we have followed up with various initiatives designed to let players continue enjoying FFXI, which are based on the concepts of "stability" and the creation of an "archive" as their focus.

In order to ensure this sense of "stability," we have been upgrading the development team's equipment and other resources in order to update their work environment. Furthermore, we are making steady progress with replacing the FFXI servers and also ensuring that everything runs smoothly on Windows 11 as well. In terms of the game itself, we have introduced updates designed to improve the game's usability, such as the ability to configure your PadConfig settings without having to shut down the game client first.

Going forward, we shall continue our policy of implementing such changes aimed at maintaining this sense of stability that you have come to rely on.

Our other guiding concept this year has been that of creating an "archive" of the game, which are topics that fall outside of the game itself.

We have decided that one such effort, We Are Vana'diel—which was originally launched as a website to commemorate the game's 20th anniversary—shall live on in order to serve as a repository for various interviews, oral histories, and other assorted topics related to Final Fantasy XI over the years. The site has already been updated with new content, but we plan to include even more interviews with people that have been involved with the game's development. In this ongoing series, we'll ask them their thoughts about the game and some of the behind-the-scenes stories that occurred during the development process. We have even more updates planned for the future, so I hope you are looking forward to them.

On the music side of the game, we released FINAL FANTASY XI Gifts from Vana'diel: Prime Memories, meaning that all of FFXI's music is now available in soundtrack format. In November 2023, the main soundtrack was released on various music streaming services, which made it even easier for people to enjoy the sounds of Vana'diel.

Furthermore, we were able to hold our first IRL event in some time now with the Japan-only Treasures of Vana'diel exhibition! I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to everyone who made it out to the show.

It was nice seeing so many people come to enjoy the previously unseen development materials and all of the various merchandise that was made available for the exhibition. The success of the Tokyo event back in August led to many people requesting us to hold one in the Kansai region as well, so we have announced that the exhibition will be visiting Osaka as well. The content has been updated somewhat since we held it in Tokyo, so please stop by and check it out if you're in the area.




Now I'd like to take a moment to talk about 2024. Like we announced in May of last year, future game updates will contain minimal in-game content and focus primarily on operational maintenance. Compared to the past, when we released new content every year, there will not be as many updates to look forward to, but we will properly maintain the game and ensure that you can continue to enjoy FFXI for a long time to come.

In addition, it is our goal to continue creating content outside of the game itself in order to keep up with the excitement generated by you adventurers the world over. It is my strong belief that as the world of Vana'diel expands, it will continue to live on and thrive, especially within FFXI itself as well as various other related events.

One such upcoming event is a Japan-only dramatic reading based on the world of FFXI scheduled for Saturday, February 17th. This is an entirely new story that takes a completely different look at the world we've all come to know and love. We're also currently working on the Echoes of Vana'diel alliance raid content for FINAL FANTASY XIV.

Once the content is added to the game, we hope you'll enjoy this whole new look at Vana'diel as well!

As we embark on our journey into 2024, rest assured that all of us on the development and operations teams will continue to do our very best to ensure a stable and enjoyable gameplay experience for all of you adventurers. I hope that you continue to enjoy the world of FFXI.

FINAL FANTASY XI Producer/Director
Yoji Fujito


:rolleyes:

How do people feel about 2024 for FFXI?

[JKap_Goat]

it makes me sad, no more updates for FFXI?? I would love a FFXI remake and we can get new stuff and new areas but it is what it is. I quit FFXIV last expansion, the jobs are so heavily homogenized and the combat is very stale and boring.

FFXI remake please SE

[Gwydion]

I consistently feel like SE doesn't care about FFXI or (non-JP) FFXI players. :(


JP Only: Treasure of Vanadiel Exhibit and Memorabilia.
JP Only: Memorabilia only ships within Japan.
JP Only: February Book reading...
US Only: Free Large T-shirts. -_-


I could go on...

[Dihlyte]

The FFXIV New Years letter basically says the same thing.


Happy New Year to all our FFXIVers!
This is Producer & Director Naoki Yoshida.

How has everyone been enjoying this special time of year? I imagine many of you are relaxing and playing games, or spending time with friends and family at lively holiday gatherings.

As for the FFXIV team here in Japan, well...we've been flat out getting things ready for Fan Festival 2024 in Tokyo. Fast asleep or wide awake, the words "fan festival" and "7.0" have taken up constant residence in our thoughts. (laughs)

Having returned to its world-wide tour format this year, Fan Festival has been bigger and better than ever─it was a huge success in Europe and the U.S., and we'll be making preparations right up until the last moment to ensure that everyone enjoys the conclusion to the tour in Tokyo. Whether you attend in person or watch events via streaming, we hope to put on an exciting show no matter where you'll be viewing from. And even though the venue is the magnificent Tokyo Dome, you can expect the same sort of FFXIV shenanigans we always deliver! (laughs)

With the 10th anniversary of FFXIV's rebirth behind us, we are taking the first determined step towards our next ten years of service. We've been accompanied on this epic journey by Warriors of Light from across the globe, and we intend to maintain that partnership by placing an even greater value on communication as we expand the world of FFXIV. This next step is a big one, full of brand new challenges, and I am personally excited to see everyone experience what we have in store this coming year!

...And what do have we here? Even as I look to escape the pressures of the Fan Festival keynote speech, it seems someone has delivered a most curious note to my office...


The saga of Hydaelyn and Zodiark has reached its conclusion, and the stage is now set for new tales of adventure. As the explorer writes, the journey ahead lies to the west, and only time will tell what the coming months and years will bring!

As stated above, challenges abound as we work towards the release of FINAL FANTASY XIV: Dawntrail. Our current tasks─not the least of which is a major update to overhaul ten years' worth of graphic development─involve making steady improvements to our development and operational processes with an eye towards long-term service. Some of these changes will be felt immediately, while others may only become noticeable after several years. With "haste makes waste" as our mantra, however, we intend to tackle the obstacles before us with a deliberate thoroughness.

FINAL FANTASY XIV is a journey we promise to make alongside all our Warriors of Light. Everything we do is for everyone to enjoy. All of us together.

Again, I wish you a happy New Year, and thank you for your continued support!



Any expansion after Stormblood has been just a copy paste of that expansion.

Like if FFXI released Sortie but "now with a green background" and "Galli is now called Sullimaufry" would be the equivalent.

The reason I'm posting is not to really discuss the future of XI and XIV or the similarities, or differences, but for this:

I honestly think Matsui and Yoshida are working on FF17 and its going to be an MMO.

I am wholly convinced of this.

Not only are FFXI and FFXIV the most profitable Final Fantasy games, but in Matsui's letter about handing off the reigns to Fujito, he even states he planned to retire, but instead is still at SE, just no longer on FFXI.

Parts of the FFXI team has been "sent off to go work on another title to gain more modern game development experience" and the FFXIV development cycle has been extended, among many other similar trends indicating to me, that something is in the works.
(Such as the FFXIV story being "completed" with 6.0, and honestly seems to me, in just "repeat mode," which is to me no different than what people call FFXI's "maintenance mode.")

If you told me this prior to FF16's release, and prior to Shadowbringers release, I would be ecstatic.

Right now, I will be highly skeptical of FF17's release, and I will likely need a free trial, and lots of information before any purchase.

I personally will not even try the game, if there is no traditional Final Fantasy jobs, or a sense of actual RPG elements such as hidden areas, monsters, etc, as I did so with FF16.

If FF17 isn't announced within 1-2 years, and its not a MMO, I will be completely shocked.

The best thing about all of this, is FFXI does not seem to be going anywhere, and that is the only thing that is actually important to me.


So with that,






Here is to another year of FFXI!

[Teraniku]

Not the New Years greeting we wanted, but hardly unexpected given the age of the game. So Stability and minor content updates (Vana'Bout / Cosmetic items etc.) from now on. The Development hardware is getting upgraded, so that's a plus , and might lead to something next year, since this where all of FFXI's budget is going to this year. Not getting my hopes up though. It's been a great ride, and I still have things to accomplish in game so I'll still be here for a while

[Alhanelem]

Not the New Years greeting we wanted, but hardly unexpected given the age of the game. So Stability and minor content updates (Vana'Bout / Cosmetic items etc.) from now on. The Development hardware is getting upgraded, so that's a plus , and might lead to something next year, since this where all of FFXI's budget is going to this year. Not getting my hopes up though. It's been a great ride, and I still have things to accomplish in game so I'll still be here for a while
whats weird is despite the huge success of FFXIV it seems like they're already planning for the time they start winding it down. It's weird because WoW isn't doing anything of the sort and it's about as old as FFXI is. Hell they announced not just one but the next three expansions. Everquest is still getting expansions too- not on the same kind of scope but still.

You'd think that for as long as these things bring money in they'd keep supporting them...

[Dragoy]

I honestly think Matsui and Yoshida are working on FF17 and its going to be an MMO.

Going by the 67th MogiVana, it seems Matsui is currently working on SaGa: Emerald Beyond [1], though of course he could be working on several projects at the same time (I think he is still be doing some Ambuscade things for example, if I heard and understood things correct-like).

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx4xATEHoTg&t=5747s


Here is to another year of FFXI!

Here's to at least 11 more years!

[Dihlyte]

Going by the 67th MogiVana, it seems Matsui is currently working on SaGa: Emerald Beyond

Here's to at least 11 more years!

Oh, I see!

Well then, perhaps they are not making FF17.

Everything was pointing to that based on all the information I had, but this bit means its less of a possibility.

I was under the impression they were switching gears from making multiple smaller games, to focus more on larger ones.

"the publisher will be shifting focus over the next few years, putting less emphasis on "mid-sized" titles and more on "larger AAA console games."
https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/final-fantasy-square-enix-more-aaa-games/#:~:text=However%2C%20it%20seems%20that%20the,Gibson%20(via%20%40Genki_JPN).



That doesn't mean I believe SaGa is a smaller game. It means if SaGa is a larger game, he likely is not also working on a MMO.

Yoshida could still be, because XIV has very clearly slowed down in multiple ways. At the same time, one could say it has picked up with the "graphics overhaul" but we simply don't know.

My personal speculation is that if they use logic, and follow previous trends, FF17 will be an MMO. As XI, (XII/XIII) and XIV (XV/XVI) creates a pattern, and XI and XIV are the most profitable games. Despite XIV's failure.

They have a clear recipe for sure fire success. Even if 17 is a MMO and it completely fails, they already have a proven method in "fixing" any disaster, to turn a profit.

In my head, it is only logical that they would release an ensured profit title.

Now, one might say with XI and XIV, and then another new MMO title, there would be too much competition. I would state otherwise. FFXIV and FFXI are not holding the entire Final Fantasy fanbase, nor their entire MMO potential base.

Really one could "argue" many aspects, but the topic at hand is not if 17 is a MMO.

My point in saying this, is I feel the current "slow down" in XI, and XIV could potentially mean something. That "something" in my head, logically would point to FF17 being an MMO.

It doesn't have to equate both games are never going to "rev back up again" in the future.

Just I was trying to entertain the thought as to what might be going on at SE. The only people who actually know is SE themselves.

What would be nice, is if SE communicated with their fans more often, especially their more regularly paying fans, such as the XI and XIV fanbases.

Both XI and XIV forums are almost entirely devoid of any developer interaction, and any news that does come from XIV is extremely predictable.

I feel if they put more effort into proper communication, and love into their MMO's they could make significantly more money from each game.

11 more years of FFXI does sound nice!

[Rinuko]

I consistently feel like SE doesn\\'t care about FFXI or (non-JP) FFXI players. :(


JP Only: Treasure of Vanadiel Exhibit and Memorabilia.
JP Only: Memorabilia only ships within Japan.
JP Only: February Book reading...
US Only: Free Large T-shirts. -_-


I could go on...

Could be worse, you could be living in Europe…

[BST]

They can't even manage two MMOs well, let alone adding in a third to the list.

I sure wouldn't invest my time in a third, and the second would lose its appeal as it would end up just like the first fairly quickly.

[Rinuko]

I don’t read it as there is a lack of management skills but it’s cool to hate on the game I guess.

I’m in a different boat and don’t see the doom and gloom like you lot, but I’m also a returning player and have at least 10+ years of content to catch up on.

[Sirmarki]

I’m in a different boat and don’t see the doom and gloom like you lot, but I’m also a returning player and have at least 10+ years of content to catch up on.

That's probably why you aren't seeing the doom and gloom.

You have to remember that most of us have done pretty much all content.

[chief_bigman]

When I think of FF14's visual and audio direction it doesn't make me think I'd like to see them try to remake FF11. FF11's visual style and ambient, subdued approach to the audio side of things are some of its biggest strengths, whereas FF14 is a cluttered mess with no real artistic style (imagine if that game looked like its promotional art, I might still be playing it!) and obnoxious, in-your-face background music with nothing "background" about it. I don't think I want to see SE making a new MMO either given their recent offerings.

I think them working on refining the software/hardware for the game in its current state is great, and I hope it results in the game surviving for a long time to come. It's probably too much to hope for but part of me also hopes one day one of these backend improvements will contribute to solving the botting problem, though I don't know how much of the current state of bots going unbanned is actually "can't" versus "won't, because they give us money." Then again it seems like in general SE has a pretty low level of respect for their older games unless they can make a quick buck off re-releasing them with ugly, tasteless graphical "enhancements" and phone UI for the nth time. Part of me would also like to believe that if XI managed to attract new players and more $$$ that SE would reinvest into it but... look at FF14: even with how much money that game made/makes them it should be clear to anybody looking at the game even slightly critically that barely a fraction of that income goes back into the game's development.

This company really bugs me. It's like they always have to chase the newest shiniest thing while consistently under-delivering and failing to pay attention to where their real success have come from.

[Dragoy]

When I think of FF14's visual and audio direction it doesn't make me think I'd like to see them try to remake FF11. FF11's visual style and ambient, subdued approach to the audio side of things are some of its biggest strengths, whereas FF14 is a cluttered mess with no real artistic style (imagine if that game looked like its promotional art, I might still be playing it!) and obnoxious, in-your-face background music with nothing "background" about it. I don't think I want to see SE making a new MMO either given their recent offerings.

Agreed, and I definitely liked the FFXIV 1.0 music better than the ARR one, and not just because it was Uematsu making it.

As a sidey-note, if you ever watch(ed) Guin Saga, you might('ve) hear(d) some similarities between the two (1.0 and it, that is). ^^

[chief_bigman]

Agreed, and I definitely liked the FFXIV 1.0 music better than the ARR one, and not just because it was Uematsu making it.

As a sidey-note, if you ever watch(ed) Guin Saga, you might('ve) hear(d) some similarities between the two (1.0 and it, that is). ^^

I've never heard of it, but I might check it out.

Same here, also. Most of my favorite tracks in 14 were all from 1.0, I later found out. The theme that plays in the Shroud (or whatever the zone outside Gridania was called) was probably my favorite of the bunch, reminded me a lot of both FFXI and of .hack//IMOQ

[Annanda]

Yoshi P. has said multiple times that he plans for 14 to go on "at least another 10 years". With 14 at the height of its success and continually growing, even after the first decade, I would be very surprised if there was another MMO in the next 2 years. That being said, I would love there to be new content for XI since other games of similar age do still get regular updates and even xpacs. However, I am a realist at heart and can see that SE isn't intersted it spending too much on XI despite it having a stable playerbase. Even the playerbase growth seen in the last part of 2023 isn't enough of an incentive to keep producing significant content updates. I doubt the game is going anywhere anytime soon since SE like to make a point that all the mainline FF games are playable. I did find it the mention of archiving XI and related things to be interesting as a means of preserving it but maybe that means there will be some sort of offline version or something? Who knows but I do look forward to spending much more time here and meeting lots more new and friendly faces. :)

[Alhanelem]

Agreed, and I definitely liked the FFXIV 1.0 music better than the ARR one, and not just because it was Uematsu making it.For the record, most if not all of that music is still in the game. what ARR itself added is kinda meh, but all of the expansions offer some really awesome music. FFXIV actually set a world record for most original music in a video game.

[Kalimairo]

Everquest expansions are small like tvr but with a zone or 2 we dont even get a zone lol

[BobbinT]

TVR might not getting an actual zone. While it does uses existing zones, imo TVR story kinda grand by itself, & personally kinda satisfied on how it delivers. Just recently finished it & boy... it is deep!

Being TVR just finished very recently, think it would be too soon to ask for more content, but that's just me. There's still those prime weapon grinds if you like, since it will requires a total amount of 8.5 million gallies just for a weapon, that is a very long term grind to do, ofc if one does care about it.

[Alhanelem]

technically TVR did add (or at least unlock) a new zone in the Silver Knife. Granted its just a room, but it wasn't accessible til TVR.

Was this area already in the data files since Audolin and just never used? or was it not in the game until they added it?

[Gwydion]

TVR might not getting an actual zone. While it does uses existing zones, imo TVR story kinda grand by itself, & personally kinda satisfied on how it delivers. Just recently finished it & boy... it is deep!

Being TVR just finished very recently, think it would be too soon to ask for more content, but that's just me. There's still those prime weapon grinds if you like, since it will requires a total amount of 8.5 million gallies just for a weapon, that is a very long term grind to do, ofc if one does care about it.

I agree with you. I enjoyed TVR very much. However, I am very disappointed the current end-game strategy in Odyssey and Sortie. I really wish these events encouraged players team up (replay value or help others).

[Standstill]

:rolleyes:

How do people feel about 2024 for FFXI?

Possible to create a gui based UI similiar to FFXIV for the game? How much of an investment would that entail?

[Alhanelem]

Possible to create a gui based UI similiar to FFXIV for the game? How much of an investment would that entail?
One was already being developed during the Wings of the Goddess era. But it was cancelled.

If they wanted to do it, they wouldn't have to start from scratch.

[Vold]

I think SE has always fallen back on the excuse that XIV was their upgrade for XI. I just think it's sad that some guy is or was providing graphical upgrades for us in the most basic sense - HD textures for zones. I haven't looked into it for awhile but maybe characters or mobs by now? In any case, if they are too cheap to throw a guy or three at such things then it's hopeless to ever think about such upgrades by the team. It's a shame because I imagine many people from the old days would return as older people and go, damn, I like this. I think I'll hang around modern day XI. But, without that official graphical upgrade by whatever means necessary, those people have a hard time reconsidering their decision to leave. And maybe they are right. XI still feels like XI at the end of the day. No doubt about it. But I would wager people would very much enjoy XI in modern day, but I also have seen old school people come back and just leave again upon getting that mythic they've always wanted, or they did so much grinding that they went back on break. Maybe I'm a lost cause. I have many games dating back to the PS2 that I've never got around to playing because of this game. I'm clearly biased.

I'm just annoyed that XI has had to rely on other players developing stuff for this game while SE opts to make XIV and put a skeleton crew here. If not for certain apps, if not for the efforts of so many 3rd party players to make this game fun, I doubt it would still be running today if people were forced to play the basic XI experience. Those apps have given us so many reasons to keep our brains busy maxing ourselves. I just wish the two would officially come together to make the entire experience as amazing as possible. But SE is too proud for that and maybe youknowwhat app's team are too proud to sell out. IDK. Whatever. Maybe it'd be a pointless endeavor anyways bc ps2 code. Just like it's pointless for me to censor the name of a 3rd party app because a team member might spend about 3 minutes a year on these forums and they've never tried laying the law down on them anyways because they know what the project means for maintaining a playerbase here...

[RichLester]

How do I feel about FFXI in 2024? Not good. Usual daily chores but cut right down to just an hour or so & that's if I want to. I can imagine a lot of people dwindling down their time now to do other things & pop on during monthly updates to check things out and do them. That's about it. Doesn't bode well.

[Haldarn]

I think SE has always fallen back on the excuse that XIV was their upgrade for XI.

Really thinking about it, I wouldn't mind if this was even viable. I'm all but up-to-date on XIV, but it's so dull to play, I can't bring myself to grind out more fkin tomestones. All of the content in that game falls into two categories: a) boring repeats or b) must spend four weeks learning a dance.

So I'm sat here playing XI because for some reason challenging myself (slowly) to get more and more upgrades to my RDM so I can solo more and more content is actually fun. And the variety of content is massively in excess of XIV. It's so frustrating that S-E don't see that with a UI and graphics (and yeah probably networking) update, XI would be a feasible investment.

I'm just hoping that as a promo for the XI raid in the next expansion, sometime soon they combine the subscription fees.

[Alhanelem]

I can't bring myself to grind out more fkin tomestones.Most of the content I do doesn't require gear at all lol and I cap out on currencies without thinking about it (pvp, deep dungeon). I do comp CC and participate in player run tournaments and stuff.

[Beastorizer]

They can't even manage two MMOs well, let alone adding in a third to the list.

I sure wouldn't invest my time in a third, and the second would lose its appeal as it would end up just like the first fairly quickly.

This is actually a great point.......

I am also of the mind-set 17 will be an MMO based upon my Millenium Event theory.
IX, X, XI
XII, XIII, XIV
XV, XVI, XVII?????

However, if they can't even manage to squeeze out another DLC or Expansion of some sorts for the remaining XI distant lands, no way they can support 3 MMO. Unless, it is neglect (Not caring,) as opposed to being unable. SE has become an MMO company of sorts imo, due to their MMO keeping the lights on. Don't think they quite recovered from that XIV failure. That may scare them a little bit in terms of an MMO. They cannot afford another XIV 1.0.

It says a lot about XI, that SE feels it can still be profitable without updating it lol. if it weren't, XI would be shutdown. Not sure it is making enough for them to "Warrant" new content.

Shame......XI still has a lot of untapped potential. New races Male Mithra or Zilart? A DLC to explore what the Zilart Nation was like, Going back in time?. New job? What were the other nations like back in time? What about the other distant lands?

Don't sub like I used to. Simply can't justify supporting a game they really don't support their damn selves haha........

[Alhanelem]

You remind me of the whole notion that odd numbered windows versions are good and even ones are bad. Two games is not really enough of a sample size to make a prediction like that (good good bad good good bad, SP SP MMO SP SP MMO) from. I honestly doubt this. I think it's pretty plain, not just to us but to them, that making a new MMO in the FF series, even though it would go on to be very successful, was at least partly a mistake- particularly the attempts to create connections (i.e. similar races) to try to move people.

FFXIV was born from the technical limitations that plagued FFXI, particularly how it was essentially hardcoded to operate in a dial-up environment. It started because there were things they wanted to do that they simply couldn't do in XI due to its design. FFXIV, unlike XI, has had its internals upgraded over the years and is much less bound by the sorts of technical limitations that XI had- new expansions, especially the upcoming one, regularly increase the system requirements. FFXIV was born somewhat out of a necessity for a better backbone to build a game on, while FFXIV doesn't really have that kind of problem. Because of this, I don't really see it likely that a new MMO is currently in development, as you can be sure that FFXVII is probably already in development.

[Talaya]

i honestly just wish the attempts at remaking this game would have actually happened, it would be amazing to not have the limitations in place for XI.
XI and XIV are not the same, at all, in any way and the players who prefer one over the other are seeking different things. I adore XI, as does my partner, we buy the merch, hell we import from Japan via an agent to get stuff, i wish they knew how much of the west actually adore this game and are more than willing to help if we can.
ive said a number of times that if they did a crowdfund to get funds to remake XI or add expansions, people would chip in, tons would chip in, i wonder if they even know that.

that aside, i do wish more would come to XI, we have so many things that they could expand on, that they could just add using existing stuff, like adding a homeland for the Mithra race with a small story line that explores the cultures and such of the Mithran homeland, same could be done for all the beastmen, short stories that let players know about thier lives and how they do things.
you could add a story to monstrosity, make players use old content, it could just give augments to existing items, like the amuscade weapons.

players need more reasons to explore the world again at end game, it would be nice if just simple things were added to give them a reason to do so, regularly.

my only wish into 2024 and beyond is, just dont let XI die.

[RichLester]

I think SE will be focusing on doing remakes like FFVII Part 3 & FFIX (similar cartoon style to original but more places to go). Would be cool if they did a FFVIII remake (more gardens & places to visit in between original story elements). They won't do another MMO until FFXIV has been completely drained. They may even do one more expansion pack for it. With the FFXVI still going & FFVII Rebirth on the way, there's loads to be getting on with outside of this so I can see this staying in "stand-by" mode for most of the year.