Everything we know about FFXI Mobile
I posted this on reddit in /r/ffxi but wanted to post it here too. Visit the reddit post for updated info if any edits are made, in case I don't edit this post as often.
Q: What is FFXI Mobile?
A: FFXI is coming to mobile (Android, iOS) around 2016. To quote SE (Square Enix):
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A Native App Project Providing A Full-Fledged FINAL FANTASY XI Experience on the Mobile Platform
Q: What regions will FFXI Mobile be available in?
A: Japan, Korea, North America, Europe and rest of Asia. Quote SE:
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We plan to extend service to Japan, Korea, and North America, as well as Europe and the rest of Asia
Q: Who is developing/publishing it?
A: Square Enix (FFXI dev team) and NEXON, Co., Ltd; SE will still be involved, quote SE:
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Basically, they [FFXI dev team] will take part in ways that make the game "FFXI-like" such as planning, how the game works, lore, and editorial supervision.
Q: Is this the same thing as Final Fantasy Grandmasters?
A: No. While Final Fantasy Grandmasters takes place in Vana'diel, it is a different game and is not FFXI nor FFXI Mobile. Grandmasters is a spin-off currently available in Japan on smartphones (see /r/ffgm).
Q: Will FFXI Mobile share servers or existing characters with the Windows version?
A: Unknown. A relevant note, according to these quotes from SE:
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it will not involve directly transferring your character data over, so it’s best to think that a new, separate account and character will be used to play [...]
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Currently, I’m unable to say anything definitive, but as a game, it will be something completely new.
Q: Will it be free to play?
A: Unknown. Quotes from SE:
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We would like to have as many people play as possible, so we believe it will be a system that will allow players to participate with ease. You could say that it depends on the business environment at the time of launch. For example, when considering that a method of payment is unimaginable at the stage we're currently at might be proposed, it is not possible to make a conclusive decision.
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Unfortunately, it’s still too early to comment on this matter. But, we will consider methods that would make it easier for players to join and continue to play.
Q: Will this launch with all the FFXI expansions?
A: Not at the start, no. Quote SE:
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There will definitely be restrictions on content and jobs at the start, such as only implementing up to Chains of Promathia.
Q: Does this mean the game will launch with CoP era?
A: Unknown. SE says details aren't concrete yet. It's unknown if level cap will be below 99 at launch.
Q: How will such a large game (hard drive storage space) fit on a phone/etc?
A: Unknown. The PS2 version for example is a bit over 5GB in size. Considering Star Wars KOTOR on Android is 2.4GB, it may be feasible for a 5GB+ game to be on the app store. SE is planning for seemingly all expansions after release:
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Players will eventually be able to play Rhapsodies of Vana’diel, so we'll be putting in a ton of effort to try and match or even surpass the PC version.
Q: Will it still be the normal interface/client?
A: No. It will be a native mobile app, built from the ground up. The interface will be designed for mobile.
Q: What will it look like?
A: No specifics yet, but SE has stated:
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[...] the idea would be more along the lines of a further refined FFXI given the high-perfomance mobile devices available today.
Sources: