So, a friend of mine decided he'd try playing FFXI. Having not played in ages, I figured I'd give it another go. It took me a bit, but I managed to retrieve my old account info, thanks to the chat support.
But now, I found myself with nowhere to get the actual game. After a great deal of searching, I managed to see a 14 day trial for FFXI, which I figured must come with a client. I'm downloading that right now.
But then I saw a post on these forums about how there was nowhere to get the client for free, a post made by a SE rep. Is the client I'm downloading right now not going to work with my old account? Is it going to evaporate after 14 days? Whats the issue here?
I'd really like to not have to buy a game I already own just so that I can install a game that requires me to already be paying a subscription fee to get past the title screen.
Downloading the Game
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11-21-2012, 12:51 PMSinesDownloading the Game
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11-21-2012, 02:09 PMEconomizerQuite the pain really, but the free trial download is just the game, but without any of the expansions, as far as I know.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sines
For downloading everything, your only options are to buy the game and all the expansions (which is worth it, because it is cheaper to buy a new copy, apply it to an old account, then to buy expansions separately) from a place that offers digital download, like SE's website, or Steam. It's that or borrow a disk from a friend, or break some of SE's rules (I'm not sure if it is the EULA or the ToS here) and get it from some website's download of the game and hope there is no malware hidden in the download.
Honestly, if you're missing Abyssea ($30 for all three parts) or just want the cool hat they hand out with the game these days, buy it for $20 and be able to download it. If not, the trial should get you partway there. -
11-21-2012, 02:27 PMSines
Really? I do not get that. What is Squares angle here? FFXI is a product that requires a monthly subscription to enjoy. That subscription fee completely prevents you from pirating the game. There's a reason I don't have to buy a new graphics card when I lose the driver disk.
*sigh*
Still, I do not have Abyssea, so I wouldn't be paying for something I already have, but it's still the principle of the thing, y'know? It's a lot like FFXI itself. Never provide assistance to the player, or anything that would make his life easier. Still, this is pretty bad marketing, especially since I had to look for an hour before I found the free trial even exists. If this were any other game, I'd have long since given up.
For reference, is it possible to buy a physical copy and attach it to Steam or Squenix, so I can have a physical disc (my apartment is not a great place to download large files), and then be able to download it online at a later date, should I misplace the CD? I don't think any new expansions will be coming out (correct me if I'm wrong) and if I lose a disc with Abyssea on it, I really would have to buy a game I already own.
Also, what does Abyssea actually bring to the game? I think I stopped playing around the time it started coming out, and I think it was all post 75 material. Which is further on in the game than I would probably have ever gotten to. Aht Urgan and Wings of the Goddess both brought in new classes (including my much beloved PUP and SCH), so even though I didn't make much use of their content, I still enjoyed them. I didn't get the idea that that was the case for Abyssea, that there was anything to enjoy before level 70. But again, that was a long time ago for me and it wasn't even actually out then, so I could be wrong. -
11-21-2012, 03:28 PMRAIST
We've always had to buy the new expansions. If you left in the days of TAU or WotG, there's been a considerable amount of new stufff added that will need to be bought--unless you want to flounder about in the older areas I guess.
You can get the whole ball of wax as a $20 Digital download for the PC from various places, including but not limited to Gamestop, Steam, etc. This includes all expansions and add-on scenarios (that's FFXI, RotZ, CoP, TAU, WotG, and the key also unlocks ACP, MKD, ASA, Visions, Scars, and Heroes). That's right, a single key that unlocks all of it. You can burn that package off onto a DVD for backup and stash it in a safe place.
Otherwise, you would need to buy all the expansions/scenarios you don't have, which might run you upwards of $10 each (bargain bin in the back of a store, or used copies) for those on disc--the last 6 scenarios have no physical medium, as their content is downloaded in the updates and unlocked when you purchase the keys for them. An added benefit to buying the DLC package--it unlocks everything in one shot.
In other words, $20 for EVERYTHING is going to be considerably cheaper than going out and buying the individual expansions/add-ons you're missing--and will greatly streamline your installation process.
As to what Abyssea content is....it's basically a post-75 playground. Exp. Points come absurdly fast, and players have found a way to exploit this to slingshot jobs from level 30 to 99 in record time (have to be level 30 to enter). It also has easily obtained gear for your post 75 jobs as well (cheap gear you can purchase, and a higher level of JSE that is typically referred to as AF3, AF3 +1, and AF3+2), as well as monsters you will farm to complete some of the best weapons in the game (to date).
There is one more physical expansion on the horizon that has been announced, due out in the next year in the last announcement about it. This will be on the scale of TAU--whole new region (not rehashed zones, all new areas), with new activities, and new jobs. If past release history is any indication, there will likely be one more massive package released eventually that includes the new SoA content, but who knows when that will happen.
For getting back in game now though, it may be best to get your hands on the latest complete collection. It's the Abyssea Edition. Once in a while it even goes on sale--last time I think the DLC was on Steam for like $10. There have been a couple compilations released since 2008--if you are buying a collection, make sure what you get includes Abyssea, or you will need to purchase those keys seperately for a total of $30 (or buy the proper $20 collection) to gain access. -
11-21-2012, 05:22 PMArcon
I can only recommend Steam in that regard. Very quick downloads, and can re-download it every time you need. Note that they only offer a bare version though, and you'll still need to update it through the game menu, but it's the same for all other online vendors to my knowledge. It's SE's fault more than Steam's.
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11-21-2012, 10:21 PMMirage
There is no point in restarting the game if you do not intend to get Abyssea and WoTG, really. Considering you do not have those, getting the steam version of the all-expansions bundle would give you absolutely everything you need for a lower cost than buying the expansions separately.
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11-21-2012, 11:35 PMSines
Why do people keep thinking I don't have WotG? I mentioned having Scholar.
Also, where did I say I was buying multiple things seperately? Is there not some 'full package' version with Abyssea available at Best Buy or something? I'm getting a bit confused here. Does whatever I could get at Best Buy have Abyssea but not the mini-expansions? -
11-21-2012, 11:53 PMMirage
You didn't, I said it would be cheaper and that you would need them anyway. As far as I know, there is no free client download, but considering you need a few new things anyway, it doesn't matter.
If something is a bundle that includes abyssea, it most likely includes everything else too. -
11-21-2012, 11:58 PMArconThat's what we've been trying to tell you, Steam has the Ultimate Collection, which includes every expansion for 20 bucks. It comes with everything bundled. I don't even think you can buy the expansions on their own at all anymore, unless you buy them used from somewhere. I don't know about BestBuy, but if they have this collection, it will also include everything else.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sines
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11-22-2012, 12:29 AMSarick
You want the main expansions PLUS all the codes for extra expansions and the special hat? The link below is for the download and codes for everything. You an use the code to unlock all current expansions. It will be on sale real cheap this Friday.
Check HERE
As of this edit it is 4.99!!
Black Friday deal. -
11-22-2012, 05:54 AMEconomizerAbyssea has a separate but small storyline. As others mentioned, it has a ton of armor, and grants you access to getting the Empyrean weapons. But you should get it now if you plan on playing because entry is restricted based on time, which you can build up from the second you are a level 30 by doing the prerequisite quest, even if you never go there again until you are a level 70.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sines
I know that what SE is doing isn't the best way to get people new to come to the game, especially when it comes to just allowing players to download the thing (like by providing an official torrent like any other company interested in not paying for bandwidth). But it seems every time I try to explain expansion acquisition to new/returning players on the forums it just doesn't connect, even when most of the time the game is on sale for $10~15 instead of the retail price of $20 for multiple expansions that would cost $10 a piece individually (as far as I know, it is still possible, for those that want to throw away their money).Quote:
Originally Posted by Mirage
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11-22-2012, 08:25 AMSines
No, I think I got it, perhaps I'm just missing out on something that missed my point.
When I said 'buy it at Best Buy', I was assuming I could get the full set of FFXI stuff in the same way I could get it from steam, just with a physical disc thrown in. THATS what I was fishin' for. My apartment is not friendly to large downloads.
If, however, digital distribution is my only route, well then, there we go.
Also, when I buy it from Steam, I'd get my codes to plug into my extant account, right? Never bought expansions or the like off of steam for a game I already owned apart from Steam, so not sure how that works.
Oh, and I found a friend (a different one who may or may not be joining me and the friend who has just started) with a game disc still lying around, from WotG era. So, using that, it should contain all the material I already have. Again, how will that work if I buy the rest from Steam? -
11-22-2012, 08:27 AMSines
Oh, and I heard there is a trick using Abyssea to power level from 30 to 99 real quick... what does that involve? One of the things I liked about FFXI was the middle levels. I have a dozen classes around 30 or higher, because I liked changing things up. Is Abyssea just like regular leveling from ages past, but with more XP / hour, or is it something else that doesn't actually involve playing the game? I'm not really interested in getting to high levels, per se, it's the journey that amused me with FFXI.
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11-22-2012, 04:55 PMArconYou'll get a code that you can use to unlock every expansion at once.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sines
You can't buy "the rest" from Steam. I don't think there's any way to buy the expansions on their own anymore, unless maybe through the SE site. But it's still more expensive than to buy the entire package from Steam.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sines
It's really pretty simple, buy the game and unlock everything. There is no other option, so if you install everything but Abyssea, you'll still have to buy the entire game.
Paying someone 100k/h to level you up. Usually takes < 10 hours to get to 99, depending on the skills/afkness of the guy who does the killing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sines
Alternatively you level in a loose alliance style doing Grounds of Valor (kill x mobs to receive an additional EXP reward) outside of Abyssea until higher levels, and then join Abyssea for regular group EXP in the 70+ range, although it's still a lot faster than anything you may remember from back in the day.
Contrary to the belief of some people, the game's journey does not end at 99, but it starts there. All of the new content is catered to Lv.99, not before, which is why many people just wanna get there asap, so they can actually start playing the game. While I don't deny that EXP may be fun to you, if that's all you do in the game, you're missing out on pretty much everything the game has to offer. It's like playing Half-Life just to run around the same area and shoot headcrabs.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sines
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11-22-2012, 05:32 PMEconomizerIf you can find the same game package sold online (Final Fantasy XI: Ultimate Collection Abyssea Edition) then yes, but odds are it won't be stocked most places, or will cost a premium.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sines
I don't think Steam takes keys for FFXI, but you could try calling their support and finding out (Valve is notoriously helpful when it comes to this sort of thing, sometimes they'll even make exceptions for loyal customers).Quote:
Originally Posted by Sines
This should be perfect. The Abyssea content is all downloaded (if you already have the game running and up to date, it's there). Wings of the Goddess was the last major expansion pack that was on disk, so assuming it was a collection disk, that should get you all the disk expansions.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sines
If downloading updates is a pain for you, such as if you have a 56k connection (yes, FFXI runs on a 56k connection in a pinch, although good luck with the lag), I know certain community websites do link to or host copies of the updates, however this is probably unsupported by SE in case anything goes wrong.
Also, if you're found of disk based expansions, keep an eye out for news on Seekers of Aldouin.
You don't have to go into Abyssea for experience ever if you don't want to (although it helps since you'll need the cruor), since you can find Grounds of Valor tomes in dungeons and team up with a full alliance (or worst case, solo it).Quote:
Originally Posted by Sines
But really, being a level 99 is its own journey, and is a better journey then grinding out some levels. I might have fond memories of being sub-level cap during 75 cap for example, but this was because I was getting stuff done with friends. You want to have a fun little journey? Being a level 99 will only help you on the journey, not end it. -
11-22-2012, 05:35 PMSines
I'm not saying it ends at high level, but if an MMORPG doesn't really begin until you get to the end game, it's a terrible game. I'm sure I'll like the high levels. But I liked mid levels too. If mid levels have become some part just to hurriedly rush past, and not enjoy on their own sake, then I'll be missing something. I want to enjoy both the mid levels AND the endgame.
If getting to level 99 allows you to 'actually play the game', then it sounds like the first 98 levels are just some chore to get over with, rather than an actual game to play. I liked that leveling, and I don't want to play in a way that just gets it over with. If XP gain is improved, that's okay, but I don't want to just engage in some trivially easy grinding that will reduce those mid levels to a chore, rather than the enjoyable journey I remember.
If XP rates are increased 5-fold over what it used to be, or something, that's fine, but I still want those parties where playing really well had a serious benefit in XP-gain, and TPK was a real possibility for poor playing. Easy grinding is what renders most MMOs dull to me. If leveling to 99 still retains that challenge and reward for good play, even at a much higher leveling speed, that's all I need. If it's just another easy, mindless grind, then I'm not going to play some dull game for hours just so I can get to the fun stuff. -
11-22-2012, 08:53 PMArconTo me, and many others, it is. But most of the people who feel that way hated everything about the old EXP system as well. If you liked it, maybe you'll feel differently.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sines
The EXP system has always been a trivially easy mindless and arduous grind. I got several jobs to 75 the old way and none of it was memorable, unless you wanna brag about how much crap you had to endure back in the day to get a few levels.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sines
That said, if you like the old EXP system, you can still do GoV leveling. It's a lot faster than it used to be, but still rewards good gameplay. If you're as tired of it as I am, you can always pay someone to level you to cap overnight. -
11-22-2012, 10:44 PMMirage
I actually did this myself to get the mini-addons (ACP etc). The procedure is as follows:
Buy game on Steam, get game files and an universal key that enables every piece of content.
Log in to your existing Square Enix account, add the key you got from Steam there.
Log in to FF11 and enjoy everything for just 20 bucks instead of the 30+ it would have cost to get all Abyssea stuff + mini addons.
As for power leveling from 30 to the max level, you don't have to pay anyone, even if you want to do it in abyssea. At least on my server, there are still occasional Worms parties in Abyssea La Theine, and if there isn't one, you can start one yourself. Assembling a full alliance isn't as fast as it was before, but you should be able to have enough people to start fighting after 30-45 minutes if you shout during primetime.
Now that the alliance is in the process of killing shit really fast, it will usually soak up any random players that want to party from now on. Problem is that many people aren't very proactive when it comes to getting exp. If one person wants exp and sees no one at common EXP spots, or almost no one seeking parties, they'll just give up and take down their lfp after a few minutes and do something else. However, with your alliance up and running, and with your party leaders on lookout for new members at regular intervals, you'll usually be able to snatch all of these players.
If the party leaders aren't lazy and try their best to keep the alliance alive, it is still possible for such alliances to last for over 16 hours, long after you yourself have stopped playing for that day. -
11-22-2012, 10:58 PMSines
Grounds of Valor leveling, eh? Sounds familiar. I remember field of valor. You used the book, grabbed a target, and killed it a bunch. Now I'm hearing alliances, what's different?
Since my friend is starting from scratch, I'll be joining him at low levels for a while. Exactly how do groups work for those low levels? Do people still level in Valkurm, Qufim and then Khazam? I presume the quests are more or less the same, but I'm wondering what we'll be doing for leveling. What does a typical party look like, and what do you end up doing? -
11-22-2012, 11:13 PMMirage
Because SE never updated field of valor to be on par with grounds of valor, all EXPing takes place in dungeons now. The thing about alliances is that everyone in the alliance gets kill credits for their page, even if they get only a tiny bit of exp from the mob itself. This leads to killing EP-DC mobs with an alliance where everyone gets 95% of the exp from page bonuses, and kill mobs very quickly. This is further enhanced by pages now auto-repeating after completion.
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11-23-2012, 06:09 AMEconomizerSince the other questions got answered, I'll skip to these.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sines
Groups for low levels level sync then get as many people as they can, since experience comes from the page rather then the mobs. This means you can be much closer in level to the mobs, so finding a good tank isn't as important as before, however it still helps to have some healing. Generally you run around a wider area as a group, with no "camp" that you pull mobs to.
Basically, you still solo to level 10 (and it isn't terribly slow to even solo all the way to 20 if Gusgen is empty), but then you go to Gusgen Mines after this and level from ~10+ to somewhere around ~30+ if you can get enough level syncs. Upgrading your weapons and getting some skillups if there isn't a party going at that second or you took a break between would be a good idea. After this you go to Crawlers' Nest and stay there as long as possible, something like ideally to ~60 or even ~70 if you can get away with it (if it is your first time getting this high, you'll have to leave about every five levels for limit breaks).
Your gear will be pretty gimpy, and your skills will be atrocious, so you might want to upgrade both at 70. At this point you can either go to Bostaunieux Oubliette for page there or try your hand at Abyssea (~70 is about the minimum for legitimate alliance experience in Abyssea if you are a melee DD, but you'll be pretty much useless for damage for a few levels - if you got Cruor or Gil be sure to pick up the 76 Abyssea sets as well, since they're cheap and a bear minimum of competence for new players). Either will take you to level cap, although first timers will have a harder time leaving every five levels.
All of these definitely go faster with better players, but most players are willing to accommodate new players and eat slower experience. Most alliance parties could make do with one party if the members were a high enough level, but this is slower then having a full alliance as well.
At 70 and 95 cap there are fights for the next cap, so be sure to cap skills and invest in gear at these points. At level 30 or as soon as you have Abyssea, start the quest for Abyssea stone generation. As soon as you can for Voidwatch, do the same (And Meeble Burrows, and the Daily Tally Goblin).
Oh, and if you need gil that you didn't get by leveling or selling drops from when you leveled, farm some Hare Meat, Beehive Chips/Honey, or buy/farm Fire Crystals and make Copper Ingots, or carry some Dark Crystals, Distilled Water, and Windurstian Tea Leaves into the field and kill Sheep and make Sheep Leather, or find some other lucrative beginner farming spot or synthing. All of these things sell for quite a bit even when the market floods, although you should check your local AH for prices and compare them. -
11-23-2012, 07:48 AMSines
Unfortunately, this sounds like the game has veered away from what I liked about it. I've already paid, and my friend is still probably going to play, so I'll certainly give it a try, but I think I may end up leaving for good before I pay for my second month.
It's a change I can't begrudge, because I know I was pretty unusual in why I liked the game, it was probably a move that made it better for most players, I just happen to lose out by accident. I probably would still love the end game, though, as I'm pretty sure that would encompass much of what I loved about the rest of the game. I don't have the gil to get myself power leveled, so I may not feel the end will be worth the climb, especially since I liked being able to play different classes on a whim.
I'll still give it a fair try though. Hopefully I like the new style of grinding enough to get to the endgame. I don't doubt for a moment that I'll love that, but if I don't enjoy getting there, then I never will.
We'll see, I suppose. Thanks for all the help and info! Hopefully me and Serenade will stick around long enough to see level 99. -
11-23-2012, 08:21 AMEconomizer
If you really want to grind, you can always duo mobs somewhere with your friend. And it will still be effectively faster then the old experience parties because you won't have to wait for a Bard or Red Mage in order to get people together, even if your kill speed isn't ideal.
Really, if you liked the old way, either you played a job that was in high demand, you were in a static, or you have an acute case of Stockholm syndrome. The majority of experience grind in "the old days" was waiting for a party to gather, begging off a PL to help, or resting between mobs because your party makeup was sub-optimal. These days it is going to an area, and killing mobs to your hearts desire.
Some players choose to pay others to grind for them. I'm not one of them, and it isn't necessary. There are plenty of ways to get experience for yourself, solo, duo, in a party, in a book burn alliance, in Abyssea, in Walk of Echos, in Campaign Battle, etc. If you can't level at a steady pace that is faster then "the old days" even if it is still slower then maybe going to Abyssea and leveling all in one day, then you really have nobody to blame but yourself. And you get to choose what path you take now no matter what job you are on rather then being forced to a party type dependent on what job you are on.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sines
And players will say what they will, but for the vast majority of things, there is a lot of room for whatever job you feel like playing this week. Certain content will definitely optimize towards certain classes (with different classes depending on the content), but you can still work through things going your own way.
Also, as a side note, what of doing storyline? I don't really think you can say you've truly played FFXI if you've never been to Sky for your first time, or never seen the craziness of a Walk of Echoes battlefield, or never challenged a Voidwalker and lived to tell the tale, or never stepped forth in An Explorers Footsteps, or never climbed Parradamo Tor before sunset, or never seen Riverne, never challenged the Dark Rider or the King of Dragons, or never saved the world a few times, or never even broke the chains. You don't have to be a 99 to do all these things, but you don't have to grind your soul away either. -
11-23-2012, 08:55 AMSines
Bear in mind that any analysis I offer here is from someone who hasn't actually had a chance to turn on the game yet.
And my 'longing for the good old days'. Don't get me wrong, there was a lot bad about the game that has no doubt been improved, and some other things that I'm sure haven't. It wasn't the slow crawl of XP that I liked, but more the challenge of it. It was a heavily flawed game, but there was a core to it, that simple grinding in one spot, that for whatever reason never got tiring. Sure, I hated waiting for parties. I played a freakin' Puppetmaster. I had to make most of my parties, because no-one would invite me.
That wasn't what I liked though. What I liked was that grinding always felt like a challenge. In most MMOs (heck, most RPGs) grinding is something safe and boring. In FFXI, grinding was always risky, and difficult. Dying and ending up with a net loss of XP was a legitimate risk. But the rewards for good play were nice too. Getting that perfect party together so we never really had to stop playing, and gaining XP like crazy (relatively speaking, of course :D) felt really nice.
Grinding makes up a large portion of all MMOs. The story events in FFXI are great. The first time I entered a Promyvion? Holy shit. It was awesome. I felt so badass going into this ethereal realm and having to sit down to discuss strategy with my party. The major events in other MMOs can be great too. But grinding is always such a large portion of the genre that I have to like that for me to play it for more than a month. Back when I played before, grinding was fun and challenging, it rewarded good play and punished bad play. It didn't feel like "As long as you try, you'll do well enough". Yes, I loved the story events, but I liked the grinding too. If I just want to play story events, I'll play a regular RPG.
That's kind of what I'm worried about. If grinding isn't fun anymore, then why play an MMO? Sure, the Promyvions were great. Getting my summons was awesome. But then, the Opera scene, and obtaining the Falcon in FF6 are also great. If I don't want to grind, I don't have to grind, I can just play some other game that only has the stories. For me, what makes an MMO worth playing for a long time is if the grind is fun. If the basic, repeatable objectives are enjoyable enough to play again and again.
Yes, I hated waiting forever to get a party. I hated running into bad groups where I came out with less XP than I went into it. But when I got a good party, I had a lot of fun. And when I got a great party, it was a blast. All the shit I had to put up with back in those days was worth it.
I'm not saying the game has been ruined, just that I'm worried I won't find something to my taste. But again, this worry is from a position of severe ignorance. The game sounds to have changed a lot. I'll see whats available, and what I can do, if I can find something that captures that same sense of challenge and reward that kept me playing for so long. If not, well, I won't leave feeling bitter towards Square. The game is no doubt better, in many ways, than it was. I can think of a lot of games I stopped playing because the developers screw up, somehow. That wouldn't be the case here. -
11-23-2012, 06:41 PMSarickThis is simply the best option IMHO. Cheap right now for about $5 with everything but the media. I told you it'd be on sale. The other news is it comes with about $5-$15 worth of extra codes downloaded games. You could be getting it almost free if you use the codes for more downloaded games. I never used the $5 off codes on the FFXI purchases because then it'd be totally free.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sarick
I bought a few extra copies myself anyway. -
11-29-2012, 03:51 AMSE_Chris
I love all the feedback, dialog and perspective in this thread way to go everyone, I liked quite a few of these posts. Specifically on XBOX 360, PlayStation 2 and PC you will need to have an installation of WOtG, TAUG, ROZ, and WoTG in either a physical format or a purchased download. Once you have at least those installed you can then get the rest of the add-on scenarios and battle add-ons via update on the game (Provided registration codes have been added to the account for the rest of the add-on scenarios and battle add-ons). So, if you're looking for some hard copy of the game that you can keep around (again provided that all of the expansion are registered to the account) you'll just need the first 4 available for re-installation.