What Vanadiel would we be in.... if SE DROPPED PS2!

[Yugl]

Upgrading your system is the same thing S-E was asking of us to play FFXIV, so I don't think we're hypocritical in wanting FFXI players to upgrade. There's a few client-side mechanics problems (that cause 3rd party programs) that the PS2 is causing, such as macros and inventory. We can't have a single bag at 160 because the PS2 is somehow limited to 80.

FFXIV is a different game. You upgrade your system before you buy it and invest YEARS in it.

[Retsujo]

FFXIV may be a different game, but I treated upgrading my PC for FFXIV the same way I did for FFXI when it first came out.

The technology is more advanced, but it's still the same concept. Every few years a game you want to play is coming out that requires specs higher than your current rig, so you do what you can to upgrade.

I'd like to see a dev's response to this matter, though I doubt PS2 support will ever come to light. The dev team is so small at this point.

[Catsby]

I'd like to see a dev's response to this matter, though I doubt PS2 support will ever come to light. The dev team is so small at this point.

not according to the credits I found. It was something like 150ish people. But then again the titles were generic and there were no credits for specific parts of the game.

[Starcade]

I'd like a source for that 8% number.

And, even if that were true, I'd like to know what percentage of JP players are PS2, by that same source.

The fact is, until a significant number of Japanese players no longer use PS2, PS2 support will continue, because Square-Enix shows open preference for the Japanese playerbase.

[thefinalrune]

I've been thinking and reading for a long time about the way the PS2 limits the game growth, and I am a big supporter of the idea of tossing it aside to allow for improvement. But, as of late I've come to the conclusion that it's simply not going to happen. The game itself is coded to fit PS2 tech. Real update to the graphics and capabilities of the game would likely require a complete rewriting of the game code.

I think of the DAT modders to make an example. All the 2D elements in the game are hard coded. That is, maps, visual effects, icons, etc. the flat things. These items cannot be HighDef'd unlike the textures used to wrap the game's polygons (land, armor, weapons, players, etc.). The coding for the 2D aspects is literally tied into the game's executable. Even if they did adjust the coding to allow for greater resolution there would still be the need to increase the polygon counts on players, mobs and environment to get increased visuals. Which would require a complete reworking of every single animation, armor piece and weapon in the game.

For the most part, every "new" thing the game has added has been in some way a rehash of some "old" thing. Very little truly originally new content exists outside of a few new mobs added in with an expansion.

Now, that's not to say I don't want new content. Even if its the same content we've already got (i.e. more rehash) I'd be okay with it. I just want more story. But, I don't really think the PS2 is actually preventing us from getting more story based content. I know there's technical limitations, but I think they just need some reworked thinking to get around the problems instead of alienating any percentage of the community.

[Wheels]

They really can not introduce another expansion due to the ps2. If a new expansion came out it would completely exceed the HD of the ps2 and lucky if you are even able to log in let alone get repeated errors of low memory. I would like to see this game go another 10 years but we all know it won't and the reason being is low population across servers except a chosen few, ps2 limiting the ability of a new expansion(not a rehash of old areas), I personally would like the access to the far east and many new mobs to fight and battle arenas(bc type). The coming update will probably give at most 3 months of enjoyment if lucky then back to old stuff til next update.

[Lanette]

FFXI could be given a new look and be the game they tried to make FFXIV into.......

[Dazusu]

There would be almost no JP players.

The End. (And the reason why this "Drop PS2 Support" idiocy needs to freaking stop. Square-Enix prefers the JP playerbase, and will cater to them as necessary.)

So long as it gets rid of you, i'll be happy.

[Lanette]

Well If SE expects to stay in the international market, they need to keep be able to communicate with all customers world wide. If SE is afraid of lousing its JP players as a result of moving away from PS2 then i see them as having a much bigger problem with their business model.

Other games upgrade graphic requirements and gave their game a new and exiting look that helped keep it going into the future. (You should know what game i'm talking about) I kinda felt like SE slapped us in the face when it announced FFXIV as being ANOTHER MMO. Yes it looked cool and and the videos were awesome. However as soon as I left the opening movie and was like....wtf am i doing reading mission and quest content. FFXI would be dead or dyeing faster if not for the disappointment that was FFXIV.

If we really want to be angry, I would say you PS2 people want us PC people to leave you behind because thats what happening. PC players are exploring other games given FFXI is stuck recycling content because your hardrive can't hold anymore. I give FFXI another 2 years....or until FFXIV is 1000 time better. Star Wars might even do it.

[thefinalrune]

I don't understand the obsession some players have with the game's graphics. Personally, I think FFXI still looks damn good for its age, especially if you tweak it right for PC. I don't see SE ever altering the graphics, its simply too much of an overhaul.