Classic Server

[bungiefanNA]

They can't use a current build, as they'd have to modify it to turn off a bunch of things (Abyssea, Adoulin, the QoL improvements in the past year, new job traits and abilities, NPCs related to level 76+ content), which would make a new build, which would have new bugs. Old builds have bugs they've fixed with more recent patches. Reverting to a previous build would reintroduce those bugs.

Also, the game client and server need to identify as matching versions. Notice that the test server required a seperate install.

[PlumbGame]

They can't use a current build, as they'd have to modify it to turn off a bunch of things (Abyssea, Adoulin, the QoL improvements in the past year, new job traits and abilities, NPCs related to level 76+ content), which would make a new build, which would have new bugs. Old builds have bugs they've fixed with more recent patches. Reverting to a previous build would reintroduce those bugs.

Also, the game client and server need to identify as matching versions. Notice that the test server required a seperate install.

Do you really think that they don't have back ups of older versions? The only real issue is making sure older versions are compatible with windows 7/8. Companies, and people in general don't just throw out old stuff. Even more so, anyone that programs can tell you this especially in this kind of field. You think lawyers would get done with a lawsuit and just throw away everything relevant to that case? It's a way of life, almost like writing in a journal or something. There is some valid arguments to why SE shouldn't do this, but I guarantee what you are saying isn't one of them.

Better way to explain it. SE makes older version of FFXI compatible with current operating systems. SE just re-implements everything that wait for it......... already exists.

[Zarchery]

Do you really think that they don't have back ups of older versions?

You really think Square Enix is keeping backups of 6+ year old game data for no reason other than possibly appeasing some handful of people who can't stop living in the past?

[Natasha]

You really think Square Enix is keeping backups of 6+ year old game data for no reason other than possibly appeasing some handful of people who can't stop living in the past?

You think everquest, and lineage and runescape did? Yup, I don't know why you find this to be such an impossible feat when its already been done with other mmos. Do we know for sure they have them? Nope, but if they don't SE can tell us that, not players.

[ruzoko]

You really think Square Enix is keeping backups of 6+ year old game data for no reason other than possibly appeasing some handful of people who can't stop living in the past?

You would be surprised for the reasons old data is kept as far as im concerned as long as it doesnt affect those in favor of this new ffxi isnt a reason to be against it so would really be nice for you to X this "handful of people living in the past" all it reminds me of are those on the FFXIV forums blabbing about "go back to ffxi if you want ffxi things in ffxiv"

[PlumbGame]

You really think Square Enix is keeping backups of 6+ year old game data for no reason other than possibly appeasing some handful of people who can't stop living in the past?

You really assume people just throw away stuff like this? You seriously think a professional company like SE wouldn't have back ups of EVERYTHING they have? How do you think ports for other devices happen so easily? You think stuff like Chrono Trigger was rebuilt from the ground up? Even more, do you know anything about programming, or any profession at all? Give examples I gave earlier, people don't just call it a day and throw out anything old or not relevant to current projects.

[Zarchery]

You really assume people just throw away stuff like this? You seriously think a professional company like SE wouldn't have back ups of EVERYTHING they have? How do you think ports for other devices happen so easily? You think stuff like Chrono Trigger was rebuilt from the ground up? Even more, do you know anything about programming, or any profession at all? Give examples I gave earlier, people don't just call it a day and throw out anything old or not relevant to current projects.

Chrono Trigger was a static RPG. When it was released on SNES, there was one version. FFXI is a dynamic MMORPG with dozens and dozens of versions over 10+ years. My assumption is that server space is finite and they wouldn't hoard every version of every update forever.

[PlumbGame]

Chrono Trigger was a static RPG. When it was released on SNES, there was one version. FFXI is a dynamic MMORPG with dozens and dozens of versions over 10+ years. My assumption is that server space is finite and they wouldn't hoard every version of every update forever.

What? I can drive down to walmart and buy a hard drive to back up everything on my computer, but SE doesn't have the capabilities of doing something similar?

[Rubicant82]

What? I can drive down to walmart and buy a hard drive to back up everything on my computer, but SE doesn't have the capabilities of doing something similar?

There are no Walmarts in Japan. But that is not even the point they have this awesome tech district in Toyko called Shinjiku that has aweosme electronics stores, but that is not the point.
Servers don't just operate like your home PC. they are a little bit more touche and temperamental. You can't just go buy a one terabite drive and stick it in. Most servers for things like MMOs are part of huge farms that the parent company uses for their whole company. So it is not just oh this one server is for FFXI. Server is a subjective term for allocated area of space for a program that allows others access.
I mentioned in the other post that if you look hard enough you will find plenty of "classic" privet servers. But SE has been cracking down on them hard lately. Which is absolutely silly if the PS was not charging money. I'm sure there are still some out there somewhere.

[Spectreman]

You really think Square Enix is keeping backups of 6+ year old game data for no reason other than possibly appeasing some handful of people who can't stop living in the past?

These people have this naive feeling that the old Valkrum Dunes and Yhoator Jungle will be filled with noobs again waiting to be MPKed. That they would find constatly people to play with for a whole day in those areas to get 5-10 levels or maybe even delevel at the end of the day.