I only want to play FFXI computergame. The only virtual world, cybernetic ecology I want to inhabit is Vana'diel.

I personally like the old doll-like graphics in FFXI, the characters and NPCs look like Toy Soldiers and Dolls. I don't like modern hyper-realistic computergames.

I have been on the computergame bus since 1981, when I built a kit ZX80 and typed out a machine code stick-man cricket game. I have seen all the graphical evolutions in computergames for nearly 40 years, and I think FFXI was the "Goldilocks zone" where we got just the right amount of graphical realism and playability, without losing the charm of Toy Soldiers and Doll-Like simplicity.

I personally don't play FF14 at all. I did buy the expensive Box Set with all the books and fancypants stuff in it, I bought that game as a tribute to SquareEnix, as my way of thanking them for Vana'diel. But I didn't play FF14 for more than a week, because it actually caused me physical pain to play it.

FFXI is the greatest computergame in the history of the human race. No challenge, no contest.

FFXI stands alone ontop of Mount Epicalness, smiling wisely into the sunset. FFXI struck a Perfect Balance. Balance is very important. It is no good to throw massive amounts of shiny graphics and realism and big explosions into a game, and expect it to be a good game. There has to be an equilibrium, a balance.

FFXI hit that balance point perfectly. Vana'diel is a beautiful and magical world, and FFXI is the most playable computergame arcade style RPG engine in the history of the world.

FFXI did not lose popularity because of FFXI, or even because of SE. FFXI lost popularity because of the fickle and shallow nature of the modern consumer market, where everything has to be faster, shinier and more glamorous.

Modern games are less about gaming proficiency, hand-speed reflexes and strategic skills, and more about "look at me I'm so beautiful and important and special." The current game culture is all perfectly dreadful and sad, IMHO.

I love Vana'diel with all my heart, Vana'diel is the source of all the true joy in my life. And I will play FFXI until the day it is no longer available to play.

I will never buy any new computergames after FFXI, unless there was a FFXI 2.0 which is a >95% clone of FFXI.

If I can't play FFXI, I will go back and play Baldur's Gate series, again, for the millionth time. You must gather your party before venturing forth.