List of things to expect at 2.0 ARR launch

[Totorixiii]

Got this list from FFXIVCore.com

Reading it over through the list just got me super excited. It's a good memory refresh and for those who actually has no idea what to expect.

Wish I was a Time Mage right now so i can fast foward to ARR release instantly.

If this is a repost feel free to flame me


Major changes:
- New maps for close to the entire XIV world (Eorzea), with the exception of main cities. (At launch)

- An entirely new graphics engine, optimized to run on a range of differently spec’d PCs. Includes new animations, countless virtual assets, etc. (At launch)

- Entirely new server infrastructure designed to support massive open-world content (similar to Guild Wars 2). Zones will now be indepedent, meaning there will be zoning points between areas (improved latency). This is similar to FFXI, GW2, and lots of other MMOs. (At launch)

- Regional data centres tied to specific servers (in order to reduce latency, although a player is able to play on whatever server he or she wishes). (At launch)

- A new game client. (At launch)

- PS3 release— PC and PS3 players will be able to play together on the same servers. (At launch)

- Two new extremely well designed UIs, one for a mouse/keyboard setup and the other for controller users. (At launch)

- An entirely overhauled system of character creation, which includes much greater options and both sexes for all races. (At launch)

- New race(s). (TBD— if the player poll is used as a basis for developing the next race, expect a viera type race first)

- New classes/jobs (so far Arcanist/Summoner is the only one confirmed for launch, but there is a strong indication that we will see one more at that time)

- The Free Company system. Think of these as Linkshells (FF equivalent of guilds) taken to the next level. The details are scarce at this point, but things such as company bases, company summons, and other large, cool stuff of that nature has been hinted at. (At launch)

- Mailing system (welcome back, mognet!) (At launch)

- Chocobo raising/companion system (your Chocobo can be called to fight in battle with you!). (At launch of shortly thereafter)

- New mounts (including awesome things such as drakes, magitek armour). (TBD)

- Instanced housing (with the ability to furnish, decorate, renovate, garden, and do a whole host of other domestically related activities, lol). (At launch or shortly thereafter)

- New summons (including Titan and Odin!). (At launch)

- New quests/quest based level progression. (At launch)

- Rebalanced/new class abilities and traits. (At launch)

- Redesigned combat (including an awesome ass looking Limit Break system). (At launch)

- New notorious monsters (rare enemies; small and large varieties) and new enemies/monsters. (At launch)

- CROSS-SERVER dungeon/content finder (Automatically matches you up with those that are seeking the same content). (At launch)

- PVP (this will be contained to two main areas; one for small-medium scale encounters and other for much larger, objective based encounters). (At launch)

- New dungeons and raids, including the Crystal Tower mega-dungeon (Nyzul Isle 2.0, anyone?) (At launch)

- New story. (At launch)

- Even further improved crafting/gathering system(s) (I’ve played a lot of MMOs; XIV has my all-time favourite crafting system even as it stands) (At launch)

- DX11 support. (shortly after launch)

- All of the changes being carried over from the final version of 1.0 (including changes the market wards, removal of surplus experience points, the job system, the materia system, overall game balance to name but a FEW). Like, a year's worth of solid updates. (At launch)

- Not so much a “change”, but… everyone who bought XIV 1.0 will be able to download ARR free of charge, and enjoy a free trial period as well (length of the trial is TDB)

- Last but certainly not least, INCREDIBLE NEW MUSIC. I heard some of it leaked footage from the Alpha test… and wow. (At launch)

[KamikazeMan]

I expect a buttload of complaints on the forum. Yoshida might consider buying IRL armor while looking at this forum.

[Kraggy]

- DX11 support. (shortly after launch)

I highly doubt 'shortly'.

Yes, Yoshi has said he intends to deliver DX11 after release, I really don't expect 'shortly' to mean less than 6 months, and would seriously hope Yoshi doesn't mean to do it earlier.

DX11 support is highly optional, the changes it makes are by definition cosmetic and games where you can switch from DX9 to DX11 (eg. WOW, Rift, etc.) don't play any better for some on-screen glitz.

In the first 6 months, XIV will need a lot of attention and careful maintenance to ensure it stays up and plays well, unless it goes amazingly smoothly and has an untroubled launch like no other MMO I have myself played, then SE will have plenty to do that is more important than adding some 'kewl' lighting and water effects.

I've never understood the fixation some players have for this 'feature'.

[Taika]

Does the original site have sources for these? I was under the impression stuff like Crystal Tower and PvP won't be at launch.

[Rizon]

All the points made by the OP have been stated on different occasions but I thank him for taking the time and effort to compile them in a current thread for others edification.

[DemonFury]

Got this list from FFXIVCore.com

Reading it over through the list just got me super excited. It's a good memory refresh and for those who actually has no idea what to expect.

Wish I was a Time Mage right now so i can fast foward to ARR release instantly.

If this is a repost feel free to flame me


Major changes:
- New maps for close to the entire XIV world (Eorzea), with the exception of main cities. (At launch)

- An entirely new graphics engine, optimized to run on a range of differently spec’d PCs. Includes new animations, countless virtual assets, etc. (At launch)

- Entirely new server infrastructure designed to support massive open-world content (similar to Guild Wars 2). Zones will now be indepedent, meaning there will be zoning points between areas (improved latency). This is similar to FFXI, GW2, and lots of other MMOs. (At launch)

- Regional data centres tied to specific servers (in order to reduce latency, although a player is able to play on whatever server he or she wishes). (At launch)

- A new game client. (At launch)

- PS3 release— PC and PS3 players will be able to play together on the same servers. (At launch)

- Two new extremely well designed UIs, one for a mouse/keyboard setup and the other for controller users. (At launch)

- An entirely overhauled system of character creation, which includes much greater options and both sexes for all races. (At launch)

- New race(s). (TBD— if the player poll is used as a basis for developing the next race, expect a viera type race first)

- New classes/jobs (so far Arcanist/Summoner is the only one confirmed for launch, but there is a strong indication that we will see one more at that time)

- The Free Company system. Think of these as Linkshells (FF equivalent of guilds) taken to the next level. The details are scarce at this point, but things such as company bases, company summons, and other large, cool stuff of that nature has been hinted at. (At launch)

- Mailing system (welcome back, mognet!) (At launch)

- Chocobo raising/companion system (your Chocobo can be called to fight in battle with you!). (At launch of shortly thereafter)

- New mounts (including awesome things such as drakes, magitek armour). (TBD)

- Instanced housing (with the ability to furnish, decorate, renovate, garden, and do a whole host of other domestically related activities, lol). (At launch or shortly thereafter)

- New summons (including Titan and Odin!). (At launch)

- New quests/quest based level progression. (At launch)

- Rebalanced/new class abilities and traits. (At launch)

- Redesigned combat (including an awesome ass looking Limit Break system). (At launch)

- New notorious monsters (rare enemies; small and large varieties) and new enemies/monsters. (At launch)

- CROSS-SERVER dungeon/content finder (Automatically matches you up with those that are seeking the same content). (At launch)

- PVP (this will be contained to two main areas; one for small-medium scale encounters and other for much larger, objective based encounters). (At launch)

- New dungeons and raids, including the Crystal Tower mega-dungeon (Nyzul Isle 2.0, anyone?) (At launch)

- New story. (At launch)

- Even further improved crafting/gathering system(s) (I’ve played a lot of MMOs; XIV has my all-time favourite crafting system even as it stands) (At launch)

- DX11 support. (shortly after launch)

- All of the changes being carried over from the final version of 1.0 (including changes the market wards, removal of surplus experience points, the job system, the materia system, overall game balance to name but a FEW). Like, a year's worth of solid updates. (At launch)

- Not so much a “change”, but… everyone who bought XIV 1.0 will be able to download ARR free of charge, and enjoy a free trial period as well (length of the trial is TDB)

- Last but certainly not least, INCREDIBLE NEW MUSIC. I heard some of it leaked footage from the Alpha test… and wow. (At launch)

you do realize that all the info you posted here can also be found at www.finalfantasyxiv.com along with much more than ffxivcore has

[Taika]

Reposting an old post of mine:

Where was all this new stuff promised at release?

All I could find from the outline was this (emphasis mine):

Below are the main content additions planned for after version 2.0. New content announcements will be made via patch notes.

New primal battles.

Summoning system that awards the ability to summon primals to Free Companies that defeat them.

Campaign of battles against the dragon horde in the defense of Ishgard, with participation possible as any of the four Disciplines.

Two forms of PvP, the Coliseum and the Frontlines, to be released sequentially.
Large-scale instanced raids of the Crystal Tower and a vast labyrinth. Further expansions planned for future patches.

Wandering Odin primal, who grows in strength and drops greater treasures with each defeat.

Further details on all of the above to be released in the days leading up to version 2.0 release.

Two new dungeons to be added in patch 1.21. More dungeons to follow after version 2.0.

Release of treasure maps to be discoverable by Disciples of the Land. Planned for after version 2.0.

Maps to reveal location of chests and dungeons. Dungeons to be new content designed for a combination of classes from all Disciplines. Planned for after version 2.0.

Two PvP venues, Coliseum and Frontlines, to be released after version 2.0.

Unique zones to be created so as not to affect non-participating players. Release of PvP-specific abilities, gear, and ranking.

Support for multi-party alliances for large-scale content to be released together with the above.

Future plans include chocobo gear, rearing, battle, mounted content, and shared chocobos, to be released sequentially after version 2.0.

Release of a content finder system after version 2.0.

What was planned for 2.0 release is this:

Complete redesign of character creation screens and process.

Addition of Miqo'te males, Highland Hyur and Roegadyn females for version 2.0.

Complete redesign of user interface for version 2.0 currently underway

Complete redesign of markets into a system incorporating retainers and auction house elements. Planned for version 2.0.

Release of a delivery system and mail system for version 2.0.

Redesign of all non-instanced areas for version 2.0.

The only controversial things I could find from the outline given and the newest information received were two things:

1. Free companies were in fact planned for launch:

Release of in-game player communities known as Free Companies. Planned for version 2.0.

2. Arcanist / Summoner wasn't:

New summoning ability available to certain jobs and classes after version 2.0.

New taming ability available to certain jobs and classes after version 2.0.

Any other source than the 2.0 content outline that would confirm Crystal Tower, PvP etc. being released at launch?