Final Fantasy XIV Announced

[Zargabaath]

There are a few things I'm hoping for in FF XIV, some that may not pertain to it if it is not in the game:

1. Easier to get gil, not by the bucket full, but easier. Or create a system that will not be destroyed by inflation.

2. If they decide to make the servers international again, like FF XI, make a better communication program to make it easier for players.

3. Different color pallettes for armour, that can be customized by the player and this may be to much but different looks for the same piece of armour (Different appearance, same stats).

4. Besides the 5 races that will be based off of the races in FF XI, perhaps 1 or 2 new races.

5. Not so much exp. to get to highest level; not so little as WoW but not as much as it took in the beginning of FF XI.

6. Bring Level Sync, Chocobo Racing, etc to FF XIV.

7. If the game allows for players to have sub-jobs, allow the sub-job to level up alongside the main job. This would cut down the time so people won't say it takes forever. This is one of the major points I'm hoping for, if they have sub-jobs in the game. This point goes for FF XI as well. I believe if they did this FF XI it would be a huge bonus.

[Deicide]

I prefer my MMO's in established worlds, the main reason I ever showed any interest in WoW to begin with was the promise of seeing that world up close for the first time. If Square could bring that to party, I'm not even horribly picky about which game, they might finally get my attention.

As it is? Just another number I'm going to have to skip. That's ok, they're going to milking the hell out of us with the one-game-split-into-many-games mess that is FFXIII. -_-


:..2-2-7..:

[SilverSoul]

Honestly, I don't see the point in announcing FFXIV to the public yet since XIII has yet to see the light of day. If this is true then wouldn't FFXIV be sort of a rush job? I mean I'm all for XIII if I had a PS3 that is, but FFXIV already? Show us XIII first before dropping the bomb of another FF, but then again if FFXIV comes only for the PS3 that I'm screwed for both games.

[Zargabaath]

As I said earlier and maybe a few other people, FFXIV is being developed by the team behind FF XI. They are seperate from the team of FF XIII or FFV XIII; in the press conference at E3 I believe they (the developers) said that they started working on FF XIV 5-6 years ago which I found to be very interesting since that means that once FF XI was released they went to work on their newest project right away.

So even though they may be released in the same year it's not as if FF XIV was rushed; already 5 years in development they've put some time into.

[Andromeda]

To answer about the experience gain from someone. Square in their interview with IGN said that there is not going to be experience, at least in the fashion that we've become used to in FFXI and other games. They are going about growing characters with something completely different in mind. What, they haven't said yet.

They also said that weapons will hold some importance in the development of your character as well. They said something about one weapon on a day will have an different impact on the character. So it looks like they will be playing around with days again, but in a different light than in FFXI, where days played a heavy factor in magic and crafting among other things.

Though something that I've found amusing. We all know already that FFXIII is getting a Winter release in Japan and like a Spring release for the US. But FFXIV is going to be a wordwide simulataineous release. It'd be funny if FFXIV came out after FFXIII in Japan, but before FFXIII in the US. I don't know if it is possible, but the beta will at least since they said that they want a longer beta than FFXI, which apparently 3-4 months.

I suspect that we will see a lot about FFXIV in terms of gameplay at TGS this year since they will probably be getting ready for their beta near the end of this year.

On a positive note, Nobou Uematsu will be doing all of the music for FFXIV rather that just some like in FFXI. That should get any FF fan excited. Since Uematsu hasn't really done all of the music for a FF since like FFX or FFIX, I think he did all of FFX.

[Demons_Gate]

seriously why is everyone so pissed off about this? Its not really another final fantasy game and it wont really have a story so why do you feel obligated to play it?

FFXI is getting ancient as far as mmos go and they want to create a new game. Im sure its a totally different team working on this than single player games as well. Dont act like your all missing out on something, its probably coming out around the same time as FFXIII....so whats everyones problem?

[Meier Link]

Originally Posted by kilo

I don't know if people are even trying to "topple" World of Warcraft's throne. Also, I would like to point out that in Japan at least, this new SE MMO will beat Warcraft.

I don't think SE is trying to topple WoW, honestly I think they are just trying to get their slice of the pie. It is a very lucrative slice at that. If some how XIV does manage to do so I would be very suprised and I think the people at Square would be also.

(This following is not directed twards the quote)

The MMO market is HUGE, and brings in more profit then most other titles of non MMO genras. Not only do you have to pay for the game but you also have to pay to play it. Then make it to where you have to spend months just to get close to some kind of completion.

Here is an example and I am using these figures loosly:

$60 for the brand new game
$50 for expansions
$120 bucks a year for online access

compared to

$60 bucks for a sinlge player game

Do the math it just makes sense to try and get into this market. Even at 100 people it is profitable, and yet IX still has how many gamers?

Demons gate: I have to give you props, you only have 5 posts and you are pretty open minded. I like your style kid.

[Cyclome]

Oh another MMO . It could be great but monthly fees is turn off for me so I don't think I'll play it. I would have to get a PS3 too XD. But the trailer is good

[Kiddo]

I love the idea that Square is making a New MMO. For what it was FFXI was very good back in the day. I surely wouldnt compare FFXI to a new MMO. The game is simply outdated and based on old ideas. The thing about Square that I have noticed that they never make the same game twice. So I suspect different battle system, graphics, questing engine and so on... They are going to bring new ideas to a new game. I for one will be excited about playing. I know the subscription idea sucks but I have heard that this one is a F2P. So who knows what this next one will bring!

[Kiddo]

Massively actually did a great article on FFXIV, I recommend to check it out.

Anti-Aliased: Final Fantasy XIV is a good, good thing - Massively

And if you didnt want to click the link....

So, unless you've been under a rock, you probably heard Sony squeeing in happiness about Final Fantasy XIV Online, otherwise known as just FFXIV. This is indeed the next MMO that Square-Enix has been hiding from prying eyes, and unlike the indications we got from the company a year ago, this is another Final Fantasy Online.

The reception, however, is quite mixed. Some people, like myself, are really psyched up for this next release in the online series. Others, however, are questioning why make a game like FFXIV when you already have FFXI. Why not just keep on working on FFXI? Don't we all remember how bad sequels work out in the MMO market? Why tempt fate by making a sequel?

Personally, I think the creation of this game is a good idea with all things considered. Final Fantasy brings a different perspective of play to the market -- one that it desperately needs at this point in time. What am I jabbering on about? Come on, follow me, and let's talk about why FFXIV is a good, good thing.

Time to play technology catchup

I know I've said it before in a few articles, but it's been seven years since Final Fantasy XI was released. Seven! And it really doesn't even feel like it at all!

FFXI is a great game, but it's finally beginning to show some wear and tear. The graphics in the original outdoor environments just don't hold up when compared to the textures from the expansions, and the game is, overall, beginning to look muddy. Yet, for it still being seven years later, there are areas of that game that can make anyone's jaw drop to the floor.

Square-Enix is, undoubtedly, going to go full out with FFXIV. Where as the PS2 was originally the ball and chain for FFXI, the PS3 will be the angel wings for FFXIV. This time there will be barely any limits for the game, especially since they don't have to package it with a hard drive and attempt to work around the PS2's needs. PC and PS3 can work on the exact same levels and they can deliver a top notch experience.

Past being able to update the graphics, FFXIV will be a game that will last, graphically speaking. If there is anything Square-Enix knows, it's how to develop amazingly detailed environments with a clear-cut, beautiful art style. Like I said, even FFXI is still resonating with beauty in areas today. We can be sure that FFXIV will look the same way a few years down the road.

A series that supports sequels

MMOs that run as sequels do not work well. Either the former game begins to trump the new kid on the block, or the newer game runs the old one out of business. Sequels seem to be cursed in these parts, with many of them just never reaching to the same heights the former game did.

Enter the Final Fantasy company, Square-Enix -- a group that obviously knows how to work sequels. If they can be successful enough to work for 14 games, they can be successful enough to put out one sequel to an MMO.

The real beauty of all of this is that a Final Fantasy game is never truly a sequel. Each world that they create in the series is unique and tells its own story. They don't copy the same battle system from game to game, they're always looking to innovate, and they're always pushing their own boundaries. The "Final Fantasy" name is more of a pedigree than it is a continuous set of works.

With all of that in mind, we can be sure that 14 and 11 will be different enough to work side by side. For these guys, it's not about the grind -- it's about the story. I think we can be certain that the new world we're about to explore will be very different than Vana'diel and follow a completely different line of thought with a new twist on their own battle system.

It's not about an MMO

If there's any point that makes me want this game the most, it's the fact that this game isn't being developed to be an MMO. This game is being developed to be a Final Fantasy title. I may have lost you on that, so let me explain.

When many developers begin to approach their new MMO, they approach it as an MMO. They look at it and think about the grind, the world, the interactions, and the other titles in the market. They stare at World of Warcraft for hours and analyze the market so they can capture their audience. Because of this, all games seem to follow this "MMO formula." Grind, level, grind, level, grind, level, endgame. Emphasis is being put on the game and not on the experience.

Final Fantasy XIV is not being developed from the perspective of an MMO -- it's being developed from the perspective of a Final Fantasy console game that just happens to be online. When you pick up Final Fantasy XI, you feel the presence of an MMO, but you also feel the presence of a Final Fantasy game. Storylines, adventuring, characters, and a rich world all seem to pop to the forefront. Even the battle system, which is an MMO battle system, screams Final Fantasy because of the way abilities, camera angles, and party dynamics work.

This is what our genre needs. We do not need to make another MMO for the sake of making another MMO. We're done with MMOs. We want games that feature a massively multiplayer online component. Instead of breaking the Final Fantasy series apart so it fits into the context of an MMO, we're breaking MMO components apart to fit in the context of Final Fantasy. It will feature systems that are unlike any other MMO because they don't come from another MMO -- they come from Final Fantasy.

Two other games are attempting to do this right now -- Star Wars: The Old Republic and All Points Bulletin. Part of the reason we're all excited for these two is because they don't look to be another MMO for MMOs sake. SWTOR is grabbing from Knights of the Old Republic and Mass Effect's playbook. APB is grabbing from GTA's playbook.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is a very, very good thing.

[Che]

Originally Posted by Kiddo

If there's any point that makes me want this game the most, it's the fact that this game isn't being developed to be an MMO. This game is being developed to be a Final Fantasy title. I may have lost you on that, so let me explain.

When many developers begin to approach their new MMO, they approach it as an MMO. They look at it and think about the grind, the world, the interactions, and the other titles in the market. They stare at World of Warcraft for hours and analyze the market so they can capture their audience. Because of this, all games seem to follow this "MMO formula." Grind, level, grind, level, grind, level, endgame. Emphasis is being put on the game and not on the experience.

Final Fantasy XIV is not being developed from the perspective of an MMO -- it's being developed from the perspective of a Final Fantasy console game that just happens to be online. When you pick up Final Fantasy XI, you feel the presence of an MMO, but you also feel the presence of a Final Fantasy game. Storylines, adventuring, characters, and a rich world all seem to pop to the forefront. Even the battle system, which is an MMO battle system, screams Final Fantasy because of the way abilities, camera angles, and party dynamics work.

This is what our genre needs. We do not need to make another MMO for the sake of making another MMO. We're done with MMOs. We want games that feature a massively multiplayer online component. Instead of breaking the Final Fantasy series apart so it fits into the context of an MMO, we're breaking MMO components apart to fit in the context of Final Fantasy. It will feature systems that are unlike any other MMO because they don't come from another MMO -- they come from Final Fantasy.

Two other games are attempting to do this right now -- Star Wars: The Old Republic and All Points Bulletin. Part of the reason we're all excited for these two is because they don't look to be another MMO for MMOs sake. SWTOR is grabbing from Knights of the Old Republic and Mass Effect's playbook. APB is grabbing from GTA's playbook.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is a very, very good thing.

Amen.

I have been looking at TOR for quite a while now and I believe it's going to be coming out after FF14. Both of these games are giving me new things to look for and the reason I can safely quit WoW now without feeling like there's not gonna be anything new to play that is that big and ultimately ending with me going back to WoW.