U.S. FFXI 360 Beta Begins

Gamespot is reporting that the U.S. Final Fantasy XI Xbox 360 Beta has begun. You're going to have to get ahold of a Beta disc from the Official Xbox magazine's February issue, and then sign up at the PlayOnline site. From the article: "When the game goes live in May, Xbox 360 players will be able to rub elbows and swap healing potions with their PlayStation 2 and PC counterparts. But for the duration of the beta test, Xbox 360 users will be kept on their own servers. They will be able to interact with beta testers from Europe and Japan, however. While Square Enix has issued a list of known issues with the beta game, support for USB keyboards and mice has been included."

Comments

Umm...

[Anonymous Coward]

Friset Psodtst?

First

[TheSkepticalOptimist]

Will the graphics be improved, or similar from the PC or PS2 versions? Again, give me a reason to get the Xbox360, not just offer ports of existing games on existing platforms.

Second, hasn't the fire under FFXI kind of fizzled out? Is there still much demand for this online RPG or are the only people playing it diehards that can't let go? From what I could tell, FFXI kind of failed for the PS2, considering how many returned openned HDD and FFXI game bundles you could pick up at a discounted price for months after its launch at most big box stores.

Anyways, as other recent online articles are suggesting, next gen console games seem to be sequels and ports of existing games rather then true original content. I will wait about a year until they stop porting old games over to the Xbox360 and come out with more original game concepts.

Re:First

[Anonymous Coward]

First

So close...

Will the graphics be improved, or similar from the PC or PS2 versions?

They'll be PC "high-quality", which I count as "no".

Second, hasn't the fire under FFXI kind of fizzled out?

In the US and Europe? Yes, World of WarCraft killed it. In Japan? Apparently it's still popular.

Otherwise, this is a flat-out port of, basically, the PC version.

The real headline should be: XBox360 Port of Four-Year Old Game With No Upgrades Enters Beta, Slashdot Thinks This is News - but that doesn't fit.

Re:First

[Anonymous Coward]

The graphics for the PC version and the PS2 version aren't alike at all. There are still tons of PS2 FFXI players to this day. The fire hasn't fizzled out, SE keeps having to add new servers to deal with the growing player population.

Do you have any idea what the fuck you're even talking about?

Re:First

[SScorpio]

Reports are saying that look like the graphics on the PC version which are a big improvement over what you saw on the PS2. As for fizzlign out, I can't really comment as I quit almost a year ago. I still have a friend I talk to once in a while that still plays and it looks like the population is lower than when I played, but it's holding steady. The only issue now is inflation in the world. The way the game was designed you need a lot of raw materials to craft things. New players generally gathered these to make money at the start of the game. With less new people playing few of the materials are being gathered leading to higher prices for them which raise prices across the board. The game had some interesting concepts with how it handled crafting and the economy, but it seems like WoW has out shined it. Who knows, maybe with the new generation of consoles coming out ports of the game will bring in lots of new blood.

But being a failure on the PS2? I'd have to disagree. The only issue is that the PC version was so much better as the PS2 chugged along at times. It's true that people looking for the next Final Fantasy game and spending 300 hours leveling your party and completing every side quest were disappointed, but as an MMORPG it was a good game. Well besides that part that simulated the wait in line game, but at least you were logged into the server unlike WoW during that simulation.

Re:First

[choudesh]

Wow, harsh language. I love the last-gen console people vs. pc people vs. next-gen console people arguments. I don't think WoW killed FF Online, though WoW did murdered and kept murdering Galaxies. Also, aren't first posts getting a bit old? I mean, if you change your depth, and you aren't mod'd, you aren't first anymore. Hope someones mods this +5, so I can be 'first'

Re:First

[FrontalLobe]

Not only did it murder galaxies, but it also helped force galaxies to commit suicide (NGE)

Re:First

[oGMo]

Reports are saying that look like the graphics on the PC version which are a big improvement over what you saw on the PS2.

This is definitely true; although the PS2 version could be easily updated... and it's silly that they don't. Compare the graphics on FFXII (which undoubtedly uses a modified version of the same engine) to FFXI.

Another complaint I have heard is that the PS2 version is holding the graphics of other versions behind (since they don't display cloaks and some other things). This is BS, from a developer's perspective: the other versions already look better, and there's no reason you couldn't add the additional things on systems that handled it.

I still have a friend I talk to once in a while that still plays and it looks like the population is lower than when I played, but it's holding steady.

Definitely... FFXI is the kind of game that requires a long-term commitment; those players that have committed are likely to stay so, especially with the constant updates and story extensions that Square adds.

The only issue now is inflation in the world. The way the game was designed you need a lot of raw materials to craft things. New players generally gathered these to make money at the start of the game. With less new people playing few of the materials are being gathered leading to higher prices for them which raise prices across the board.

This isn't the only problem... gilfarmers and botfishers are also to blame. However, I'm on a server with much higher inflation now than the first server I played on, and it's actually made it easier for me to earn a lot of money. There was still really expensive stuff on the old server, but getting the cash was harder. So it balances out to an extent.

The game had some interesting concepts with how it handled crafting and the economy, but it seems like WoW has out shined it. Who knows, maybe with the new generation of consoles coming out ports of the game will bring in lots of new blood.

I disagree. WoW may be more popular, but it has no real storyline, not to mention the huge story arcs that FFXI has. Additionally, while it's OK for casual playing, the rewards feel too easy. Earning ranks or rare items in FFXI feels like much more of an accomplishment; I'm not the only person I know who has returned from WoW to FFXI because of this.

But being a failure on the PS2? I'd have to disagree. The only issue is that the PC version was so much better as the PS2 chugged along at times.

Really? I've heard the opposite... the PC version tends to stutter when you're in a busy area (try lower Jeuno or around a moogle during an event), whereas the PS2 runs smoothly regardless. I do have a problem with USB keyboard input, but it may be my keyboard.

It's true that people looking for the next Final Fantasy game and spending 300 hours leveling your party and completing every side quest were disappointed [...]

Perhaps. Unfortunately most of the "good stuff" happens later, and you need to find a good group of people to play with, even a static party. That totally changes the game. There is definite Final Fantasy material there, though; you just won't see it until you've made progress deeper into the game's storyline.

Well besides that part that simulated the wait in line game, but at least you were logged into the server unlike WoW during that simulation.

Which was this...? You mean the recent NPC quest?

Re:First

[Psmylie]

FFXI is still going very strong. I haven't seen much of a decline in population. In fact, I think the population is still growing, albeit much more slowly then before.
As far as the PS2 version goes, the US and EU launches were poor, but that was due to a lack of support of the needed hardware from Sony, and not due to the game. Quite a few players in Japan are on the PS2 version, and I know several in the US who are as well.

Re:First

[chrismcdirty]

Wouldn't the NGE be more like a sex-change, rather than a suicide? I mean, the game still functions, just very differently.

Re:First

[falcon5768]

well there is enough of a demand for them to be putting out new content a month along with the next expantion comming out this year. While it might have done poor PS2 wise here (and in general poor in Europe though a lot of that is due more from NA imported versions than anything else) it still has a steady 500,000 people which seems to actually be going up, despite knowing a number of people who left the game. For the time its the 3rd largest MMO now.

as for differences, the only known improvement is that this is graphically the PC version with double the original draw distance of the PC version. While it might be a "port" MMOs really are hard to place in that group because no mater what new version comes out, you STILL need the base game, which will always be a "port" if its now on a different platform.

Two weeks should be bigger news of the oncomming expansion, new jobs (blue mage is a known addition, but there is supposedly 2-3 more new jobs being added) new mobs with a few more FF favorites beign added like Imps and Lamias, as well as how expannsive the new continent will be. There is a huge FFXI fest in California being run that will also hold the first publicly playable release of the ToAU expanson.

Re:First

[FrontalLobe]

That might work... Cuz they are changing their target audience ;)

Re:First

[SScorpio]

This is definitely true; although the PS2 version could be easily updated... and it's silly that they don't. Compare the graphics on FFXII (which undoubtedly uses a modified version of the same engine) to FFXI. Another complaint I have heard is that the PS2 version is holding the graphics of other versions behind (since they don't display cloaks and some other things). This is BS, from a developer's perspective: the other versions already look better, and there's no reason you couldn't add the additional things on systems that handled it.

There is a big difference between FFXI and FFXII, and that is one of them is online while the other isn't. This adds some pretty big overhead which needs to be accounted for. That's why there were/are problem in Dynamis with the 64 character raids on the PS2 causing the game to freeze. You have to remember that with FFXII the developer has control over what is appearing on screen. In FFXI someone could just run by the player there for you get hit with the PS2's RAM limit and that's why there aren't as many unique looking equipments and character customizations in the game.

I also really doubt they will ever change the graphics on one version and not the other unless that version is being sunsetted such as the PS2 version being decomissioned due to the 360 and PS3 versions coming out. It could happen in 2008 or so but we'll have to see.

This isn't the only problem... gilfarmers and botfishers are also to blame. However, I'm on a server with much higher inflation now than the first server I played on, and it's actually made it easier for me to earn a lot of money. There was still really expensive stuff on the old server, but getting the cash was harder. So it balances out to an extent.

Which is the exact problem you are stating. Yes prices vary server to server, but on the servers with higher inflation where you get more money easily the items generally cost more. I'd also like to stay away from the whole gilfarmer/buyer issue. That is definately something that ruined the game for me.

I disagree. WoW may be more popular, but it has no real storyline, not to mention the huge story arcs that FFXI has. Additionally, while it's OK for casual playing, the rewards feel too easy. Earning ranks or rare items in FFXI feels like much more of an accomplishment; I'm not the only person I know who has returned from WoW to FFXI because of this. That is true to an extent but FFXI had a very high demend to complete some of the quests. Trying to get 18 people together to complete something for just a single person to benefit from is hard sometimes. If the game was more geared towards smaller groups of 3-4 people being optimate it would be very benefital. The other issue is that most classes in the game had a specific way to play them and most parties needed the support while there were way to many damage classes in the game.

Really? I've heard the opposite... the PC version tends to stutter when you're in a busy area (try lower Jeuno or around a moogle during an event), whereas the PS2 runs smoothly regardless. I do have a problem with USB keyboard input, but it may be my keyboard.

I used to have slight shuttering on my PC. I had a P3-1Ghz /w Geforce 4 TI4200, later I upgraded the processor to a Athlon64 3000+. After that I never had shuttering, I did notice some loading of people around moogles and the Jeuno AH, but I believe that to be the data being limited to dial-up speeds even if you have broadband. I was able to run through the most heavily populated errors without a single skip.

Perhaps. Unfortunately most of the "good stuff" happens later, and you need to find a good group of people to play with, even a static party. That totally changes the game. There is definite Final Fantasy material there, though; you just won't see it until you've made progress deeper into the game's storyline.

I saw tons

Re:First

[Fred Or Alive]

I don't think FFXI was ever been released on PlayStation 2 in Europe, probably partly becuase Sony never bothered to release the HDD here (apart from in the Linux kit). It is availible on PC though (and presumably Xbox 360 in the future).

Re:First

[KDR_11k]

Commercial suicide. It alienates all old players and doesn't appeal to new players (because those new ones can just go to another MMO that's a better execution of the concept).

Xbox Live

[ClamIAm]

I wonder how FFXI players will stand with Live. I'm rather certain MS won't force them to have paying memberships on top of their FF subscriptions, but would the opposite be true, letting them have a free/reduced Live membership?

Re:Xbox Live

[ResQuad]

No - you wont have to pay for Live Gold. If you look at http://www.xbox.com/en-US/live/memberships/ it says that Silver can go on MMOG's.

Regardless of this - I highly doubt MS is gonna give MMOG players a free or reduced cost Live. They are two completly different systems - and MS is going to be making their money off of Live.

Re:Xbox Live

[Muhs]

You don't need a Gold membership to play subscription games on Live, you just need the (free) Silver membership.

WOOT keyboard and mouse

[Anonymous Coward]

"While Square Enix has issued a list of known issues with the beta game, support for USB keyboards and mice has been included"

that means its up to the developers/publishers if their game supports keyboard and mosue.

here's hoping to fps that will work with kb&m

Re:WOOT keyboard and mouse

[Anonymous Coward]

As anyone who played the PC version can tell you, big freaking deal. The PC version barely supported a keyboard and mouse, I can't imagine the XBox 360 support being any better than severely subpar. Most PC players wound up using gamepads to make the game playable - I'm not freaking kidding.

Wake me up when Squeenix adds voice communication. They're using freaking Live, IMPLEMENT IT ALREADY!

Re:WOOT keyboard and mouse

[PKFC]

Um... Hello? Square Enix has said they won't implement voice chat because it's more difficult to track abuses. (Although I read something in the manual about there being voice chat... *rereads* Ah only send and receive Xbox Live voice messages.. no big deal since every 360 game will do that via the guide button)

Re:WOOT keyboard and mouse

[Anonymous Coward]

Square Enix has said they won't implement voice chat because it's more difficult to track abuses.

Yeah, just like all those other Live games that support voice chat find themselves with massive abuse tracking problems. No, wait, they don't!

It's a dumb execuse. If they're going to support Live, they should support it COMPLETELY, and not half-ass it. But as it stands, this is basically a PC port of a three year old game to a next-gen console with no signifigant upgrades. "Half-assed" describes it perfectly, considering they didn't even ditch the PlayOnline thingy for Live like they should have for the XBox360 version.

Re:WOOT keyboard and mouse

[Anonymous Coward]

From the Play Online FAQ page:-

Will FINAL FANTASY XI for Xbox 360 support voice chat?

Voice chat support will be available as an Xbox Live service. For more information on Xbox Live services, please go to the Official Xbox 360 Homepage.

PS2

[metamatic]

But being a failure on the PS2? I'd have to disagree. The only issue is that the PC version was so much better as the PS2 chugged along at times.

Actually, there's another big issue: I can't play it on my PS2, even if I wanted to. It requires the old PS2 hardware. I'm not sure why they haven't made a version that'll run with the current slimline PS2.

(And it's not unthinkable that I'd want to, since I'm currently badly addicted to FF:X.)

Future of FFXI

[mjhacker]

Many people shrug off FFXI as a dead or dying MMO, but Square is soon to be releasing a new expansion for the game, which includes the popular old-school FF figure, the Blue Mage.

Square would not be releasing a new expansion for a dying game. Certainly, it is more successful in Japan than in America, but just because an over-rated MMO came along and snatched up a large number of MMORPG players doesn't mean that the game has died. There is a good storyline and an immersive world, and a lot of room for expansion.

I predict that we will be seeing a lot more of FFXI. You can probably expect to see a port of it for the PS3, which will be more successful than the PS2 version of the game. I personally own the PS2 HDD and FFXI, and I know several others who do as well. With a more "standard" hard drive, unlike the PS2's hdd, FFXI for the PS3 and 360 will see much more success.