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[jbaseley]

ive heard about it but dont know much. can someone please give me some info. thanks

[kupoartist]

first things first: Final Fantasy XI, is the first Online version of the Final Fantasy Series. There will be no Single Player elements to this game whatsoever.

To playonline, you will need (from what I can remember):
PS2 Version:
1. A PS2 (duh #1 !)
2. A copy of Final Fantasy XI : Online (duh #2)
3. the "Playonline" software (playonline is square's online server stucture, its not an isp, but will also serve all other Square online titles, including the online version of FFIX's tetra master) - this comes with the FFXI DVD
4. An internet connection, and all that goes with one: A Phone line and an ISP (ISPs will apparently not need to be changed, though you may have to phone them first)
5. A PS2 Network adapter (supports dial-up and broadband connections)
6. A PS2 40gb Hard Drive (a lot of data is copied from the FFXI disc to reduce in game "lag")

Now if all that hasn't put you off the game, I'll be suprised ^_^.

Note:
PC version Requirements: these do exist, and they are currently high, but they're only for the PC Beta version (Japan only) and are very likely to change. If you're accesing this page theres a good chance you have met some of the requirements, as PCs are nearly all Interent ready from the box. Question is, have you got a Geforce 1 or above :/

Anyways, apart from that, Final Fantasy XI is set in the world of Vana'diel. As a player, you create a character, selecting your:
Name (one word, only alphabetical, capital letter at begining NO names from previous FFs)
Gender (Female and er... the other one ^_^ - some races are one playable gender only)
Race (Hume, Elvaan, Tarutaru, Galka, Mithra)
Face (8 choices)
hair (2 futher choices to the 8 above)
Body Size (Small, medium, Large)
->Starting Job<-

The last one is the biggy. initally the choice will be limited to the classic Final Fantasy I classes : Fighter, Monk (barefisted fighters), Thief, White Mage (curative magic peoples), Black Mage (offensive magic peeps) and Red Mage (a combination of Fighter, White Mage and Black Mage, but limited at being great at them all).

You later get other jobs by leveling up and doing quests. so far other confirmed jobs include: Ranger, Bard, Beastmaster, Paladin and Dark Knight. Notice how all the popular FF:Tactics/FF5 jobs are missing? People strongly reckon that Ninja, Samurai, Summoner and Dragoon will be in eventually. Indeed, screenshots exist of the summoning of Ifrit, but only from an early Alpha version

As far as the story goes, Vana'diel has recently recovered from the attacks of "the shadow lord" and with tension rising again, people from the world's kingdoms are once again seeking adventure in the "big wide-takes 18hrs to walk around-world of Vana'diel" - actually its a little hard to convey. If you like, i'd watch the intro: FFXI Intro Movie, and others (I recommend the div-x version, but get the codec. also the guy you see in the intro actually has nothing to do with the in-game world. But whadya know.)

Theres lots of other stuff I haven't covered. I mean lots. apart from this, theres all the synthesis skills and the fighting that would need to be cleared up. perhaps you'd find answers at www.ffozone.com - particuarly look at Krullus' editorials for some of the in-depth advanced poop.

[Macceh^]

wow Artist you never cease to amaze me with your sheer knowledge of all things FF

I personally cant wait now, after playing Dark Age Of Camelot I really have got back into the whole MMPORPG scene again.

I shall be getting pc version though.

EDIT: You downloaded a 37 meg file on your 28k? Interesting

[kupoartist]

Originally posted by Macceh^
EDIT: You downloaded a 37 meg file on your 28k? Interesting

yup ^_^ it's "only" a four hour download.... was a bit different for Ragnarok Online: that took about 18hrs, which is about all the net time I could get for that week!