Latest Dengeki Interview with Planner Kenichi Iwao!

Hello folks, Aya and Steve of the FFXIVCore translation team have just finished posting up the latest interview that dengeki conducted with Kenichi Iwao (much appreciated!).   Interesting chat about a few things that we hope to see in Eorzea (and how they came about)... and one line that particularly had  me grinning was the quip about the cities; didn't we call it since late year that Limsa was extremely similar to Venice in architectural style and design?

Dengeki: Can you tell us the different special characteristics of the city-states?
Kenichi Iwao: Limsa Lominsa is the marine capital like Venice. Ul’dah is a hub city like an oasis, like Palmyra. Gridania is a city surrounded by forests and is like a Mayan city."

Anywayz, for your Memorial Day weekend enjoyment, I also thought I would upload some of the wonderful FFXIV fan images from Neko-Sentai.  All of the images were done by superb artists (wish I could sieve through and get their names right); however they were all uploaded by the admin Gulkeeva, so I've just made it simpler to just credit Gulkeeva xD


Have fun looking through them, be sure to visit their site and be kind enough to leave an encouraging remark for the artists.  Be well everyone!

Latest Famitsu Interview!

Yes indeed, apparently Famitsu just had an interview with team Final Fantasy XIV earlier this this week (as reported by Andriasang's gaming blog).   Now the unfortunate thing is that we'll have to wait a while to see if all these are true or not (only a published print in Famitsu can confirm for sure)... None the less, the below info does seem to hold some measure of validity to them... regardless, we'll know for sure soon enough.

That said, here's a swift summary of the bullet points that were listed at Game Jouhou:

* The Beta version will see some system changes that will make it so that you can more easily string together your attacks.

* The alpha test had bad tempo with insufficient explanations. They've made some revisions to the beta, resulting in a completely different system.

* It will be easier to save up Gil.

* You remember that amazing comparison shot showing how much better the beta looks compared to the alpha? It seems that the beta uses a different technique for its shadows. The alpha version used something called "Project Shadows" while the beta version uses "Depth Buffer Shadows."

* The city of Limsa Lominsa will have two levels.

* There will be a robust log filter in place. This is something that wasn't finished in time for the alpha.

* They're readying something large scale for your home, which functions like FFXI's Mog House.

* They'll soon be adding alpha testers as part of the new "alpha 2" phase. They've already selected the participants via drawing!

* As you play the game, you'll be able to freely change the god that you select during character making.

* Vehicles for FFXIV include Chocobo, horse driven carriage, boat, and air ship.

* You'll be able to select different colors for your equipment.

Interesting info all round and I'm particularly looking forward to how the residential system will work.  Readers will remember that sometime late last year, I had jotted in this blog about how Aion were making swift strides in implementing a housing system that looked phenomenal (I think I threw in a video of it as well.


Also of great interest is the fact that the residential system could easily lead into a wonderful Guild/Linkshell "headquaters" system for players... not unlike the type that Lineage II implemented back in 2005-ish.   


This was another topic that raged the internet after the announcement of FFXIV (and a hot topic that FFXI fans pleaded for since way back in 2004)... and everything from "guild-owned" airships to "guild-owned" towns (an idea taken from the dothack G.U games) were tossed around.   Now imagine that: a massive castle (or town, if your clan could afford it) that you and your guild could call home... we shall all wait and see.  Be well!

FFXIV Official website updated! (May 19th, 2010)

 Yes indeed folks, Square Enix have just updated their official website... and this comes just a day after Steve Manly of FFXIVCore was generous enough to translate the latest images from Famitsu.


Lots of wonderful info was given and what is even more exciting is the fact that the fact-sheet for the city-states of Gridania and Ul'Dah were updated (finally!).  No news, info or images of Ishgard just yet; however its VERY interesting (and fortunate) to note that Gridania's militant forces are "pole-arm weilding sentries".  Me likes this new info vewy vewy vewy much because me is going to be a psychotic Lancer. 


Anywayz, here are some of the images and info (taken directly from the official FFXIV website, so please remember that although they are posted here strictly for fan purposes, they remain the sole property of Sqaure Enix International.  As always, thanks for the support and please visit the official site to learn more details) xD

The Mapping of Eorzea

The vast realm of Eorzea, comprising the continent of Aldenard and its outlying islands, has seen the rise of a civilization with peoples as diverse as its environs. Throughout its history, the landscape has played home to a number of city-states—the tenuous relations among them fluctuating between friendly and hostile.

The pantheon of the Twelve is followed devoutly by most, and doctrine holds that the past wars of the realm were the wars of the heavens, with the gods and goddesses laying their favor with nations to champion them. In this way, war spread throughout the realm, discouraging unity and peace.

As a result, years passed without the lay of the land and its borders ever being mapped in their entirety. It was not until some 70 years ago, when an intrepid soul set out to wander the land, at great peril to himself, that the first map of Eorzea was completed.

Since then, the original rendering has been amended and improved by others, and the form it takes today is used by adventurers across the realm as an indispensable guide on their travels.

***(Quick pause here: several readers will undoubtedly remember one of my blog entries in August or September last year regarding the sixth city-state.  

At the time, I had speculated that it might be a floating city (and on a couple sites, some friends and I speculated further that it might be a country of the Gria race living in harmony with the dragons shown at last years E3 trailer.  

And now look on the North-West side of the map and notice the flying dragon... yes indeed, let it not be said, we weren't amoung the first to call it xD)***

In One Are Twelve

A map is as precise
As the malms walked in her making,
Yet I fear these feet
Have but far too few between them

May she serve faithfully
Any who would employ her for good,
And shun all who would fill
Her borders with blood

Twelve see the steps taken
By those who heed her humble guidance
Ensure her legacy endures

—Roddard Ironheart, Year 1506 of the 6th Astral Era

(And here are the added info and coat-of-arms on the City-States)

Gridania

Each tree, each shrub, each leaf, each blade of grass—we treat them as our own sons and daughters. And for that we are loved by this wood.
—master conjurer and prophet, O-Guna-Por

In the eastern reaches of the Aldenard landmass, home to vast, dense woodlands and coursing rivers, lies the forest nation of Gridania. The cityscape is a mosaic of labyrinthine waterways and great wooden structures, so gracefully constructed they seem a part of the surrounding environment.

The Gridanian emphasis on natural harmony has led to its preeminence among Eorzea's city-states in trades such as forestry, agriculture, carpentry, and leatherworking. Gridania is also home to the Wood Wailers, a militant band of polearm-wielding sentries charged with the protection of their homeland.

The favored goddess of the citizenry is Nophica, the Matron, but great faith is also placed in the wisdom of the Seedseers—young oracles who guide the nation based on the will of the forest's elementals.


Ul'dah

"Everyone here is after something—fame, notoriety, power, money. Me? I'll have the whole bloody lot."
—self-made Lalafell and former Syndicate Member, Cicidoa Sosodoa

The bustling commercial hub of Ul'dah sits amid the desolate desert landscape of southern Aldenard. The city is organized strategically around the dome-shaped citadel at its center. Its towering fortifications and protective outer walls are visible for malms in all directions, and serve as a stark deterrent to would-be besiegers.

Visitors from every corner of Eorzea come to Ul'dah to partake of the city's famed recreation, most notably the fighting arenas and gambling halls. Ul'dahn culture is known for its affluence, and the wealth of the nation comes in large part from its abundant mineral resources and prestigious clothcrafting industry.

Historically, it is the sultan who claims sovereignty over Ul'dah, but true power is wielded by the Syndicate, an elite group of six of the most influential and richest members of society. Nald'thal is the patron deity of the city, and two great halls, devoted to his two aspects, can be found in the eastern and western sections of the city.


Limsa Lominsa

(And here are also some images that were included with the info on some of Limsa's Guilds)

The choice of a guild can prove the defining moment in an adventurer's budding career, and Limsa Lominsa offers a wide variety of unique options, many of which include businesses and organizations that constitute the backbone of the coastal city's government and economy.


Coral Tower

Official headquarters for Limsa Lominsa's Knights of the Barracuda, the Coral Tower provides everything necessary for an officer to hone his skills while preparing for his next assignment, from a spacious firing range, to a fully-equipped barracks where weapons can be cleaned and repaired.

In an attempt to assist the Thalassocratic Navy's recruitment of skilled marksmen, and prevent those with promise from being beguiled into joining a pirate crew, the city-state has loosened enlistment regulations and opened the facilities' doors to almost anyone, using the name Musketeers' Guild to entice willing youths.

The man who wields a musket is only half the man who wields a blade? Hah! So says the man with a bullet in his belly.
—Knights of the Barracuda, Commodore Reyner Hansred


The Astalicia

Tethered to a solitary pier, far from the watchful eyes of the Knights of the Barracuda, rests a towering galleon registered with Mealvaan's Gate as a trade vessel hailing from foreign waters. The fact that is, in actuality, a battle-scarred warship captained by the undisputed lord of the region's underworld, One-Eyed Hyllfyr, is one the city-state's worst kept secrets.

Serving as the gathering place for brigands, cutthroats, assassins, petty thieves, and the purveyors of sundry other breeds of villainy, the ship's captain has branded her the "Marauders' Guild," and it is here that the city-state's many pirate crews find new recruits to join ranks... as well as a few wide-eyed adventurers from whom to suck the marrow.

***(Much more info and awesome pictures on Limsa's Giuilds are explained on the official website... yes indeed, we're all loving the Musketeers now, ehhhh?)***

Always everyone, please remember that all the official videos and images from SE were used here strictly for fan purposes; and all the product, system names and/or company logos remain the registered trademarks of Square Enix.  Copyright (C) 2010 SQUARE ENIX CO. LTD. All Rights Reserved

MMORPG Etiquette – Reinventing Yourself

Found this on JPButton a loooog time ago (thank you Elmer and the whole JP Button crew) and as per a couple requests, I decided to put this up today. I always thought it was quite hillarious and yet still so true as we wait to take up our 'alternate" lives in Eorzea. It also reminded me of certain difficult yet "educational" days when I just started playing FFXI.

However, on the above list of six points in the image, I kinda like the third one best-- and it weirdly makes me think of all the awesomely-wicked NPCs I looked up to in the game (and most unsuccesfully tried to emulate during my life of a Paladin).  here are most of the awesome NPCs I came across in Vanadiel... (I'm eagerly awaiting which awesome NPCs we shall all take a huge liking to in Eorzea):

Lion... first came across her during the rank 3 missions waaay back when I started FFXI in April-ish of 2004 and I fell in love with her ever since. She's freaking beautiful, incredibly sekzie (god, I love that mane of fiery red hair), and keenly smart. When you all of the Zilart and CoP missions you get to really understand what a gem she truely is.

Princess Cladie... epitome of a true princess. She's lovely, carries herself like a true noble and deeply (very deeply) follows her heart to do what's right. If you are from Sandy, you get to eventually understand just how hard she works to sustain peace.

Prince Trion... the one NPC that I will follow into the fiercest battle without a moment's hesitation. Though he seems to be very tempremental, impatient and massively arrogant; he is simply bad @$$ when it comes to fighting skills. As his story progresses, you will find that he is the real representation of what a D'Oraguille should be. You actually get to see him mature into the most honorable, most fearless, and most selfless person in the kingdom. Also has a very eloquent way with words, which is why the Royal Knights adore him to no ends. Now, only if he and Curilla can get their love-story going...

Alberiche and Exoroche... any Paladin that went thru the PLD AF hell will come to understand the intense loyalty between this father and son combo... and there's a tale in the Shadowreign era that even extends to the grandfather.   Yes indeed, fathers can be coldly hard on their sons for a just reason...

Aldo... ambitious courage sums it all. Watched his family and beautiful homeland get destroyed; and within 20 years hussled his way to sheer success through every means available to him. Dood... can you even begin to imagine what he had to go through to become the leader of the Tenshodo (Jeuno-branch)? Huge respect there.

And speaking of Pirates:

Gilgamesh... the highly resourceful leader of the Norg Tenshodo; if he can't get it for ya, he'll at least tell ya where to find it. His gear is awesome and if my character could age, I woulda liked him to look just like Gilgamesh.

Mamaulabion... that crazy lisp is literally a nightmare to read (my eyes hurt for months afterwards)...but dam he's hillarious.

The Zilart boys, especially Eald'narche:
How can one freaking midget just wake up one morning and think he can be Master of the Universe? After he massacred me in ZM17 (4 times before we got the win) I got to see why. Heck, if I could wield that much power, I'd do the same... honestly.

Maat... yes indeed, I will mention and list Maat. OMG, I hated this old fool like a plague during my genkai runs. For all those times he almost made me smash my screen, I gotta hand it to him... he taught me patience.

Kurou Morou... watching him and his counterpart next door bicker at each other is a great laugh. Being Sandorian, he was one of the very first tarutaru npcs I ever met. It was my first time in Jeuno as a lvl 20 WAR; and talking with him in Lower jeuno and the little Taru npc in Upper jeuno (the one practicing to join the Ducal Guards) made me generate a huge liking for their race. Meeting Shatotto and Hakkaru Rinkuru in Windy finally convinced me that my mules definitely had to be Taru.

Two of Swords... the Cardian in Lower Jeuno who just wanted his dedicated loyalty to be appreciated, nothing more.

Zeid... for his sheer loyalty to his best friend to the very end (name omitted to prevent major spoiler); and for his true adventurous spirit which makes him a living legend (till this day) in Bastok.

Lord Excenmille... Crimson gear, and a proud pose that seems to say: "Better have something smart to say or I will decimate your very existence". As you go thru more sandy quests both in the present and the Shadowreign era, you find out he's one of Sandy's greatest heroes and a respected noble who is truely loyal to the kingdom, King Destin and Prince Trion.

Play Station Move and FFXIV...

Heya folks... ever since Sony announced it's PlayStation "Move" accesory (or periphery?) for the PS3, I've been wondering how it might apply to the world of Eorzea.  If at all Square Enix decides to implement it into FFXIV, where and how will it be applicable?  Will it be a fun feature to have?  Will it even be compatible with the Crystal Tool to add a whole new dimension of fun to Eorzea?

The idea will indeed be quite a novel idea... your Maurader or Lancer character dealing out damage with a speed that directly mirrors your own motions.  Or you actually making hammering motions as your character is smithing up a new weapon of pwnage.

However, these simply motions will obviously conflict with the speed dynamics of the game engine (amoungst other factors)... but what if the developers were able to create an "isolate area" on the game where the Move can actually be used in a fun and effective way that will not affect the pace or style of FFXIV?

Say, for instance, in an Arena or Coliseum ?  Or in a mini-game that revolves around an Archery range smack in the outskirts of lushy-lushy Gridania?

Food for thought ehh?  Be well everyone.