Found this while surfing the net. Here's the link (http://www.sankakucomplex.com/2010/02/17/final-fantasy-xi-to-end-in-2010/), but I'll post what the article says here as well:


A senior Square Enix employee is being reported as publically saying that Final Fantasy XI will terminate in 2010, to be replaced by Final Fantasy XIV.

The remark was apparently made by one of Square Enix�s top HR people at the �Square Enix Recruiting Seminar 2011,� and duly reported on a personal blog by an attendee:

�I think some amongst you will know, but FF11 started in 2002 � Well, this year it�ll end and the stage will shift to FF14.�

The witness suspects the remark was inadvertent, but it is adamant it was made. Oddly, first the article and then the entire site which reported the remark were taken down shortly after.

Square Enix has previously assured players that any shutdown of the game would be announced a year in advance, so just what is going on is not clear.

A tweet from Square Enix�s CEO also denies the rumour, saying �that�d be troubling,� although this apparent rebuttal is rather short on details, such as whether the remarks were actually made and whether there is anything to them�

In any case, with the sequel nearing release and the original game increasingly showing its age, the day of any shutdown must be close at hand, and it seems pertinent that one of 2ch�s threads on the subject is entitled �How many people will commit suicide when FF11 ends?�

To be honest, I'm skeptical that this is 'true'. Consider that EverQuest is still going as long as it has, but also one would think that SE would be stupid to lose the money still coming in to them via subscription fees for the game as well. I'm on Midgardsormr, and there's at least 1400+ people on at any time. So say each person pays $15 a month, that's $21,000 a month SE is getting just from that server alone. Add in the people with multiple characters as well, and they are still getting a substantial financial return.

As has been stated, SE would make an announcement a YEAR in advance prior to cancelling FFXI, so just what the f*** is going on?

Anyway, thoughts?

I haven't gotten into the MMO scene but I have always been curious about XI, what exactly have I been missing?

Either way people will be upset about this unless SE makes it so that you can "transmigrate" data over from XI to XIV I mean they're practically the same as far as aethestics go (I haven't seen any play footage but assuming it is similar to XI).

I wonder why they don't just keep both, I mean SE's most serious threat in the MMO world is Blizzard right?

This would really piss me off if I played XI, if it's true of course. Initially I'd say it's false, but isn't XIV going to be similar to XI, as in character types and world and everything? I've heard they'll be somewhat similar. If that's true, then they probably will shut it down.

It's like if Blizzard creates another World of Warcraft and it's similar to the original, they'd most likely shut it down. Now, that's not going to happen because WoW (I think) is the most popular MMO out there? I don't know if there's another with a following like that.

It does depend on what they're making off the servers. You mentioned the 21,000 for that server, but what does it cost to maintain that server? Or maybe the majority of servers aren't that populated? If they're not making enough profit, they'll most likely shut it down, especially with XIV coming.


I wonder why they don't just keep both, I mean SE's most serious threat in the MMO world is Blizzard right?


I'd rank Blizzard far above SE in the MMO game. Unless SE has had other MMO's before? All of Blizzard's games have been for the PC ( I believe) and they've all had a massive online following.

Was just given this link (http://kotaku.com/5474554/dont-worry-about-final-fantasy-xi-just-yet), and it seems to debunk the above. I think the first was just someone in SE trying to drum up more interest in FFXIV but w/e. Here's the other article anyway...


There have been rumors swirling on the Japanese internet that Square Enix's MMORPG Final Fantasy XI will be ending this year. Time for Square Enix honcho Yoichi Wada to fire up his Twitter account.

You know, the one with the fluffy dog avatar.

Online role-playing game Final Fantasy XIV will be hitting the PS3 and the PC sometime this year. Thus, these rumors seem to be based off the idea that Square Enix will shutter Final Fantasy XI to focus on the upcoming FFXIV. But is it truth?

Wada has poured water on the rumor by tweeting, "There seems to be a rumor that FFXI is ending, but if that was done, we'd be in trouble." That remark was followed with a emoticon of face grimacing.

There are people still playing Final Fantasy XI, and the game still seems to be making money for Square Enix. (Isn't it still the biggest MMORPG in Japan?!) That doesn't mean that one day Square Enix will shutter Final Fantasy XI. One day, we could all be wearing hamburgers on our feet and eating shoes. Who knows!

Once again, the rumor mill went ahead on these other sites. Whatever, guess we'll just have to wait for the 'Official' word from SE themselves, on their website as well as others/gaming media etc, as to when FFXI will end.


This would really piss me off if I played XI, if it's true of course. Initially I'd say it's false, but isn't XIV going to be similar to XI, as in character types and world and everything? I've heard they'll be somewhat similar. If that's true, then they probably will shut it down.

From what I've seen of FFXIV, it's the same character races of FFXI which has annoyed some people. I mean, it's a new MMO, so why not new races? Also, EverQuest and EverQuest 2 are still running concurrently as well, so why not FFXI and FFXIV?


It's like if Blizzard creates another World of Warcraft and it's similar to the original, they'd most likely shut it down. Now, that's not going to happen because WoW (I think) is the most popular MMO out there? I don't know if there's another with a following like that.

Well, FFXI's game engine was based off of EverQuest, being heavily reliant on forming parties to get anything done (Recent updates in the last year or so, have made it a lot easier to get things done solo wise.), and basing FFXIV's game engine off of WoW. Still, both games could run concurrently though imo.


It does depend on what they're making off the servers. You mentioned the 21,000 for that server, but what does it cost to maintain that server? Or maybe the majority of servers aren't that populated? If they're not making enough profit, they'll most likely shut it down, especially with XIV coming.

I was using that figure as an example, not stating any concrete figure. SE still gets more than enough money back from players, to more than cover the costs of the servers though. Besides, if the population of a server drops below a certain amount, therefore making it inadvisable to maintain that server, SE has in the past merged server's to recoup their losses from maintaining the under populated server. With FFXIV though, how many players though would abandon their character they've spent so much time, effort and money (with subscription fees), to start fresh in another, where everything is basically the same?

I was using that figure as an example, not stating any concrete figure. SE still gets more than enough money back from players, to more than cover the costs of the servers though. Besides, if the population of a server drops below a certain amount, therefore making it inadvisable to maintain that server, SE has in the past merged server's to recoup their losses from maintaining the under populated server. With FFXIV though, how many players though would abandon their character they've spent so much time, effort and money (with subscription fees), to start fresh in another, where everything is basically the same?

Yea, Blizzard used to merge servers that weren't that popular, and offer free transfers to try to get it going. Overall, I'd say the money that XI brings in monthly is still a very nice amount.

And I was planning on quitting WoW to take up Diablo 3 eventually, as that's the series that got me into MMO's. But since FFXI and XIV are similar in characters, even with a renewed storyline/gameplay, I doubt the majority of XI players would leave their characters. I've quit WoW, but I'll never delete my characters, in case I feel the urge to play them again.

Now, that's not going to happen because WoW (I think) is the most popular MMO out there? I don't know if there's another with a following like that.

I don't know about other countries, but there is a particular one that is very popular in my country and most people prefer it. Lineage II. As far as other countries go however WoW would probably the most popular. I'm not sure.


All of Blizzard's games have been for the PC ( I believe) and they've all had a massive online following.

This is mostly true but they have made two games before they started making PC games.
This one


and
http://i6.ebayimg.com/06/c/000/77/77/8c00_32.JPG

After that they made Warcraft in 1994 for PC and started off from there.

A recent update on PlayOnline has indicated new additions, expansions and more currently scheduled for the March Version Update for Final Fantasy XI Online.

Level Increase - History is about to be made with the increase of the level cap in the March version update and beyond! The increase will take place in stages until the new maximum, level 99, has been reached.

Up until now, character strength has been limited to level 75, and additions to the game such as monsters, strategic content, and equipment had been designed to correspond to this.

However, with the game having reached a certain level of maturity and the bulk of existing notorious monsters having already fallen prey to tenacious bands of adventurers, the development team has deemed that the time is now ripe for the bar to be raised.

Job Adjustments -

Beastmaster - The following changes will be made to enhance the usability of the job ability “Call Beast”:

- New synergy recipes for the creation of consumable items required to perform the ability will be with a higher rate of yield for HQ items.
- Certain ingredients needed to synthesize/synergize the items will become more readily obtainable.

Summoner - Two new long-awaited avatars, Alexander and Odin will be added. Both new avatars will appear and do the summoner’s bidding only when Astral Flow is in effect. Be aware, invoking one or the other will automatically initiate Astral Flow, the effect of which will end upon the avatar’s release. In accordance of their introduction, summoners will become able to use the “Astral Flow” job ability even when no avatars have been invoked.

Avatar: Alexander
Uses “Perfect Defense” to reduce damage sustained by party members and prevent status ailments.
- Damage reduction and resistance rate will vary with the summoner’s remaining MP.

Avatar: Odin
Uses “Zantetsuken” to vanquish all foes within the area of effect in one fell strike.
- When used against NMs, will instead deal damage.
- Amount of damage dealt and accuracy will vary with the summoner’s remaining MP.
- More monsters within the area of effect will reduce accuracy.

Puppetmaster - With adjustments to attributes of the Harlequin and Valoredge X-900 frames and the performance of attachments, automatons will be made more durable against incapacitation. In addition, the hand-to-hand combat rating of puppetmasters will be raised from rank C to A, making them formidable combatants in their own right.

Future Direction of All Jobs[ -
The future direction of adjustments for all jobs beyond the March version update will be announced at a later date

Three new 'add-ons' have also been announced:

Vision of Abyssea, Heroes of Abyssea and Scars of Abyssea

Abyssea is a parallel world existing beside Vana'diel. A land fraught with perils, Abyssea is home to savage hordes of heretofore unseen creatures. Ferocious, towering NMs, new-look HNMs—even the garden varieties will confound would-be challengers with their unfamiliar and formidable powers. These and a whole host more await hapless adventurers with open arms and voracious maws.

In Abyssea, concerns such as the over-population of battle areas and the need for large time investments will be a thing of the past. The development team is hard at work creating a world where parties can engage in rewarding battles with powerful foes and collect prized equipment with the least of fuss. The expansive realm of Abyssea will comprise several new areas which will be introduced over the course of three add-ons.

For more info on Abyssea go here (http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/addon/)

More info about the March Version update can be found here (http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/event/vanafes2010/index.php?page=2).

Although... this does sadden me:

Server Merge:

Sylph + Fairy = Sylph
Valefore + Kujata = Valefore
Leviathan + Remora = Leviathan
Quetzalcoatl + Midgardsormr = Quetzalcoatl
Cerberus + Hades = Cerberus
Bismarck + Seraph = Bismarck
Lakshmi + Garuda = Lakshmi
Asura + Pandemonium = Asura

Byebye Midgard

Wow, they're not even finished the announcements yet.
If FFXI is going away in the next two or three years, then it's going out with one hell of a bang!

Was just given this link (http://kotaku.com/5474554/dont-worry-about-final-fantasy-xi-just-yet), and it seems to debunk the above. I think the first was just someone in SE trying to drum up more interest in FFXIV but w/e. Here's the other article anyway...



Once again, the rumor mill went ahead on these other sites. Whatever, guess we'll just have to wait for the 'Official' word from SE themselves, on their website as well as others/gaming media etc, as to when FFXI will end.



From what I've seen of FFXIV, it's the same character races of FFXI which has annoyed some people. I mean, it's a new MMO, so why not new races? Also, EverQuest and EverQuest 2 are still running concurrently as well, so why not FFXI and FFXIV?



Well, FFXI's game engine was based off of EverQuest, being heavily reliant on forming parties to get anything done (Recent updates in the last year or so, have made it a lot easier to get things done solo wise.), and basing FFXIV's game engine off of WoW. Still, both games could run concurrently though imo.



I was using that figure as an example, not stating any concrete figure. SE still gets more than enough money back from players, to more than cover the costs of the servers though. Besides, if the population of a server drops below a certain amount, therefore making it inadvisable to maintain that server, SE has in the past merged server's to recoup their losses from maintaining the under populated server. With FFXIV though, how many players though would abandon their character they've spent so much time, effort and money (with subscription fees), to start fresh in another, where everything is basically the same?




Either way people will be upset about this unless SE makes it so that you can "transmigrate" data over from XI to XIV I mean they're practically the same as far as aethestics go (I haven't seen any play footage but assuming it is similar to XI).

Either way people will be upset about this unless SE makes it so that you can "transmigrate" data over from XI to XIV I mean they're practically the same as far as aethestics go (I haven't seen any play footage but assuming it is similar to XI).

.... No offense, but it's obvious you have no damn clue about FFXI, FFXIV or how they work as MMO's. The fact you haven't played them yourself, speaks volumes of your noobness.

Funny how it's still around 3 years after this was made. xD

Okay I think the point has been made - FFXI is still going so as was made clear even three years ago, FFXI is not shutting down.

Hence, as this thread has run it's course, I'm closing it.