(Allakhazam) Could you tell us what important points we should focus on for this version update? (Tanaka) General Updates * Ballista specific area We've introduced a player defined Ballista area in the latest update. The new Ballista system will allow players to define rules and number of participants. * New wearable equipment Once again we've made additions to wearable equipment with this update. We've also added new synthesis recipes and rewards for guild points. * Others New mannequin poses, more ENM quests, changes in clamming, and new items for collection and mining. >>>Mid level players * Reduced experience points for leveling We've mad adjustments to the amount of experience required for levels 51 and higher.The amount required to gain the NEXT level as well as the amount of experience lost from death has been reduced. >>>High level players * Newly opened areas Two new areas, Grand Palace of Hu'Xzoi and Garden of Ru'Hmet have been added. You can encounter new life forms in these new areas. (Allakhazam) How much of the game is affected by elemental direction? Does it affect synthing? Magic? skill-ups? (Tanaka) Yes, of course direction does take affect. There are two types of elemental effects, one being normal and the other being an extreme condition that will directly take affect on battles. As for synthsis, I have no comment. Try them out for yourselves and let's see what happens. (Allakhazam) Are there going to be any newer, more unique ways of transportation? so far, we have teleports, chocobos, flee, and warp. could you possibly add some kind of movement reward for the players who have hit 75? (Tanaka) There's plenty of room for designing this area and we're always thinking of something. We'd like to hear your input so we can continue to improve these areas. (Open Question) Will FINAL FANTASY XI support an official RMT system? (Sage Sundi) We understand that other MMORPGs have taken a step to openly trade virtual items for real money. However for FINAL FANTASY XI, we have a End User License Agreement that clearly prohibits any RMT activities. Also, the game isn't designed to adapt to such system and therefore we have no plans to make RMT official to the game. We believe that the competition has embraced this system to eliminate the RMT organizations, but we'll take our stance by continuing to fight RMT. (Allakhazam) What was the hardest part in designing the graphics for FFXI? (Aiba) Vana'diel is such a vast world that being able to create something out of nothing and populating the owrld with so much content was the most difficult task I had in graphics (Allakhazam) Do they plan on adding any additional Avatars/Summons? (Tanaka) We don't have any comment at this time, however there are still many summons from the FINAL FANTASY series that have not made an appearance yet, so look forward to what's to come. (Open Question) Will FINAL FANTASY XI ever support queueing of macros? (Tanaka) It's possible to add such a feature. This feature basically affects character status and with that in mind having such macros can introduce new issues like lag that can create an imbalance between people. If we can manage to create such a feature that can fit into the current macro system where the macro duration isn't too long, it can be possible. (Allakhazam) This is the most far fetched suggestion I have but here goes. Can we buy a little stand that allows us to set a shop up in towns, that way we can sell more then what we have in our bazaar^^ I would like to open a shop in town. (Tanaka) From an overall game balance and economic impact, we need to be able to control the number of items a single player can carry at once. We've taken incremental changes in this area by increasing the number of items a player can carry through quests and items. The idea of having a bazaar stand is quite interesting, perhaps we can somehow use this idea for a future event. (Allakhazam) Was there anything special that you put into the graphics of FFXI? Something that you might have payed special attention to? (Aiba) Creating each area in FINAL FANTASY XI was difficult, but the one thing that I consider special is a floating island called Tu'lia. (Open Question) How do you plan to deal with players who use packet sniffing? (Sage Sundi) If a player is using some type of packet sniffing tool they're still required to be present at the location to be able to do that like any other player, so at the moment we have no plans on pursuing to nullify this behaviour. What's "The Return Home to Vana'diel Campaign - Part I" ? (Sage Sundi) * This campaign focuses on players who have quit PlayOnline and want to return to Vana'diel for a limited time. * During this campaign we will issue both PlayOnline and FINAL FANTASY XI registration code for no charge and your character will be restored to when it was last activated. * For the first character, we will additionally provide free play until the end of the month from when you return. * Part 2 will be for players who have quit FINAL FANTASY XI but still have a PlayOnline account. What's "Vana'diel Adventurer Recruitment Program" ? (Sage Sundi) * This is a new campaign for friends of players who have not experienced FINAL FANTASY XI with attractive incentives. * If you invite a friend to Vana'diel and play for a given amount of time, both the inviter and the invitee will receive unique in game gifts only attainable through this campaign. * An example of one of the many items given will be an item that can be used so that the two players of different levels can adventure together and gain experience points. * The campaign will start on 5/10 (PDT) (Allakhazam) Kind of a simple question, will SE be implementing a live chat feature for Linkshells or Parties? You know what I mean, the head set thing that can be plugged into a USB so people in the PT or LS can talk to each other rather than type. (Tanaka) For XI, there are issues with harassment that require us to track text log for verifying ingame activities so at the moment we have no plans to add this feature. If we were to implement such feature, we would apply it to a title such as Front Mission Online where data is exchanged between a P2P network. We also believe that from a role-playing aspect it doesn't appeal as much, I mean a husky male voice coming out from a Mithra or a Tarutaru or a high pitched voice from a Galka would be quite strange. (Open Question) Why can't Moogles take items back and forth to the Moogle house for you? (Sage Sundi) Moogles are basically house sitters that takes care of needs within the house. Moogle affinities are also inherent to only within the home as well, therefore the work the Moogle does stays inside the house at all times. (Open Question) Will there be more a variety combination of main and support job combinations? (Tanaka) Players choose the most efficient combination in jobs for battles. This is a tactical issue and job combinations and party structure will fall into a certain type. We've added the Merit system that could broaden the job combination and game play that players want, but we're always trying to make improvements. (Open Question) Will there be any other PvP options than Ballista battles? (Tanaka) I've mentioned the new Ballista area that we've introduced, but we are also thinking of a new PvP system based on what we are gathering from what the players want. This system will be a conflict PvP that will focus on smaller number of players that you can look forward to. (Allakhazam) What's one aspect of FFXI that you are happy with? (Aiba) Every idea starts off small and then is projected onto this world called Vana'diel. My happiness is when my designs are experienced by players and their enjoyment. (Open Question) Will there be any interface for FINAL FANTASY XI between the PSP? (Tanaka) I'll answer this in a two part answer. As for creating a PSP version of XI, it would be extremely difficult for the device to handle the update data since this is an online game. Unless the device has this capability, it wouldn't be fun to play any online game. Secondly, if we want expanded features on the PSP, it's quite possible. We would have to hear what these featuers should be from you the players, so keep those ideas coming in! Head to the FINAL FANTASY XI homepage!