Notice: The official Square-Enix NDA (Non Disclosure Agreement) will be imposed on this thread. If you were selected in the Alpha or are selected for the upcoming Beta. You can't disclose any information/videos/screenshots about the game. This also applys to those who are just trying to spread the word. I am glad that you are trying to do this. But if you do see this stuff you will not be allowed to post it here. This thread will be strictly within official news from Square-Enix themselves or information that comes from official gaming outlets. If you break this I will immediately bring this to a Mods attention: and you will be punished.
Final Fantasy XIV is Square-Enixs second take on the MMORPG genre. It is slated for a 2010 release on the PC and PlayStation 3. The game is being developed by Square-Enix production team 3 which was responsible for the creation of Final Fantasy XI: Online. This is not Final Fantasy XI-2. This game will have a different story, setting, world, classes, and monsters than Final Fantasy XI. It is NOT a sequel.
World :
Final Fantasy XIV takes place in a world called Hydaelyn on the continent of Aldenard in a region called Eorzea (Phew!) To give you a better understanding of what this new world looks like. Here is a map:
Square-Enix has stated that this map has not been updated to recent times (in the game setting.) So some cities/areas are not up to date on the map. You may travel to a specific area that shows nothing, but lo and behold there may be a city there. or.....a dragons nest. Wuahahaha!
The game will have a mix of sci-fi and classic fantasy elements. It seems to be more medieval than the setting of Final Fantasy XI. Which was slightly more industrial.
Story Overview :
Men are wont to suffer and forget wherein they've sinned
Ne'er bearkening back on tragedies past
Lest the Twelve might humble them
-Unknown
Countless moons have waxed and waned since wandering tribes from across Hydaelyn first arrived in Eorzea and settles its untamed lands. The benevolent deities who ruled the empty continent and its surrounding islands were impressed with the resilience of these primitive men and women, and in an act of mercy each saw fit to ensure their welfare.
These gods and goddesses soon came to be known as The Twelve, and the villages thrived in their light until the land was bespeckled with several independent city-states. Though, where man walks, strife follows, and for generations, these tiny nations carved out a history of blood and betrayal built upon broken oaths and the sun-bleached bones of the fallen.
However, the fate of the land would soon change. Not fifteen years past, a new threat appeared without warning from the east. Metal-clad warriors brandishing weapons that spewed streams of fire, sleets of behemoth airships belching oily smoke that would block out the sun for days at a time. A resistance was amassed, but to little avail, and it was not long before Ala Mhigo, once considered the most powerful of the remaining six Eorzean city-states, had fallen to the mighty Garlean Empire.
As the empire's dreadnoughts continued their march of terror across the blood-soaked fields of the north, the remaining nations put aside their differences and clandestinely joined hands to form a loose alliance to ensure they not meet the same fate, should the invaders turn their eyes southward.
Fortunately, the invasion never came, and just as quickly as it had arrived, the empire was gone again. However, echos of their grim message rang clear in the hearts of Eorzea's people - its effect on them, profound and irreversible. The realm would never be the same.
And it was thus that Eorzea slipped into the "Age of Calm," during which an uneasy peace prevailed.
To prepare for the coming storm, the first task of the newly-formed alliance was to fortify their defenses. In the previous era, few city-states maintained organized militaries, opting instead to hire the services of mercenaries and hedge knights to champion their causes. However, after the fall of Ala Mhigo, city guard units were restructured into legitimate standing armies which could quickly be called upon and mobilized if the need arose. Unfortunately, this left a majority of the realm's hireswords with nowhere to pledge their fealty, and witch their livelihood riupped out from under them, many of these men and women resorted to acts of vanity to survive. For fear of the situation worsening and the land falling into chaos, several respected leaders from around Eorzea gathered together and formed a network of guilds to provide these lost souls with the opportunity to redeem themselves by aiding others.
Starting Nations :
In Final Fantasy XIV there will be three starting cities that you can choose from. Similar to that of Final Fantasy XIs San D'Oria (SANDY POWA!), Bastok, and the evil rat city of Windurst. The new cities are as followed:
Limsa Lominsa :
On the southern coast of the island of Vylbrand, under the shadow of ancient cliffs worn by the relentless onslaught of the Rhotano Sea, lies the maritime city-state of Limsa Lominsa. Said to be blessed by the goddess of navigation, Llymlaen, the city is spread out over countless tiny islands, each connected by sturdy bridges of iron and wood construction, earning her the name the "Navigator's Veil" from traveling bards who have witnessed the city's beauty from afar.
Limsa Lominsa is a traditional thalassocracy, with power lying in the hands of the ruling party and its leader -- the Admiral. Its economy is driven by shipbuilding, fishing, and blacksmithing, but the majority of wealth comes from the lucrative shipping industry.
To maintain the safety of its maritime routes, the city employs a formidable navy known as theKnights of the Barracuda. However, even in the waters nearby the city, pirate bands run rampant, reaving and pillaging.
Legend holds that Limsa Lominsa was founded shortly after the remnants of a giant armada fled from its homeland following a crushing defeat. Llymlaen is said to have taken pity on the plight of these brave sailors, and guided them to the shallows of a rocky bay where their ships were grounded upon the sharp rocks. With no home to return to, the sailors chose to settle in this newly-found land, and use the remnants of their vessels to begin construction of a city.
However, the sailors never forget their nautical backgrounds, and once a new fleet was in order, they would take to the waters again. It was only a matter of time before their influence spread and they ruled the five seas of Eorzea. Thus, the Limsan thalassocracy was born.
Remnants of this legend live on even today in the nation's ruling party, whose members still address their leader as Admiral.
Ul'dah :
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 section of the city.
Somewhere in the mountains of Ul'dah territory live reclusive clans of Roegadyn known as the Hellsguard. These clans are said to have mastered the magical arts.
Gridania :
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.
Races :
In Final Fantasy XI. There were 5 playable races. They are as followed: Hume, Elvaan, Galka, TaruTaru, and Mithra. In Final Fantasy XIV you will see similar races. Square-Enix has brought back the 5 playables, but have upgraded them massively! They have been renamed and now look better than ever. The races also now have clans.
Hyur - Hume Equivalent
| Midlander | Highlander | |
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Elezen - Elvaan Equivalent
| Forester | Shader | ||
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Lallafell - TaruTaru Equivalent
| Plainsfolk | Dunesfolk | ||
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Miq'ote - Mithra Equivalent (Or should I say Manthra?)
| Seekers of the Sun | Keepers of the Moon |
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Roegadyn - Galka Equivalent
| Seawolf | Hellsguard |
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As you can see. All the races look vastly better than their XI counterparts. and the clans are a nice new addition. Unfortuneately for those qho are looking for Male Miq'otes or Female Roegadyn. They have not been officially announced as playable races. But it has been confirmed that they will be in the game as NPCs. Whether they will be implemented at a later date is up to the dev team.
Classes :
In Final Fantasy XI. You had a wide assortment of jobs to choose from. You were never locked into one single job like in many MMOs or even single player RPGs. I am pleased to say that jobs will be returning to Final Fantasy XIV, but with a new name. They are now called classes. and Square-Enix is doing their best to make them different from Final Fantasy XI. But of course some things will be similar like spell names, abilities, or even weapon skills. They are broken down by Disiplines. As of now we only know of four kinds. Disciples of War, Hand, Magic, and Land. You will be able to switch to any one of these jobs by changing your weapon with the Armoury system. Which I will get into in a bit.
Disciples of War
"The advancement of a nation may be gauged by its ability to craft weapons,
but its future depends on its ability to craft wars."
- from Leading the Van, by master tactician Owyne Cosserand
Followers of this discipline devote themselves to the mastery of weapons and the wars waged with them. Through rigorous physical training, they hone their minds and bodies into instruments of combat, ever ready to make a decisive contribution to the cycle of conflict which plagues Eorzea.
Archer
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Gladiator
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Lancer
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Marauder
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Pugilist
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Disciples of Magic  - celebrated soothsayer and sage, Gota Jaab The path of magic beckons to those with a restless desire to study and command sorcery in all its forms. Its adherents use artifacts and relics to call upon and channel forces within themselves and the aether around them, weaving their destructive and restorative spells in the service of Eorzea.
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Disciples of the Hand  - former Tanners' Guild guildmaster, Saiverin Vaireloque
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Disciples of the Land
"Gladiators haven't a care whence steel comes, nor archers timber. 'Tis no concern of ours -- so long as their gil is good."
- esteemed naturalist Pilfa Dalfa, in his cups
These harvesters of nature's bounty utilize an array of tools in their work with all forms of plants and minerals. Their trade encompasses knowledge of all of Hydaelyn's natural resources, be it in a cultivated garden or the great outdoors. As a cornerstone of Eorzea's economy, their impact on her inhabitants can hardly be overstated.
| Botanist | Fisherman
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Miner
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There are some new un-announced classes, that have been leaked. But for NDA purposes they will NOT be posted in this thread. I actually don't know what they are as well. and honestly I don't want to know. It has been confirmed by Square-Enix that there will be at least over 20-25 classes to choose from at launch! and they will also be implementing new classes in future version updates.
Armoury System
"To discern the true nature of man, one need look no farther than the palm of his hand."
- from Treatise on the Principles of Self-Actualization, Rhylsygg Bhirlonsyn
The Armoury system is one of the foundations of the Final Fantasy XIV experience, simultaneously being both the impetus behind character development and a key factor determining individual gameplay.
By merely equipping any of a variety of weapons or tools, players can instantly change their active skills, thus enabling them to dramatically alter their style of play as well as their character's outward appearance. To take an example, let us follow a day in the life of Leeroy.
Leeroy recently chose to begin the journey down the path of the gladiator, trying his hand at the age-old art of swordplay for the first time. Even today, he woke at dawn to spend the daylight hours drilling relentlessly on the tiny wildlife just outside of town. Alas, opportunities often present themselves when least expected...
Without prior notice, some friends invite Leeroy to partake in an expedition in some nearby ruins. Upon joining their ranks, however, he observes that the other party members are seasoned warriors and accomplished mages all. Dismayed yet not given to despair, Leeroy sheathes his sword and takes up his well-worn staff, assuming the role of thaumaturge, his most advanced class. He bids farewell to the rodents and worms and races to meet his companions, basking in the confident light of his spellcasting abilities.
The party members go their separate ways following a successful outing, and while following the river back to town Leeroy is suddenly taken by the urge to fish. He secures his staff to his back in a deft, practiced motion, and on the recoil pulls out his beloved fishing rod. The gladiator and thaumaturge are gone now, and all that remains is Leeroy the fisherman. Three shining trout! Not a bad haul.
Upon arriving home, Leeroy puts aside his fishing rod and takes up his trusty hammer, blacksmithery having ever been one of his passions. He knows, as does any adventurer, that preparation is the key to any battle, and so sets to working the dents out of his armor and sharpening the edge of his blade. It's all in a day's work.
This is but a mere sample of what players can expect from the Armoury. With flexibility of gameplay and effective use of time at its core, the system is designed with emphasis on not only the in-game lifestyles of characters, but those of the players themselves as well. The Armoury awaits you!
Guildleves - Final Fantasy XIV Quest System.
In Final Fantasy XIV you will undertake Guildleves which are esentially a notice from a NPC. They will want you to undertake various and probably tedious tasks. There are many different Guildleves types known at this point:
- Candor
- Constancy
- Courage
- Devotion
- Diligence
- Temporance
- Tenacity
- Valor
It has not been fully explained as of yet what each of these means. But you can expect similar quests for each type. and their may also be more that we do not even know of yet. Square-Enix has stated that there will be a difficulty option for mostly every Guildleve quest. You can choose to do the quest solo and reap the lowest tier of rewards. or you can set it to a higher difficulty and quest with a party. This in turn would lead you to a tougher battle with higher rewards.
Square doesn't want to make it so that if you don't have a party you will not hit a brick wall. This was the case in Final Fantasy XI. You needed a party for pretty much everything. It could be very frustrating at times. It could take hours to days for looking for help with specific quests or missions.
Batle System :
The battle system that was placed in the Alpha was just a place holder for the real one. Square was rushing to get the game out for testing so they decided to put a bare-bones battle system out for people to test with. It was criticised for being too slow. Square-Enix understood the complaints which is why they decided that for the beta release they would implement the real battle system. Which is much faster. and suprisingly similar to that of Final Fantasy XIII. Thankfully it has no auto-battle button. There is also no auto-attack. Please see second post for some gameplay videos!
Alpha / Beta News :
The game is currently in a transition between the Alpha and Beta stage. Tanaka stated at E3 that he was the only person who could mainly come to E3 as the entire team was back in Japan working on the game. He has said that the game is in critical "finishing stage." Which I think either means they are almost done with the game besides de-bugging or they are almost ready for the beta. He said that they want to start the beta in one or two weeks. and by the end of July at LATEST. The new wave of beta tester invites has been sent out. If you got in kudos to you, but remember you can't post that here as it will break the NDA.
Tanaka has stated once again that the game will be released in 2010. He also mentioned that Alpha did take slightly longer than they had planned due to some server issues. But they have finally gotten everything under control.
As a nice tidbit of news. Tanaka has stated that the test server name is Shadowlord. and they will be expanding. All of the test servers are named after the Final Fantasy villains. So we all know Sephiroth will be flooded with crazy fanboys.
The game will be much more traditional than it's predecesor. Expect many things to return such as Gil, Chocobos, Airships, Traditional FF music (Fanfare, Crystal and FF theme.) and many others!
Official FFXIV Benchmark :
Square has released an official benchmark to give you an idea if you will be able to play the game or not. But let it be known that the benchmark is not totally accurate. Some people are reporting that only 30% of their computers are being used up and that is contributing to them recieveing low scores. The scoring list is as followed:
[8000 and over] Extremely High Performance
Easily capable of running the game on the highest settings.
[5500–7999] Very High Performance
Easily capable of running the game. Should perform exceptionally well, even at higher resolutions.
[4500-5499] High Performance
Easily capable of running the game. Should perform well, even at higher resolutions.
[3000-4499] Fairly High Performance
Capable of running the game on default settings. Consider switching to a higher resolution depending on performance.
[2500-2999] Standard Performance
Capable of running the game on default settings.
[2000-2499] Slightly Low Performance
Capable of running the game, but may experience some slowdown. Adjust settings to improve performance.
[1500-1999] Low Performance
Capable of running the game, but will experience considerable slowdown. Adjusting settings is unlikely to improve performance.
[Under 1500] Insufficient Performance
Does not meet specifications for running the game.
You can download the benchmark here: http://www.finalfantasyxiv.com/media/benchmark/na/download.html
Most tech wizards in the community are saying that if you score basically a 2500+ you have no need to worry. But like I said keep in mind that system is not entirely accurate. I personally scored a 5500 on the benchmark.
System Requirements :
Operating System
Windows XP SP3
Windows Vista?32-bit / 64-bit SP2
Windows 7?32-bit / 64-bit
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo (2.4 GHz)
AMD Athlon X2 (2.4 GHz)
RAM
Windows XP: 1.5GB
Windows Vista / Windows 7: 2GB
Hard Disk Space
10 GB for installing
10 GB on drive containing the My Documents folder for downloading
Graphics
NVIDIA® GeForce 8800 or higher VRAM 512 MB
Radeon HD 2900 or higher VRAM 512 MB
Sound
DirectSound compatible (DirectX 9.0)
Internet
Constant broadband connection
Monitor Resolution
1280 x 720 (32 bit color)
DirectX
DirectX 9.0c
Other
Mouse
Keyboard
Gamepad
The system requirements are subject to change in the beta and/or final version of the game. Final Fantasy XIV Online will be released for the PC and Playstation 3 later this year.
Trailers : (Please see second post)
People I would like to thank :
- Square-Enix - Without you there would be no Final Fantasy XIV or Final Fantasy in general. Thanks, love ya Square.
- Eorzeapedia.com
- FFXIVcore.com
- Famitsu
- Dengeki
- FFXIV ZAM
- Darthdevidem01 - He encouraged me to make the thread, thanks for being a great friend!
If you would like to dive even further into the Final Fantasy XIV universe. Then I would suggest that you visit any one of the following sites. Whether it be a community website or even the official website.
- Na.Finalfantasyxiv.com
- Eorzeapedia.com
- FFXIVcore.com
- ffxiv.zam.com
