The Modern FFXI Dilemma

Should I return to Final Fantasy? This is a question that many people find themselves asking. The reasons for why they left the game vary. Perhaps another MMORPG came out that seemed interesting, stealing their attention for a time but not able to sustain their gaming needs. Perhaps the sale of gil by gilfarmers and the subsequent volatility in the economy drove them out. Over time, those frustrations fade into the memories of the good times had in the game. Maybe many friends departed the game and loneliness prompted the subscription cancellation. There are countless reasons why people leave and just as many for wanting to come back.

But before you reactivate your subscription or repurchase the game, you have to consider what changes may have rolled out in the game since you've been gone, whether many of your online friends have departed or if that even matters, and whether your expectations match up with what Final Fantasy 11 can offer you in its current state.

One of the first places you're going to want to look is the Official FFXI Homepage. Here you'll find information about recent and upcoming updates, detailed patch notes, and other community related information.

I also recommend checking out FFXI web communities and forums. I won't provide links here because there's no guarantee the ones I post will remain active. Your best bet is to do some Google searching. If you are having difficulty finding anything with an active user base, this should indicate what you may find in-game.

Things have changed since the early days of finding a party, standing around whacking and skill-chaining or healing while someone pulls. That is quite rare now and has been for some time. The paradigm has shifted, most of the common gameplay is mob warfare. Alliances of players run around for hours upon end from book to mobs, or a small section of an Abyssea zone, hacking and slashing without coordination. It can be fun, but it isn't the same experience as it was before.

There are still NM's to seek out and fight for drops or glory. There are still BCNM's and other higher-skill events to lead or participate in. Fishing and crafting is still a part of the game, though the economy may have shifted somewhat since you've been gone.

In the end, I think it comes down to expectations. With so many free-to-play options available, you may find yourself better suited to making new memories in new games or waiting for the next big expansion release to catch the influx of new and returning players. Whatever you do, be sure to make an educated decision and if you do resubscribe, make sure it's for the right reasons.

Happy gaming!

I Was a FFXI Player

Every now and then I find myself fighting the urge to re-up my subscription to dive back in to Final Fantasy's MMO worldscape of Vana'diel. I can manage to stave it off for a while, but eventualities always keep me braving the absurd and the monthly charges once again assault my credit card.

The realization that the things I loved about the game are still present, but mutated... enjoyable but no longer the same takes a while to kick in. Naturally, I begin to question why. Why do I spend so much time in the game chasing the phantom memories that made my addiction so long lasting? Whenever I resubscribe, I'm charged a hefty $16.95 a month for my primary character and three mules. The cost is so steep compared to other available gaming options, but still the allure manages to seep through.

I wonder about this every now and then. What was it about this game that can bring me back time and time again? The world has changed, the party structures and roles have changed, even the jobs themselves have seen such radical change over time.

This last endeavor only lasted a month. I was enjoying myself, but no one I used to know was playing so it was like starting all over. You sit in Port Jeuno and listed for shouts and yells and get into the groups that seem fun. You take some jobs and level to cap and then max out merits, perhaps rinse and repeat a few times... So a bit of test farming to see what's making the easy gil. Maybe even poke around on FFXIAH.com to see what times you can buy for less than vendor prices to sell back to npc's at a tidy profit. After a while, though, these paltry activities leave you wanting a bit more. It always goes back to the good ol' days, doesn't it?

The remember when's of yesteryear are truly the ghost in the machine. Over time, games must change to stay viable. Leave the game and come back to see it changed and you suddenly have to reconcile those differences. Depending on where you are and where you were, those changes could have serious impacts on the way you play your game. This could mean spending countless hours researching builds, jobs, gear options, or whether you should switch altogether and level up a job you had in the closet. Great, now you're far behind the curve because you've got to group and gear for what you want. Is your job a desirable? If not, you best be starting the parties and alliances it'll take to get the jobs done. After that, it's still a whole lot of luck.

The new expansion is on the horizon. New jobs, new lands, a great many things unseen. I'm not sure if I'll be buying a copy to jump back in, but you better believe it'll be a terrible battle of wills.

GG, SE, GG