The Moogle and The Dev Team

This week I had yet another chance to meet with some of the people behind the scenes of our beloved Final Fantasy XI game. Even though brief, I got to talk with them and see where FFXI was heading and what new things await us.

Since the Fan Festival was held recently, back in March, there was not much to say about new content and schedule for when is what going to happen. I have tried to get information on what all of you are eager to learn about which is the long awaited chocobo breathing, the coliseum and the new AFs suits for Blue Mage, Puppetmaster and Corsair. Unfortunately, Square Enix has a real strict policy about divulging information until it is 100% certain it will be that way. Therefore I wasn't able to pull out any information regarding it.

The one thing I did get to learn about is that the schedule shown at the Fan Festival is the current Dev team one meaning they have to publish the content in the months that are listed there. Chocobo breathing will be release in the patch this summer which will occur between June and August (most likely early July), Coliseum this fall and I believe the AFs will come within the next patch as well. Tired of hunting coffer keys in preparation to get your new AFs? Well don't waste your time doing it as they will be obtained in a new way and not the one we're used to. Everyone is tired of coffer hunting and the Devs are as well. The focus right now on the new jobs is to do everything new to bring more fun into the factor. Stats for those suits of armor will focusing on upgrading the class and help it do its job better. Nothing new here as it is the case for all the AFs.

I took some time to discuss on how things turned out on the feedback from the expansion and they said that it was very positive. People are having a blast with the new areas, new jobs and pretty much every new addition. The one thing they said laughing when I've asked their feelings on people being already level 75 with the new jobs is that they never expected it to happen. They like to think people DO actually sleep and have a life but apparently it's not the case for some players. They didn't have much to say as far as balancing and how things were with the new jobs as it's too early to say even though they agreed on how powerful a Blue Mage is. Nerfing time? Not really. I did ask the question and there are currently no plans on making Blue Mages weaker but there will be adjustments to be done with pretty much all the classes. So don't be scared about being nerfed, they did say most of the changes will be something good and not negative. You'll still be strong as it's the job.

Sadly that is pretty much all the time I had with them and all the information I could get. But there is one thing we talked about that still need some details to be fixed before it occurs. Therefore it will be a surprise until everything is set up and official. Be on the look out for it.