CB actually had quite a lot of locked content. OB should have released most of the stuff on the human continent.

Unfortunately, a lot of the newer game content released in later updates won't be seen in North America for a while.

With all the nay-sayers and graphics-whores giving this game a bad word, I wonder if it'll be able to reach critical mass among the English audience...

Although from what I understand, updates in the foreign versions have introduced new forms of PvP, the most basic form available should be the Arena.

There's an NPC who sells arena coins. Using these coins, you can enter an arena (via the dungeon offering areas) where you can start to PvP.

I don't remember the exact details of how things worked, but I do believe it works by a point system where each player starts with a certain number of stars. For each kill, you take that players star, thus increasing your own and decreasing the victims. When you lose all your stars, you get booted from the arena.

But honestly, it's been so long since I've played the TW version, I don't really remember if that was the way things worked.

Haha, as long as they keep prices reasonable (and comparable to KR, JP, and TW versions), it's all good. If I end up having to pay $20 per rebirth, then it's game over for Nexon.

That's nice, now only if you could convince all those naysayers out there who seem to be overly concerned with the dated graphics.

Gamers these days... Not enough have seen the dark ages of MS-DOS.

Hrm..
I'm actually looking for a buddy pass too. A few friends of mine from uni want to find a game to play together over the summer, so I thought I might try out FFXI. I've tried looking for the starter pack, but retailers in Canada don't seem to have them in stock... Unless I have to go to EBGames in person to look for one. Not exactly willing to dish out $30+ to try out a game that I'm not even sure I'll stick to.

So.. yeah. Unless there really is a starter pack for sale at EBGames somewhere in Toronto, I'd be glad to take a buddy pass if you guys have any spare.