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MMORPG | Genre:Fantasy | Status:Final  (rel 10/28/03)  | Pub:Square Enix
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Final Fantasy XI: Developer Roundtable Q&A, Part Three

MMORPG.com's Carolyn Koh presents this first part of a developer roundtable interview that she conducted while attending the recent Fan Festival. Today, we present Part Three, she tackles Game Systems & World Questions

This Developer Roundtable Q&A report combines a group session as well as exchanges I had with members of the media from other groups and a public Q&A session. Developers in attendance:

  • Final Fantasy Team – Producer
  • Kouichi Ogawa – Director
  • Akihiko Matsui – Battle Director
  • Yoji Fujito – Planner
  • Mizuki Ito – Planner
  • Mitsutoshi Gondai – Planner
  • Sage Sundi – Global Onine Producer (Community)


MMORPG.com:

Will there ever be PvP in duel or large battle situations?

Final Fantasy Team:

When the Final Fantasy XI was originally designed, it was not fitting in the worldview. However, if there is enough feedback from players asking for it, we are willing to look into it.

MMORPG.com:

Where are the new pets promised?

Final Fantasy Team:

Sorry to keep you waiting so long, but this is yet several patches away.

MMORPG.com:

Are there any plans for new mounts besides the Chocobo?

Final Fantasy Team:

No. Not at this time. System wise, mounts are very, very difficult to implement.

MMORPG.com:

What about plans to merge all inventory space?

Final Fantasy Team:

This is definitely an issue that is on our priority list. The system side technical details are still being looked into and worked out.

MMORPG.com:

What about the idea of the keyring (one inventory slot) to hold many keys?

Final Fantasy Team:

It's a great idea, but again, difficult to implement on the system side and we are thinking of other ways to address this issues.

MMORPG.com:

F8 targets the next closest NPC which is fine and dandy, but can we have a command to target the nearest enemy?

Final Fantasy Team:

Fancy that... this is one of the most requested changes by staff as well as players. We would love to have that tomorrow, but on the systems side, it's hard to accommodate. Maybe if I worked on it for a month...

MMORPG.com:

Any plans to increase the macro lines to more than 6?

Final Fantasy Team:

Sorry, no.

MMORPG.com:

Are there any plans to make more instances of high contested zones?

Final Fantasy Team:

Technically, it's possible, but it would require enormous overhaul of the systems currently in place, so no. No plans at this time.

MMORPG.com:

In reference to Mob respawn times. In the old areas, mob pops are 15 minute pops and the new areas are 6 - 10 minute pops. Are there any plans to realign pop times?

Final Fantasy Team:

When originally designed, we had to consider the differences between the outdoor and the indoor spaces. We didn't want dungeons to re-pop too quickly or that would make them too difficult. In the days of no invis and sneak, longer pop times were also required. However, as areas become regular camps and pop times need to be adjusted, we will adjust them. For example, all the "Question Mark" mobs are having their re-pop times adjusted down.

MMORPG.com:

What's up with the Almighty Apkallu? Has that penguin fallen off the boat and drowned?

Final Fantasy Team:

*laugh* He is a hard little bird to track down. It is possible to find him now. Really! However, we can look into it again.

MMORPG.com:

What would you say to entice a new player to try Final Fantasy XI?

Final Fantasy Team:

We have a free trial, a level sync system so that established players can play with newcomers, and you can play on console as well as PC. So come give it a shot. To those that have left for one reason or the other, we'd love to welcome you back.

 

More Final Fantasy XI Features:

Final Fantasy XI - Wings of the Goddess Expansion Tour General Article added on Thursday November 18
Final Fantasy XI - Vision of Abyssea Media Tour General Article added on Monday July 26
Final Fantasy XI - Beginning the Journey Again Editorial added on Friday April 23

More Interviews:

Repulse - Interview with Scott Hartz Interview added on Friday February 10
DC Universe Online - MMORPG.com Community Interview Interview added on Monday February 06
World of Darkness - CCP’s Plans to Dominate 2012 Interview added on Monday February 06

More Features:

Repulse - Interview with Scott Hartz Interview added on Friday February 10
Repulse - Beta Preview Preview added on Friday February 10
Player Perspectives - Mentoring is Motivation Column added on Friday February 10
 
 
GPrestige writes:

"We'd like to add new things, but system wise, it is very very difficult to do so."

or

"Nah, mang... I ain't ganna do no work haha what were you thinkin'?"

New Post Quote
12/23/08 12:22:56 PM
 
WSIMike writes:
Originally posted by gtwhalley

"We'd like to add new things, but system wise, it is very very difficult to do so."

or

"Nah, mang... I ain't ganna do no work haha what were you thinkin'?"

 

Heh, cute.

Except that with the amount and scale of new content they do add, that "translation" is hardly an accurate way to characterize it.

Overall, it was an interesting read. It would be nice if changes were made to make older leveling areas "feasible" again.. or at least more attractive, as they are still feasible.

I don't know how much it would help since "where to level" is more a product of how players approach the game than how it's designed.

They'd have to make all areas equally adjusted, similar respawn times, similar xp rewards, etc.. It might help to clear up some of the problems with areas being overcamped that currently occur - especially in ToAU areas.

Then all that's required is a change in the way some players behave.. ie... instead of following the bandwagon, actually break away and choose their own direction.

 

New Post Quote
12/23/08 12:38:36 PM
 
Wizardry writes:
Originally posted by gtwhalley

"We'd like to add new things, but system wise, it is very very difficult to do so."

or

"Nah, mang... I ain't ganna do no work haha what were you thinkin'?"

You know i have to agree here.I mean it is no secret ,EVERY game removes most of there working staff from the original project,so making new things happen is VERY hard.

I think when the big boss decides on an expansion,that staff will be dedicated to it,but as far as the little things and changes to already in place content,i think there manpower is VERY limited.This is why you won't see any major changes,unless it is part of the expansion teams work.This is also why the q/a answer guy here sort of keeps saying,well it is do able but we can't.Simple it has not been drawn out for the expansion staff to work on,if it is,then you will see him respond differently.I am sure he has the power to implement a new idea,but it would have to be agreed upon by the heirarchy and would mean increasing the budget,not an easy sell i would think.

Square is HUGE they have projects going everywhere for every platform,i am sure they are not going to dedicate a bunch of people to making subtle changes to ffxi,everytime the public asks for it.

I wish the Q/a asked one VERY big question because it has bothered me for years>>>>>Why has the developer continually alienated the noobs and new players ,while ONLY making content for high end players?They have furthered there attempt to move high levels away from noobs and giving noobs nothing to cling to.Heck they have given vets nothing to go back to?the same old scenery,the same old crabs and beetles,why do nothing?

Who knows how there inner workings are handled,one can only speculate,but they have a definite approach to there system ,one to witch i don't agree,and there lack of keeping new subs ,proves it is a wrong decision,one that baffles me.

Everyday i was out there helping new players,and heck they seem to be enjoying the game,i added countless players to my friends list,then all of a sudden the vanish into thin air.I can again specualte by the chat i have with new players.They often are disgruntled by the lack of new players to party with and the fact the noob zones are completely dead.Look no further tha nthe forums,the most common question is "How is the player base in this old game",i think the problem is obvious,maybe i played too much and notice too much,i guess the devs are too busy in there workshop.

 

New Post Quote
12/24/08 8:42:25 PM
 
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