"A Guide to FFXI That Even A Monkey Could Understand" Part 1 - Getting Started
It should be a well-known fact that I have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of FFXI for well over a year now. The game, which has been available in Japan for almost 2 years, was released stateside for the PC about 5 months ago. Since that time, I have been spending an unhealthy amount of time researching the game via FAQs, the official website, and message boards (some of which I already never want to return to). I have probably also clocked almost 40 hours watching other people play the game via the live, in-game cam. On March 23rd the game will finally be coming out for the PS2 in the US, and then we'll see once and for all if this game lives-up to the dream.
Some of you are already planning to start playing when I do. Some of you aren't totally decided yet. Some of you don't give two shakes about FFXI, but are getting subjected to my ramblings anyway, because I'm on your friends list - so nyah. ;P Anyway, I'm collecting everything I've learned about the game over the last 5 months here, in a somewhat organized fashion. Hopefully, it will help my fellow future adventuring partners to overcome the game's rather steep learning-curve, and help others to decide if they really want to play or not. So, without any further ado, I present...
What's the Deal with Vana'diel?
The Hitchhiker's Gude to Vana'diel
A Guide to FFXI That Even A Monkey Could Understand
Part 1 - Getting Started
Firstly, I would like to point out that this guide is spoiler free. You may find out that a job called "summoner" exists, and that you can eventually go on a quest for access to it. However, I can assure you there are no plot spoilers in this guide, since I don't know anything about the plot myself! Secondly, as the title suggests, I'm trying to write this guide so that it's accessable to anyone, even people with no MMORPG experience. I may discuss some things which the more experienced among you already know. Please, bear with me.
System Requirements
Before you can even begin playing, you may need to upgrade your technology. However, you do get a choice, since FFXI is the first cross-platform online RPG where people playing on different systems can still play together. Basically, you get to choose wether you need to spend money on add-ons for your PC, or add-ons for you PS2. ;P Also, in either case, you will need some sort of existing internet service. I'm told the game can be played just as well with a 56k connection, but obviously a cable or DSL connection will be more stable and won't block your phone line.
If you're going to be playing on your PC...
The specific system requirements can be found here. For most people with up-to-date PCs, the only issue seems to be that you might need to upgrade your graphics card. If you think your PC is already up to snuff, then you are ready to run the benchmark program, which can be found here. Once you're sure everything is in working order, all you need is a copy of the game, currently running from $50-$45 at various retailers. Also, unless you are comfortable working exclusively with keyboard controls, you may need to invest in a PC-compatible control pad.
If you're going to be playing on your PS2...
PS2 players have a few more things to buy, although altogether it still might be cheaper than a new PC graphics card. You're going to need to buy the PS2 hard drive, which is conveniently being bundled with FFXI. The whole package is set to retail at $99.00(!!) and includes the hard drive with the FFXI software pre-installed on it. That much is pretty obvious, what you may not have realized is that you're also going to need a PS2 network adaptor (which is not being bundled with anything). This thing plugs into the back of the hard drive and allows you to connect to either 56k internet, or broadband. I think these things were in the neighborhood of $30-$40 when I got mine (will FFXI create a shortage? hmmm?). Also, you're going to need a USB keyboard. If you have one already, or don't mind borrowing the one plugged into your computer, then you're already set.
PlayOnline™ Costs
Ahhh, monthly charges, where the real money from online RPGs is made. In order to play FFXI online, you're going to have to subscribe to Square's PlayOnline™ service. Furthermore, FFXI is a Massively Multiplayer Online RPG (MMORPG), which means the only type of play is online play, so you don't really have any choice. ;P I don't quite understand how the words "Massively Multiplayer" became synonomous with "Online Only", but that's just how it is. Makes me think the "MM" might actually stand for "Money Making" or "Machiavellian Marketing"...
The first month is free, naturally, after that, it's $12.95/month(!!) to play. It's an extra $1/month for every character that you have beyond the first, and it's another $1/month if you want the ability to play Tetra Master (as seen in FFIX). I should note, however, that Tetra Master is in no way integrated with FFXI. It's simply a diversion you can play via PlayOnline™ if, I don't know, the FFXI servers are down, or if you just really love Tetra Master. You'll need a Visa or a Mastercard when you register your account, and the fee will be charged automatically every month, until you cancel. Cancelled accounts can be re-activated within 3 months without losing your character(s).
The World of Vana'diel
The setting for FFXI is a place called "Vana'diel" (rhymes with "steal"). It is a much more western-style fantasy/adventure world than those seen in more recent Final Fantasy games. The closest comparison I can think of is the Record of Lodoss War anime. There are no signs of the over-the-top baroque architecture or modern clothing seen in FF8 or 10. Rather, it is a return to armor-clad knights, castles, medieval cities, and earth-tones - lots & lots of earth-tones...
Like any MMORPG, the world of Vana'diel is always "on & running", even when you aren't playing. Players simply come in and out of the world whenever they log-on. You can play for as long or as short as you like. Everyone who plays interacts in the same cities and on the same battlefields. You may find yourself competing for resources as simple as a supply of monsters to level-up on, or you may find yourself being raised from the dead by a complete stranger who doesn't even speak your language. Every experience will vary depending on who you party with and who you encounter.
Vana'diel cycles through time at a rate of one in-game day to one real-world hour. Which means you will be adventuring in the day for half an hour, and then at night for half an hour, and so forth. Vana'diel has 8 day weeks, with each day corresponding to one of the world's 8 elements. The moon goes through it's phases and there are even changing weather patterns. All of these elements have effects on gameplay, of course (cue flashback to the headaches brought-on by FFT's zodiac system).
Vana'diel is by no means infinite in size, but it is BIG. There are no transitions between a simplified "overworld", where you walk around in SD-form, and individual areas. The whole world is just one mass of interlocked areas, and traveling between locations can take some time. This can be a problem if you just logged-on in your hometown of Windhurst and your friends are all out killing Ochus in Rolanberry fields. There are the usual methods of cutting-down travel times, chocobos, ferries, airships... but you have to pay in-game currency in order to use those. Even then, an airship or a boat ride takes time, and you may have to wait until the next one docks in your town. The only form of instantaneous travel would be the teleportation spells, which only a White Mage can learn, and the Black Mage's classic "warp" spells, which are good for when you want to get out of a dungeon fast or just go home.
Servers, World Passes, & World Shifters
American & Japanese players share the same servers, PC & PS2 players can interact on the same servers, but you and your closest friends might not play on the same server! Oh, the irony!
Servers
Despite what I said about everyone playing in the same world, this isn't really the case. If every single player did have to co-exist in one world, Squenix would need a mainframe the size of the moon to handle it, and you couldn't take two steps without overlapping yourself on another character. Rather, 30 identical versions of Vana'diel exist on different servers. The servers, which are all in Japan, are shared by both Japanese and American players. Since we're 13 hours apart, and the peak playing times don't overlap, this doesn't overload the servers. It does however, create the issue of an in-game language barrier, and fuels a lot of complaints regarding lag (namely that we have a lot of it and the Japanese players don't).
The servers are all named after various summons from the Final Fantasy series, like Shiva, Carbuncle, or even Bismarck (they had to really dig to find 30 summons). When you create a character, you create them on a particular server. This is the server that character will always play on, so choose carefully. There are ways to make sure you get to play with your friends though...
World Passes
Normally, when you create a character, their server will be randomly chosen (servers with lower populations will be more common). However, if you have a "World Pass", you can pre-determine which server your character will be created on. World Passes can be purchased in-game from NPCs in the major cities using in-game currency. It will be more expensive if your server is already very crowded. A World Pass is really just a numeric code which someone else can enter during character creation. This will let them create a character on the same world which the pass came from. One WP can be used by up to 5 characters within one week of purchase.
Basically, this means that one friend should start playing, and then get a WP for all his friends before they make their characters. According to various reports, it typically takes about 2-3 hours of play before a new player can get enough money to buy a WP for their friends. (The process is even simpler if you already know people who've been playing for awhile, or if you aren't above begging for WP money.) Basically, as long as all your friends start playing around the same time, you can all play together - no problem. It's when you've been playing for awhile, and you meet someone who's also been playing for awhile, but on a different server, that you're going to be SOL. ;_;
World Shifters
During certain rare events, NPCs called "World Shifters" will appear in your world, and offer to move your character to another server.This is the only known way to actually transfer a character, intact with all their levels & items, to another server. This usually only happens if your server has become dangerously overcrowded, or if Squenix is building additional servers. For example, several months ago, an offer for "World Emmigration" was announced. If enough people applied, Squenix was going to build a number of new servers based on how many people applied, and move their characters to these new worlds. Enough people applied that they built one new server, Ashura, and all the applicants' characters were transferred there. An opportunity like this could be the only way that you and a friend who both have existing characters could still manage to get on the same server.
Character Creation
You've got the hardware, the software, and a general idea of what you're getting into. You're finally ready to create a character. There isn't much to the character creation process. Compared to other online RPGs, your appearance options are pretty limited. (A great deal of your appearance will always be determined by your equipment.) There's no need to select a "class", since you will be able to change jobs whenever you like. There isn't even any need to assign stats, as your stats are all static, determined by a combination of your race, job, level, and equipment.
The first thing you need to do is select a race and a gender. After that you get to choose from 8 different heads, which also determines your face & hairstyle. Each head has 2 hair color variations. Finally, you get to choose if your character is "small", "medium", or "large", so basically, if you can order a drink at McDonald's, you can make a FFXI character. Somewhere in there is the step where you enter a World Pass, if you have one. If you just can't wait to see what kind of character you'd like to make, Squenix has put together a neat little toy you can play with. Just go here and click on "Character Make Trial" at the bottom of the page.
Of course you'll need to name your character as well. Within each server every character must have a unique name. There are no numbers, spaces, or symbols allowed. Also, the first letter of your name will be capitalized, with all remaining letters being lower-case, so the name LordElf would appear as Lordelf. It seems pretty damn restrictive, but at least it prevents you from running into characters named SePhIrOtH666.
Stay-tuned for Part 2 - Races & Stats
Some of you are already planning to start playing when I do. Some of you aren't totally decided yet. Some of you don't give two shakes about FFXI, but are getting subjected to my ramblings anyway, because I'm on your friends list - so nyah. ;P Anyway, I'm collecting everything I've learned about the game over the last 5 months here, in a somewhat organized fashion. Hopefully, it will help my fellow future adventuring partners to overcome the game's rather steep learning-curve, and help others to decide if they really want to play or not. So, without any further ado, I present...
What's the Deal with Vana'diel?
The Hitchhiker's Gude to Vana'diel
A Guide to FFXI That Even A Monkey Could Understand
Part 1 - Getting Started
Firstly, I would like to point out that this guide is spoiler free. You may find out that a job called "summoner" exists, and that you can eventually go on a quest for access to it. However, I can assure you there are no plot spoilers in this guide, since I don't know anything about the plot myself! Secondly, as the title suggests, I'm trying to write this guide so that it's accessable to anyone, even people with no MMORPG experience. I may discuss some things which the more experienced among you already know. Please, bear with me.
System Requirements
Before you can even begin playing, you may need to upgrade your technology. However, you do get a choice, since FFXI is the first cross-platform online RPG where people playing on different systems can still play together. Basically, you get to choose wether you need to spend money on add-ons for your PC, or add-ons for you PS2. ;P Also, in either case, you will need some sort of existing internet service. I'm told the game can be played just as well with a 56k connection, but obviously a cable or DSL connection will be more stable and won't block your phone line.
If you're going to be playing on your PC...
The specific system requirements can be found here. For most people with up-to-date PCs, the only issue seems to be that you might need to upgrade your graphics card. If you think your PC is already up to snuff, then you are ready to run the benchmark program, which can be found here. Once you're sure everything is in working order, all you need is a copy of the game, currently running from $50-$45 at various retailers. Also, unless you are comfortable working exclusively with keyboard controls, you may need to invest in a PC-compatible control pad.
If you're going to be playing on your PS2...
PS2 players have a few more things to buy, although altogether it still might be cheaper than a new PC graphics card. You're going to need to buy the PS2 hard drive, which is conveniently being bundled with FFXI. The whole package is set to retail at $99.00(!!) and includes the hard drive with the FFXI software pre-installed on it. That much is pretty obvious, what you may not have realized is that you're also going to need a PS2 network adaptor (which is not being bundled with anything). This thing plugs into the back of the hard drive and allows you to connect to either 56k internet, or broadband. I think these things were in the neighborhood of $30-$40 when I got mine (will FFXI create a shortage? hmmm?). Also, you're going to need a USB keyboard. If you have one already, or don't mind borrowing the one plugged into your computer, then you're already set.
PlayOnline™ Costs
Ahhh, monthly charges, where the real money from online RPGs is made. In order to play FFXI online, you're going to have to subscribe to Square's PlayOnline™ service. Furthermore, FFXI is a Massively Multiplayer Online RPG (MMORPG), which means the only type of play is online play, so you don't really have any choice. ;P I don't quite understand how the words "Massively Multiplayer" became synonomous with "Online Only", but that's just how it is. Makes me think the "MM" might actually stand for "Money Making" or "Machiavellian Marketing"...
The first month is free, naturally, after that, it's $12.95/month(!!) to play. It's an extra $1/month for every character that you have beyond the first, and it's another $1/month if you want the ability to play Tetra Master (as seen in FFIX). I should note, however, that Tetra Master is in no way integrated with FFXI. It's simply a diversion you can play via PlayOnline™ if, I don't know, the FFXI servers are down, or if you just really love Tetra Master. You'll need a Visa or a Mastercard when you register your account, and the fee will be charged automatically every month, until you cancel. Cancelled accounts can be re-activated within 3 months without losing your character(s).
The World of Vana'diel
The setting for FFXI is a place called "Vana'diel" (rhymes with "steal"). It is a much more western-style fantasy/adventure world than those seen in more recent Final Fantasy games. The closest comparison I can think of is the Record of Lodoss War anime. There are no signs of the over-the-top baroque architecture or modern clothing seen in FF8 or 10. Rather, it is a return to armor-clad knights, castles, medieval cities, and earth-tones - lots & lots of earth-tones...
Like any MMORPG, the world of Vana'diel is always "on & running", even when you aren't playing. Players simply come in and out of the world whenever they log-on. You can play for as long or as short as you like. Everyone who plays interacts in the same cities and on the same battlefields. You may find yourself competing for resources as simple as a supply of monsters to level-up on, or you may find yourself being raised from the dead by a complete stranger who doesn't even speak your language. Every experience will vary depending on who you party with and who you encounter.
Vana'diel cycles through time at a rate of one in-game day to one real-world hour. Which means you will be adventuring in the day for half an hour, and then at night for half an hour, and so forth. Vana'diel has 8 day weeks, with each day corresponding to one of the world's 8 elements. The moon goes through it's phases and there are even changing weather patterns. All of these elements have effects on gameplay, of course (cue flashback to the headaches brought-on by FFT's zodiac system).
Vana'diel is by no means infinite in size, but it is BIG. There are no transitions between a simplified "overworld", where you walk around in SD-form, and individual areas. The whole world is just one mass of interlocked areas, and traveling between locations can take some time. This can be a problem if you just logged-on in your hometown of Windhurst and your friends are all out killing Ochus in Rolanberry fields. There are the usual methods of cutting-down travel times, chocobos, ferries, airships... but you have to pay in-game currency in order to use those. Even then, an airship or a boat ride takes time, and you may have to wait until the next one docks in your town. The only form of instantaneous travel would be the teleportation spells, which only a White Mage can learn, and the Black Mage's classic "warp" spells, which are good for when you want to get out of a dungeon fast or just go home.
Servers, World Passes, & World Shifters
American & Japanese players share the same servers, PC & PS2 players can interact on the same servers, but you and your closest friends might not play on the same server! Oh, the irony!
Servers
Despite what I said about everyone playing in the same world, this isn't really the case. If every single player did have to co-exist in one world, Squenix would need a mainframe the size of the moon to handle it, and you couldn't take two steps without overlapping yourself on another character. Rather, 30 identical versions of Vana'diel exist on different servers. The servers, which are all in Japan, are shared by both Japanese and American players. Since we're 13 hours apart, and the peak playing times don't overlap, this doesn't overload the servers. It does however, create the issue of an in-game language barrier, and fuels a lot of complaints regarding lag (namely that we have a lot of it and the Japanese players don't).
The servers are all named after various summons from the Final Fantasy series, like Shiva, Carbuncle, or even Bismarck (they had to really dig to find 30 summons). When you create a character, you create them on a particular server. This is the server that character will always play on, so choose carefully. There are ways to make sure you get to play with your friends though...
World Passes
Normally, when you create a character, their server will be randomly chosen (servers with lower populations will be more common). However, if you have a "World Pass", you can pre-determine which server your character will be created on. World Passes can be purchased in-game from NPCs in the major cities using in-game currency. It will be more expensive if your server is already very crowded. A World Pass is really just a numeric code which someone else can enter during character creation. This will let them create a character on the same world which the pass came from. One WP can be used by up to 5 characters within one week of purchase.
Basically, this means that one friend should start playing, and then get a WP for all his friends before they make their characters. According to various reports, it typically takes about 2-3 hours of play before a new player can get enough money to buy a WP for their friends. (The process is even simpler if you already know people who've been playing for awhile, or if you aren't above begging for WP money.) Basically, as long as all your friends start playing around the same time, you can all play together - no problem. It's when you've been playing for awhile, and you meet someone who's also been playing for awhile, but on a different server, that you're going to be SOL. ;_;
World Shifters
During certain rare events, NPCs called "World Shifters" will appear in your world, and offer to move your character to another server.This is the only known way to actually transfer a character, intact with all their levels & items, to another server. This usually only happens if your server has become dangerously overcrowded, or if Squenix is building additional servers. For example, several months ago, an offer for "World Emmigration" was announced. If enough people applied, Squenix was going to build a number of new servers based on how many people applied, and move their characters to these new worlds. Enough people applied that they built one new server, Ashura, and all the applicants' characters were transferred there. An opportunity like this could be the only way that you and a friend who both have existing characters could still manage to get on the same server.
Character Creation
You've got the hardware, the software, and a general idea of what you're getting into. You're finally ready to create a character. There isn't much to the character creation process. Compared to other online RPGs, your appearance options are pretty limited. (A great deal of your appearance will always be determined by your equipment.) There's no need to select a "class", since you will be able to change jobs whenever you like. There isn't even any need to assign stats, as your stats are all static, determined by a combination of your race, job, level, and equipment.
The first thing you need to do is select a race and a gender. After that you get to choose from 8 different heads, which also determines your face & hairstyle. Each head has 2 hair color variations. Finally, you get to choose if your character is "small", "medium", or "large", so basically, if you can order a drink at McDonald's, you can make a FFXI character. Somewhere in there is the step where you enter a World Pass, if you have one. If you just can't wait to see what kind of character you'd like to make, Squenix has put together a neat little toy you can play with. Just go here and click on "Character Make Trial" at the bottom of the page.
Of course you'll need to name your character as well. Within each server every character must have a unique name. There are no numbers, spaces, or symbols allowed. Also, the first letter of your name will be capitalized, with all remaining letters being lower-case, so the name LordElf would appear as Lordelf. It seems pretty damn restrictive, but at least it prevents you from running into characters named SePhIrOtH666.
Stay-tuned for Part 2 - Races & Stats