Joystiq

2009 class-action lawsuit over Final Fantasy XI fees dismissed

JC Fletcher — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST

A 2009 lawsuit brought against Square Enix over alleged concealment of fees for Final Fantasy XI has been dismissed. Plaintiff Esther Leong filed a class-action suit against the company, claiming that monthly fees, late payment penalties, and other charges weren't sufficiently disclosed at retail.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the lawsuit on December 20, meaning Leong and the unspecified "class" she represented are not entitled to the $5 million in damages sought. Here's something else to think about, as you ponder the nuances of this case: right now, someone in the world is still playing Final Fantasy XI.

2009 class-action lawsuit over Final Fantasy XI fees dismissed originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy XI Ultimate Collection Abyssea Edition coming to Windows in May

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 20:40:00 EST

So, that "ultimate collection" of Final Fantasy XI you bought two years ago? Turns out it wasn't really ultimate at all, because Square has just announced the new, even more ultimater Final Fantasy XI Ultimate Collection Abyssea Edition. So, what do you get for $20? We've got all four expansion packs, all three add-on scenarios and all three of the Abyssea battle areas originally released in 2010.

As if all that weren't enough, the Ultimate Abyssea Edition also includes the in-game Destrier Beret, which packs in loads of bonus effects like increased skill gain, extra movement speed and both magic and health regeneration. The new edition will be available for download beginning May 16. Our sympathies to all of the early adopters who have partaken in Final Fantasy XI over the last nine years because, let's face it, you really got screwed here.

Gallery: Final Fantasy XI Ultimate Collection Abyssea Edition

Continue reading Final Fantasy XI Ultimate Collection Abyssea Edition coming to Windows in May

Final Fantasy XI Ultimate Collection Abyssea Edition coming to Windows in May originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy XI and XIV servers back online this Friday

JC Fletcher — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 23:00:00 EST

Though the real Japan's recovery efforts are ongoing following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, the virtual worlds of Vana'diel and Eorzea will be back in pristine, explorable condition on Friday, March 25.

After taking the servers down for both Final Fantasy XI and XIV as a power conservation measure on March 13, Square Enix announced today that it'll reopen the MMO worlds this Friday. To keep power use down even with the servers running (the servers account for about 11 percent of the power use in the company's Tokyo office), Square Enix has "shut down our air conditioning system (8.8%) and enacted other power conservation measures, such as reducing lighting in our offices, to achieve over 10% in energy usage reductions."

You can think of those poor staffers stuck in an air-conditioning-less office with giant, heat-spewing computers while you play the games for free. Yes, Square still plans not to collect any monthly fees for April.

Final Fantasy XI and XIV servers back online this Friday originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy XI only $11 at GameStop until May 3

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 23:00:00 EST

Hoping to try out Square Enix's initial foray into the MMORPG realm before the company releases its next foray into the MMORPG realm? Gamestop is offering an extremely cost effective way for you to try your hand at Final Fantasy XI -- until May 3, you can purchase the game and all of its many expansions on the retailer's website for just $11. We wish they were offering this deal on all of Square Enix's titles. Can you imagine? Just Cause 2 for $2? Final Fantasy XIII for $13? Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days for $3,582? Oh, wait.

Final Fantasy XI only $11 at GameStop until May 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Three new 'Battle Areas' coming to Final Fantasy XI

Griffin McElroy — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST

Square Enix knows exactly what the players of its flagship MMO, Final Fantasy XI, want: New things to kill, which drop new things to wear. The company will fulfill these primal urges with three "Battle Area Add-On Scenarios" which will be released throughout the year. The first expansion, Vision of Abyssea, will go live during the summer, with two others, Scars of Abyssea and Heroes of Abyssea following soon after. Each new area can be purchased for $9.99 through the PlayOnline Viewer.

We're not sure how much of an audience Final Fantasy XI has retained over the years, but for the folks who've stuck in Vana'diel, there are phat loots in your future.

Three new 'Battle Areas' coming to Final Fantasy XI originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 28 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy XI Ultimate Collection coming in November

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:44:00 EST

With ostentatiously lengthy titles such as A Shantotto Ascension - The Legend Torn, Her Empire Born, we can't blame you for not being able to keep track of the expansions for Final Fantasy XI. By the end of this year, the game will have received seven content additions in the form of retail expansion packs and downloadable add-ons. Fortunately, Square Enix has decided to bundle all of these together in the Final Fantasy XI Ultimate Collection for PC and 360, which is set to hit North American store shelves on November 10 with a slim $20 price tag.

Seems like an odd move, considering one of these add-ons isn't even out yet. Still, with a new bundle of joy on its way, Squeenix is probably getting antsy about last year's model.

Final Fantasy XI Ultimate Collection coming in November originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tanaka on bringing FFXI character names into Final Fantasy XIV

Xav de Matos — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 12:30:00 EST

When it was announced at E3, Square Enix mentioned the development team was looking for a way to allow players to bring their existing Final Fantasy XI character names into Final Fantasy XIV. At the recent GamesCom event in Cologne, Final Fantasy XIV producer Hiromichi Tanaka wouldn't confirm the feature would be included, but noted Square Enix would like to give incentives for players of its first MMO outing.

Tanaka notes the process of allowing names to carry over into a new Final Fantasy MMO could cause conflicts, but proposes one solution that could work: Force people to add a surname. "Players can keep their main name, but they can add something else to their surname -- that way players with overlapping names can keep their names from FFXI, but they can add something on to it to make it unique," Tanaka told the PlayStation Blog.

Tanaka also discussed Final Fantasy XIV's combat system, which -- as already revealed -- will not be based on a job system. FFXIV's armory system will allow players to switch weapons and abilities within the game, to best suit players who prefer to go solo or as part of a team. As players use weapons and equipment more frequently, the statistics of those items grow, building a stronger class of character without grinding for experience points.

While Tanaka was asked to name his biggest MMO-based inspiration, he quietly brushed the question aside, noting the community was his biggest influence. But clearly Tanaka's biggest MMO influence is Final Fantasy XI ... what else is out there?

Gallery: Final Fantasy XIV

Tanaka on bringing FFXI character names into Final Fantasy XIV originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 30 Aug 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy XI moogle-filled expansion begins pre-sale July 5

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:00:00 EST

We know how much you're looking forward to the second installment in the trilogy of mini-expansions for Final Fantasy XI, which is ... wait, it is XI, right? Or -- hold on, is it XII? Which one had the monkey-tail guy in it? That one wasn't online, we don't think. Gunblade was VIII, monkey-tail was IX, whiny athlete was X -- okay, it's definitely XI. What was XII, then? Did XII even come out?

Anywho, the second mini-expansion, titled A Moogle Kupo d'Etat - Evil in Small Doses, is set to drop at the end of this month, but ultra-anticipatory fans can pre-purchase the game starting July 5 for $9.99. You'll need the Rise of the Zilart explansion to play it, and your character's main job level will need to be at least 10 to access the new content. Also, we -- hot bunny-ears girl! Whew, man. That was going to bother us all day.

Final Fantasy XI moogle-filled expansion begins pre-sale July 5 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Square Enix sued over allegedly concealed FFXI fees

Xav de Matos — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:00:00 EST

According to the Courthouse News Service, a federal class action lawsuit has been brought against Square Enix for allegedly lying or "concealing its monthly fees, penalties for late payments, interest, restrictions and other things that should have been filly disclosed at points of purchase" for the MMO Final Fantasy XI.

Plaintiff Esther Leong of San Francisco is seeking more than $5 million for what she alleges to be "unfair business practices, false advertising and unjust enrichment."

It's unclear how Square Enix has hidden the subscription nature of Final Fantasy XI from potential (or ongoing) players. The game's official website (above) clearly states a monthly fee is required to play the online-only title, when clicking a tab labeled "Monthly Fees" -- as well as listing the subscription-based nature of the game on all retail packaging. Fair warning from the far-flung future to any and all involved in this hilariously moronic suit, Final Fantasy XIV is an MMO too. Anticipate a subscription ... or at least prep for another lawsuit.

Update: LGJ columnist Mark Methenitis takes a closer look at the class action on his Law of the Game blog.

[Via 1UP]

Square Enix sued over allegedly concealed FFXI fees originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FFXI for PS3 not just fantasy (but no longer reality)

Ross Miller — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 20:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Online, RPGs, MMO

Hey, did you hear the one about the giant RPG powerhouse who wanted to put its flagship franchise's MMO on the PlayStation 3 ... but then the Sony representative they were talking to quit? And the company never tried to to resume talks with another rep? Man, that's funny.

... what's that you say, 1UP? That's really what happened to Final Fantasy XI on the PS3? No way, you're pulling our chain, who told you that? FFXI Hiromichi Tanaka? Man, now it's even funnier, but in that sad way. We suspect he's joking, or there's a lot more to this story. Still, it doesn't sound like FFXI will be coming to PS3 anytime soon.

For the FFXI players on PC, Xbox 360 and HDD-equipped PS2 versions, keep an eye out for three new expansions, each coming sometime in 2009.

FFXI for PS3 not just fantasy (but no longer reality) originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Square Enix was working on FFXI for PS3 but called it off

Majed Athab — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: News

Square Enix's Final Fantasy-themed MMO is playable on a lot of platforms, but unfortunately not -- directly anyhow -- on the PS3. The dev team behind the game revealed, however, that a PS3 version wasn't entirely out of the mix. At the recent Fan Fest event in Hollywood, the team spoke to 1UP about how Final Fantasy XI was going to be re-released for PS3, but ultimately got canned.

"Initially we were in talks with a representative from Sony [to achieve this], but it appears that that person quit," said FFXI producer Hiromichi Tanaka. Beyond that response though, there doesn't seem to be any explanation as to why talks haven't resumed; however, what is certain is that a PS3 version isn't in the works and hasn't been for a long time. Funnily, all this talk about MMOs makes us wonder whatever happened to that other new MMO Square Enix was working on? You know, the one that was announced three years ago.

Square Enix was working on FFXI for PS3 but called it off originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy XI invades Dissidia

Majed Athab — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 06:30:00 EST

Filed under: News

Who would have thought that Dissidia news could appear in a place like Final Fantasy XI's "Vana Fes 2008 in Korakuen" from this past Saturday? Well, not us, that's for sure. We were pretty content with the fact that only the first ten titles would have representatives, though this entry seems to have broken that rule. Shantotto, a Tarutaru black mage and NPC, is -- thus far -- the only character from the MMO-RPG to make an appearance.

Currently, it's unknown whether Shantotto will be playable or just making a cameo in some non-fighting parts of the game. Could this also mean that FFXII and FFXIII could also still secretly make its way into the game? It's a rather exciting thought, is it not?

[Via PSP Hyper]

Final Fantasy XI invades Dissidia originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Square Enix announces three downloadable expansions for Final Fantasy XI

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Microsoft Xbox 360, MMO

Diehard Final Fantasy XI players who've not been beckoned away from Vana'diel by the siren call of World of Warcraft or Warhammer Online will be pleased to know that three "scenario expansions" for Square Enix's MMO were recently announced at VanaFest, a FFXI fan event in Japan. The three add-ons will be downloadable from the PlayOnline Viewer over the course of 2009, each going for "around $10.00."

The expansions won't be adding any new locales to Vana'diel's geography, but will attempt to "deepen the storylines running through pre-existing areas by ushering in all-new plots and intrigues." The three scenarios are titled A Crystalline Prophecy - Ode of Life Bestowing (which will be available next Spring), A Moogle Kupo d'Etat - Evil in Small Doses and A Shantotto Ascension - The Legend Torn, Her Empire Born (which will be available in the months following the first expansion). Brief synopses for the scenarios, which were explained in a recent press release, are available after the break.

Continue reading Square Enix announces three downloadable expansions for Final Fantasy XI

Square Enix announces three downloadable expansions for Final Fantasy XI originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 22 Nov 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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18+ hour boss battles nixed from Final Fantasy XI

Randy Nelson — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 03:01:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Sony PlayStation 2, Microsoft Xbox 360, RPGs, MMO

We've heard of 18-hour bras, but 18-hour boss battles? Ridiculous! A couple weeks back, we reported on a Final Fantasy XII guild that attempted to take down one of the game's new big bads, the Pandemonium Warden, only to succumb to fatigue, hunger, sleep deprivation, and general near-deathness at the 18-hour mark. Square Enix now says it has heard the fan outcry against the idea of such longevity-rich enemies and is fixing things.

"In response to these events, we have determined that further alterations are required to prevent such battles from exceeding a certain predetermined length of time," reads the latest community update from PlayOnline. What will these "alterations" consist of? "Included in the version update scheduled for early September will be modifications to the degree of difficulty of Pandemonium Warden (and associated pets), Absolute Virtue (and associated pets), and Jailer of Love. The aim of these changes is to create battles where a decisive outcome may be reached within a shorter period of time."

Square's statement also reaffirmed the company's continued "commitment to a healthy and wholesome game environment." You know, one where players aren't passing out while playing.

[Via Massively]

18+ hour boss battles nixed from Final Fantasy XI originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Aug 2008 03:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Final Fantasy XI boss could take 24 hours to kill

Justin McElroy — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:15:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Sony PlayStation 2, Microsoft Xbox 360, MMO

Hey, have you given up? We don't mean just depressed. We're talking to those of you who are ready take the precious gift that each day of life is, attempt to put it back in its clamshell packaging and return it for store credit. Then you might just be ready to take on the Pandemonium Warden, a newly added Final Fantasy XI boss that guild Beyond the Limitation plugged away at for 18 hours before finally giving up the fight. They estimate that with 5 or 6 more hours of work they could have finished the job.

"People were passing out and getting physically ill," guild leaders said. "We decided to end it before we risked turning into a horrible new story about how video games ruin people's lives."

So, to recap: There's a boss in Final Fantasy XI that's so tough that people who play Final Fantasy XI enough to be in a guild don't think it's worth their time. Moreover, he was so difficult it was enough to force them to start making responsible choices with their lives. Mother Brain, you can consider yourself trumped.

[Thanks, Anthony]

New Final Fantasy XI boss could take 24 hours to kill originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Impossibly new Final Fantasy achievements added

Dustin Burg — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

The guys over at Xbox360Achievements.org did some snooping around Xbox.com and discovered that Final Fantasy XI has received a Gamerscore boost. As if the game's achievements weren't already impossible enough to unlock (seriously, has anyone actually earned a 1000GS on this game?) Square Enix decided to add 25 more achievements, all secret because that's how they roll, totaling an additional 250 Gamerscore. The achievement additions are speculated to be due to FFXI's 2008 re-release. We feel for anyone who's actually going to white knuckle it through this game to earn these new secret achievements. We advise just staying away and saving yourself the pain and agony.

Impossibly new Final Fantasy achievements added originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 07 Jun 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy XI goes boxless

Scott Jon Siegel — Fri, 30 May 2008 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: PC, MMO

"Boxes? Where we're going we don't need boxes!" So we presume the dialogue went, as Square Enix's MMO Final Fantasy XI eschewed its cardboard, real-world prison for digital distribution. The PC version of the title is still available in "old-school" format, though players can now download the title -- and all its expansions -- from Direct2Drive.

Final Fantasy XI and its expansions are being sold through Direct2Drive for $19.95 each. Instruction manuals are also available, which is super-nice of them.

[Via Massively]

Final Fantasy XI goes boxless originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 May 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Law of the Game on Joystiq: Call the cops, he stole my Cloudsong!

Mark Methenitis — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Features

Each week Mark Methenitis contributes Law of the Game on Joystiq, a column on legal issues as they relate to video games:

Everyone remembers the now classic "You Stole My Cloudsong!" recording (warning: NSFW). What's less funny, if you're a MMORPG player, is that theft is a real occurrence in MMO worlds. So what happens if someone steals your hard earned gold or items? Do you have any recourse? According to the cops in Minnesota, the answer is no. However, a more progressive look at the issue would suggest that protection for your virtual assets is certainly coming, if it doesn't exist already. In fact, in China, a recent case declared that seizure of virtual assets had actual value with actual recourse. It's an issue that is often discussed at sites like VirtuallyBlind, TerraNova, and (shameless plug in 3-2-1) Law of the Game, among others. Of course, simply lumping in digital theft with ordinary theft is far more complex than one might think.

The baseline question that needs to be answered is: What is theft? According to Black's Law Dictionary (7th Ed.), theft is "the felonious taking and removing of another's personal property with the intent of depriving the true owner of it; larceny." Simple enough, but going back into the common law, many jurisdictions traditionally limited larceny (the root of theft) to tangible personal property. It's only more modern interpretations, especially in the US, that include intangible property in the grander concept of "theft." However, even assuming you can include intangibles in "theft," there are much bigger problems with trying to apply this concept to in-game theft.

Continue reading Law of the Game on Joystiq: Call the cops, he stole my Cloudsong!

Law of the Game on Joystiq: Call the cops, he stole my Cloudsong! originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Feb 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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