Recently Square Enix announced a small enhancement to Final Fantasy XI named A Shantotto Ascension. Warcry has a video up showing some of it.

Square Enix being sued over non-open monies writes Oli Welsh.

Esther Leong from San Francisco has brought a class action lawsuit against the US arm of the Japanese RPG giant, claiming that Square Enix deceived 100,000 customers by lying about or concealing "its monthly fees, penalties for late payments, interest, restrictions, and other things that should have been fully disclosed at points of purchase".

The suit seeks damages of over USD 5 million on behalf of players and alleges "unfair business practices, false advertising, and unjust enrichment".

Original article at 1UP.

A class action lawsuit has been brought against Square Enix, seeking more than $5 million for what is alleged to be "unfair business practices, false advertising and unjust enrichment" (via Courthouse News Service)

The named plaintiff is Esther Leong of San Francisco, who said that Square Enix "lied about or concealed its monthly fees, penalties for late payments, interest, restrictions and other things that should have been fully disclosed at points of purchase" concerning Final Fantasy XI. Leong is being represented by Ronald Makarem and Michael Kim.

Another interview with the development team of Final Fantasy XI can be found at 1UP.

1UP: Based on the information released on the POL website, these scenarios, like "A Moogle Kupo d'Eta" seem more lighthearted at first, although they do hint at more sinister workings beneath the surface. With most people now so concerned with endgame, are these designed to bring us back to the simpler days of when we all first started to play?

HT: There wasn't any motivation like that behind it. As opposed to these big expansions that require years of playtime, these were designed to be something you could do in a lot shorter amount of time than the other expansions. Also, with previous expansions, we'd release the storyline, then we'd spend a year of patches expanding on the storyline. Whereas this time we'll release the product, and you can play it and complete it, and we won't add additional content to the individual new storylines.

1UP: Bite-size bits. So, was this a way to avoid the criticism that followed Wings of the Goddess, which was that you basically shipped a disc with nothing on it except Campaign? Releasing content as it's actually completed now, so that people aren't disappointed in what they've bought?

HT: It was a different kind of concept from the development stages, but yes, that was one of the concerns. We just want to make a complete product and release it. There are no adjustments being made to any of the systems, though.

TTH catch an interview with some of the FFXI devs.

With the recent retail successes of World of Warcraft, Age of Conan, and Warhammer Online, it's easy to forget about the games that paved the way for these modern MMOGs, titles like Ultima Online, EverQuest, and Final Fantasy XI. Yet among those three games, the title that is arguably still the most successful continues to be Final Fantasy XI, which continues to boast hundreds of thousands of subscriptions. Nearing its seventh year of live service, FFXI recently held its annual Fan Festival where Ten Ton Hammer's Cody "Micajah" Bye caught up with the developers and talked with them about the future of their long lived MMOG. Topics included solo vs. group play, end game content, and the recently announced mini-expansions.

Eurogamer have news of 3 new expansions for FFXI.

They've been created by Square veteran Masato Kato, who worked as director and scenario writer on the likes of Chrono Trigger, Xenogears and the original release of FFXI.

The first expansion will be called A Crystalline Prophecy - Ode of Life Bestowing, in which players will "unravel the mysteries" of a giant primordial crystal hanging in the skies above the world.

After that will come A Moogle Kupo d'Etat - Evil in Small Doses. "It all started with an innocent drop of rainwater and a rickety, ramshackle Mog House desperately in need of repairs," says the press release. "Little did anyone suspect that this was only the beginning of a harrowing nightmare unheard of in the annals of moogle-kind."

Finally there's A Shantotto Ascension - The Legend Torn, Her Empire Born, about a mad professor who declares herself ruler of her own empire.

All in the title really.

The award-winning FINAL FANTASY XI, and all four expansion packs, are now available on the Direct2Drive service! For the low price of $19.95 per title, you can download the software directly from Direct2Drive onto your computer!

Click here to visit the Direct2Drive FINAL FANTASY XI site!

Also an album is on the way: Piano Collections FINAL FANTASY XI.

This CD is available for preorder only at the SQUARE ENIX Online Store
until June 12, 2008 10:30 a.m. PDT.
Limited, first-edition releases come packaged with an in-game item redemption code redeemable for a beautiful, hand-carved harpsichord for your Mog House.

For more information on Piano Collections FINAL FANTASY XI, click here.

 Jon Wood has some hands-on with Final Fantasy XI.

Last week, I had my very first opportunity to log into Square Enix’s Final Fantasy XI. For some reason this has been, for quite some time, on my list of games to try, but I’ve just never found the time before. Well, an invitation from the SE folks to participate in a small tour of the new Wings of the Goddess expansion was enough to finally get me to try it out.

First of all, to those of you who may have been in the same boat as I have, I would suggest that at some point you try this game out. Folks who are clamouring for an MMO that doesn’t resemble WoW in terms of the UI and the way that the game is played should certainly take a look.

The controls of Final Fantasy XI hold more of a resemblance to the franchise on which they are based than those of its MMORPG brothers. There is no attack bar at the bottom of the screen, players select their attack from a series of menus (like you’re used to if you’re a Final Fantasy fan).

FF XI update details from the official site.

Square Enix has announced the release of Wings of the Goddess, the latest expansion pack for Final Fantasy XI Online.  Head on over to the official site for purchase details. 

Head on over to the official Final Fantasy XI Online site for the full details of the long awaited version update for the Wings of the Goddess expansion.

The Wings of the Goddess expanson for Final Fantasy XI Online will mark the return of the Dancer to Vana'diel.  The official site has the details.

And so it was that in former times that dancers became truly sought after as battleworthy allies. Word soon spread of their inspiring ability to allay the troubled hearts of soldiers made uneasy by the trials and tribulations of the frontline, and of their prowess as heroines in their own right, staking their lives on the field of battle alongside the bravest of warriors. In this manner they came to garner immense favor and respect from all ranks in the great armies of Altana--such was the station of the dancer.

Square Enix has announced the release date for Wings of the Goddess, the fourth expansion pack for Final Fantasy XI Online.

London (20th September 2007) – Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of Square Enix® interactive entertainment products in Europe and other PAL territories, today announced that WINGS OF THE GODDESS™, the fourth expansion pack for FINAL FANTASY® XI, a successful massively multi-player online role-playing game (MMORPG), will receive a simultaneous worldwide release on Thursday 22nd November.

FINAL FANTASY XI was originally released on May 2002 in Japan with three expansion packs Rise of the Zilart™, Chains of Promathia™ and Treasures of Aht Urhgan™ following in recent years. In October 2003 the title was released in North America and the European release followed in September 2004. This year has also seen the introduction of the FINAL FANTASY XI Starter Pack, the ideal inexpensive introduction into the MMORPG genre. Now more than 500,000 subscribers are enjoying Vana’diel®, the world of FINAL FANTASY XI. With the release of the fourth expansion pack for Windows® and Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system, the world of Vana’diel will be an even livelier place to visit, expanding the community even further.

A revamped new player guide is now available at the official Final Fantasy XI Online site. Highlights include:

• basic actions
• getting into the game
• leveling up
• the first challenges

A preview of the new battlefield (Einherjar) to be added with the upcoming content update is available at the official FFXI Online site.

Einherjar is an ever-changing multiplayer battlefield based in the Hazhalm Training Grounds. Because the monsters appearing in the dungeons will differ with each visit, a balanced party consisting of skilled, high-level players is recommended to clear these challenging missions.

The official Final Fantasy XI Online site has word of adjustments being made to the difficult of certain Chains of Promethia content.

Particularly challenging Chains of Promathia battlefields, such as those that appear in the Promyvion areas (Holla, Dem, Mea, Vahzl), and the missions "Flames for the Dead" and "The Warrior's Path", will have their difficulty level toned down. These adjustments will include changes to monster level and placement.
We also hope that the following changes to items used specifically against Chains of Promathia enemies will encourage players to brave the dangers found in the mission battlefields.

The highly anticipated Chocobo racing content for Final Fantasy XI Online has arrived.

Grab your stirrups and break out the chocoboy hats, because the long-awaited chocobo racing feature has finally been released! Log in and mosey on down to your local CRA branch to sign up your very own chocobo today! What are you waiting for!?

For detailed information on chocobo racing, click here.
You can also click here to download exclusive footage of the races!

Squaresoft has announced that new versions of its hit MMORPG Final Fantasy XI Online will be launched at the eSports convention.

London (26th March 2007) – Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of Square Enix® interactive entertainment products in Europe and other PAL territories, today announces the German and French launch of the forthcoming FINAL FANTASY® XI 2007 Edition-the first MMORPG in the award-winning FINAL FANTASY® franchise that has sold over 75 million units worldwide.

To celebrate the release of FINAL FANTASY XI 2007 Edition and to introduce the new European language service that adds full German and French support to the world of Vana’diel®, Final Fantasy XI will be taking part in the eSports Convention being held from Friday, March 30th to Sunday, April 1st at the CineStar Original, Sony Center, Potdsdamer Place, in Berlin.

Square Enix is inviting players to come to the eSPORTS CONVENTION to try FINAL FANTASY XI in German and meet fellow adventurers. To celebrate the launch, there will be several gorgeous Mithra models at the booth, as well as numerous opportunities for players to win great prizes, including copies of the new FINAL FANTASY XI 2007 Edition.

FINAL FANTASY XI 2007 launch at the eSPORTS CONVENTION
Date: March 30th – April 1st 2007
Time: 10:00 – 24:00 (30th and 31st) 11:00 – 20:00 (1st only)
Address: CineStar Original, Sony Center, Potdsdamer Place, Berlin

How to play the German/French versions

Launched on March 8th 2007, Square Enix is now offering a language conversion download that makes it possible to play FINAL FANTASY XI in French or German.

This service is available for those who play using the EU version of the FINAL FANTASY XI package currently on sale for both Windows® and Xbox 360™.

The display language is automatically changed to the current Windows/Xbox 360 settings when the PlayOnline® Viewer is activated. Though, it is still possible to switch between languages, including English, at any time. Further details can be found at www.playonline.com

On March 30th a new FINAL FANTASY XI all-in-one package – the FINAL FANTASY XI 2007 Edition – will be released in Europe. The new packaged version for Windows® and Xbox 360™ will allow players to experience Vana’diel in German, French or English.

FINAL FANTASY XI 2007 Edition also contains all three FINAL FANTASY XI expansion packs-Rise of the Zilart®, Chains of Promathia® and the latest expansion pack release, Treasures of Aht Urhgan®, available together on Windows software for the first time.

The official Final Fantasy XI Online site has word of further account bannings .

We would like to report the termination today of multiple accounts held by players involved in the usage of third-party tools or cheats, or engaged in RMT (Real Money Trading) activities.

Based on the results of our investigation, over 6,800 PlayOnline accounts were terminated while over 1,100 accounts were temporarily suspended.

Details of the March Update are available at the official Final Fantasy XI Online site. 

The Final Fantasy XI Online development team has experienced some difficulties while testing the game on the Windows Vista platform.

We are currently running performance validation of our software with Microsoft® Windows Vista™, soon to be released by Microsoft Corporation, using the final release candidate Windows Vista RC2. As of January 2007, we have confirmed that the PlayOnline Viewer and content on PlayOnline fails to function due to the problems listed below. 

Details of a New Year event are available on the official Final Fantasy XI Online site.

Fortune's Menagerie

And now comes this rumor of herds of a certain beast traipsing across every area of Vana'diel.

In the words of a Far Eastern-born mercenary,
"In my land, there is a beast whose tusks are said to govern the provinces of wealth and prosperity. Perhaps some intrepid soul believed these creatures to be the ones I have described, and brought them to the Middle Lands for luck. It is strange, for they bear little resemblance..."

While spending a leisurely New Year in the comforts of their Mog House may sound appealing to some, you might find more excitement in chasing down these mystery beasts across field and valley!
Who knows? Perhaps an encounter with these creatures will have some effect on your fortunes...

We wish everyone a year filled with happiness and prosperity!

Event Details

This event is scheduled to begin Sunday, December 31, and end on Monday, January 15, 0:00 (PST).

The Final Fantasy XI Online team has announced another round of account bannings.

Over 7,700 accounts in violation of the FINAL FANTASY XI user agreement were suspended or banned today. These accounts belonged to users that engaged in RMT activities or made use of third-party tools or "cheats".

Click here for details.

The notes for the latest version update are now available at the official Final Fantasy XI Online site.

New chocobo raising features such as Kamp Kweh and the Chocobo Hot and Cold Game, job adjustments, new multiplayer battlefields, and more are all now available with the December version update!

Click here for more details about what's been added! 

Stratics has some exclusive screenshots available. 

Head on over to the official Final Fantasy XI Online site for a short preview of Salvage, the new battle type to be added in the next version update.

The Aht Urhgan expansion pack has introduced a myriad of new battles--from the quick, SWAT-style Assault missions to the citywide skirmishes experienced in Besieged. Salvage continues in this tradition by offering several new exploratory missions designed for alliances. While similar to Limbus battles in that up to 18 adventurers can participate, Salvage battles are more than a relentless assault on a seemingly never-ending wave of enemies—they will require precise teamwork and impeccable strategy to complete.

Changes to Chocobos are once again in the wind at the official Final Fantasy XI Online site.

Two big new additions are being planned for the coming version update--Kamp Kweh and the Chocobo Hot and Cold Game! Also, several features such as new abilities and changes in chocobo behavior all guarantee to take chocobo raising to a higher level of excitement!

Click here for more details.

The official Final Fantasy XI Online site has details of upcoming changes to the paladin, dark knight, blue mage, corsair and puppetmaster jobs.  Here are the paladin adjustments by way of example.

Paladin Adjustments

With high defensive capabilities and enmity generation in mind, we will be adjusting the effect of the paladin job abilities Sentinel and Rampart.

Sentinel
The effect of Sentinel will be changed from an increase in defense to straight damage mitigation.
Also, all actions taken while Sentinel is in effect will generate additional enmity, allowing the paladin to more easily gain and maintain an enemy's attention.

Rampart
In addition to the defense bonus granted to party members within the area of effect, Rampart will now also provide a "Magic Shield" that will absorb a certain amount of magic damage in the same manner as the spell "Stoneskin."

Shield Mastery
In addition to granting a TP bonus, the Shield Mastery job trait will also prevent interruption to spell casting when an enemy's attack is blocked with a shield.

The official Final Fantasy XI Online site reports that over 11,500 accounts in violation of the game's terms of service have been either banned or suspended.

We would like to report the termination today of multiple accounts held by players involved in the usage of third-party tools or cheats, or engaged in RMT (Real Money Trading) activities.

In relation to the severity of the violation, over 2,500 accounts were temporarily suspended, while over 9,000 accounts were permanently banned.

Head on over to the official Final Fantasy XI Online site for a look at what the newly launched version update has to offer. 

MMORPG has taken a new look at Final Fantasy XI, scoring Square Enix' game at 6.5/10:

However, there is one particular weakness presented by the mission-based storyline. While in the early stages of the game, nearly all of the missions are very simple, and can be soloed with minimal effort. Naturally, the missions will become more difficult, and require a party, and in some cases, numerous parties to complete them. However, the difficulty curve in missions is both quick and unforgiving. Players will not be able to advance very far into the storyline until they have hit the level cap, 75, or without the aid of numerous high level friends. Whether this was the intention of Square Enix or a flaw in the game's design is not my place to say, however, I found it frustrating personally to advance halfway through the game's storyline, only to be stonewalled for nearly 40 more levels. Essentially, if you aren't planning on playing this game all the way to the end, there's a very good chance you won't be able to truly appreciate the game's storyline. Even if you do manage to hit the level cap, you will not be able to progress without the aid of numerous friends/allies, and the missions can take several hours to complete. It requires a certain degree of dedication and networking to really enjoy advancing the plot.

The samurai's job abilities and traits are often needed for specific situations, but tend not to stand out in experience-gaining parties. The next version update will address this issue as well as make the samurai a more viable support job for main jobs that utilize two-handed weapons.

[New Job Abilities]
Both an offensive and defensive job ability will be added. The casting intervals were made shorter than the durations so that players can use the abilities whenever they are needed. In addition, the abilities are learned at a level low enough to allow their use even when samurai is set as a support job.

As a result of adjustments to make ranged attack damage differ according to the distance from the target, jobs that specialize in ranged attacks have suffered a decrease in performance. In the next version update, we plan to reassess the adjustments made to accuracy and attack power according to distance from target.

[The Distance Calculation and Added Effects]
Ranged attack damage and accuracy are currently adjusted by a calculation based on the distance of the player from the enemy target. However, we plan to decrease the values for ranged accuracy and ranged attacks used in this calculation. This will ensure that the calculation will no longer largely eliminate the enhancements given by meals and equipment. Instead, the effects will be added directly to the player's attributes.

Soon players can expect more from care plans and experience a variety of new chocobo colors and appearances. Chocobo raisers have a lot to look forward to in the next version update!

Changes to Care Plans and Direct Care

Chocobo attributes will soon increase at a greater rate when using care plans. In addition, several additions and adjustments will be made to direct care, and a measure to wake the chocobo up while sleeping will also be introduced.

Today, a number of accounts which were confirmed to have violated the user agreement by using unauthorized third-party software tools within FINAL FANTASY XI to enable abnormal in-game movement were discovered and have been suspended or permanently terminated.

Based on the results of an investigation, over 1,400 PlayOnline accounts have been either suspended or terminated on Aug. 30, 2006 for the malicious and intentional use of these third-party tools.

We would like to take this time to remind our players that the use of any third-party tools will not only destroy the in-game balance, but will also encourage RMT (real money trading) activities. We will continue to take strict actions against those individuals that we have confirmed to have used such tools.

Please note that some of these third-party tools may cause character information to be altered, erased, or personal information to be leaked to unwanted third parties. If you come across a third-party tool over the Internet, we ask that you please refrain from the download of such a tool, no matter how minor it may appear to be.

To ensure our customers could enjoy the game safely, we will continue to apply measurements to combat these third-party tools and violations.

We thank you for your cooperation and understanding in this matter.

Square Enix is proud to announce that the award-winning FINAL FANTASY XI for Xbox 360 is now available for only $29.99! Now it's easier than ever for new adventurers to experience Vana'diel in hi-definition using this complete package that includes the complete original game plus all three expansion packs!

See you soon in Vana'diel!

The PlayOnline option to "Carry Over" Xbox 360 Beta Test Characters, or "Carry Over Data" from Content Ids will end at the date listed below. We will not be accepting any carry over requests once this date expires.

[Date]
Ending Date
2006 Sept. 1 0:00 PDT

Click here for details.

The highly anticipated chocobo raising system has finally been added in today's update. Now you can raise your very own chocobo! After it reaches a certain stage of growth, you can even match it with a friend's chocobo!
Click here for details.

Have you ever wanted to work for a cutting-edge entertainment company or wanted to be a Game Master to assist MMO players with in-game issues? Now is your chance! Square Enix Inc. is looking to hire some FINAL FANTASY XI players to provide Game Master support for our North American, British, French and German players. We are looking for candidates who are fluent in English/French or English/German. To qualify for the position, you MUST be fluent (both written and verbal) in either French or German, live in the Los Angeles region, and have customer service experience and a love of video games. If you qualify and are interested in this position, please contact The Eastridge Group at 619-260-5117. Point of contact will be either Chris Washa or April Artunian. Hope to see you on board soon!

The days just keep getting hotter and hotter! But according to our sources in the Mog House Management Union (M.H.M.U.), the officials from each nation have decided to hold another festival to beat the heat! Yes, the Sunbreeze Festival is back with its upbeat music and dancing to bring cool breezes down from the heavens to Vana'diel.

The rumor is out, and the nations are getting into the festive mood. Volunteers from various shops and guilds have gathered to create town decorations and fireworks for the festival, and the moogles are out searching the nations of Vana'diel for Rakapopo Dancers. The goldfish scooping merchants are also hard at work mass-producing super scoops that break under the weight of particularly jumpy fish.

Chocobo raising and the continuation of the Treasures of Aht Urhgan storyline have been excluded from the July 24, 2006 version update. These features will become available according to the schedule below:

Continuation of the Treasures of Aht Urhgan storyline: Aug. 2, 2006
Chocobo Raising: Aug. 22, 2006

More details will be announced when they become available.

With the upcoming merit point additions, you will be able to improve your character even further with all-new abilities and spells in the existing 15 job categories.

Merit point job categories will also become available for blue mages, corsairs, and puppetmasters.

Today, a number of accounts which were confirmed to have violated the user agreement by using unauthorized third-party software tools within FINAL FANTASY XI to enable abnormal in-game movement were discovered and have been permanently suspended.

Based on the results of an investigation, over 2,000 PlayOnline accounts have been either suspended or terminated on Jul. 21, 2006 for the malicious and intentional use of these third-party tools.

We would like to take this time to remind our players that the use of any third-party tools will not only destroy the in-game balance, but will also encourage RMT (Real Money Trade) activities. We will continue to take strict actions against those individuals that we have confirmed to have used such tools.

Please note that some of these third-party tools may cause character information to be altered, erased, or personal information to be leaked to unwanted third parties. If you come across a third-party tool over the Internet, we ask that you please refrain from the download of such a tool, no matter how minor it may appear to be.

To ensure our customers could enjoy their games safely, we will continue to apply measurements to combat these third-party tools and violations.

We thank you for your cooperation and understanding in this matter.

Yesterday's report that Square Enix was working on a follow-up to their MMO Final Fantasy XI has been shot down by the publisher.

As the Company announced in May 2005, it is currently developing an online title for next-generation platforms including game consoles and PCs; however, this title is being developed as a completely new MMORPG (Massive Multiplayer Online RPG). We will disclose further details of this title, including platform compatibility, immediately after any relevant decisions are made.

While one mystery has been shot down, another surfaces, what exactly is Square Enix working on in the MMO space?

Japan's Nikkei Net news service reports today that Square Enix is currently at work on a sequel to Final Fantasy XI. The next generation massively multiplayer online RPG is being developed for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Windows Vista formats. Further details are not provided.

The moogles are in the process of planning another fun-filled Sunbreeze Festival! This year's event will take place starting on July 25th, so grab some sunscreen and head to Vana'diel!

Since its introduction in the Treasures of Aht Urhgan expansion disc, Besieged has become far more popular than the development team ever anticipated.

This popularity leads to certain victory with little need for strategy on almost every World, as hundreds of players unite to repel the beastman hordes. With the gradual adjustments that have been implemented, it is now possible to witness the furious battle unfolding within Al Zahbi. However, many players have voiced their desire to participate in a more strategy-based Besieged.
With this aim in mind, the following adjustments are planned for the upcoming version update.

New Notorious Monsters

With the addition of Notorious Monsters that require more than just numbers to defeat, Al Zahbi will find itself under attack from even more powerful beastman armies.

1UP: Have you enjoyed the response to Treasures of Aht Urhgan so far? What has the overall feedback and reaction been to the expansion?

Kouichi Ogawa [Treasures of Aht Urhgan,Director]: We are extremely pleased at the overwhelming reaction of the players. While this expansion was designed to cater to higher level players, we are pleased that mid to lower level players are also having fun with the new features. We have also noticed that many people are enjoying the light-hearted quests and missions.

We have also received much positive feedback on the three new jobs and how players are enjoying customizing their characters, as well as learning their roles and maximizing their abilities in battle. When developing the Assault missions, the main concept was providing players with a quick quest they could complete before logging off for the day. And from what we've seen, it looks like a lot of people are doing this. Though, we admit that requiring you to first gain access to the runic portals was probably a lot of work. [Laughs] We plan to continue upgrading Assault, and hope you all look forward to what the future has to offer.

The artifact quests are continuations of the previously available "An Empty Vessel," "Luck of the Draw," and "No Strings Attached" quests. Like the artifact quests for other jobs, there will be three quests for each new job that the player must complete in order to attain the artifact weapon and two pieces of armor.

The other three pieces of artifact armor will not be available in coffers, but instead can be obtained by a new method. The Aht Urhgan areas are for high-level players, and placing coffers in these areas would make the artifact quests significantly more difficult than those for the other jobs.

The Truth Behind Chocobos

For the people of Vana'diel, chocobos are reliable traveling companions and the most accessible mode of transportation. In recent years, demand for chocobos has exploded in response to the activities of adventurers, but surprisingly little is known about the way chocobos live and are raised.

The Vana'diel Chocobo Society (VCS) takes up the task of educating choco-gals and choco-guys and dispatching them to chocobo stables across Vana'diel. Below, VCS President Hantileon answers some of our questions regarding chocobo raising.

The FINAL FANTASY XI Linkshell Community beta version starts today! Use this page for all your linkshell needs, including everything from recruiting members for missions to posting news on upcoming events.
Register your linkshell here.

New Assault Missions

In conjunction with the release of the two new mercenary ranks, we will be introducing additional Assault missions. Five new missions will be available at the rank of Lance Corporal, and another five missions at the rank of Corporal.
A wider range of options and the necessity for unique strategies will accompany these new missions, so don't let your mercenary skills grow rusty!

New Missions

The FINAL FANTASY XI Development Team left difficult battles out of the early Treasures of Aht Urhgan missions in order to allow as many players as possible to enjoy the new content. However, the new missions will be aimed for higher level players, reinforcing the words of Naja Salaheem: "Salaheem's Sentinels only takes the best of the best, the crrream of the crop!"

Fierce adversaries and the mysteries of the Aht Urhgan Empire await you

What is a Chocobo?

The chocobo is a large, herbivorous bird with powerful legs and a sharp, sturdy beak. Its size and impressive speed make it the most popular type of mount in Vana'diel. Although too small to allow flight, the chocobo's wings assist in keeping balance and also function as a type of brake.
A species native to the La Theine Plateau, the wild chocobo were once seen racing across the plains in great numbers. However, as the people of Vana'diel began to realize the utility of this fleet-footed creature, more and more chocobos were captured and domesticated. A truly wild chocobo is now a rare sight to behold.
Adventurers mainly use the chocobo as a mount, but there are those who are skilled at using gysahl greens to have the animal dig holes, taking advantage of its natural instinct to bury food.

The first version update after the release of the Treasures of Aht Urhgan expansion disc is scheduled to take place in mid-July. As announced at the FINAL FANTASY XI Fan Festival 2006, players will finally be able to raise their own chocobos! Adjustments to Besieged, new missions and quests, and a variety of other additions and changes are also on the way! More information will be posted on this site as soon as it is made available, so keep checking back for the latest updates!

Recently, a number of accounts which were confirmed to have violated the the user agreement by using unauthorized third-party software tools were discovered and have been permanently suspended.

Since the middle of May, 2006, the development team and the GMs carried out a detailed investigation of this problem, and discovered the existence of a group using illicit methods to produce large amounts of gil that are later sold in the real world (Real Money Trading). We would like to take this opportunity to outline the measures that have been taken to correct this issue.

The FINAL FANTASY XI Linkshell Community Beta Version is a new service that will be available to adventurers in the very near future! Now you will be able to communicate with your linkshell members from any location with Internet access!

Community Support Tools

Many tools are provided by the Linkshell Community to support the groups that adventurers have formed within the world of FINAL FANTASY XI. For example, members of a linkshell will have access to an exclusive message board, as well as an up-to-date list of current member information. The Linkshell Community will also provide a linkshell search function and a list of recently formed linkshells for each individual World.

A lot has changed since Final Fantasy XI's North American PC launch in 2003. Thanks in large part to PC games like World of Warcraft, City of Heroes and EverQuest II, MMOs have seen their first significant evolution, ushering millions of new players into a genre previously populated by the hardest of the hardcore. Despite this, the MMO genre hasn't seen much action on the console front apart from a couple of key exceptions (the PS2 version of Final Fantasy XI being one of them). Not content to see its long-running and admirably successful MMORPG on only two platforms, Square Enix has decided to let Final Fantasy XI mark its first foray on the Xbox 360. Had it taken place during the previous console generation, this would have been quite monumental. But despite the affection that its devoted playerbase has for the game, FFXI is no spring chicken.