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Final Fantasy XIV Information Thread | PC Open Beta... yeah it's not really open.
- Thread starter Kagari
- Start date
With Yoshida at the art helm, i'm sure every place will have its own distinct style. Also that was just a small part of the city.
Repost for easy access:
- Active Mode & Passive Mode Active Mode is largely the "battle-ready" state, while Passive Mode is traveling and performing other tasks. These modes will not be 100% limited to only those situations, however. There may be times when you want to keep up Active Mode to quickly move from fight to fight, or even remain in Passive Mode during an encounter depending on your role.
- Healing Players will be able to heal (i.e. rest to recover HP) only when in Passive Mode. If you switch to Active Mode, perhaps to do battle, the effect of healing will end. It is possible to heal mid-battle, but only after switching back to Passive Mode first.
- Preemptive Strike! Both players and monsters will have Active Mode and Passive Mode. If a player gets into Active Mode and attacks a monster still in Passive Mode, they can score a Preemptive Strike. This will be an advantageous way to start a fight, though there were no details on what actual effects it might have. And be careful, because enemies can Preemptive Strike players as well.
- Flexible Party System Magazines earlier this month quoted the developers as saying a 6-8 man party would be average. However, in the complete version of the interview, they seem reluctant to pin down any number at all. While Final Fantasy XI ended up locking on 6 as the magic number for party size, Final Fantasy XIV aims to be much more lenient. You can start an adventure with 3 people, add on a fourth along the way, or even go forth with a band of 6 or more.
- The Price of Flexibility It may sound like the larger the party, the easier content will become, but the developers assure us that will not always be the case. Not to mention, there will be less treasure to go around if a giant group all go together. It is also mentioned that players who receive tons of help all the time will have a hard time growing as players. This does not appear to indicate any actual penalty, but rather the experience of the player behind the screen. They follow up saying they hope adventurers find excitement in the challenge, and thus bring appropriate groups for quests instead of overwhelming ones.
- Going it Solo Being able to solo will factor big into the world of Eorzea, and the developers reveal that they are working hard to make a game that does not impede the solo player. Naturally, since enemies can appear in parties, there will be difficult, or even insurmountable challenges out there. However, Iwao in particular finds a certain romantic image in the lone adventurer, and hopes to accomodate that playing style to the fullest.
Repost for easy access:
- Active Mode & Passive Mode Active Mode is largely the "battle-ready" state, while Passive Mode is traveling and performing other tasks. These modes will not be 100% limited to only those situations, however. There may be times when you want to keep up Active Mode to quickly move from fight to fight, or even remain in Passive Mode during an encounter depending on your role.
- Healing Players will be able to heal (i.e. rest to recover HP) only when in Passive Mode. If you switch to Active Mode, perhaps to do battle, the effect of healing will end. It is possible to heal mid-battle, but only after switching back to Passive Mode first.
- Preemptive Strike! Both players and monsters will have Active Mode and Passive Mode. If a player gets into Active Mode and attacks a monster still in Passive Mode, they can score a Preemptive Strike. This will be an advantageous way to start a fight, though there were no details on what actual effects it might have. And be careful, because enemies can Preemptive Strike players as well.
- Flexible Party System Magazines earlier this month quoted the developers as saying a 6-8 man party would be average. However, in the complete version of the interview, they seem reluctant to pin down any number at all. While Final Fantasy XI ended up locking on 6 as the magic number for party size, Final Fantasy XIV aims to be much more lenient. You can start an adventure with 3 people, add on a fourth along the way, or even go forth with a band of 6 or more.
- The Price of Flexibility It may sound like the larger the party, the easier content will become, but the developers assure us that will not always be the case. Not to mention, there will be less treasure to go around if a giant group all go together. It is also mentioned that players who receive tons of help all the time will have a hard time growing as players. This does not appear to indicate any actual penalty, but rather the experience of the player behind the screen. They follow up saying they hope adventurers find excitement in the challenge, and thus bring appropriate groups for quests instead of overwhelming ones.
- Going it Solo Being able to solo will factor big into the world of Eorzea, and the developers reveal that they are working hard to make a game that does not impede the solo player. Naturally, since enemies can appear in parties, there will be difficult, or even insurmountable challenges out there. However, Iwao in particular finds a certain romantic image in the lone adventurer, and hopes to accomodate that playing style to the fullest.
LeMaximilian
Alligator F*ck House
SuperJ said:
rusashi said:
Yep, ran the LS for awhile when it first started. Dunno if they still exist at all.
The graphics are good enough, when you get more people to play it'll be more lively. i'm more concern with the animation and clipping into stuff, which looks really off for a 2010 game.
anyway, regarding the active mode, does anyone know your field of vision? in FFXI it was narrow as hell, you couldn't attack stuff that's slightly off to your side.
anyway, regarding the active mode, does anyone know your field of vision? in FFXI it was narrow as hell, you couldn't attack stuff that's slightly off to your side.
Alex
Member
There weren't that many orchestrated tracks in Final Fantasy XIII, the majority was either pure synth or synth with a few live instruments mixed in, which Square Music has done in most of their titles since the PSone. Also, Hamauzu isn't Uematsu.
Unless FFXIII was more of a fuck up that it even seemed, it still probably doesn't quite compare to the budget for XIV as well. MMO's are EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE to make, even moreso than a game that is nothing more than a gauntlet of hallways and cutscenes.
Lost Odyssey had more orchestrated pieces than most games by far, but it was a big, event driven drama and it still wasn't even half live.
XIV is an MMO, and based off XI it'll have a lot more raw, varried tracks than the single player titles. Which is why it was so surprising that Uematsu offered to go it solo when XI opened up with three composers (even though Mizuta did the bulk of the work).
Also, as a game with an extreme playtime and high repetition of even 100+ tracks, orchestra would be a bad idea even if they had the time, money and time/budget to get it done. Game players VASTLY overrate orchestra, especially under wear and tear of an online title.
Unless FFXIII was more of a fuck up that it even seemed, it still probably doesn't quite compare to the budget for XIV as well. MMO's are EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE to make, even moreso than a game that is nothing more than a gauntlet of hallways and cutscenes.
Lost Odyssey had more orchestrated pieces than most games by far, but it was a big, event driven drama and it still wasn't even half live.
XIV is an MMO, and based off XI it'll have a lot more raw, varried tracks than the single player titles. Which is why it was so surprising that Uematsu offered to go it solo when XI opened up with three composers (even though Mizuta did the bulk of the work).
Also, as a game with an extreme playtime and high repetition of even 100+ tracks, orchestra would be a bad idea even if they had the time, money and time/budget to get it done. Game players VASTLY overrate orchestra, especially under wear and tear of an online title.
I should be doing hw
Member
There's a lotta experts in this thread.
Unknown Soldier
Member
I think the thing people liked about Aion was that it followed a much more cartoonish aesthetic yet was much more detailed and visually interesting than WoW. Also, Aion was like the most anime MMOG ever, and considering NCSoft is the Korean MMOG monopoly, that's saying something that those Korean guys were able to have the anime meter well over 9,000 and make it look good. :lol
Compared to that, "Life in Eorzea #1" made FFXIV look like just another MMOG with the standard European-derived fantasy elements and the standard drab colors and the standard boring architecture. Aion didn't have a ton of texture detail but it was interesting to look at, all the zones looked very unusual and your eye was drawn to how fascinating it looked. Aion looked like another world, plus the character detail in Aion was fantastic. FFXIV looks like FFXI-2, which it is so I can't fault it for that, but seriously, the architecture is so generic and bland and boring. I hope the non-city zones look more interesting and not like I was going for a hike outside here on Earth. Aion absolutely nailed the otherworldly aesthetic, FFXIV's Eorzea looks like Ivalice (Squenix's other historical European stand-in fantasy world) and Ivalice is BORING. If you want to see how to do historical Europe and make it look visually interesting, just play Valkyria Chronicles.
Compared to that, "Life in Eorzea #1" made FFXIV look like just another MMOG with the standard European-derived fantasy elements and the standard drab colors and the standard boring architecture. Aion didn't have a ton of texture detail but it was interesting to look at, all the zones looked very unusual and your eye was drawn to how fascinating it looked. Aion looked like another world, plus the character detail in Aion was fantastic. FFXIV looks like FFXI-2, which it is so I can't fault it for that, but seriously, the architecture is so generic and bland and boring. I hope the non-city zones look more interesting and not like I was going for a hike outside here on Earth. Aion absolutely nailed the otherworldly aesthetic, FFXIV's Eorzea looks like Ivalice (Squenix's other historical European stand-in fantasy world) and Ivalice is BORING. If you want to see how to do historical Europe and make it look visually interesting, just play Valkyria Chronicles.
Im sure like XI, most of the early Eorzea zones will be fairly realistic looking as far as terrain goes. Things will probably get outlandish in Garlean empire areas / places controlled by those beastman gods.
Seriously check some of these XI areas:
Even Phantasy Star Online started out in fairly normal environments (not an MMO but still).
Seriously check some of these XI areas:
Even Phantasy Star Online started out in fairly normal environments (not an MMO but still).
Unknown Soldier said:
To be fair, double-digit percentages of anime are drawn in Korea. :lol
I think the appeal of Yoshida was always that he combined the near-realist palettes and forms of "high" fantasy with a solid dose of Japanese superflat, and so far XIV looks to be in keeping with it. It probably won't win over any new converts, but the stolidity of the video we have is probably as much it being Neo-Bastok, home of the stark designs that lend themselves to both human characters and a fledgling republic.
This isn't to say it will be anything other than a FFXI-2, but a FFXI-2 can be plenty fantastic in its own way even if it's not technicolour glowing eyes and blinkenlights. I'm sure !Windurst will be plenty whimsical and !Sandy more grandiose.
Pai Pai Master
Banned
Start the goddamn alpha!!!
Dreamwriter
Member
Starter's busted. Someone give it a good whack while I turn the ignition.
Alex
Member
Why are we talking about Aion as if it had any quality or even an ounce of good will going for it?
It's an awful piece of software and just another Korean hypergrind. If you want to settle for Korean hypergrinds then you can find them with ANY atheistic you wish, because they release a new one every time you blink. Licensing (and terribly misusing) the Crysis engine doesn't spare Aion from anything. It's still the dregs of the genre.
Also, personal opinions are personal opinions. I think Aion is fairly damned hideous. The entire game comes across as someone trying to put a legitimate spin on the big bunch of awkward fetishes that composes a lot of it's peers.
Most of the environments are either vastly over designed nonsense or under designed nothingness, the color scheming is that heinous blend type of pastels (especially pink and blue) that's become the norm in these types and the entire character roster is one big clusterfuck of creepy fetish pandering.
It's the kind of look that sacrifices art direction and legitimacy in order to look pretty, fluffy and fashionable at all times, for the type of folks who want their raids to be full of angel girls who leave trails of cherry blossom petals.
Some people like that, I contest all of those people are on the Vanille defense force.
It's an awful piece of software and just another Korean hypergrind. If you want to settle for Korean hypergrinds then you can find them with ANY atheistic you wish, because they release a new one every time you blink. Licensing (and terribly misusing) the Crysis engine doesn't spare Aion from anything. It's still the dregs of the genre.
Also, personal opinions are personal opinions. I think Aion is fairly damned hideous. The entire game comes across as someone trying to put a legitimate spin on the big bunch of awkward fetishes that composes a lot of it's peers.
Most of the environments are either vastly over designed nonsense or under designed nothingness, the color scheming is that heinous blend type of pastels (especially pink and blue) that's become the norm in these types and the entire character roster is one big clusterfuck of creepy fetish pandering.
It's the kind of look that sacrifices art direction and legitimacy in order to look pretty, fluffy and fashionable at all times, for the type of folks who want their raids to be full of angel girls who leave trails of cherry blossom petals.
Some people like that, I contest all of those people are on the Vanille defense force.
Watching everybody bicker and speculate over scraps of info is hilarious.
The graphics look fine to me, minus the slow fps (which was prevalent in ffxi). I hope they iron that out. Having amazing graphics doesn't guarantee good gameplay (see Aion or other Korean MMOs), and having simple graphics doesn't mean shitty gameplay (see WoW). That's all that matters at the end anyways is how the game plays. That's why I'm looking forward to FFXIV.
Also it's only one area people. Imagine, if for a trailer of FFXI, they only showed characters running in Gustaburg.
The previous vids of that grassy area looked pretty impressive, and yes it does have a FFXI-HD feel, but that should have been evident from the first shots they released a long time ago. I'm not sure why there's surprise about it now.
The graphics look fine to me, minus the slow fps (which was prevalent in ffxi). I hope they iron that out. Having amazing graphics doesn't guarantee good gameplay (see Aion or other Korean MMOs), and having simple graphics doesn't mean shitty gameplay (see WoW). That's all that matters at the end anyways is how the game plays. That's why I'm looking forward to FFXIV.
Also it's only one area people. Imagine, if for a trailer of FFXI, they only showed characters running in Gustaburg.
The previous vids of that grassy area looked pretty impressive, and yes it does have a FFXI-HD feel, but that should have been evident from the first shots they released a long time ago. I'm not sure why there's surprise about it now.
Xux
Member
Alex said:
Oh, okay. It just seemed okay to assume it'd be a natural progression for this game to have more orchestral stuff than FFXIII. I remember (now that I've thought about it) an interview where Uematsu said this game'd have a pretty nice mixture of styles. The Limsa Lominsa theme is a very orchestral style and...well, I can't really tell if it's actually orchestrated or not on these speakers but it is pretty convincing. I can't even tell if it's different from the version in the first trailer.
Assuming it is the Limsa Lominsa theme and not some overall theme or march or whatever.
Oh, okay; thanks, Teknoman.
LeMaximilian
Alligator F*ck House
Jonnyram said:
Haha, yoyo JR. Still can't thank you enough for singlehandedly saving my FFXI account from a swift death.
LeMaximilian
Alligator F*ck House
LeMaximilian said:
Kuraine said:I'm here too..! (Cobbi) This is also my first post on GAF. Oh god what have I done. I can no longer claim to just lurk
It's a straight-up Ragnarok party in this thread now.
Ooooooooh sheeeeeeet, it's like a high school reunion. If only Noda had an account :lol
edit: gargh double post, got excited.
Freyjadour
Member
Teknoman said:
My main beef with XI and those images is how god damned flat everything is. Hills! Cliffs! Structures! Z-Axis! Regardless of your opinions of XI (and XIV's) art, it really takes away from the overall immersion when you feel so bound to flat surfaces. If characters plop down hillsides like greased up obese children down a slip-n-slide again, I'm going to be disappointed
.
Rentahamster
Rodent Whores
I'll bet that Youtube locks their videos at 30fps.Kintaro said:So, what's the betting line on gameplay being locked at 30 FPS this time around again?
Freyjadour said:My main beef with XI and those images is how god damned flat everything is. Hills! Cliffs! Structures! Z-Axis! Regardless of your opinions of XI (and XIV's) art, it really takes away from the overall immersion when you feel so bound to flat surfaces. If characters plop down hillsides like greased up obese children down a slip-n-slide again, I'm going to be disappointed
PS2 limitations
>_>
<_<
lol seriously I hope the terrain isnt as flat as XI as well. The early XIV videos showed alot of hilly areas though, and the characters could walk up them no problem (animations matched too).
LeMaximilian
Alligator F*ck House
Firehead said:
Most likely, played the game for 4 years, about 4 years ago.
LeMaximilian said:
Max!!! So long time
Vadrek here! I really miss our Zenmetsu Days, I can ask Kenshi is the LS is still running 
.Now FFXIV Long post.
FINAL FANTASY XIV Alpha Test Manual
FINAL FANTASY XIV is a cross-nation, cross-platform massively multi-player online role-playing game (MMORPG) that brings together people from all across the world to compete, cooperate, and communicate within the virtual fantasy realm known as Eorzea. While solo adventuring is always an option, most will agree that joining forces with their fellow gamers not only makes the game that much easier, but that much more fun as well!
* The Alpha/Beta versions contain only a fraction of what is planned in the full version. This includes playable races and clans, character customization options, selectable classes, and available areas, to name a few.
1. After logging in, select New from the Character Selection screen.
2. Select your characters race, clan, and gender.
3. Choose a preset appearance for your character.
4. Customize various aspects of your characters appearance via the available menus.
5. Select your characters starting class*.
6. Select your characters nameday (birthday) and guardian (patron deity).
7. Input your characters first and last name.
8. Select the city-state in which you wish to begin your adventure.
9. Finally, select Enter to create your character and begin the game.
* Classes
In FINAL FANTASY XIV, a players class is determined by the arm or tool in his/her hand. The class chosen during character creation simply determines the items a player begins the game with. Players can change their class at any time by simply equipping different items they purchase, find, or create.
- Note
In the Alpha Version, a characters race, clan, gender, nameday, and guardian do not affect his/her attributes.
At the onset of the game, you will find yourself on a boat, though at this point your character is already within what is called an instanced area, meaning it will not be occupied by any other players.
* Instanced areas, or instances, are areas in which only players directly related to or involved in what happens within may enter. The initial stages of gameplay in the Alpha Test will take place in instanced areas which only single players may occupy.
Instances will only be used for special events, such as the games opening sequence. For the most part, gameplay will take place within public areas occupied by any of a number of players.
As you progress through the opening event, the ship will eventually make port. After arriving, speak to the NPC Hob, who will be located directly ahead of you. At certain points in the game, Hob will present you with a list of options in accordance with your progress. For now, select the option presented to continue through the current event.
After speaking with NPC Hob and proceeding to the location to which you have been directed, there will be another NPC named Baderon who will present you with another set of options. After speaking to Baderon, you will automatically be transported from to a public area.
In public areas you will come across many other players. As fellow adventurers, it is up to you to make the most of your time in Eorzea together!
1. Display Name
The color of a display name reveals important information.
White Other PCs
Blue Party members
Green NPCs
Yellow Enemies
Red Engaged enemies
* Semi-Transparent Display Names
When the display name of a PC is semi-transparent, it indicates that player is currently in a different area than you. These PCs are still displayed on-screen to help contribute to the seamless transitioning between areas. However, players should note that party invites cannot be extended across areas.
2. Minimap
The minimap displays the immediate vicinity around you, the direction you are facing, the direction the camera is facing, and the position of various NPCs.
3. Log
This display contains all of the various logs used to display text within the game, such as the system log, combat log, and chat log. Players may input text by selecting the chat prompt area.
4. Unit Frame
The unit frame displays various aspects of your characters status, such as HP, MP, and TP.
5. Connection Status
1. Action Bar
This bar displays the various commands available for use in relation to the PC or NPC you are currently targeting.
2. Action Gauge
This gauge tells how much time is left before the next action may be executed. Though there are a few exceptions, for the most part all attacks, abilities, weapon skills, and spells require that the action gauge be full.
For certain classes, a secondary action gauge will appear when a shield is equipped in the off hand. All shield-related commands will make use of this gauge.
The action gauges of the main hand and off hand are entirely independent of one another. Should a character have a shield equipped in their off hand, two action gauges will be displayed simultaneously.
3. Effect Gauge
The effect gauge comes to life once the action gauge has completely filled. When a command is executed, the state of the effect gauge will determine certain bonuses to factors such as accuracy, power, or potency. These bonuses apply to all actions, both physical and magical.
- Other
- Passive Mode and Active Mode
Passive Mode is the designation given to the state in which a players arm or tool is not drawn. In this mode, hit points regenerate automatically.
Active Mode refers to the state in which a players arm or tool is drawn. In this mode, various battle commands are available, but movement speed is reduced in comparison to passive mode.
- Arms and Tools
There are a vast array of arms and tools in FINAL FANTASY XIV which allow players to assume the role of any of a number of classes. However, the following conditions should be kept in mind when changing equipment.
Equipping Arms Players must be in passive mode and not engaged with an enemy.
Equipping Tools Players must be in passive mode.
During the Alpha Test phase, there will be a total of nine types of arms and tools available (swords, hand-to-hand weapons, axes, polearms, bows, conjurer arms, thaumaturge arms, hammers, and pickaxes). Players can change their class simply by virtue of changing the arm or tool they have equipped in their hand.
The Flow of Battle
1. Ready an arm or tool, changing from passive mode to active mode.
2. Target an enemy.
3. Select a command from the action bar, and make use of the action and effect gauges to execute it effectively.
4. Strategize with other party members, deciding upon an appropriate Battle Regimen*.
5. Gain victory in battle to be rewarded with experience and skill points.
6. Obtain and distribute any loot dropped by the enemy.
* Battle Regimen
Battle Regimens are combat tactics which party members may employ against a single enemy. By coordinating and executing battle commands in a precise order, players may cause certain additional beneficial effects to occur.
A Battle Regimen begins with the stacking of battle commands. All party members who wish to take part in the Battle Regimen must stack their actions in the correct order against the desired target. One of the members then initiates the Battle Regimen, and the stacked actions will be executed automatically.
Step 1: Consult with other party members to determine the best Battle Regimen to use against a specific target. The battle commands and the order in which they are to be executed should all be decided.
Step 2: Wait until your position in the queue comes around to switch to Battle Regimen mode and select the battle command you wish to stack.
Step 3: After all participating party members have stacked their battle commands, one of the party members selects to initiate the Battle Regimen.
Step 4: Once the Battle Regimen is initiated, the stacked battle commands will all be executed automatically, chaining together to create additional effects.
Please note that factors such as distance from the enemy may prevent stacked battle commands from being executed once the Battle Regimen is initiated. In these cases, the Battle Regimen will not end, but will instead proceed on to the next command in the queue.
Enemy Toughness
An enemys degree of difficulty is represented by the color of the circle located in the extreme left portion of the unit frame. This display takes into account whether the player is solo or a member of a party.
Red Incredibly Tough
Orange Very Tough
Yellow Tough
Green Decent Challenge
Blue Easy Prey
Physical Levels and Skill Ranks
In FINAL FANTASY XIV, a characters progress is measured in two ways. Physical levels represent ones actual physical development, while skill ranks measure how adept one is with various arms and tools.
- Physical Levels
Characters gain physical levels by accumulating a certain amount of experience points.
(During the Alpha Test phase, experience points will be obtainable only by achieving victory in battle.)
- Skill Ranks
Skill ranks are gained by accumulating skill points from various endeavors, such as combat or crafting. As a characters skill rank increases, they will learn new actions, such as abilities and weapon skills.
* Physical level and skill rank caps will be set at 20 for the Alpha Test Phase.
Setting Actions for Use
Actions that have been acquired by a character can be set to the action bar for use. During the Alpha Test phase, the maximum number of actions available at any given time will be limited to 20.
Barring a few class-specific exceptions, actions will be available for use even when using a class different from the one on which the action learned. However, the power and efficacy of each action is determined by its affinity with the characters active skill.
The Spoils of War
Any items received after a battle will be placed in a players loot list. During party play, items are distributed randomly to the lists of each member.
After a certain period of time, items on a loot list will be automatically moved to a players inventory. Should the players inventory be full, the items will be lost.
Items on a loot list are not considered in a players possession until they are added to his/her inventory. Until then, any items, including those which are rare (untradeable) and unique (players can possess no more than one), can be transferred to another party members list.
* Items received while mining/quarrying will also be added to the loot list before being moved to a players inventory.
If a characters HP is reduced to 0, he/she will be knocked out and no longer able to move or act. A character can be revived by selecting Return from the main menu and choosing a destination from the listed aetheryte camps or aetherial gates.
* If a character is KOd while participating in a levequest, he/she will be teleported back to the corresponding aetheryte.
* For the duration of the Alpha Test, characters KOd will receive a weakness penalty which will not only lower total HP, but also reduce the speed with which their action gauge fills, as well as increase the length of casting times. This penalty will last five minutes before wearing off.
Freyjadour
Member
Teknoman said:
Just kidding around.