The past year of FFXI has been slow and fairly dull. There have been smatterings of nice gear additions and many welcomed but minor adjustments (e.g. storage). But nothing really engrossing and challenging has been introduced for quite some time. Now that Square has announced future plans for the next year of gameplay let's look back at FFXI in '09. This is a long post so hopefully this can remind everyone where we've been and bring some perspective and insight.






First off most notably is the sheer time span between version updates since the beginning of Wings had increased to an average of four months (~120 days). Here's how it breaks down:

Update span from 12/09/08 to update 4/09/09: 121 days.
Update span from 4/09/09 to update 7/21/09: 92 days.
Update span from 7/21/09 to update 12/07/09: 123 days.
Update span from 12/07/09 to update 3/25/10 (presumed estimated date): 121 days.

And here's a general list of the content introduced in 2009:

Fields of Valor, more Campaign Ops, Stronghold Ops BC, SCNM, MMM (NM weapons/accessories), ANNM, Northlands, Mog Tablets, Fay Weapons, Missions and Add-Ons, Union, and the first half of Synergy/Evolith.

With this view it's apparent there has been a heavy focus on supplementing the existing game. Included in that was a lot of time dwelling on low to mid level playing (FoV being half-implemented up to 50, Ops, much of the add-on quests). Additions such as SCNM, MMM-NM's, and the Stronghold Ops were nice but in retrospect don't amount to a real substantial improvement. Synergy and Evolith have potential, but like FoV before it's also temporarily capped at 50. The overall impact on the average player's routine has been very little.


The lull is palpable among players in the game itself. Wings has just felt like an incredibly long and monotonous stretch with little excitement for contrast. I think most of you will probably relate to this sentiment.

If this past year is a recipe for boredom then let's investigate what makes for success. Case in point the Treasures of Aht Urghan expansion is highly regarded as the most successful time in the history of FFXI. The population of NA players had finally completed much of the content and so the community as a whole was eager for an expansion. It didn't disappoint. Here is a short summary of ToAU's virtues that made it such a hit.


Not only did ToAU feature new areas, but it was set in an entirely new and exotic continent. One friend had remarked to me that being in AU felt like "another world". At the time the game lacked areas specialized for high-level partying. Demons and Taurs in Uleguerand Range were about the best available and it was still a grueling grind. Then AU entered slathered in mid and high-level enemies that were not only solo-friendly but revolutionized the merit party. Anyone who wanted could now spend time soloing right outside the city, melees could be crammed into merit parties, and mages could solo or merit on Puddings and Marids. Later on for Christmas Square delivered Salvage with it's challenging puzzles, epic gear, and single-party gameplay. Only 78 days after Salvage, Nyzul Isle assault continued a focus on casual single-party endgame fun. Later on Einherjar also added a new alliance focused endgame event. While valuable, the most popular to date have been Salvage and Nyzul Isle with their casual single-party approach.

Then came Wings and, well, here we are. Despite WotG in many ways players are still living in 2007. Remarkably the focus had shifted back to low and mid level play despite the stellar success of AU. By now it should be clear FFXI thrives upon high-level endgame content. And in fact I'm going to come right out and state something explicitly in case Square is interested.

Leveling up to 75 is ALL the low/mid level content that is needed. Reaching the maximum level is THE low/mid-level event. No one bothers with garrison, Expeditionary Force, and Eco-Warrior because, while they served their purpose, their time has long passed. And any subsequent additions to the low and mid level ranges will only be wasting money on something that will become just as ignored. Level Sync, FoV and Campaign Ops are wonderful systems that assist that goal. But I don't know who they're kidding starting missions like the add-ons at level 20. All that achieves is to bore everyone with the lack of challenge.




Now for the good news. Considering the latest news from Vanafest it seems like they may be preparing to do just that. If their information is to be believed Square intends to return again to the 3 month update period. The eventual release of the Walk of Echoes and Abyssea will be the first new areas (that aren't simply remade old zones) since Wings release. On top of that they're promising new casual endgame events, and high-level enemies. With the new level increase, level 99 may even turn old content like Dynamis and Einherjar into casual single-party affairs. New levels should also bring many new spells, abilities, and loads of equipment. Even the chance to improve Relic and Mythic weapons. If Abyssea is an event aimed at level 99 we could wind up with the most challenging event the game has ever offered.

All the elements appear to be present for a return to some exciting and fun new content. If they get it right Square may be able to succeed by reinvigorating the game in a way similar to Aht Urghan. If they botch it and fill our plates with more ridiculous gear and confused mid-level junk they will probably further drive players away, probably for good. They can't afford to keep developing content for customers they only wish existed. Die-hard FFXI veterans are their greatest asset. They must embrace it.