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Final Fantasy worlds collide as FFXIII's Lightning joins FFXIV
A good share -- if not most -- of the folks playing Final Fantasy XIV are there because of previous ties to the FF franchise. And that fact is not lost on Square Enix. In fact, the studio just released a new video today showing the heroine of another Final Fantasy game joining the realm of Eorzea. While the title character of Lightning Returns: FFXIII, Lightning also appears and fights alongside players during one of A Realm Reborn's Full Active Time Events (FATE), the successful completion of which will net the player gear and weaponry modeled after those found in FFXIII. On the flip side of this cross-promotion, Lightning Returns players can acquire new Miqo'te costumes as well as weapons and shields themed from the city-states of FFXIV: ARR. Clues for getting the costumes are hidden within the world of Nova Chrysalia and the weapons and shields are obtained by clearing side quests. Check out the new outfit, weapons, and shields for FFXIII in the gallery below and watch Lightning join the FFXIV FATE in the trailer after the cut. [Source: Square Enix press release]
Why I Play: Final Fantasy XIV
I hate two kinds of MMO: themeparks and sandboxes. Much like "nerf," these are two terms that have been beaten into the ground until they no longer have any intrinsic meaning. The original "themepark" game was freaking EverQuest, which is not what anyone thinks of when he uses the term in a more modern sense. There's more concern given to whether or not a game fits into a given category than whether or not it's actually fun to play. And that is a bad thing. Sure, your sandbox features a great housing system, but so does The Sims 3, and the latter doesn't abandon me in a featureless wasteland that eschews actual content in favor of letting me choose my final destination (here's a hint: All those destinations are grinding). Yes, Mr. Themepark, I see you chuckling in the background, but your single leveling path followed by the exact same huge-group gear-grabbing jamboree is not better, just annoying in a different way. That's why I play Final Fantasy XIV. But I should probably elaborate a bit on that.
FFXIV PS4 beta coming February 2014, PS3 players get in free
If you play Final Fantasy XIV's newest incarnation A Realm Reborn on the PlayStation 3, Square Enix has some news just for you: You'll be able to get into the PS4 beta free when it launches February 22nd, 2014. Even better, the studio has also announced that players will not have to repurchase the game to upgrade consoles, but will be able to transition with no additional cost. All character data will be transferred to the new console, so play can continue uninterrupted on your favorite toons upon release. [Thanks to Space Cobra for the tip!]
Fix for FFXIV's server load woes includes suspending sales
At what was meant to be a happy and joyous time, Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn's birth was beset by complications -- namely that it was too popular for servers to handle. Players trying to get into the reboot are suffering through significantly long waits, if they are able to make it in at all. In order to fix this issue, Square Enix has announced that the capacity of its data centers throughout Japan, North America, and Europe will be increased. As a temporary stopgap measure to keep the problem from getting worse and allow current players a chance to actually play, all digital sales of A Realm Reborn are suspended. [Thanks to omedon666 and Bartillo for the tips!]
FFXIV: A Realm Reborn screenshot video montage shows off beta
Although sharing sound, music, and video from the Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn beta is still prohibited, testers' thoughts and screenshots from phase three are now allowed. Taking advantage of that partial NDA lift, one creative beta participant has put together a montage of stills in video form to show off the upcoming reboot of the game. Wondering if you can glean what's going on from the screenshots alone? Don't worry -- he also added commentary to explain each shot. The nearly 33-minute montage includes character creation (all races have two genders to select from), the public quests (Fates), menus and the UI, combat, and a look at the updated graphics. Get a glimpse of the game for yourself in the video after the break. [Thanks to Chris for the tip!]
E3 2013: Final Fantasy XIV's A Realm Reborn returns the game to its roots
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn stays true to its name and its lineage: What was originally a failed title, at least according to some players, will soon be revamped into an MMO that harkens back to its hardcore Final Fantasy roots. At this year's E3, Massively nabbed a hands-on experience of the game's reboot in the Square-Enix booth, and as the owner of those very hands, I can say it was a thrilling experience. My demo allowed me to choose between DPS, tank, and healer units. I myself am a lumbering tank in real life, so it felt natural to refill my virtual shoes in an epic battle against Ifrit. Action was quick, incredibly responsive, and a treat. Unfortunately, Ifrit rose into the sky and torched us all, but that's not the end of the story.
Get a sneak peek at FFXIV's crafting
There's a lot to look forward to in Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, and now you can decide whether you're adding gathering and crafting to that list! You'll begin, as most crafters do, by gathering materials. As you run through the world, you'll have skills to triangulate gathering nodes. Upon approaching a node, you'll get to choose from a list of things you can try to gather from it -- a tree, for example, might be a place where you could find a log, or a feather, or maybe some sap. Once you've got materials, it's time to head to your crafting bench, pick a recipe, and start working. You'll have construction skills that focus on the quality and progress of your crafting. Skip below the cut to see all the fast-paced, high-octane gathering and crafting action.
