MyFFXI's The NM: Issue 71: Fields Of Valor And An After Vana Fest InterviewHello MyFFXI members, PlayOnline just announce some more info on the Fields of Valor addition that will be added to this comings FFXI December version update. Also Elmer the Pointy from JP Button.com has an interview with the developers of the game...
PART I: Fields of Valor Beckon You!
The much-awaited December version update will see the introduction of "Fields of Valor," a brand new in-game system that will allow players to engage in light-hearted yet rewarding adventuring, regardless of whether they are bereft of company or part of a hulking party.
Development ConceptEver had a bit of time to spare, but not quite enough to participate in a normal leveling party? Or for a change of pace, just wanted to chill out and indulge in some light-hearted gaming with friends and fellow linkshell members?
If you answered in the affirmative to at least one of the above questions, then Fields of Valor is just what the doctor ordered. For a small fraction of your time (friends optional), you can enjoy fuss-free yet rewarding adventuring. Get more out of each Vana'dielian day with Fields of Valor!
How to PlayUsing a "Field Manual" located in any of several areas will bring up a menu from which players can select a training regime of their choice. After that, it's just a matter of venturing forth and slaying the enemies listed in the regime. Those wishing to enjoy Fields of Valor in a party simply need to make sure they all select the same training regime.
RewardsIn Fields of Valor, the spoils and experience acquired in the natural course of slaying monsters will be yours to keep. In addition, upon successful completion of each training regime, players will be further rewarded for their fortitude with experience and a corresponding amount of gil, as well as "tabs"—points exclusive for use in Fields of Valor. These points can be exchanged for items and services that will surely benefit adventurers roughing it out in the field.
Source: PlayOnline
PART II: A short interview with the developers who attended VanaFest conducted by Famitsu. (transilated by Elmer from JP Button.com)I would like to ask about the three add-on scenarios being made. You say they can be completed within 1-2 months, but will they be released in chapters over time?Tanaka: No, each scenario will be released all at once.
Why did you choose to release 3 scenarios at this time?Katou: Don’t ask me. (laughs)
Tanaka: For the time being, that’s how many we requested Katou to write up for us.
Why did you decide to contract Katsuya Terada, Jun Suemi and Fumio Minagawa for image illustrations?Tanaka: We got Terada because he had done some pretty intense artwork on the post cards for “Summer Carnival 2005″. As for Suemi, this artist is a given when you’re doing fantasy work, and we requested her to give a realistic touch. Minagawa was requested… well, for Shantotto.
It feels like there will be all-new rewards for completing these scenarios. Are there any other new game elements as well?Matsui: Besides just new stories and items, there will be new gameplay elements that we plan to include, but I can’t say anything concrete as of yet.
Is there a possibility of new systems of gameplay, such as how Campaign was added with Wings of the Goddess?Matsui: While there won’t be a new system on the scale of Campaign added with these scenarios, we are looking to give each one “something” to differentiate them from each other and from the main game itself. We’re pretty much decided how, but we can’t make it public at this stage.
Will Playstation 2 users be supported as well?Tanaka: Yes, they can purchase them through PlayOnline.
It’s been 6 years since you’ve written for Final Fantasy XI. How did it feel to suddenly jump back in?Katou: I had pretty much forgotten everything I already wrote for the game. (laughs) While writing, I also had to keep reviewing, so making summaries was like killing two birds with one stone. Yaeko Satou, and the planners that took over after I left, are all great help and allow me to write this to the very end as my own individual work. Although making it is quite an ordeal. (laughs) There’s 6-7 years worth of history established, and I find myself writing new content only to be told, “Sorry, that conflicts with the story.”
Even though you originally wrote it yourself, does it feel like your story has just taken off and grown without you realizing it?Katou: This foundation is always the same, but these characters continue to have more and more elements piled on top of them. Take Moogles, for example. They have been expanded upon a lot through announcements, and if I go against that, I could take some of heat for it.
Regarding the story, I feel like I’ve forgotten some parts as well, which means I will enjoy being able to review them.Katou: I wanted to make something different than the typical quest, so I believe these will have a different nuance to them. I wanted to surprise people with things they didn’t know about Vana’diel, but I couldn’t go overboard with it and incur the wrath of Tanaka… It also couldn’t be all fun and games, so there’s a good balance between comedy and drama. One thing I’m sure of, is that all three scenarios will be a lot of fun.
It feels like these scenarios are taking the place of an expansion, but do you plan to release a full expansion disc in the future?Tanaka: I’d like to put down “no comment” to that.
Will there be no more expansion discs?Tanaka: That gets a “no comment” as well. (laughs) These add-on scenarios have never been done before. The reason we used disc media until now is because the infrastructure was not there previously to distribute such large amounts of data without great difficulty. Now, we have an environment where data can be easily distributed online, so we think we should charge forth and take advantage of it to distribute new, mid-scale content.
With “Moblin Maze Mongers,” it appears you can level a crafting skill. Similar to when one levels crafting skill now, will this consume ingredients?Fujito: If we used common crafting items, it would really disrupt the Auction House, so you will be able to level synthesis skill without the need for any ingredients. You can easily try out the mazes without having to worry about that stuff.
Please give me your comments on this year’s event.Sundi: The enthusiasm of attendees in the event hall was greater than I expected. (laughs) I want to continue to have the chance to see the users’ faces each year. I hope to see them again next year.
Kendai: We still have a number of things to announce over in America in two weeks. Look forward to a follow-up report.
Ogawa: It was a precious experience being with the fans. If you get the chance, please come again.
Katou: Appearing on stage through all that smoke was a little much (laughs) But since Tanaka told me that’s how it was to be done, I guess I had no choice but to go along (laughs) I’m eagerly working away, so look forward to the results.
(Elmer Point: Perhaps as a way to highlight his return to FFXI after writing the original game and RoZ 6 years prior, Katou strode onto stage through a sliding wall, which bellowed out a cloud of smoke.)Fujito: This was my first chance to be at something like this, and I was just overwhelmed and could barely speak. I was so nervous, my stomach was killing me. (laughs)
Matsui: As Battle Manager, an event like this can be scary, but this time I was so busy with work I didn’t even think about it. However, once the actual day came I got so nervous… Somehow it all turned out okay, so that’s good. I got the chance to take in everyone’s energy and enthusiasm, so it makes me want to work hard and do my best for next time as well.
Tanaka: This time tickets were acquired based on lottery, and there were a large amount of entries, and unfortunately, a large amount of people who ended up unable to go. We actually tried to find a place that would accommodate 10,000 people, but we were unable to secure such a place in time for the event. We think we’ll be able to get a bigger place ready in which to meet everyone next time.
Thank you very much.
Source: Famitsu, JP Button
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