Final Fantasy XI pricing announced

[Hot Like Wasabi]

Paying monthly for game I already had to pay for is the worst thing I have ever heard of. They should jack the price up $10 - $15 instead of charging a montly fee. Suck on my nuts Square, you won't get my money to play a game I had to pay to get.

[Jeremy]

Here's the full press release:

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 16 -- Sony Computer Entertainment
America Inc. announced today that FINAL FANTASY(R)XI, the latest installment
of the critically acclaimed FINAL FANTASY(R) series, will be available
pre-installed on the upcoming internal Hard Disk Drive (40GB)(for
PlayStation(R)2) exclusively for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment
system. FINAL FANTASY XI, an online only title, will be among the great
content only available with the internal Hard Disk Drive release in March for
a suggested retail price of $99.

Entering the next evolutionary phase in the PlayStation 2 experience, the
internal Hard Disk Drive and FINAL FANTASY XI will utilize the Network Adaptor
(Ethernet/modem) (for PlayStation(R)2) to get online, while fostering in a new
era of console gaming by allowing gamers to connect to the same exact world
regardless of whether they are playing on a PlayStation 2 or a personal
computer (PC). FINAL FANTASY XI showcases the same award-winning visual
content, innovative gameplay and deep storyline that has made the FINAL
FANTASY series one of the most popular videogame series in the world, with
more than 45 million units sold to date.

Developed by Square Enix Co., Ltd. and published by Sony Computer
Entertainment America, FINAL FANTASY XI is a cross-platform, cross-continent
massively multiplayer online role-playing-game (MMORPG). A brand-new FINAL
FANTASY environment awaits gamers as they live in, and navigate through a
"persistent world" that continues to evolve and develop, even when they are
not playing. FINAL FANTASY XI utilizes the Network Adaptor and the internal
Hard Disk Drive to allow players to connect online, either via broadband or
dial-up connections, and join in the ever-changing world of "Vana'diel."
The introduction of the internal Hard Disk Drive by Sony Computer
Entertainment America provides players with the unique opportunity to
experience a completely new FINAL FANTASY gaming universe with large
communities, complex gameplay in intense online environments and a constantly,
refreshed gameplay experience with the ability to download updates to the
world of Vana'diel.

"We are excited to bring the FINAL FANTASY series into its next
ground-breaking phase of online play with the new Hard Disk Drive, which
further demonstrates our focus on extending the functionalities and
capabilities of the PlayStation 2 for a total living room experience," said
Ami Blaire, director, product marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America.
"The vast living universe of FINAL FANTASY XI will draw players into a deep,
one-of-a-kind online adventure, transforming the boundaries of console gaming
with the ability for gamers to join others on quests and adventures regardless
of whether they are playing on a PlayStation 2 or a PC."

About FINAL FANTASY XI for PlayStation 2

FINAL FANTASY XI has been designed based on creating communities among
players, and gamers can create an alter ego that will exist in the world of
"Vana'diel" customizing their characters by race, sex, nation of origin, and
numerous other physical traits. In FINAL FANTASY XI, gamers will become
immersed in an expansive, original storyline as they go on missions and build
their character's skills and attributes, either alone or with other members of
the community, ultimately creating the history of Vana'diel.

The world of Vana'diel is made up of vast, never-ending environments with
more than 100 areas to explore including mountains, forests, ice plains,
deserts, oceans, rivers, castles and dungeons. Incorporating time and climate
changes, Vana'diel is a truly persistent world, composed of three unique
nations: the Republic of Bastok, known for Industry and Might; The Kingdom of
San d'Oria, called "A City Within A Fortress"; and the Federation of Windurst,
founded on "The Fruits of Knowledge." These nations enjoyed a friendly
relationship on the surface; however, the territorial expansion is a constant
desire for all of the nations leaders, and players must choose one of these
nations as their home. Once players start their adventure in a rather
civilized capital city, they may congregate, chat and do battle with the
forces of evil, creating Vana'diel's history through various interactions.
With the ability to create unique characters, choosing from a variety of
races, facial features, size, hair-styles and attributes, users will be able
to play at their own pace and form parties with other players while embarking
on multiple adventures. They can also acquire skills in trades such as
leatherworking, fishing, jewel crafting, and many more, that help them on
their quests. Various communication tools have been incorporated into FINAL
FANTASY XI to assist in interaction between players, including easy-to-use
chat and messaging systems.

FINAL FANTASY XI for PlayStation 2 will include the expansion pack "Rise
of the Zilart(TM)."
FINAL FANTASY XI for Windows(R) will begin shipping to North American
retailers in late October 2003 and was released in Japan in May 2002
(PlayStation 2) and November 2002 (Windows).
The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has rated FINAL
FANTASY XI (T) for Teen. For more information about the ESRB visit
www.esrb.org.

[Rich]

I was kinda hoping they had monthly pricing for FFXI announced, since I plan on at least trying it on the PC, where a hard drive already resides.

I think $99 is a fair enough price for both the game and the hard drive... if it's just the drive though, forget it.

If it's a 40GB drive versus the 8GB drive present in the Xbox, I guess that somewhat justifies paying that much for a hard drive. A free month or two or three would be nice too with FFXI.

FFXI alone brings it down to a 26GB HDD. I'm getting the HDD free, maybe Square will be nice and give me FFXI with it.

[voltz]

in otherwords, like sega coping Diablo for pso, square does it for everquest. They should take a hint of how well their secret of mana plays.

[MechDeus]

Is there anything announced for the HD yet, and is removing FFXI off it quick and easy?

They should jack the price up $10 - $15 instead of charging a montly fee.

Which is about how much you would pay for a single month. There's always the chance they contemplated going the free route by watching how PSO handled it, but cheaters ruined that prospect and if Square was paying attention at all they most likely said "Fuck that noise." Well, they probably said it in Japanese.

in otherwords, like sega coping Diablo for pso, square does it for everquest. They should take a hint of how well their secret of mana plays.

Yeah, you think they would've followed Sega's idea and copied a game that was at least half-decent.

[Videodrone]

i hope games in the future will have an option to load saves off the hd. as of right now you can move saves between the hd and a memory card, which is better than nothing.

[SamuraiMoogle]

Gamers.com said it was going to be $12 a month to play with the first month free. $12 a month for one game??? FUCK THAT!

[Captain Vegetable]

I'm kind of excited. The very first videos I've seen of it were on this month's OPM, and I couldn't believe it. I'll probably be picking it up with the quickness.

[SamuraiMoogle]

I did want it but $12 a month??

[mollipen]

...I wonder where they got the idea of ripping songs to the HD?

Because, uhh, Microsoft invented the idea? I mean, come on, it isn't like it is a HARD conclusion to come to. Once you put a hard drive into a machine, that kind of option becomes obvious.

How excited I am about the HDD - couldn't give a crap about FFXI - depends on how much it mimicks the Japanese version. That is far more along the lines of what the Xbox SHOULD have been doing. Being able to download and play media files on the system from the hard drive, for example.

Of course, I'm not sure how many formats the PS2 HDD-bundled software supports. I think Real is one of them, and as long as it also does MPEG files, I'm cool with that. Would be nice if you could download plug-ins for other formats, though.