Final Fantasy XI returns stronger after the FF XIV crossover: its director gives the keys to its success and future

The current director of Final Fantasy XI, Yoji Fujito, has shared details about the future of the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), which could have a new area and a new storyand the two key reasons why players continue to enjoy after the crossover with Final Fantasy XIV.

He May 16 marked the 24th anniversary of FF XIand as it is such an important date, the Japanese magazine Famitsu has published an interview with the producer and director in which he reviews the past year and the future prospects of the video game.

The announcement and launch of The raid series ‘Echoes of Vana’diel’ in FF XIV brought about a massive wave of nostalgia from the communitywhich made many players curious to relive or learn first-hand about the world that was released in 2002 as the franchise’s first MMORPG for home consoles.

This series of ‘raids’, designed as a tribute to the stages, bosses and story of Final Fantasy XI, features the game’s original composerNaoshi Mizuta, as the person in charge of creating the music for this ‘crossover’ in FF XIV. For the final battle of the third installment, Mizuta decided to use the ‘Vana’diel March’ as ​​the main base, which is the emblematic opening theme of FF XI since 2002.

Fujito confirms that “two songs will be added! It is related to the FF XIV crossover content ‘Echoes of Vana’diel’, but they are pieces on which the composer Mizuta worked extremely enthusiastically“.

Regarding the new area and history, Fujito specifies that is the remodeling and opening of new closed areas within Limbus: “With the addition of the Notorious Monsters, back pieces and accessories were added, and even new equipment with the opening of the underground floor and the group of new NMs.” Likewise, Fujito answers whether Limbus updates are ending by citing that “the final Limbus boss is scheduled to be implemented in June.”

In the interview he commented on the great surprise that the crossover with FF XIV was and explained that success was achieved thanks to a very thoughtful strategywhich practically worked better than expected.

The two keys to why players have stayed in FF XI are due to the effect it produced the ability to give away coupons for Mog Bonanza weapons and the surprise that the players did not leave after getting the gift.

“The number of players since then has remained flat and has not decreasedwhich surprises us a lot. Therefore, although the distribution of weapons was one of its strong hooks, in the end it worked in a good direction,” Fujito responds in the interview.

In celebration of the anniversary, the development team made the decision to give away coupons to obtain Mog Bonanza weapons (special lottery event). “By implementing it, We had discussions over and over again about whether it was really okay to distribute them before we took the step,” The manager explained, who also clarified that it is something specific. “We are not thinking about making it a regular thing at this time. If we distributed them every year, the value of other weapons would decrease relatively,” he noted.

Another of the changes that has managed to retain the user community in FF XI is due to the new approach, or philosophy, towards solo play with the ‘New Limbus’, to which Fujito explains that “Players can go in groups or just go alone to earn experience points or collect materials to upgrade your equipment. “I think we’ve achieved that goal.”

In the original game, Limbus required the organization of large groups of players (the alliances) that had certain strict time restrictions and could only be entered every few days.