Proposal for an Official Windowing Feature in FFXI

[KuranofRamuh]

I sent this e-mail to Square-Enix earlier today to explain to them my idea for a windowing function in FFXI. I feel that if enough support is risen for this cause, a windowing feature such as the one mentioned in my e-mail may be put into effect. Please read and comment.

To whom it may concern,

My name is Matthew Harty. I am a second-year college student living in Bonita Springs, Florida and a player on Final Fantasy XI's Ramuh server. I write to you today on this Wednesday, January 31, 2007 to bring to light an issue that affects the vast majority, if not all, players of Final Fantasy XI.

What I speak of is I am playing your game, I, and every other Final Fantasy XI player, cannot perform any tasks other than Final Fantasy XI. Whether it be online banking, instant messaging, or even simply looking something up about the game; the fact is that the full-screen nature of Final Fantasy XI is an impediment on our daily lives as people.

I will agree that playing Final Fantasy XI on full-screen mode is an engrossing experience; I feel as if I'm in the game at certain times. This is not, however, always a good thing. Take my current situation for example, I am sitting at my university's library right now talking to my fiancee. While there is nothing immediately wrong with this scenario, a deeper look will reveal much more. Currently it's 3:00 pm and my next class is at 6:30, and while my fiancee is playing Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess while I sit here doing nothing. I cannot call her due to my phone battery being empty and I cannot go on to Final Fantasy XI, which I had planned on doing in my time between classes. If I do, I cannot talk to her and she doesn't like that. If my phone was working this would be a different issue. But suppose for a moment that I was on Final Fantasy XI and with the press of a button, the game was resized into a window roughly 800x600 on my 1200x1078 screen; I could instant message her, respond to any email I may have received, or even process my banking online.

I come to you today to propose the establishment of an official windower for Final Fantasy XI. I, personally, have never used a third-party tool in my experience, but I am able to see the advantages of such a tool. While countless numbers of accounts have been deleted because of the use of third-party tools that enabled faster movement, "botting", and other unfair advantages, I do not see the advantage a windowing tool would give players. Merely allowing them to carry out other important tasks would make it easier for players prevent hassle with logging out/in, keeping their spots in a party, and overall make the game a more enjoyable experience due to the decreased hassle with technical issues. Again, playing Final Fantasy XI in a full-screen atmosphere is a joyful and unique experience, but allowing players to carry out other tasks if need be should be a function available to all subscribers. The inclusion of a button-press to switch between full screen and windowed modes should be a function of Final Fantasy XI, and I believe that all players of Final Fantasy XI should be allowed the convenience associated with such an option.

Thank you for taking the time to read my proposal. I thank all of your at Square Enix for your continued dedication to your consumers and constant strive towards quality in gaming. I look forward to your response as I am getting back to my tasks at hand. The future number of players joining the Final Fantasy XI servers may benefit greatly from such an inclusion to your MMORPG, and if the players are satisfied, the company benefits. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Matthew R. Harty
"Kuran" Ramuh Server
BlackStar2015@aim.com
(phone number edited out)

EDIT: Some feedback/discussion would be appreciated.

[Shinoe]

Re: Proposal for an Official Windowing Feature in FFXI

I will agree that playing Final Fantasy XI on full-screen mode is an engrossing experience; I feel as if I'm in the game at certain times. This is not, however, always a good thing. Take my current situation for example, I am sitting at my university's library right now talking to my fiancee. While there is nothing immediately wrong with this scenario, a deeper look will reveal much more. Currently it's 3:00 pm and my next class is at 6:30, and while my fiancee is playing Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess while I sit here doing nothing. I cannot call her due to my phone battery being empty and I cannot go on to Final Fantasy XI, which I had planned on doing in my time between classes. If I do, I cannot talk to her and she doesn't like that. If my phone was working this would be a different issue. But suppose for a moment that I was on Final Fantasy XI and with the press of a button, the game was resized into a window roughly 800x600 on my 1200x1078 screen; I could instant message her, respond to any email I may have received, or even process my banking online.

All of this could have been left out, with the possible exception of

But suppose for a moment that I was on Final Fantasy XI and with the press of a button, the game was resized into a window roughly 800x600 on my 1200x1078 screen.

The rest of it had no relevance as to why SE would want to implement a window mode feature, to better your relationship with your girlfriend...whom nobody gives a damn about, honestly (not being an ass here, just looking at their perspective).

Otherwise it was a good message, but i'd recall it and kill that paragraph.

[KuranofRamuh]

Re: Proposal for an Official Windowing Feature in FFXI

Actually, I had meant that in the sense that I was bored stiff with nothing to do. I guess I should have taken that into consideration though.

[ItazuraNhomango]

Re: Proposal for an Official Windowing Feature in FFXI

You left out a choice:

A2) Yes, S-E should implement windowing, even though it would create different playing experiences on consoles and PC.

(What? You think PS2 players would benefit from Windowing on PC's? )

[Susurrus]

Re: Proposal for an Official Windowing Feature in FFXI

Where's the option for "Not this topic, again!!!!"?

[eticket109]

Re: Proposal for an Official Windowing Feature in FFXI

In brings his point into context, but yeah... I can see how it would bore them to tears. lol

constructive criticism:

1) I would refer to it as 'windowed mode'. I'm sure it would a slap in the face to someone at SE to keep naming the main program that flaunts their ToS. Regardless, they have always referred to the concept as 'windowed mode' or 'windowing enabled' in various interviews etc.

2) You failed to fully support the argument in my opinion. SE's reasoning as to why there is no windowed mode needs to be addressed and argued against to some degree. SE did not want windowing enabled because they felt that it would put ps2 users at a disadvantage. A pc user could alt-tab over to look at maps or guides, while a ps2 user could not. However, in the end, the inverse happened. It's fairly common to find a ps2 and a pc sitting near each other. In most cases, the ps2 user could easily turn to the pc near them and look up what they need. The pc users do not have that luxury. While I'm sure there are a few of us here on FFXIO with multiple computers, most users simply don't have two pcs next to each other. Thus, the protection of ps2 users has resulted in a hindrance to pc users to some degree.

[eticket109]

Re: Proposal for an Official Windowing Feature in FFXI

Where's the option for "Not this topic, again!!!!"?

That's the option you pick by not clicking on the thread in the first place.

[KuranofRamuh]

Re: Proposal for an Official Windowing Feature in FFXI

Well there's one thing that comes from SE being bugged like hell with this issue; it gets resolved. Maybe if enough input is put into this thread, a new e-mail can be made and sent. This would be a lot better than the last.

[neighbortaru]

Re: Proposal for an Official Windowing Feature in FFXI

not to be a negative nancy, but don't hold your breath

[Shinoe]

Re: Proposal for an Official Windowing Feature in FFXI

As soon as i my pc upgraded, you can bet your Leaping Boots that i'll be running Windower. I have a PS2 (currently is what i'm playing FFXI on while pc is being upgraded), and everyone i know has a PS2....all somewhere in the vicinity of the 'pasokon' (Peronsal Computer). They could make the argument that Japanese players dont have PC/PS2 near each other...which might have been true a few years ago, but not now. Have you seen the computers in my country? Almost small enough to be laptops...

[Neomage]

Re: Proposal for an Official Windowing Feature in FFXI

The thing that SE dosn't realize, is that the PS2 has a windowing feature - It's called changing the channel on the TV. With today's technology it is easy to say "afk", flip the channel, find information on a guide online, then flip back.

[Shinoe]

Re: Proposal for an Official Windowing Feature in FFXI

True, but most people dont have an Svideo cable running to their tv from their pc ^^ resolution sucks on that too.

[KuranofRamuh]

Re: Proposal for an Official Windowing Feature in FFXI

One of the main reasons I wrote this wasn't because I was hoping SE would magically listen to what I said, but even the fact that I wrote a semi-lengthy e-mail about including a windowing feature into the game. This tells SE something, and if mine is one of the hundreds of the same e-mails lost in the confusion, it's all the better.

If SE is getting the idea that a lot of people are sending these kinds of e-mails, then there's the possibility of something getting done. Personally, I would think it better if my e-mail was simply glanced at and deleted after they figured out what it was about.

[Jarre]

Re: Proposal for an Official Windowing Feature in FFXI

I beleive one of the reasons windower is frowned upon is it allow cheats to swap between windows to activate cheats, speed hacks etc. Allowing windower to be used accross the board and not break the TOC wuld mean there could be more cheaters, as SE couldn' t do you for using a windower like they can do at the moment as it changes one of the files in the game I beleive to work. If it makes it harder for them to clamp down on cheats and hacks, it'll make the game less enjoyable to play and unfair.

As mentioned above what about the X-box 360 and PS2 users?

Also note they havn't supported vista yet due to the in built windower mode, it will b interesting who SE deals with this.

[Pawkeshup]

Re: Proposal for an Official Windowing Feature in FFXI

But... people still use hacks with no integrated windowed mode. It's very easy to control hacks via a special data entry pad (like the Nostromo). If you're good enough to make a hack, I'm sure you'd be good enough to tie it to that, and have it makes sounds or display it on an LCD screen on that Logitech keyboard.

Face it, that excuse is old and tired. They need to stop hiding behind it and give PC gamers a break.