I've been asked to make an online guide...

[Legal Fish]

by an Xbox360 site. This one to be exact: http://forum.teamxbox.com/index.php?

I'm considering on how to do this. I've decided that I will have it based around the the new beginner videos SE added and work from there. This is good, because the most annoying part of teaching anyone is teaching them the controls.

Here is a little blueprint I have in my mind: [Notes are contained here]

Table of Contents

0. Introduction to the Guide [What this guide is, and why someone would read it]

1. Introduction to FFXI [Basics of FFXI, like the product's history]
1.i. Buying FFXI [Tells the reader what he is getting with this game, unbiased]
1.ii. Play Online [Tells the reader about Play Online, how to create an account, and about the Monthly Fee]
1.iii. Preview of FFXI [Basically linking videos and pictures, maybe blogs too, that should give a feel of FFXI]

2. The Basics [The Basics go here]
2.i. SE's Online Beginner Videos [A link to them is provided]
2.ii. Other Facts of Importance [Basically everything the videos left out and a manual redux, like emotes and menus]
2.iii. Shortcuts and Commands [", but focusing on the said topic]
2.iv. Configuration, in and out of game ["]

3. Vana'diel [A look over the game's setting]
3.i. A People [A look over the game's setting's people, races and nations]
3.ii. A History [A look over the game's setting's people's history, with no spoilers]
3.iii. Jobs [A look over the different jobs in the game, including Advanced Jobs]
3.iv. Further Reading [Links to several parts of SE's website, like Geography, Expansion pages, and the Vana'diel Tribune. No, not that shitty spoiler site.]

4. The First 10 Levels [One part of a three part walkthrough]
4.i. Character Creation [Not so much about "how", but "what"]
4.ii. Review on the Basics [Pretty much repeating what was said before, on commands, map, Signet, and your first quest: Adventurer's Coupon]
4.iii. Combat [Explains what happens during combat and your first few battles. Also, the checking system]
4.iv. Quests[Lists some quests the player can do at this level]
4.v. Equipment[Lists changes in equip a player should do]

5. Level 10 to 18
5.i. Partying [The mechanics behind it, including skillchains]
5.ii. Manners [The attitude behind it]
5.iii. Camps[Lists possible areas to exp. It won't just be dunes]
5.iv. Quests [Including the Sub-Job quest, it lists quests the player can do at this level]
5.v. Equipment [Just like last time]
5.vi. Missions [Brief walkthrough on all nation's 1-1 to 2-2 missions]

6. Level 19 and Beyond
6.i. Sub-Job [Explains why it is important and why the player should go back and level another job once he gets it]
6.ii. Camps [Level 19 to 25]
6.iii. Quests [Like before, also includes a walkthrough for Eco-Warrior quests]
6.iv. Equipment [Like before, level 19 to 25]
6.v. Mission [Walkthrough for mission 2-3]
6.vi. The Future [Brief talk about what is going to happen until level 75. Talks about Advanced Jobs, Genkei, and the mission lines]

7. Further Reading.
7.i. Links (Some good sites, like FFXI Wiki and Somepage)
7.ii. Previous Updates (Link to SE's page of older updates)
7.iii. CONFLICT/PvP (Talk about the game's PvP)
7.iv. Linkshells (Talk about Linkshells and ect)
7.v. Terminology (Explains what things like "Limbus", "HNM", and "AF" mean)

8. Closing.
8.i. Credits

Any thoughts?

I'm thinking about posting this on other sites when I'm all done.

[ItazuraNhomango]

Re: I've been asked to make an online guide...

Some quick thoughts:

• Should have a "How to make Gil" thing in the first 10 levels.
• How to party with JP players and the attitude/operational differences.
• Auto-Translator; the Why's and How's.
• Where is FOOD?! >_<;
• Who actually do those Eco Warrior quests?! >_>;
• Need a "Party dynamics" section? Tank-DD's-Healer-Support...
• Need a (anti) RMT section/blurb.
• Warn people before sending them to sites riddle with RMT advertisement.
• Terminology section should note whether each term is "official" or invented by players.
  • Tank = (player) ...
  • Front line job = (S-E) ...
• For "previous updates", does S-E have all the previous updates online? >_>?

Finally, my big pet peeve: Use S-E terminology as the standard instead of "player lingo"!
Some examples of S-E terms vs. "player lingo":

• "Standard Jobs"; not "Beginner/Starter Jobs".
• "Extra Jobs"; not "Advance Jobs".
• "Support Role Job"; not "Support Job".
• "Support Job"; not "Subjob" or "Sub-Job".
• "Enmity"; not "Hate".

Mention player terms when introducing new concepts, but stick to the official terminology otherwise!

[Anaki]

Re: I've been asked to make an online guide...

Some quick thoughts:
Finally, my big pet peeve: Use S-E terminology as the standard instead of "player lingo"!

enmity. by definition is

a feeling or condition of hostility; hatred; ill will; animosity; antagonism.

a feeling of hatred = hate.

nothing wrong with using homonyns. right?

[Feba]

Re: I've been asked to make an online guide...

right?

Correct!

[ItazuraNhomango]

Re: I've been asked to make an online guide...

nothing wrong with using homonyns. right?

If S-E consistently use only the word "enmity", and never "hate", why not follow their example?

Besides, I wouldn't think "The Written Instrument Embodying the United States as America" means precisely the same thing as "The Constitution of United States of America"--at least, not on first glance. =b

* * *

Also, would be nice if the guide includes something on aspects of auto-translator people often trip up on:

"Heal!" vs. "Healing!"
"Reward" vs. "Reward:"
"Buy?" vs. "Sell?" (Don't know why, but NA players frequently reverse the two.)
"March" vs. "March (Month)"
"Japanese"/"English"/"German"/"French" (Only refers to language, not person. >_>; )
"Mail" vs. "mail"
"mine"

[Legal Fish]

Re: I've been asked to make an online guide...

IfritnoItazura

A lot of what you said can already be covered with the sections I listed. For example, food could be put under equipment and gil making could be put under quests.

I don't think I'll be putting a section just for RMT. Maybe I'll just say it's a no-no in the Introduction to the Game part.

For "previous updates", does S-E have all the previous updates online? >_>?

Yes, at least the ones I intend to link to the guide: http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/guide/update.html

Use S-E terminology as the standard instead of "player lingo"!

I intend on putting both. My goal isn't to favor one type of language over the other.

[Runningriot]

Re: I've been asked to make an online guide...

you should add in a section "WoW or FFXI?" too MANY people ask this question on xbox 360 forums (i should know, im a 360 user) its one of the most common questions asked.

[ItazuraNhomango]

Re: I've been asked to make an online guide...

A lot of what you said can already be covered with the sections I listed. For example, food could be put under equipment and gil making could be put under quests.

I don't think I'll be putting a section just for RMT. Maybe I'll just say it's a no-no in the Introduction to the Game part.

Oh, don't mean you need a section for each item I've listed; just want to see those topics covered.

I do think the topic "RMT" can use its own section, though. Doesn't have to be big, but should stand out.

Yes, at least the ones I intend to link to the guide: http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/guide/update.html

lol. I've never came across this before; thanks!

I intend on putting both. My goal isn't to favor one type of language over the other.

Meh. Well, I rather you'd "favor" S-E's terms, but it is your guide.

I'm just tired of people thinking "Advanced Jobs" are more advanced somehow, when all it means is that they a Lv.30+ job and do a quest. The bland, official "Extra Jobs" terminology tells the players exactly what they are--extra, not available from the start.

Don't given get me started on the what a false impression the "Beginner Job" label is for something like Red Mage.

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Re: I've been asked to make an online guide...

Personally, I'd discard most endgame talk, that's really getting way ahead of the beginners, we get enough "in merit" and "at endgame" talk on forums.

Its true you can get to 75 faster than you used to, but still takes some time to prepare for endgame, what with extra subjobs and all that.

[Runningriot]

Re: I've been asked to make an online guide...

after reading more closely i just want to let you into the minds of the majority of 360 users on XBL. they're pompus ass holes that want a cut and dry version. its nice that your writing this guide for 360 (i had to get all my info off pc and ps2 guides ><) but you need to make sure you can deliver the info in a way that will keep their attention and make sure they don't read a sentence, say f this, then exit out and go play gears. besides anyway it will be hard trying to convince 360 users to play this game because we already pay 50 buck per year, and majority of the 360 users will say "well why the hell do i want to pay $12.95 per month + 50 bucks a year and waste my life with this game" that is the mind set of most users and thats the mind set of one of my best friends down the street.

[Legal Fish]

Re: I've been asked to make an online guide...

Considering it is a guide for people who want to play, not people who might want or not want to play, I don't think that'll be a problem.

[Feba]

Re: I've been asked to make an online guide...

too MANY people ask this question on xbox 360 forums

WoW is out on 360?

The bland, official "Extra Jobs" terminology tells the players exactly what they are--extra, not available from the start.

Actually, the TAU booklet DOES use "Advanced Jobs", last I checked. Although, admittedly, TAU jobs are advanced compared to the previous jobs, so this might not be SE adopting playerspeak, but their literal meaning.

And runningriot, people like that are exactly the type of people that shouldn't be playing FFXI anyway.

[Runningriot]

Re: I've been asked to make an online guide...

no they ask what game i should I buy , WoW or FFXI

[Aksannyi]

Re: I've been asked to make an online guide...

If S-E consistently use only the word "enmity", and never "hate", why not follow their example?

Besides, I wouldn't think "The Written Instrument Embodying the United States as America" means precisely the same thing as "The Constitution of United States of America"--at least, not on first glance. =b

* * *

Also, would be nice if the guide includes something on aspects of auto-translator people often trip up on:

"Heal!" vs. "Healing!"
"Reward" vs. "Reward:"
"Buy?" vs. "Sell?" (Don't know why, but NA players frequently reverse the two.)
"March" vs. "March (Month)"
"Japanese"/"English"/"German"/"French" (Only refers to language, not person. >_>; )
"Mail" vs. "mail"
"mine"

Add to this list the misuse of {May}{bee}. This irks me to no end. "Fifth month stinging insect?" {Huh?!} It really makes absoultely no sense.

[Feba]

Re: I've been asked to make an online guide...

they ask what game i should I buy

...That was my point.