ffxi in iraq

[mmalasky]

hello, im a little over half way done with my deployment, and im dying to play. There is an internet service out here i can get, its a total ripoff but its about as fast as 56k, all im really looking to do out here is get some merit xp and play around on bst. Anyone previously deployed have any experience playing out here, or is it really just a waste of money?

thanks

[ShepardG]

Re: ffxi in iraq

You at main base or a Fob?

Also, spending your money on something that you enjoy doing (playing FFXI) will always have that weighted scale of money to fun ratio. If paying for FFXI, and paying for Haji-net is still worth your free time and it still provides you entertainment value, then hell yeah, go for it.

I hear the VBC has a pretty thick network of wireless signals to choose from now, but i'm not sure as I haven't been there since '07.

(Afghanistan had shit all for playable internet connections, so I would recommend not even trying it if you get re-deployed in that part of the world)

[mmalasky]

Re: ffxi in iraq

im at a main base, im over at camp basra. its like 160 a month for the internet, but i figure if im playing ffxi, it will keep me off of amazon, accumulating junk i dont even have room to carry back. i played ffxi for over 5 years, and this is the longest ive had to go without it since it launched in america lol. thanks for the input, i think im gonna just grit my teeth and try it out for a month and c how it goes

[ShepardG]

Re: ffxi in iraq

160 dollars !!! That dude is raping you guys. Need to mention (tactifully) to your command to escalate the situation, because that dude is no longer "Covering operating costs" he's straight taking fools money. The same type of situation occured on Sather AB inside the VBC.

this "contractor" went and made a purchase of a dish, spliters, ya know, probably an initall investment of 10-20k dollars. Then charged each and every person that connected to it wirelessly something around 100$ a month for the equivelent of the slowest DSL here in the states. Well this wen on for aobut 6 months and the new crew that rotated in were stunned it was so expensive.

The command basically said, you can lower your prices down to something like 40$ a month or you can GTFO. The guy tried to play hard ball, but since he had used Air Force Towers, and infrastructure to install his Antannea's etc. The airforce basically did some "Strategic Cleaning" of some of it's comm. positions.

They ripped down all the dudes equipment, trashed it, and said he wasn't allowed back on their base! The dude couldn't do anything, except accept it. He more than paid for his initally investment, and honestly probably made over 1.5mil because there were probably 200-400 people paying for this service for 5-9 months.

They were dry for a bout 3 months, and a new contractor came along, offering his services, and didn't try to rip off his customers, and the airforce said that they would be more than happy to loan out the needed tower space, and he ended up charging something like 30-50$ a month depending on priority/speed. He's been going strong for about a year, if what my buddies who got back from there are telling me. So, sounds like maybe some regime changes should be in order out there in Basara.

[Ashrick]

Re: ffxi in iraq

I haven't been deployed yet but $160 doesn't seem worth it to me lol...who knows maybe when I'm there I'll see it differently lol. But yeah I'd totally mention something to your command about that, $160 seems like way too much. That shit should be free anyways in my opinion.

[mmalasky]

Re: ffxi in iraq

its in intervals, so u can pay like 30-40 a month, but that only gets u to the point that u can skype ok. 160 is crazy since u can pay 40 a month for 5mb with comcast, but im like a junkie that needs a fix. im in signal and there isnt much happening here day in and out (which is a good thing) but its hella boring, and all want to do is play MMO.