FFXI Encyclopedias?

[Feba]

Is there any plans or possibilities to release FFXI encyclopedias (see: http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/4...5392&s=gateway) in NA or EU regions?


If so, what kind of information would you include in them?

[Centurion]

Re: FFXI Encyclopedias?

I agree with this.

I would like to see the Vanadiel World Reports become available for more users.

[Hearshot]

Re: FFXI Encyclopedias?

What information does that book currently have in it? Like everything from beginning to end?

I remember when i started, i had the bradygames strat guide... then realized how lacking it was once i hit lvl 40 or so. At this point i turned to the internet for my info. Like www.wiki.ffxiclopedia.org or www.ffxi.somepage.com .

Gotta say a book would be nicer for our newcommers, as it was for me.

[Aeni]

Re: FFXI Encyclopedias?

It's published by DigiCube, a Square-Enix subsidiary (Unless they spun it off as an independant) However, I thought DigiCube went out of business? If so, wouldn't that mean the book is old?

(Never mind, it's published in 2002, so yah, it's super outdated by now)

If it's still being offered by Amazon after all these years, the sales must've really flagged thus making it an unattractive business proposition to release it overseas.

[Macht]

Re: FFXI Encyclopedias?

Yeah, try documenting something that constantly changes like every month or so. I'm sure companies would love for people to keep shelling out $20.00 for new updated info but after the 1st or 2nd one players tend wise up and realize that there are many Forums and sites that'll give them the info free.

So at best these just become pretty picture books, actually that might be fun. If SE released picture books of the art planning and stuff of everything in the game. If I recall I think they did though...

[Balodoth]

Re: FFXI Encyclopedias?

There's really only two things they could do that would keep the info from becoming outdated. One is what Macht suggested, an art/making-of book. The other would be to reveal the underworkings of the game, such as how certain stats affect a spell, damage formulas, spawn algorithms, etc. Of course, even something such as that would be subject to change, so addendums could be published to cover newer developments like NM magic resistance.

Come to think of it, S-E could make a small brochure entitled Anti-Noob: A Tactics and Survival Guide to Vana'diel. Then they could incorporate a feature into PlayOnline whereby a player name and server could be entered along with a dropdown list of subjects the brochure covers for us to select what this person needs to learn. Then for just $10, we could have S-E send a copy to the player's home along with an automated letter telling them an anonymous friend thought they could benefit from the information, especially the subject listed on page X.

Now that would make money.

[Mhurron]

Re: FFXI Encyclopedias?

One is what Macht suggested, an art/making-of book.

History of Vana d'iel with pretty pictures. A making of would have too many pictures of developers which are often not really photogenic.

[Legal Fish]

Re: FFXI Encyclopedias?

It's Vana'diel.

And I would like a lore book to be released. I think its stupid we find out simple things several years after the release of the game, like Elvaan tribes a long time ago.

[Feba]

Re: FFXI Encyclopedias?

I beleive there are also art booiks in japan for ffxi.

I think a friend of mine has one that had most of the models in the game in it, at the time it was released.


Anyway, yes, it would be outdated pretty much instantly, however it would still be a fun thing to have.

[bside]

Re: FFXI Encyclopedias?

I beleive there are also art booiks in japan for ffxi.

I think a friend of mine has one that had most of the models in the game in it, at the time it was released.

That must be thins one: http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-...jp-70-r8u.html

It was released back in June 2005, so naturally it's outdated now. There's a thread on this book if you want more info.


And,

It's published by DigiCube, a Square-Enix subsidiary (Unless they spun it off as an independant) However, I thought DigiCube went out of business? If so, wouldn't that mean the book is old?

(Never mind, it's published in 2002, so yah, it's super outdated by now)

If it's still being offered by Amazon after all these years, the sales must've really flagged thus making it an unattractive business proposition to release it overseas.

right, Digicube is no longer in business; it filled bankrupcy in 2003 when Square and Enix merged; it was more like liquidated, due to the fact that it wasn't doing very well at that time. (BTW, Digicube was established as a wholy-owned subsidary of the former Square, but their stocks were made public in July 1998. Although Square kept 24.3% of shares, technically it was no longer a subsidary.) However, its publishing business was absorbed by the newly-created publishing department of s-e, and its books are now re-sold by s-e, along w/ CD's Digicube released. That's why they can still sell them, while books by bankrupt companies usually become unavailable after all the stocks are gone.

BTW, the latest version of World Report is Ver. 050224, and this one was made and released by s-e. Though it's also outdated by now, by the fact that this was released by s-e, it's considered the most "official" book in Japan.

Unfortunately, s-e doesn't plan to release the World Report in English at this time, according to neighbortaru's post here.