Worth Coming Back?

[Mhurron]

Re: Worth Coming Back?

Blah blah blah, more anecdotes. I'll just try not to gloat too much when Aion dies before FFXI, ok?

Do you have any facts to dispute the assertions that Kujata and possibly FFXI in its entirety has less life in it then Boot Hill?

No?

Didn't think so.

[Yellow Mage]

Re: Worth Coming Back?

Ok, after spending some time on FFXIAH, I have determined that the number of Kujatan characters who have made a purchase on the Jeunoan AH over the past 30 days is not quite over 9000.

Pics

Of course, if Firewind is correct and Kujata is relatively lacking in activity compared to other servers, I don't think FFXI has much to worry about. The same search on Carbuncle turned up more than 10,000 active characters.

Pics

If I were to add those two numbers together and then multiply by 16 for a very rough estimate of all the servers put together, I get a number over 308,000. Keep in mind that, as people who argue that FFXI is dying claim, most of those are veterans of some sort. People that are continuing to play FFXI to this day. They continued FFXI in the face of WoW, they'll continue in the face of Aion and whatever the fad after that is, and I find it hard to doubt that most of them will even continue in the face of FFXIV. If Firewind is also to be believed that most of Aion's playerbase (on their server, at least) consists of ex-FFXI or Warhammer players, then it's obvious that these people are nowhere near as devoted a playerbase and are just looking for the next new and shiny thing to get in on. When Aion inevitably becomes old, they'll just leave it in favor of whatever the next big thing is - be it Star Wars: The Old Republic or even, dare I say it?, Final Fantasy XIV.

And FFXI will still have years left in it after that.

[ItazuraNhomango]

Re: Worth Coming Back?

All I know is that thanks to various colleges' winter break, my LS is packed to the bream.

If "FFXI dying" means I always have more than two parties worth of people for ZNM, I'm OK with it.

* * *

Feba: One few more things you can add to your "highly doubtful" list: I've never smoked tobacco or marijuana. Heck, the first time someone offered me 'grass', I was staring at the park grounds in confusion... (Was passing through a park at night.)

[Mhurron]

Re: Worth Coming Back?

Ok, after spending some time on FFXIAH, I have determined that the number of Kujatan characters who have made a purchase on the Jeunoan AH over the past 30 days is not quite over 9000.

Pics

How many of those ~8800 are individual people and not mules? FFXHAH doesn't know. If I am a standard player, then most people have one mule in Jeuno that buys and/or sells. The number of individual characters making transactions is no where near the number of individual players on a server. FFXIAH's numbers are really quite meaningless here because it can't tell the difference between people and mules.

When I started, Kujata would average 1500~1800 during NA primetime, doubling that during JP primetime. We now average 800~1100 during NA primetime and just barely double that during JP prime time. Kujata has shed enough people that the busiest parts of the day have 40~50% less people online. Whitegate is often very quiet.

People that log in just to do Dynamis or other events generate crap to sell on the AH but don't contribute to the life of the server. Kujata is turning into a very quiet place, and I doubt that it is only happening on one server.

[Cheezeman3000]

Re: Worth Coming Back?

On this note, is it normal to see Bastok completely devoid of all human existance? (server: Gilgamesh)

[Mhurron]

Re: Worth Coming Back?

On this note, is it normal to see Bastok completely devoid of all human existance? (server: Gilgamesh)

Sort of, yes.

FFXI is top heavy, the majority of players are at the level cap. For them the only reason to be in the stater cities is for the craft guilds or for missions and quests. You're not going to have people that are in the city for that staying long. It is very easy to level to 20 quickly now, even on your first job and then subjob if you find people to party so new players also find themselves not hanging out in the starter cites.

The only problem is the slow influx of new players.

[Grizzlebeard]

Re: Worth Coming Back?

FFXI is dying, albeit a slow death like Everquest. Anyone who states otherwise is either deluding themselves or simply hasn't played recently.

Long-lived MMOs like EQ are depressing shadows of their former glory. On EQ for example, the servers are mostly deserted and the existing playerbase is predominantly max level players who multi-box 2-6 accounts just so they can continue playing. The same people are fiercely vocal on their official boards insisting the game remains inflexible and doesn't resort to, "EZ-mode WoW tricks" to bring in subscriptions. Consequently, the game remains true to its original design philosophy and ages terribly, gets no significant influx of new players, and eventually, the remaining playerbase leaves at a glacial pace.

Ultimately, play what you find enjoyable just bear in mind with the release of FFXIV, and the subsequent effect on the already diminished playerbase, the ability to be able to play FFXI to its fullest may be something you will have no control over.

[IronMonk]

Re: Worth Coming Back?

Hmm... I really want to play again, I am not looking for end game content just want to play to enjoy the game. I have been looking at so many different MMO's to play. AoC, L2, WAR and a couple others, I want to unlock a few jobs and just level them, but now I am really unsure. I love the FF series, but I do not want to come back and be disappointed. ugh I am not sure I hate this, the question is what am I going to do when I log in and then the other question what are my goals...

[ItazuraNhomango]

Re: Worth Coming Back?

Well, all things must end; even the universe's lifetime is finite. (Probably. Though, the concept of time may or may not have meaning when it reaches heat death.)

That said, there are probably still years of life left in FFXI, so you have plenty of time to find those goals which truly motivate you if you choose to rejoin and just meander around for a while.

[IronMonk]

Re: Worth Coming Back?

Well, all things must end; even the universe's lifetime is finite. (Probably. Though, the concept of time may or may not have meaning when it reaches heat death.)

That said, there are probably still years of life left in FFXI, so you have plenty of time to find those goals which truly motivate you if you choose to rejoin and just meander around for a while.

Very true, sadly all things do come to an end. But Ive decided to come back until the release of XIV. The FFXI fat lady may be humming but she hasn't started singing ... yet. So I will enjoy the game the best that I can play just to play, I love th FF series I have beaten every single except for 8 & 9... but thats what my haxed psp is for :D . Anyway my main guy is on asura and his name is Ryven hope to see some people online from this kick ass community. Later

[Romyro]

Re: Worth Coming Back?

If SE can squeeze out at least 2 more years of FFXI, i'll be one happy little Taru. Though I’m hoping it’s longer than that.

I’m here till the end. I certainly will try the new FF and perhaps form a little addiction to it but I don’t see myself ever leaving FFXI. I’ve spent so much time on it, earned so much and still have so much to do. It just doesn’t feel right to quit.

As mentioned, eventually the servers will probably lessen/condense. But once that happens…I’m assuming they’d be semi full again.

[Firewind]

Re: Worth Coming Back?

When Aion inevitably becomes old, they'll just leave it in favor of whatever the next big thing is - be it Star Wars: The Old Republic or even, dare I say it?, Final Fantasy XIV.

Using that logic then Modern Warfare 2 is going to die as soon as MAG comes out then that will die when the second half of Borderlands comes out then that will die when Bad Company 2 comes out then that in turn will die when Halo: Reach comes out...

People that log in just to do Dynamis or other events generate crap to sell on the AH but don't contribute to the life of the server. Kujata is turning into a very quiet place, and I doubt that it is only happening on one server.

I think YM is just pissy that right now I'm not joining the cool crowd in slagging off Aion while playing wait and see with FFXIV because the server tranfer prices for FFXI in the UK (and probably the Eurozone too) are just plain extortionate. I mean for the price of a server transfer i nthe UK (roughly 40 US Dollars IIRC) I can get a grab a second hand PS3/360 game.

As mentioned, eventually the servers will probably lessen/condense. But once that happens…I’m assuming they’d be semi full again.

I wouldn't mind seeing server merges if it meant I could actually get things done without having to either stay up until 3am for US prime time or wake up at 5am and see if there are any Australians still playing...

[Grizzlebeard]

Re: Worth Coming Back?

I wouldn't mind seeing server merges if it meant I could actually get things done without having to either stay up until 3am for US prime time or wake up at 5am and see if there are any Australians still playing...

It's only taken seven years but there's finally a respectable EU presence on Fenrir. Dyna/Limbus/Ein/Sky/Salvage/ZNM but no Sea, although who gives a fuck about Sea really. I know you've already stated the transfer fee is something you wouldn't pay but if you ever change your mind send me an IM and I'd hook you up with some introductions.

[ShepardG]

Re: Worth Coming Back?

hmmm. Grizzle, going back to your post about EQ, and FFxi's life. I can't really say one way if ffxi is "dying".

If we wanna get into this, everything is dying from the moment it's born, video games, you, me, carrots, pickup trucks, hypercolor t-shirts, staplers, so saying it's dying is such a silly way to describe an MMO
The term "Dying" when used to describe an mmo is more like saying, "it continues, but not as many people play it". Which is fine. Dune parties were always hard to get, soloing in FFxi is still a long slow process, farming in FFxi has and continues to be a tedious time sink, and FFxi endgame is still largely dependent on 12+ groups of dedicated players.
The influx of people has definetly diminished but there are ways to circumvent this problem.
On the leveling to cap side of the house you have FOV, Level Sync, and my favorite, the Smn Burn. Getting to Qufim island used to be such a pain, and now you can be level 23 with 3 hi-ethers!
Endgame still has bots, FFxi still has RMTransactions, and People still camp leaping lizzy. It's all a relative thing, and the OP's original question is not answerable by anyone. It's a loaded question and one that he/she should recognize as such.

We can't determine if you will garner any enjoyment by coming back to Final Fantasy 11. I will tell you the following things:

1. FFxi has always been @ or near the top of the list for challenging, tough, MMO's This hasn't changed
2. Unless you have friends to help you get some stuff done in game, it's going to be tough to complete alot of missions until you get 1 or 2 jobs to level 75.
3. Making friends in FFxi is "virtually" the same as in RL.


Well after having read this and then went back to check posts, I see the OP will return, so basically this thread was a bit silly.
TL;DR VERSION
Sure FFxi is dying, but so is FFXiV.

[IronMonk]

Re: Worth Coming Back?

hmmm. Grizzle, going back to your post about EQ, and FFxi's life. I can't really say one way if ffxi is "dying".

If we wanna get into this, everything is dying from the moment it's born, video games, you, me, carrots, pickup trucks, hypercolor t-shirts, staplers, so saying it's dying is such a silly way to describe an MMO
The term "Dying" when used to describe an mmo is more like saying, "it continues, but not as many people play it". Which is fine. Dune parties were always hard to get, soloing in FFxi is still a long slow process, farming in FFxi has and continues to be a tedious time sink, and FFxi endgame is still largely dependent on 12+ groups of dedicated players.
The influx of people has definetly diminished but there are ways to circumvent this problem.
On the leveling to cap side of the house you have FOV, Level Sync, and my favorite, the Smn Burn. Getting to Qufim island used to be such a pain, and now you can be level 23 with 3 hi-ethers!
Endgame still has bots, FFxi still has RMTransactions, and People still camp leaping lizzy. It's all a relative thing, and the OP's original question is not answerable by anyone. It's a loaded question and one that he/she should recognize as such.

We can't determine if you will garner any enjoyment by coming back to Final Fantasy 11. I will tell you the following things:

1. FFxi has always been @ or near the top of the list for challenging, tough, MMO's This hasn't changed
2. Unless you have friends to help you get some stuff done in game, it's going to be tough to complete alot of missions until you get 1 or 2 jobs to level 75.
3. Making friends in FFxi is "virtually" the same as in RL.


Well after having read this and then went back to check posts, I see the OP will return, so basically this thread was a bit silly.
TL;DR VERSION
Sure FFxi is dying, but so is FFXiV.

You make a valid point once a life cycle starts it has already begun to end... I understand that coming back to a game that is 8 years old will be tough, but I feel it will be worth it. This game will just be a place holder for FFXIV, as soon as 14 releases I will be jumping to it. I have played WoW for 5 years and how I wish I could get those years back.

I was playing AoC, then EQ2, then lotro then Aion but nothing comes close to FF, sure yes FF is a lot of work but in the end it will be worth it. Most games have Botters and RMTers these are what we call the lazy and incompetent fail at alot and need some string of code to get things done for them... I despise these people they are out for theirs selves and do not care about the others. Every game has their fair share of them I mean look at Aion and L2 they are notorious for them.

Anyway lol got off topic there, so yea hopefully my RL friend will be joining me he is not sure I told him play what makes you happy. If my friend does not join me, I think I am a pretty easy guy to get along with so hoepfully making ffxi friends wont be to hard. Damn I can't wait to leave work and go play.

TL;DR Version for all you returnees/new comers
'Play what makes you happy' we can ask till we are blue in the face if a game is worth playing, coming back to etc... In the end it is your decision. And I made mine, see you in game.