What SE could do, but won't.

[Feba]

Re: What SE could do, but won't.

Which is exactly what I was saying, it's not like this would have to be done only on FFXI. SE could very well recycle the graphics from an FFXI upgrade for an FFXI sequel.

This would also give them a LOT of content out of the gates in a sequel, and allow them to focus more on improving the game play.

[Malacite]

Re: What SE could do, but won't.

Let's not forget probably the most important factor now.

PS2, like PS1 before it and PS3 was designed with the 10-year life cycle in mind, and we're on year 8 or 9 now? So pretty soon Sony's going to stop supporting PS2 altogether.

Furthermore, the older units that can support the PS2 (like mine before I traded it in) are discontinued and are very likely to start (if they haven't already which they should) giving their owners problems. Sooner or later (I'm betting on the former) the PS2 users are going to be SOL and forced to change to PC, 360 or install their discs on PS3 regardless.

So why not just speed up the transition?

[Raydeus]

Re: What SE could do, but won't.

Because the PS3/360 combined haven't sold enough units to ensure most PS2 users (in Japan) will have a mean to play the game if PS2 support is terminated?

Of course I have no odea if that's the case or not, just asking.

[ItazuraNhomango]

Re: What SE could do, but won't.

I'd repeat again the explanation that a graphic update for PC/xBox360 wouldn't mean the PS2 client would need to be retired or even altered, but I'm tired.

Some people seem to have a thing for killing the PS2 client...

[Feba]

Re: What SE could do, but won't.

I agree, the Wii is not a PS2 replacement, at least not yet, and the 360 and PS3 are still nowhere near the popularity of PS2.

And given the fact that, in Japan, the freaking *famicom* (which interestingly Nintendo is just now getting around to retiring) is more popular than the PSP, and I don't think the PS3 is doing much better, Sony would be insane to leave it. The PS2 is still a very very 'standard' console, although the good games for it are drying up.

Really though, I think SE should offer free FFXI downloads. I mean there's no reason not to. Give out free FFXI downloads, and week long trials. Helps with new players, and old ones.

I really don't understand why they don't-- just host a torrent file. feck, they wouldn't even have to seed it after the first day or two. I would be more effective at distributing FFXI than SE has been.

It would also be interesting to see an FFXI trial on XBL.

[Malacite]

Re: What SE could do, but won't.

True. But seriously, it's not just a matter of PS3's popularity, those older PS2 models simply won't last. I had mine (2nd or 3rd generation model) and took very good care of it. It started giving me grief about a year or so ago, and I finally got fed up with it and traded it in during the wake of the 60 GB clearance.

They're going to crap out sooner or later, and the newer models don't support the (discontinued) HDD...

[Feba]

Re: What SE could do, but won't.

true to a point. I'm the only person I know who still has a functioning launch PS2.

At the same time though, there are still tons of working PS2 units out there to replace them with.

[Malacite]

Re: What SE could do, but won't.

Maybe. Even sitting on a shelf un-used they just weren't made to last @. @ and like I said, they're discontinued. So your only hope would be a store like Microplay that still carries and sells old/used models or Ebay. I say speed the god damn process up already (and boost PS3 sales >_>b not because I'm a Sony fanboy, but to get other companies behind the system)

[Feba]

Re: What SE could do, but won't.

Malacite: considering that Sony royally fucked over SE when they shifted to the slim PS2, and I remember hearing SE saying that after FF13 they have no plans for the PS3, I highly doubt SE would want to contribute to their success. At least not without Sony giving SE a little monetary apology for screwing over the HDD.

[Malacite]

Re: What SE could do, but won't.

Very true. That was Sony's own fault though, they fucked up the PS2 HDD in North America. It did fine in Japan, but over here they were too worried about Piracy issues, and there just weren't enough games that took advantage of it.

Mind you, they also took out a lot of features that the Japanese players enjoyed (like faster load times on FFX and image galleries for Xenosaga) because of some bull shit piracy fears...


Sony really should apologize to SE. At the same time, SE pissed Sony off big time (and practically left them holding the bag) when Spirits Within failed miserably at the box office. I'm not saying two wrongs make a right, but it seems like there's some unnessecary bad blood between these two, and I for one would like to see that come to an end.

[Raydeus]

Re: What SE could do, but won't.

Yeah, the lack of HDD support is what will ultimately kill PS2 support sooner or later. If buying a next old PS2+HDD ends up being as expensive as buying a PS3 with PS2 backwards compatibility then you know what's gonna happen next.

[Lucky7]

Re: What SE could do, but won't.

I really don't see the big deal of the gfx. I'm new to this game and the gfx never bother me. True, it will be cooler if they looked like "Assassin's Creed", but they are not bad at all! They have aged quiet well. I think the environment effects (water in particular) shows its age, but overall the game look really good. I set all the settings to the highest and followed the regedit comments in these forums. All good.

The only thing that really bothers me is the UI. That definitely looks outdated. It feels old and cumbersome. It was even worst the first time I visited the ah, just painful. As many others I also play WoW. The game may not be the best, but the UI is really nice. Specially since Blizzard embraced the modding community by providing APIs so that anyone with some Lua knowledge can customize the UI to their likening.

I do believe, like others, that if S E wanted they could update the gfx in the PC/Xbox. They do have the talent and it will not take it long. But from a business perspective it makes no sense. Any minute they spend revamping this game is time they are no putting working on the gfx for their future MMO. I prefer they keep their gfx team over there.

[Malacite]

Re: What SE could do, but won't.

It's not that the graphics are bad, it's just that it would be cool if SE would do it.

Practicality aside, I don't think there's anyone here who wouldn't like to see the game running in better graphics. Vana'diel is a beautiful world, but I'd love to see it in full 1080p with Crysis level or better graphics. Won't happen I know, but still...

Flowing hair, living environments, decent VA and emotes... one can dream anyway.

[ItazuraNhomango]

Re: What SE could do, but won't.

For FFXI to keep going, the number of people joining must be at last as many as the number of people leaving over time. The visuals of the game is important in getting new poeple interested in the game.

I don't know about others, but I content with the current graphics--however, I also believe that an update will be worthwhile for attracting new players. IMO, A graphic overhaul plus porting the game to new platforms are the two keys to keeping the player population up (or even grow it), and keeping the player population up is the best way to preserve S-E's business interest in FFXI and protect its existing investment.

FFXI is in no dire strait, but unless it start to grow soon, it will fade away before too long.

[Grizzlebeard]

Re: What SE could do, but won't.

Very true. That was Sony's own fault though, they fucked up the PS2 HDD in North America.

They didn't even release the HDD in Europe.