Importers still using the JP client and software... why?

[Black Heart]

I look at screenshots posted here on FFXI and in other places mostly by importers and I see they are still using the Japanese FFXI software.. and I wonder.. why?
I know that everyone is free to use whichever they prefer, but why play a game that isn't in your native language? It doesn't make sense to me. Is it a matter of not having the $40 to get the NA software? I can understand that you might be used to the japanese characters and interface now... but I really think it would benefit people who can't read japanese to switch over to the NA version for a number of reasons. Just my suggestion.

[Synbios]

A) Some people can understand Japanese perfectly like it's their native language.

B) It's easier to get invites with a JP search comments rather than a tabbed one.

C) Same as above, but for forming party.

It all boils down to personal preferences. Some of my friends switch over to EN version when we're doing missions so they can understand the story, and then switch back to JP version when we're making a party/doing shouts/hiding gaijin-ness.

[Seul]

For me, I prefer to use the JP version for partying and any important battling. The text in the NA chat window during a battle is just too similar and gets hard to distinguish. In the JP version, you only have to look at key parts of every sentance to understand what is going on in the battle. It makes things much quicker and less confusing. I use the NA version mainly for questing and missions.

Oh, and kaomoji > everyting.

[Shuketsu]

I keep the JP version for a few reasons, most of which have been stated:
1) Easier to pick out important text. On the english version, everything melds together into one giant blob of text. For example, I can spot

Shoe‚Í?Aƒyƒ“ƒ^ƒXƒ‰ƒXƒg
?¨Ba‚É?A695ƒ_ƒ??[ƒW?B

much easier than

Shoe uses Penta Thrust for 695 points of damage or whatever the EN version says.

2) The Japanese love their language. If I get a PT invite on the EN version and I respond with the tab menu, chances are I'm getting turned down. If I say "Yes please, but I only understand a little Japanese" in Japanese... good chance I'll get accepted. Same goes for search comments. If I show a moderate knowledge of Japanese in my comment, most Japanese people won't care whether I'm a gaijin or not. I've even had some "JP Onry" people pick me up for PTs (although that might have simply been out of desperation).

3) „Œ(?M?\?L)

4) Responding in Japanese to annoying tells so people will leave me alone.

[Senshi Soniti]

1.) Impersonating a JP to avoid NA tells

2.) It's just easier. Seriously- I've got everything set up on the JP version, macros, etc. I just don't see a point to switch.

3.) The JP usually don't like (|Please invite me!|) tab menu messages. It's easier to get a higher quality PT because frankly, the JP just know how to do their jobs better.

[bungiefan]

Reasons I use the JP version:

1) I don't have a PC. This is a Mac household.

2) The North American HDD software is looking to be inferior. Tf the FAQ sheets about the HDD that local game stores have been getting are true, the NA HDD is shipping with HDD Utility Disc version 1.10. Japan abandoned HDD Utility Disc after version 1.00, once PSBBN came out, and PSBBN has so many more features that I use.

3) The NA version doesn't allow manual input of Japanese text. I'm currently learning Japanese in college, would like more chance to practice, and find romaji hard to use considering my classes have all discouraged the use of it. I'm not really interested in paying SquareEnix of America anything for their version if they're going to put me where I can play alongsaide the Japanese but cannot use their language, while they can use mine. I'm not comfortable either being forced to use an auto-translator/romaji or expecting the Japanese to use English, when I currently know some Japanese.

[DJplaeskool]

...basically everything that was already said...

-89.99999% of everything I do is with JPs...therefore I require the ability to commincate. The (|Tab Menu|) just doesn't cut it...

-The JP interface is so much easier on the eyes...
‚r‚™‚?‚’‚?‚Ì?UŒ‚?@?¨?@‚r‚?‚?‚…‚”‚ˆ‚‰‚Ž‚‡‚É?Aƒ~ƒX?B
vs.
Syara attacks the Something, but misses.
Infinitely easier to follow combat.

-Kaomoji pwnz j00 ‚í‚Ÿ‚¢?R(?Þ?Ü?R)(?^?Ü?Þ)?^‚í‚Ÿ‚¢?ô

-I can become a moderator for translational purposes if there are both NA and JP in PTs

[Black Heart]

Originally posted by Senshi Soniti

3.) The JP usually don't like (|Please invite me!|) tab menu messages. It's easier to get a higher quality PT because frankly, the JP just know how to do their jobs better.

That is generalizing and sounds like fascism to me. I've been playing FFXI since the American Beta, I've studied the game alot and I consider myself a good player. I have partied with tons of American players who are great too. Conversly I have partied with japanese players who are crazy and have no idea how to make a party work. Think whatever you want, but believing japanese players are just naturally better at FFXI is one-sided and foolish.

To be honest, I detest a lot of the "racism" in FFXI. I can understand people having a preference of who they play with based on language and understanding, but just being too lazy to use the translator or even attempt to play with Japanese or Americans JUST because of where they are or what language they speak is damned moronic. I really don't care who I group with, I've had fun in JP parties and American parties, I find both experiences equally rewarding. I just wish people wouldn't act like some players are inherently better than others and deserve to be played with, while others don't.

[DJplaeskool]

Originally posted by Black Heart
I just wish people wouldn't act like some players are inherently better than others and deserve to be played with, while others don't.

Unfortunately, most of us have had horrific experience when it comes to this...especially in the past just following the release...

There is an equalizing trend now, as players become more attuned to the ins and outs, so there isn't as much of a basis for it...

[Black Heart]

Originally posted by DJplaeskool

-The JP interface is so much easier on the eyes...
‚r‚™‚?‚’‚?‚Ì?UŒ‚?@?¨?@‚r‚?‚?‚…‚”‚ˆ‚‰‚Ž‚‡‚É?Aƒ~ƒX?B
vs.
Syara attacks the Something, but misses.
Infinitely easier to follow combat.

-Kaomoji pwnz j00 ‚í‚Ÿ‚¢?R(?Þ?Ü?R)(?^?Ü?Þ)?^‚í‚Ÿ‚¢?ô

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, and I can appreciate and understand your preference. I am not against the use of the JP software by Americans. To each his own, you know? I just find it annoying to be honest.

I love the english language (as complex and nonsensical as it can be). I love languages in general to be honest, I am trying to learn japanese as well and am taking a class on it in the fall semester. But I cannot understand the JP interface one bit... it is just a jumble of meaningless symbols to me. The english interface just seems so much better. I do understand that it is mainly preference. The reason it annoys me however, is it sort of promotes or has created a "niche" or club amoung importers using kanji that NA players such as myself cannot understand.
I have no idea what "Kaomoji pwnz j00 ‚í‚Ÿ‚¢?R(?Þ?Ü?R)(?^?Ü?Þ)?^‚í‚Ÿ‚¢?ô" means for instance.
It feels as if there is STILL a seperation between NA importers and regular NA players on these boards and in the game.

[Cobalt Katze]

I'm suspicious if this was just a bait to start another racism flame war.

It feels as if there is STILL a seperation between NA importers and regular NA players on these boards and in the game.

There will always be a seperation.

In any case here's my reasoning:

EN version: Questing, Missions, storyline-related things, just hanging out.

JP version: Partying outside of a set party. If I'm going to party, I would like the option of a JP or EN party. If I am on EN version, I can only party with EN people. If I am on JP, I can succesfully communicate with both peoples. It's just a matter of versitality.

[Gak912]

How nice of you to completely overlook the fact that FFXI started on PS2, and some people own the JP PS2 version like myself. I do not feel a need to upgrade my computer (which is a few years old) just to see some text in English.

[Awntawn]

Kaomoji = those kickass japanese faces like “Ê(?M„t?L)ƒm

And I don't care what you say, it is an utter fact that kaomoji is 20000000% superior to those crappy-ass ASCII pieces of shit D;/

Not everyone's trying to pull an act of racism on your ass, calm down. 80% of us here are living in NA anyhow.

[StarRealms]

you can't input japanese text into the EN client. That is the biggest reason for staying with the JP client IMO.

[Starv]

After playing well over a year on a JP interface, I would like to keep it that way, and I also dont wanna import NA version which is way over-priced cus it's imported.

I would have to also say that I like to type japanese as well as engrish.

“Ê?i?|?Q?|?j‚™?|?`?`

ƒmƒV