[Boomer!]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the community so before I ask anything I'd like to say that I'm a huge Final Fantasy fan, and I'm really looking forward to getting started on this game, which leads us to my question.
I've read everything there is to read about this game, I've gathered all the information about it I could and I've been wanting to start playing this game since it first came out, due to an unfortunate series of events I only recently got that chance. I have played some MMORPG's like WoW and Guild Wars although I ended up leaving the first mainly due to a crappy community (IMO). I wanted to ask this question here to avoid the usual WoW trolls trashing this game (as they do with every other MMO, no offense to any current WoW players here). So, what I really would like to know is this, FFXI has been out since 2003, that's a long time for an MMO, and I wanted to know if there's still room for another newbie in this game, it's just that if I'm going to pay monthly fees I would like to know that I won't be spending 90% of my playtime in empty areas. How many people still play this game approximately, I heard the playerbase has remained the same since the game came out, which I think is good, it's just that I like playing with a lot of players.
So, that's basicly it for now, is it ok for me to join? Have lots of people quit the game, does it have regular new content updates to keep it fresh and appealing? Did most people do everything there is to do in the game or like I asked, there's always something new to do. I'm buying the 360 version of the game so it should come with all the expansion packs, oh and, from what I've seen reading these forums this game seems to have an amazing community, do most players have a nice attitude towards new players?

I'm sorry for all these questions but if any of you could answer them it'd be a big help. Anyways, I'll hopefully begin posting more often on the forums when I buy the game, so, see you all around.

[Boomer!]

I'm sorry for the double post, just bumping this.

Please guys, an answer would be really great as this may affect my decision to buy the game (although to be honest I'll probably end up buying it).

Anyways, anyone?

[711rocks]

I would say that it's definatly harder for newer players now, but theres always people leveling new jobs so maybe it's not terrible.
The new Level-Sync thing next month will probably make it significantly easier.

[TheGrandMom]

Hi and welcome to FFXIO. Please become familiar with the search feature:

Final Fantasy XI :: Dreams in Vana'diel :: Community - Search Forums

Many times your questions have been answered more than once and will be ignored because of that fact. There is also a thread with very good links to other helpful sites that can be found here:

Links!

Just generally browsing around the forums can answer a lot of your questions plus give you a heads up on whats going on in game. Good luck in FFXI and enjoy your stay at FFXIO.

[Boomer!]

Thank you very much to both of you.

And, TheGrandMom, those links will be very useful once I start playing but I just wanted a player's insight on this, and I believe no one had answered this question before, I may be wrong though.