[Losrase]

Originally Posted by Yoichi Wada

One of our main projects is FFXI, and a lot of people are playing it globally, which means that there is a community for this game that people live in, and that needs to be managed. When a group of people share the same ideas, values and concepts, we regard it as a kind of demographic group, and we would like to make the management of that kind of group a major part of our business strategy.
What we feel is important is catering for them individually. Other companies see a group of one million people there, two million people here, and deal with them as a group of three million. We would like to deal with these groups individually. That's why we place great emphasis on it.

I am kind of speechless. I didnt think the FFXI was a main project for SE. I assume we were one of there "back of the line" projects. One of those projects that employees keep up and the manager really doesnt care about. It makes me feel better that a game I been playing for years is still "close to the front of the line."

You can see the entire article here
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=32093

[Mhurron]

Originally Posted by Losrase

I am kind of speechless. I didnt think the FFXI was a main project for SE. I assume we were one of there "back of the line" projects.

What made you think that? Because FFXI is a huge, constant cash influx for SE? Because they make regular updates to the game? Because they release expansions on a more or less regular basis?

[Raydeus]

Because we haven't seen the DX9 upgrade yet...

[Mhurron]

They said they hoped to have it around the Wings release, not that they would.

[LyonheartLakshmi]

Originally Posted by Mhurron

They said they hoped to have it around the Wings release, not that they would.

For most players, saying they "hope to" automatically translates to being a blood oath.

[Mhurron]

It's not really SE's fault that the majority of the player base doesn't have a reading comprehension level above that of an amoeba.

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Originally Posted by Mhurron

It's not really SE's fault that the majority of the player base doesn't have a reading comprehension level above that of an amoeba.

I think you're still giving them too much credit.

[Ellipses]

ZOMG you guys! They're going to introduce a Manager job! With some kind of Catering JA? I'll bet it's a party buff based on food. lol Timez to lol level lol cooking lol! I'll bet "Great Emphasis" is like Provoke. Manager is the new tank!

[wrongfeifong]

Funny about that considering FFXI is more profitable then actually selling another "FF" console game and hope for success.

You have account in material cost, transportation, adverstising, and manufacturing when making a new game if the same developper cost.

While maintaining a server is not costly and the so call constant update are small.

Each player pays roughly 200 buck per year for the game. I am sure you won't pay more then 1 SE product per year. Even if a FF series does sell roughly 60 million copy worldwide... compare to the 750k subscribers.

SE have more then 1 MMORPG running as well. (infact SE made 4 MMORPG as far i can tell or more)

[Raydeus]

Originally Posted by Mhurron

They said they hoped to have it around the Wings release, not that they would.

I want DX9. Now!

Originally Posted by KonLakshmi

For most players, saying they "hope to" automatically translates to being a blood oath.

Exactly as Kon said.

[Feba]

I am kind of speechless. I didnt think the FFXI was a main project for SE.

Either it's not, or SE is dying.

[LyonheartLakshmi]

If FFXI isn't a main project for SE, that could be viewed as good news as well. Look at what FFXI is today. If SE could come up with this as merely a side project, imagine what they could do it got the attention that a "main project" would.

[Malacite]

Warm fuzzies all around!

It's too bad the dev team didn't really get to do with Vana'diel as they'd originally intended.

I'm still holding out for a next-gen FFXI. I doubt it'll ever happen but it's fun to dream.


EDIT:

Do you feel that the recent price cuts have significantly improved PS3's positioning in the market?

I am expecting an improvement. But I personally feel the price is quite low as it is. My mobile phone is actually more expensive than a PS3, but nobody thinks that's too expensive.

SE just made my day ^^b

[little ninja]

If this is their main project I'd really hate to see their other projects.

[IfritnoItazura]

I think it took over a year after FFXI went live before it became operationally in black ink. All the years before that, pure bleeding on the financial terms.

Given that kind of investment, it'd be hard to believe Square-Enix would set it aside casually and think of it as a side project, especially when the subscription revenue is still holding steady.