[pixiehawk]

True, we've got one of each here. We still play the FFXI on the HDD model. Just often enough to have to do a freaking update when we do, but still.

[Monk Edsel]

Originally Posted by Celeal

Although personally I never tried it, there are Windows Emulator (such as WINE, which is an open source project) that runs Windows Applications on non-Windows platform

Thanks for the guidance, Celeal... After digging around for a bit, I found a download for what I understand to be the version of wine (Darwine) for PowerPC Macs, which is what I am using. Unfortunately, the Read-Me had this to say:

Important Warning: YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RUN WINDOWS APPLICATIONS (.exe's) USING USING THIS RELEASE ON POWERPC HARDWARE .

So, I guess that option is out for the time being. It does seem like the Intel version of Wine works just fine, but that would mean committing to a computer that isn't mine, and I can't bear to get reattached to that laptop again.

---------- Post added at 01:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:13 PM ----------

Originally Posted by pixiehawk

I thought they were putting out the next Vana'diel Collection, and it would include all the expansions, as well as the 3 mini expansions. All I can find about it is the release date for Japan (11/12/09), but with their desire to do world wide all at once they might release it everywhere and not have said anything outside of the Japanese site yet. Of course FFXIV might be in beta by then (btw- pulling that out my ass, do NOT take it as fact please) so it's up to you if you want to wait.

Ugh, yes, I really hope they release it for PS2 stateside! If they are, there is no mention of it yet on any of the major retailing sites, so that is a bit discouraging... I suppose I'll just let the expansions go unless I happen across a new 2008 copy collecting dust in a GameStop somewhere. I am actually wondering if Sears would have it, I know they used to be great for finding new out-of-print games on clearance.

---------- Post added at 01:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:19 PM ----------

Originally Posted by TheGrandMom

From the tone of your posts, its sounds to me like you've already answered your own question. My personal opinion would be to forget all the hassle of trying to track down the discs and the pain of installing and just concentrate on XIV and getting into the beta.

I do think you are right at this point... I am still eager and willing to play XI sans-expansions... I just hope I can find an awesome LS again, it really is the people that make the game fun (or, heh, not fun! )

I must say your mention of the XIV beta really jolted me, I actually never even thought to look into the beta it until you mentioned it. I have since dutifully signed up for every SE mailing list I could find, and made sure SCEA had my current address. Ha ha, thanks!

---------- Post added at 01:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:25 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Pwnagraphic

Well a lot of people have slim PS2's now which the HDD doesn't work with..

I would like to mention, it really killed me when Sony released the slim when they did... we had to wait ages until the HDD came out, and once it was here they basically killed it. Of course, there was always that external HDD that was produced in Japan for the early PS2s, but I guess it wasn't compatible with the slim. Looking back on it, it makes me surprised SE is still willing to give Sony preferential treatment over 360 when it comes to XIV, but I guess SE did just fine by releasing XI on 360, so perhaps the score is settled at this point.

[Pwnagraphic]

Sony doesn't have the same online policy as MS. I bet if they didn't, XIV would be coming out for 360 at the same time too.

[Monk Edsel]

Originally Posted by Pwnagraphic

Sony doesn't have the same online policy as MS. I bet if they didn't, XIV would be coming out for 360 at the same time too.

You mean, if they did have the same policy, they would both be debuting at the same time? Any FF game on a PS console in Japan (or anywhere else at this point) is a sure hit, and any PC game released in the US is guaranteed to have a huge potential user base if nothing else... where does that leave the 360? Do you really think MS would do anything to block such a huge title, particularly when they already have XI?

[Monk Edsel]

Well, after doing a bit of research I decided that I'd really like to be a SCH... I've previously only played as WHM (which I enjoy and do think I excel at.) I've always like the the idea of SMN, but it's always seemed a little underpowered to me, and the SCH seems like the all-around great mage I've always wanted to play. If I sub WHM (or vice-versa) I can stay in the WHM role I prefer without feeling boxed into a purely defensive/support role as I'll have access to the BLM spells and whatnot, and perhaps one day I'll still go after SMN... The issue now is that I have to level a job other than WHM (BLM, RDM, BLU or SMN) for the privilege, not to mention needing the WotG expansion. I suppose I could level up WHM, switch to RDM, level that and then acquire a copy of WotG (if not the whole set) in the meantime. Not my preferred route for sure, but I've always fancied being a RDM, so this will be as good an excuse as any.

[Monk Edsel]

Hmmm... well, I'm playing FFXI on Shiva as a WHM... I just hit level 10, and I made it to the Dunes a few minutes ago. It's 1 AM on a Saturday night, and there is practically no one here... no one to party with... I'm actually fairly surprised. I knew the game was in decline, but... wow. I'm really disappointed. If this is how it's going to be, there is no point in continuing to play, certainly no point in paying for the experience. I'm really not sure what to do at this point. I got all my macros ready before I left San D'oria, and now... nothing.

[TheGrandMom]

Ok...........you're ready to party for the first time and because there aren't people playing at 1 am on a Saturday night that means the game is declining and you quit. First off, even in its hey day you still had to wait for invites and people do have lives and go out on Saturday nights. Hell, I was even out this evening and I'm old! This game takes a lot of patience and always has. You can also solo on the plateau while you seek for a party........and don't wait for invites, make your own parties. Personally I usually soloed to at least 25 and usually more like 27 before I would take party invites......and yes before all the changes like FOV.

[Feba]

FFXI's soloable levels have moved up a lot; used to be you would, yes, leave for dunes at 10, but many people have started soloing up to higher levels after WOTG, and some even did longer before that like TGM and myself. I tried to stay out of parties as much as possible before 30 (and found some wacky ways to play doing it. DRG/BRD gogo), as those levels have the worst parties generally speaking, and Dunes was especially avoidable; for the area if nothing else. If I did form parties at that level, I would frequently go off the beaten path, to places like Shakrami or Korroloka. I wouldn't typically invite people in dunes, except as a last resort, since most weren't willing to make the journey anyway.

Another thing to keep in mind is that at 1AM, lots of NA users will be just going to sleep, and EU users will be just waking up. 1AM is 3PM JST, though, around the beginning of Japanese prime time. If you intend to be playing in the middle of the night a lot, (or generally speaking, outside NA prime time) keep in mind that you will have an even harder time getting invites than usual.

Give it time; it takes patience even on the best of all possible days, because parties are formed by human players and are not inherit in the system (they can be, but nobody uses that option). And there are tons of things to do when you're alone.