Square Enix announces new plans for Final Fantasy XI

Square Enix has new plans for Final Fantasy XI, as the company revealed a new initiative today with the “Vana’diel Project – a series of programs set to coincide with the game’s 14 years of service.

The first of these initiatives is the final scenario of Vana’diel. The first chapter of this content, known as “Rhapsodies of Vana’diel,” will be released starting May 2015 as part of a series of patch updates. It’s meant to serve as the crowning achievement of the FFXI story, bringing together major characters and elements from more than 13 years of history. The tale will come to a close in three parts that are scheduled to release in May, August and November this year. These updates will also see the introduction of new content, such as exciting battles and never-before-seen reward items.

Following this release, major updates will come to an end with operation of the PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 versions seeing their conclusion in March 2016. Players on PC, however, will be able to continue enjoying the game beyond that date. Further, “The Goddess’s Gala” in-game event will also be held – a festival to thank all players who have stepped into Vana’diel over its lifetime. This festival will consist of numerous campaigns to be enjoyed by all – from those who still play regularly, to those who have taken a break from adventuring.

Square Enix also announced a mobile project for Final Fantasy XI. The company is set to collaborate with Korean studio Nexon to bring the game to smartphones and tablets with battles and interface optimized for a touch screen interface. This application will be released worldwide.

The final piece of the project announced is Final Fantasy Grandmasters – an online game for smartphones set in the world of Vana’diel. Launching in Japan only for now, this game will feature real-time cooperative battles as players choose from a variety of jobs and equipment.

via Nova Crystallis