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Update 08/29/09: Word by word translation of the Dengeki interview with Tanaka and Sundi
Dengeki recently posted a new interview with FFXIV producer Hiromichi Tanaka and Global Online Producer Sage Sundi. Translations are be Heaven's Calamity, editing consultation by Gyli. Translations are the translators interpretation of the interview, there are no direct quotes.
At E3 in June, the announcement of FFXIV came as a surprise to many. Recently at Gamescom in Germany, a playable form of the game was shown. On site were producer Hiromichi Tanaka and Global Online Producer Sage Sundi. We had the chance to sit down and interview them.
Some information from the interview:
- Unlike in FFXI, the 4 different versions are being developed simulataneously to prep for worldwide launch of the game.
- Auto attack is removed.
- Even if a skill gap is present among party members, kiling a monster will still grant combat skill increase.
- Skill caps are equivalent to level caps.
- Short guild leves are developed for those who do not have much time.
- There are specific combat skill Guild Leves - uses sword as an example.
- Different nations will have different guild leves.
- Aetheryte system developed for convenience and focus on content outside of cities. Reduce travel time for groups meeting up and make the entire system more efficient.
- Aside from just items and money, NM(Notorious monsters) may present rare item drops in Guild leves.
- HNM guild leaves are being developed for large groups and are being considered to be implemented in the game at launch. (HNMs confirmed?!?!)
- There won't be any overlap between players killing monsters for guild leves since they are all instanced for the guild leve recipients.
- There is non fighting content for crafting classes, but for advanced dungeons fighting will be necessary.
- Weapons now have durability, working with a crafter or leveling a crafting job yourself will be crucial to progression.
- Economy will still be trade among players driven with an auction house possibility. Other options are still being considered.
- SE is attemping to create an economy and trading system that people who do not play often can use as well.
- Currently only the 3 starting nations exist.
- Main storylines are going to play a large role once again, this time with voice acting.
- English voice acting thus far, subtitles provided for other regions.
- The main aim or motivation for players in FFXIv will be "growth". You can develop your character and grow how you want to. Something a casual player and a hardcore player can share.
- Variation among armor progress more drastically than FFXI!
- Different armor will have different skill requirements. Each weapon has corresponding gear paths. There is general purpose gear and skill purposed gear, example is fencers for increased speed of sword skill leveling.
- SE would love to start the beta immediately, but more development work needs to be done. Tanaka wants some playable form of the game available to everyone like the 30 minute guild leve example at Gamescom.
- Tanaka wants a very large group of people to be able to test the game and provide feedback as early in the development as possible.
- Sundi wants to expand the GM team from FFXI to help with the beta of FFXIV.
- The Special Tast Force will be back for FFXIV, and use of SE security tokens may become required.
Tanaka and Sundi give their closing message to the Japanese populus waiting to play FFXIV.
Tanaka: It was important to show the guild leve system at Gamescom because it is such an important part of the game, I want to improve upon the system based on feedback from the user.
Sundi: We want to work hard with fansites and the global community, providing official information. Connecting the global community to the development team is what I'm concerned with.
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