The first cross-platform, cross-continent MMORPG, FINAL FANTASY XI, allows gamers to connect to the same exact world regardless of whether they are playing on a personal computer (PC) or PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and whether they are playing in North America or Japan. In Japan, FINAL FANTASY XI for the PlayStation 2 and for Windows® were released in May and November 2002, respectively. Approximately a year later in October 2003, FINAL FANTASY XI for Windows® launched in North America, followed by the PlayStation 2 version in March 2004. This first online title in the world- renowned series has quickly become one of most popular MMORPGs to date.
About FINAL FANTASY XI
FINAL FANTASY XI blends sorcery and technology. The once peaceful world of Vana'diel® stands at the brink of war as a power struggle slowly emerges among the three nations. The struggle focuses on the control of sacred crystals: an essential source of all creation. An unknown malevolent force rises in Vana'diel with a passion for the energy within the crystals.
In FINAL FANTASY XI, players will undertake multiple adventures through vast environments in the world of Vana'diel, a persistent world that has more than 100 areas to explore, including mountains, forests, ice plains, deserts, oceans, rivers, castles, and dungeons. The brand new gaming universe contains the award-winning visual content, innovative gameplay and deep storyline seen throughout the FINAL FANTASY series. FINAL FANTASY XI allows players to create their alter ego that will exist in the world of Vana'diel, choosing from a variety of races, facial features, hairstyles and colors. They will be able to play at their own pace and form parties by utilizing the various communication tools that have been incorporated into FINAL FANTASY XI, including easy-to-use chat and messaging systems. The inclusion of the "Rise of the Zilart" expansion pack expands the storyline and opens up a variety of higher-level skills and abilities.
The soon to be released expansion "Chains of Promathia" brings a new chapter to the story of Vana'diel. Expanding the world of Vana'diel, new areas never before seen in maps will surface and towns, which have been spoken of but never seen, will emerge. Fabled legends will also be realized in Chains of Promathia. As some of the mysteries of Vana'diel are unraveled, additional secrets will be discovered in the intricately designed expansion, Chains of Promathia. The expansion will be available on CD-ROM and will not be available for download.
Availability and Pricing
Published by Square Enix U.S.A., Inc., FINAL FANTASY XI for Windows® is available for a suggested retail price of $49.99 (USD). FINAL FANTASY XI for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America and pre- installed on the internal Hard Disk Drive is available for a suggested retail price of $99 (USD). Subscribers will receive their first 30 days of access without charge. Aside from Internet service provider access charges, the free trial period will begin on the date players create their first Content ID or character. Any additional Content IDs purchased are also available without charge until the end of the free trial period. After 30 days, players can continue to play FINAL FANTASY XI by paying a monthly fee of $12.95 (USD) for one FINAL FANTASY XI character and can create up to 15 additional characters for an additional charge of $1.00 (USD) per character, per month. Tetra Master®, the online version of the wildly popular and addictive mini-game from FINAL FANTASY IX, is also included in the package and is available for $1.00 (USD) per month. Payment for monthly access charges must be made by credit card only (restrictions apply).
PlayOnline
FINAL FANTASY XI is a multiplayer online game in which players play via the Internet, and is playable via broadband or dial-up connection on both the PC and PlayStation 2. FINAL FANTASY XI is accessible only through the PlayOnline network service, a network service created by Square Enix. PlayOnline provides a wide range of online services and entertainment including games, entertainment and communication. Thus, PlayOnline not only serves as a portal to the world of FINAL FANTASY XI, but also a gateway to several other applications including communication tools such as email, messaging, a "Friend List," games, support, downloadable files and audiovisual customization. Players will create personalized PlayOnline identities or "handles" that allow other players to communicate with each other, no matter where they are on the PlayOnline network. These basic services on the PlayOnline network will be free of charge. For more information on PlayOnline, FINAL FANTASY XI and Tetra Master, please visit the official Web site at http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/index.shtml.
FINAL FANTASY XI for Windows® System Requirements The minimum system requirements for FINAL FANTASY XI for Windows are as follows: Windows 98/98 SE/Me/2000/XP, Intel® Pentium® III 800Mhz or higher, 128MB RAM, 6GB of hard drive space, DirectX® 8.1 compatible sound card, CD-ROM drive, keyboard, 56K or faster Internet connection, and either the ATI® Radeon(TM) 9000 series or NVIDIA® GeForce(TM) series video card with 32MB of RAM.
FINAL FANTASY XI for PlayStation 2/Hard Disk Drive (40GB) (for PlayStation®2) Specifications
Published by Sony Computer Entertainment America, FINAL FANTASY XI for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system comes pre-installed on the Hard Disk Drive (40GB)(for PlayStation®2). The Hard Disk Drive attaches to the Network Adaptor (Ethernet/modem) (for PlayStation®2), which connects to both broadband and dial-up networks and rests in the expansion bay of the PlayStation 2 console. The launch of the Hard Disk Drive opens a new world for gamers by enabling the possibility of new entertainment experiences utilizing 40GB of storage capacity. Additional product features include faster caching times and in the near future, the ability to download content for online games such as new tracks, stadiums and characters.
The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has rated FINAL FANTASY XI "T" for Teen. For more information about the ESRB, visit http://www.esrb.org.