Happy 20th Anniversary to FINAL FANTASY XI!
Yes, you read that right - the long-running MMORPG has been going now for two full decades! The milestone’s a testament to its enduring appeal and the passion of its wonderful community.
Also, an uncomfortable reminder of the inexorable march of time for those of us there from the start, but let’s gloss over that, because there’s a lot to celebrate, including game updates, a new website gallery, the first part of a new interview series with FINAL FANTASY XIV Online Producer and Director Naoki Yoshida, an upcoming Reddit AMA, and more!
But let’s start with the game itself…
The May update
The May version update recently released, adding new content and updates for Vana’diel’s brave adventurers:
The Voracious Resurgence - Chapter 8: Part 1 of the latest story arrives, as the beastmen begin to hear whisperings of despair - and fear for a future of misery.
New Foes in Ambuscade - This month’s Ambuscade battle updates include the return of Pteraketos and Mamool Ja.
May Login Campaign - From May 11 at 4pm (BST) to June 9 at 3pm (BST), players can receive various rewards by logging in each day and collecting points to exchange for prizes. May’s campaign features a Noble Chocobo mount!
Find out more about the May Login Campaign
A new Vana’diel March
To celebrate the 20th Anniversary, FINAL FANTASY XI composer Naoshi Mizuta has created a new version of the “Vana’diel March” song.
This new track, titled “We Are Vana’diel,” is described as “an uplifting melody that stirs your sense of adventure” by the game’s producer Akihiko Matsui. It’s an apt description, but don’t take our word for it - you can hear it for yourselves on the start menu.
A new 20th Anniversary digital art gallery
We’ve also launched a new digital art gallery that features curated artworks from the fan community, which cover the rich history of the game and its world, from beloved characters to defining moments.
You can take a look at all the incredible art here:
WE ARE VANA’DIEL website
If you want to get a new look into the development of FINAL FANTASY XI, you should visit the WE ARE VANA’DIEL special website. The site features anecdotes from the history of the game’s development, expansive galleries of artwork, interviews with key figures adjacent to the title, and much more.
In the latest installment of an ongoing behind-the-scenes series, WE ARE VANA’DIEL sits down with Naoki Yoshida - the Producer and Director of FINAL FANTASY XIV. In the first part of a four-part interview, he talks about his involvement with FINAL FANTASY XI, how he became part of Square Enix, and his thoughts on FFXI as the division lead.
It’s a fascinating read - check it out here:
Announcing a Reddit AMA with FFXI’s Producer & Director
Got a question about the long-running title? Then we have the perfect opportunity for you! FINAL FANTASY XI Online’s Producer Akihiko Matsui and Director Yoji Fujito will be hosting a Reddit AMA on the FFXI subreddit on May 24 from 02:30am (BST) to 4:00am (BST) as part of the anniversary festivities.
If you’d like to submit a question, or read through the answers after the fact, be sure to visit the FFXI subreddit when the date arrives: https://www.reddit.com/r/ffxi/
UNIQLO Collaboration
Did you know that 2022 is also the 35th Anniversary of the FINAL FANTASY series as a whole? To celebrate, UNIQLO has launched a range of designs featuring the 16 mainline FINAL FANTASY titles. The FINAL FANTASY XI T-shirt is particularly lovely and features the designs of the Ark Angels.
To commemorate this collaboration, anyone who logs into FINAL FANTASY XI Online from now through to Tuesday May 31, 2022 at 3.59pm (BST), will get a special Ark Shield in-game item.
Return Home to Vana’diel Campaign
All this anniversary excitement may have reminded some of you that it’s been a while since you logged into the game. From now until May 31, 2022, at 1:00 am PDT, past subscribers can play FINAL FANTASY XI free of charge!
Not only that, but you can also take part in a variety of in-game campaigns for special rewards. With 20 years of development, a lot of content has been added to the game, and many improvements to the systems too. If you haven’t played for a while, you’re in for a real treat!
Visit the campaign site to learn more:
Get the complete experience and expansion for less
Finally, the downloadable versions of the FINAL FANTASY XI: Ultimate Collection Seekers Edition and the Seekers of Adoulin expansion pack are available on the Square Enix Store for up to 67% off!
The deal runs from now through to May 31, 2022 - so if you’ve been looking for a reason to visit (or revisit) this amazing game, now’s the perfect time!
A massive thank you to all our fans for helping FINAL FANTASY XI reach this momentous milestone.
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