GDC 08: Q&A and FFXIII Presentation
At this years Game Developer’s Conference, Isamu Kamikokuryo disscussed the process in creating art for the Final Fantasy titles by awnsering questions from a crowded panel.

He began by disscussing how he came by getting his job at Square Enix, then breifly moved onto the High quality graphic’s Square Enix are able to produce within it’s pre-rendered movies.
Asked by how the team deals with the ‘uncanny valley problem’ Kamikokuryo replied, “In terms of the uncanny valley, that is something we have to fight against. We can’t go there - that’s basically how we feel about it. For all the things we create, many of the section creators get together and we make adjustments so this uncanny valley phenomenon doesn’t happen. We don’t usually use that phrase, because all the staff has this in mind while we do our work.”

Other questions involved the series Progression and stylization of games where Kamikokuryo noted,
“For example, we want to emphasize coolness and cuteness through stylization. If you look at the characters from Disney or Pixar, they’re not trying to make it too real. But the audience can get the theme from those films more directly due to the stylization.”

Once the Q&A was finished, a Final Fantasy XIII trailer was shown, and by starting the presentation
Kamikokuryo tried to sum up the Plot of Final Fantasy XIII without giving to much detail, but all his translator could summarize was “characters have to fight against the world… the world of enemies.”

Next was a showcase of concept art from the hopful RPG for PS3, showcasing a stunning arrangement of environments such as Cocoon, a giant green planet shrouded by clouds, Pulse a lush and filled jungle environment.
There where also art of beautiful vehicles and airships which are apprently available within the game, and also ‘insect-like green hovering autobikes, with nymph-like creatures riding them’ which was the most intriguing of them all.

The slideshow ended, completing the presentation.
This may be the hopeful sign that all fans have been waiting for, in that more information will be coming shortly from Square Enix.

Thanks to Ginryuu for informing us.

Source: Joystiq

What’s Your Favourite Job? The Battle Royal Continues!!
I’d like to thank everyone who voted for their favourite job, this week though we had one very clear winner, congrats go to Paladin!! it’s…

Post from: FFXI GIL GUIDES

He began by disscussing how he came by getting his job at Square Enix, then breifly moved onto the High quality graphic’s Square Enix are able to produce within it’s pre-rendered movies.
Asked by how the team deals with the ‘uncanny valley problem’ Kamikokuryo replied, “In terms of the uncanny valley, that is something we have to fight against. We can’t go there - that’s basically how we feel about it. For all the things we create, many of the section creators get together and we make adjustments so this uncanny valley phenomenon doesn’t happen. We don’t usually use that phrase, because all the staff has this in mind while we do our work.”

Other questions involved the series Progression and stylization of games where Kamikokuryo noted,
“For example, we want to emphasize coolness and cuteness through stylization. If you look at the characters from Disney or Pixar, they’re not trying to make it too real. But the audience can get the theme from those films more directly due to the stylization.”

Once the Q&A was finished, a Final Fantasy XIII trailer was shown, and by starting the presentation
Kamikokuryo tried to sum up the Plot of Final Fantasy XIII without giving to much detail, but all his translator could summarize was “characters have to fight against the world… the world of enemies.”

Next was a showcase of concept art from the hopful RPG for PS3, showcasing a stunning arrangement of environments such as Cocoon, a giant green planet shrouded by clouds, Pulse a lush and filled jungle environment.
There where also art of beautiful vehicles and airships which are apprently available within the game, and also ‘insect-like green hovering autobikes, with nymph-like creatures riding them’ which was the most intriguing of them all.

The slideshow ended, completing the presentation.
This may be the hopeful sign that all fans have been waiting for, in that more information will be coming shortly from Square Enix.

Thanks to Ginryuu for informing us.

Source: Joystiq

Post from: FFXI GIL GUIDES

Uchitake x33 (Katon - Fire) Woodworking: 26
Earth + Bamboo Stick + Jar of Toad Oil + Square of Grass Cloth

Tsurara x10 (Hyoton - Ice) Alchemy: 6
Ice + Distilled Waterx2 + Rocksalt

Kawahori-ogi (Huton - Wind) Woodworking: 39
Earth + Bamboo Stick + Block of Animal Glue + Bast Parchment

Makibishi x33 (Doton - Earth) Smithing: 23
Wind + Handful of Iron Scales

Hiraishin x33 (Raiton - Lightning) Goldsmithing: 31
Fire + Copper Ingot + Silver Ingot

Mizu-Deppo (Suiton - Water) Smithing: 7, Carpentry: 34
Earth + Bronze Sheet + Piece of Chestnut Lumber + Distilled Water

Shihei x33 (Utsusemi - Blink) Carpentry: 29
Wind + Black Ink + Bast Parchment x2

Jusatsu (Jubaku - Paralyze) Alchemy: 38
Dark + Black Ink + Beastmen’s Blood + Bast Parchment

Kaginawa (Hojo - Slow) Smithing: 15, Clothcraft 29
Earth + Bronze Ingot + Grass Thread + Manticore Hair

Sairui-ran (Kurayami - Blind) Alchemy: 28, Cooking: 11
Earth + Kazham Peppers + Bomb Ash + Bird Egg + Bast Parchment

Kodoku (Dokumori - Poison) Alchemy: 20
Dark + Elshimo Frog + Lugworm + Shell Bug

Shinobi-tabi (Tonko - Invisible) Clothcraft: 34
Earth + Saruta Cotton + Grass Thread + Cotton Cloth x2

Black Ink Alchemy: 4
Dark + Windurstian Tea Leaves x2 + Nebimonite + Distilled Water
Dark + Willow Log + Nebimonite + Distilled Water
Dark + Willow Log + Cone Calamary x2 + Distilled Water
Dark + Windurstian Tea Leaves + Distilled Water + Cone Calamary x2

Black Ink Alchemy: 5
Dark + Windurstian Tea Leaves x2 + Grimmonite + Distilled Water

Black Ink Alchemy: 10
Dark + Windurstian Tea Leaves x2 + Gigant Squid + Distilled Water

Bast Parchement Woodworking: 45, Alchemy: 29
Lightning + Elm Log + Moko Grass + Distilled Water

Square of Grass Cloth Clothcraft: 4
Earth + Grass Threadx3

Grass Thread Clothcraft: 1
Wind + Yagudo Bead Necklace

Grass Thread Clothcraft: 3
Lightning + Moko Grass x2
Lightning + Crafting Tool: Spinning + Moko Grass x6, Spindle

Post from: FFXI GIL GUIDES

Crystal Tools Logo
Final Fantasy XIII Enemy Models
Final Fantasy XIII Cutscene Editor

To see the rest of the slides from the presentation vist the Japanese link below.

Source: 4Gamer.net

New Final Fantasy Versus XIII music from Yoko Shimomura CD?
According to a member of Neogaf, the music track “Versus Theme” has been leaked onto the internet which has supposedly come from the Yoko Shimomura CD.

Download “Final Fantasy Versus XIII Theme” (Right Click -> Save As)

UPDATE: The track has been confirmed to be fake. It’s a song entitled Makubex from the anime GetBackers. Here is a preview of the album where the track is from.

Getbackers Soundtrack Preview

Source: Neogaf
Via: Forever Fantasy

Information Center Limited Services
Source PlayOnlineDuring our PlayOnline registration server maintenance on Feb. 19, 2008 from 200 to 1000, the PlayOnline Information Center will be…

Post from: FFXI GIL GUIDES

PlayOnline: Changes In The Next Version Update
We’ve got some details on the next version update from PlayOnliine. Please let us know what you think of the below changes by adding a comment in…

Square’s New Screenshot of the Week
We’ve got Square’s next “screenshot of the week”The allnew Fenrir/Hydra hybrid avatar.ContributorSudra Feb.24, 2008 new

Post from: FFXI GIL GUIDES

PlayOnline: Leviathan World Recovery
Source PlayOnlineWe have experienced several technical difficulties on some areas on the Leviathan World, but the recovery process is now complete….

White Engine Confirmed Multiplatform and now “Crystal Tools”
Wired has also attended todays Square-Enix presentation at GDC with some extra details mainly about Final Fantasy XIII’s White Engine. Firstly, it’s no longer known as the White Engine anymore. Square-Enix have renamed it to “Crystal Tools” and have confirmed it’s being used to develop their unannounced MMORPG. The previously Playstation 3 only engine has now been modified to work on Xbox 360 and PC. Murata also said that Crystal Tools is compatible with the Wii.

Once again, this does not mean FFXIII or Versus are coming to any other platforms. They were in development before the engine was modified.

Thanks again to Ginryuu.

Source: Wired.com

Post from: FFXI GIL GUIDES

These npcs will change your title to any of the previous titles you have earned (you earn them through doing quests, etc.). There is a fee, depending on the difficulty of the quest, anywhere from 200-2000 gil.

* Bastok (Port)

I-7 - Tuh Almobankha
* Jeuno (Lower)

I-8 - Tuh Almobankha
* Windurst (Walls)

H-10 - Burute-Sorute
* Kazham

G-7 - Eron-Tomaron
* Norg

G-7 - Quntsu-Nointsu
* Mhaura

I-8 - Willah Maratahya
* Rabao

G-8 - Shupah Mujuuk
* San d’Oria (South)

K-6 - Moozo-Koozo
* Selbina

I-9 - Yulon-Polon

Check Your Fame

These npcs will tell you how famous you are in the certain area (you earn fame through doing quests, etc.).

* Bastok (Port)

E-6 - Flaco
* San d’Oria (South)

K-6 - Namonutice
* Windurst (Waters)

F-10 - Zabirego-Hajigo
* Jeuno (Lower)

H-8 - Mendi
* Kazham

I-11 - Ney Hiparujah
* Norg

H-8 - Vaultimand
* Rabao

G-9 - Waylea

Changing Alliance

These NPCs will, for 10,000 gil, change your allegiance to their Kingdom.

* Bastok (Metalworks)

J-8 - Mythily
* San d’Oria (North)

C-9 - Beriphaule
* Windurst (Tower)

Rakano-Marukano

Linkshells

These NPCs sell Linkshells. 8,000 gil.

* Bastok (Port)

E-7 - Ilita
* San d’Oria (South)

E-8 - Paunelie
* Windurst (Port)

H-9 - Khel Pahlhama

World Passes

These NPCs sell World Passes (those nifty items that actually let you play with your friends!) Prices vary, depending on popularity, on servers.

* Bastok (Port)

J-6 - Kachada
* San d’Oria (Port)

J-10 - Ambleon
* Windurst (Tower)

Gamimi

Watch Previous Cut Scenes

These NPCs will allow you to watch previous Cut Scenes aquired from any missions/quests you have done. There is a small fee.

* Bastok (Market)

I-8 - Lamepaue
* Bastok (Metalworks)

I-8 - Taulluque
* Bastok (Mines)

I-9 - Gorvik
* Bastok (Port)

D-7 - Dalba
* San d’Oria (Castle)

I-9 - Chaloutte
* San d’Oria (North)

J-10 - Jufaue
* San d’Oria (South)

H-8 - Gizel
* Windurst (Port)

B-5 - Tonule
* Windurst (Tower)

Mashua
* Windurst (Walls)

D-6 - Juvillie
* Windurst (Waters)

F-5 - Dienger
* Windurst (Woods)

J-10 - Bozack
* Jeuno (Gardens)

G-9 - Archanne
* Jeuno (Lower)

G-9 - Geuhbe
* Jeuno (Port)

F-8 - Dohhel
* Jeuno (Upper)

F-7 - Tinjue
* Kazham

F-8 - Beyzen
* Norg

H-9 - Colleraie
* Rabao

E-8 - Zungutt

Starter Armor

These NPCs sell the Starter Armor. For whatever reason, if you dropped yours and want a new set, here you go

Hume and Galka armor

* Bastok (Mines)

K-8 - Proud Beard

Elvaan armor

* San d’Oria (North)

F-3 - Arachagnon

Tarutaru and Mithra armor

* Windurst (Port)

E-7 - Kucha Malkobhi

Maps

These NPCs sell maps. They range from 100-3,000 gil.

* Bastok (Market)

H-9 - Karine
* Bastok (Port)

J-7 - Rex
* San d’Oria (North)

I-8 - Elesca
* San d’Oria (South)

G-10 - Violitte
* Windurst (Port)

G-9 - Mhoji Roccoruh
* Windurst (Woods)

H-11 - Pehki Machumaht
* Jeuno (Lower)

H-7 - Promurouve
* Jeuno (Upper)

H-6 - Rusese
* Mhaura

H-6 - Ludwig
* Rabao

K-7 - Ashu Bolkhomo
* Selbina

I-7 - Lombaria

Lucky Roll - Gambling Game

There are two NPCs that let you play a connected game, Lucky Roll. You pay 100 gil, and then a dice is rolled (1-6). Your number is then added to a global total (from both NPCs), and the first person to make the total reach 400 or beyond gets a payout of 10,000 gil - and a special prize for whoever makes the total at 400 even.

* Norg

H-8 - Repat
* Rabao

H-7 - Mileon

Weather Channel

There are NPCs located around different citys that will tell you the Weather Forcast for the next 3 days, in game.

* Bastok (Market)

H-10 - Svana
* Bastok (Mines)

I-9 - Mariadok
* Bastok (Port)

J-11 - Fo Mocorho
* San d’Oria (South)

J-8 - Maleme
* Windurst (Port)

M-7 - Eya Bhithroh
* Windurst (Waters)

F-8 - Furan-Furin
* Windurst (Woods)

K-12 - Mushuhi-Metahi
* Jeuno (Lower)

F-11 - Shashan-Mishan
* Jeuno (Port)

K-8 - Leffquen
* Jeuno (Upper)

G-6 - Appollonia
* Kazham

G-7 - Tcinono
* Mhaura

H-9 - Pekuku
* Norg

H-9 - Shidzue
* Rabao

F-8 - Amaja-Kumaja
* Selbina

H-9 - Wachiwi

Post from: FFXI GIL GUIDES

New Final Fantasy Versus XIII music from Yoko Shimomura CD?
According to a member of Neogaf, the music track “Versus Theme” has been leaked onto the internet which has supposedly come from the Yoko Shimomura CD.

Download “Final Fantasy Versus XIII Theme” (Right Click -> Save As)

UPDATE: The track has been confirmed to be fake. It’s a song entitled Makubex from the anime GetBackers. Here is a preview of the album where the track is from.

Getbackers Soundtrack Preview

Source: Neogaf
Via: Forever Fantasy

Doll Festival 2008
Easily one of more beautiful decorated times of the year, with the Cherry blossoms out, the parasols and tables and lanterns all over the street….

Post from: FFXI GIL GUIDES

The worst thing that any player can do, is to (/tell) a player that he/she was at fault (even if they were), blame them for what has just happened, call them a NEWB, say any negative comments about that person even though they have negatively commented on you regarding, your character, job, etc… And the list goes on indefinitely.

An angered response to another party member may be the catalyst for the disbanding of the party, or even worse, disbanding in the middle of a battle! (I had that happen to me, and I was pissed!)

There have been more times than I can count where the party I’m in, turns violent. Where players are consistently arguing with each other about what someone did or said. Because of this, player’s reputations are damaged, and those players who were arguing (and possibly their link shells and friends), are likely to never party together again.

Here are some things that players can sometimes dispute over:

-not getting enough exp
-can’t find a WHM
-puller not pulling good exp creatures
-calling a player a newbie
-being called a newbie
-any comment that degrades, insults, or attacks a specific player’s skill, job, ability, remarks, etc…

So if you are the leader, or another player/party member has some "beef" with you: here are a few suggestions to help ease tensions to work together again;

————————————————–

-We ALL started playing at one point or another. We had to learn how things worked in the world of FFXI. I have found that this is the most effective method of dealing with most, if not all situations, simply resolve by saying:

"Hey. It’s cool man, we all had to learn "……." at some point."

In fact, we all had to open the FFXI Box and pull out the 5 cd’s to install on our cpu’s or figure out witch way the hard-drive goes into the PS2 ^^

————————————————–

-All of us want a lot of exp, but some party combos won’t yield a great amount of exp, party members often disband because of certain party combos, (mainly ones without healers) but these parties that are formed in the area your in may be your only option. This is the MOST common situation that I have scene. Some players are used to getting 50 to 100 exp, while other players are used to 150 to 200 exp a pop. Some of these players can become frustrated, making a wrong decision or pulling to quickly (in order to get a chain, per say), and end up costing the whole party valuable time and exp; and the worst case scenario, KO’ed.

Thus: we might ask what amount of exp is acceptable for the capabilities of the party.

"So hey "……." what exp are you used to getting? I’m fine with what we have now, maybe we could chain T’s to get more exp? equal to defeating IT’s that aren’t there."

"There are only T’s in the area. Perhaps we could move to a different location for more exp?"

"IT’s may yield us every good exp, but it would be a little risky and some of us may not survive the fight."

Once everybody is satisfied on the expected amount of exp received, then the party’s concentration will be focused on the fight itself (skill chains, exp chain, MP%.. etc..) rather than worrying about what exp the fight will bring once it’s over. Of course, look at your party’s capabilities and see what might be your best option.

————————————–

Sometimes we have the urge to blame someone for a bad decision that costs your party time and exp. Perhaps someone pulled something too hard for the party to deal with and they end up killing the whole party.

Rather than pointing the finger at a member, or giving them one, you could ask how did it happen.

"Its ok guys, we got smoked, lets learn from our mistakes.. what when wrong?"

what NOT to say:
"WTF ppls I though we had it going, but I guess NOT!"

Having your whole party loose experience, that’s bad, but to have a party that will never party together again, that’s even worse.
By learning from the party’s mistake, it can help every member enhance their future game play with other groups, not making the same mistake twice. If players were to quit and not learn what went wrong, then potentially, they would make the same mistakes again in another party.

————————————————

White mages are the best group characters in the game. Why? Because they keep everyone alive. Sometimes it’s very difficult to get a WHM or a RDM when the demand for them is really high. Member of a group sometimes demand to have a WHM, so that they will have an efficient party. Here is a way to satisfy the healer of the party, as well as the member who is demanding a WHM.

"Sorry, there are no WHM’s around, we will still look for one, and perhaps we can use a RDM instead?"

———————————————–

There will always be the arrogant, hotshot that people will get to love and love to hate. These people can become the key factor in a party’s success or failure. Most importantly, use your best judgment on dealing with these issues. Remember that you are playing with other people in the real world, not just their character.

FFXI is a HUGH game, with a lot of ppls on it, if you have a positive attitude, then your party will have a positive attitude. With fewer conflicts you and your party will gain respect for one another so that your party can get the job done.

If anyone has anymore ways to solve player disputes, then by all means, post them here! Remember, your reputation lies within others judgment, and if you can solve player on player disputes, then your respect amongst them and others will be gained.

I have read many forums on this site and learned a lot. I signed up two weeks ago! This is my second ever post. ^>.<^

I hoped I helped out someone, if not everyone!

Post from: FFXI GIL GUIDES

No confirmation of Final Fantasy XIII in 2008
After the new Famitsu scans were released, we got the exciting news that Toriyama is hoping to give the fans a glimpse of the game in the form of a demo sometime this year. He also stated that 2008 will be the year that we finally get solid details on Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII.

Somehow down the line this is been misinterpreted by many game sites, specifically Joystiq, that Tetsuya Nomura (Character designer) has promised the game will release in 2008. This, infact, is rather wrong. First, it’s isnt even Nomura speaking, it’s Motomu Toriyama, the games director. Instead he says that he hopes he can show the public a demo of Final Fantasy XIII this year. This is neither a promise or a release date. Another site Gamernode also makes an even worse mistake by publishing that Nomura stated this in an interview with Joystiq, which again is wrong because all the information comes from the new Famitsu scans.

Joystiq go on to say that Nomura has also promised a demo for the Playstation Network “a while before the games release”, which is also false. Again, Nomura isn’t even mentioned in the article and the Playstation Network isn’t mentioned once. There might well be a demo on the Playstation Network at some point, but this article certainly does not confirm it for this year.

This has of course lead to “FFXIII IN 2008 OFFICIAL CONFIRMED!!” and “PSN DEMO OF FFXIII CONFIRMED!” which is going to leave a lot of people disapointed. By no means will Final Fantasy XIII “never” come out in 2008, it just hasn’t been stated or even nearly officially confirmed at this time.

Check out our site translator’s translation of the articles here, as well as the translated scans and original scans (If you can read Japanese) in our gallery.

Post from: FFXI GIL GUIDES