Three new FFXI expansions announced, 500,000 users claimed
Square's announced three new Final Fantasy XI expansions, the first of which is slated to release in the spring with more content being made available "every few months thereafter."
The company's also claimed the MMO has 500,000 active users playing in Europe, Japan, and North America.
The three new scenarios are:
A Crystalline Prophecy – Ode of Life Bestowing™
One day, a giant crystal appeared in the skies above Jeuno, triggering a series of unexplained happenings across the land. Now, adventurers will set forth to unravel the mysteries of this primordial crystal that holds the secret of Vana'diel®'s past.A Moogle Kupo d'Etat – Evil in Small Doses™
It all started with an innocent drop of rainwater and a rickety, ramshackle Mog House desperately in need of repairs. Little did anyone suspect that this was only the beginning of a harrowing nightmare unheard of in the annals of moogle-kind.A Shantotto Ascension – The Legend Torn, Her Empire Born™
The eccentric Professor Shantotto returned to Windurst one day after a mysterious, unexplained absence, shocking her colleagues with behavior so outrageous it put her old self to shame! When she goes so far as to proclaim herself ruler of her own empire, adventurers set out to discover the truth behind her alarming shift in personality.
Press release after the break.
FINAL FANTASY XI ANNOUNCEMENT OF THREE NEW EXPANSIONS
London (22nd November 2008) – Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of Square Enix® interactive entertainment products in Europe and other PAL territories, today announced their plans for three new expansion scenarios for FINAL FANTASY® XI.
Six years since its initial release, FINAL FANTASY XI currently has 500,000 active users playing in Europe, Japan, and North America.
Today, Square Enix confirmed a series of new scenarios to expand their online game world. Rather than being released as data discs, these expansions will be made available through an online digital distribution service. The expansions will be made available simultaneously worldwide for all FINAL FANTASY XI platforms.
The three new expansions have been created by Masato Kato, one of the minds behind the original FINAL FANTASY XI storyline, spanning from its very beginning through to the Rise of the Zilart® expansion.
[Profile of Mr. Masato Kato]
Served as director and scenario writer on titles including Chrono Trigger®, Radical Dreamers, Xenogears and Chrono Cross® for Square Co., Ltd. (now Square Enix Co., Ltd.). Oversaw the initial plot conception and event direction for the original FINAL FANTASY XI and Rise of the Zilart expansion. Since leaving Square in 2002, Mr. Kato has worked on a number of titles and continues to pursue his unique design vision.
*Available for online purchase only
A Crystalline Prophecy – Ode of Life Bestowing™
One day, a giant crystal appeared in the skies above Jeuno, triggering a series of unexplained happenings across the land. Now, adventurers will set forth to unravel the mysteries of this primordial crystal that holds the secret of Vana'diel®'s past.
A Moogle Kupo d'Etat – Evil in Small Doses™
It all started with an innocent drop of rainwater and a rickety, ramshackle Mog House desperately in need of repairs. Little did anyone suspect that this was only the beginning of a harrowing nightmare unheard of in the annals of moogle-kind.
A Shantotto Ascension – The Legend Torn, Her Empire Born™
The eccentric Professor Shantotto returned to Windurst one day after a mysterious, unexplained absence, shocking her colleagues with behavior so outrageous it put her old self to shame! When she goes so far as to proclaim herself ruler of her own empire, adventurers set out to discover the truth behind her alarming shift in personality.
Online Launch Date: The first expansion is set to be released in Spring of 2009, with follow-ups scheduled to be made available every few months thereafter. At present, these are planned to be released chronologically in the order in which they are listed above.
Price: All titles TBA.
Scenarios can be purchased through the PlayOnline® Viewer. It will be possible to begin playing the scenarios immediately after they are purchased.
*Please note that in order to play the additional scenarios, users must have the PlayOnline Viewer, FINAL FANTASY XI, and Rise of the Zilart installed.
For more information, please visit: http://www.playonline.com/ff11eu/addon/