Final Fantasy XI At 20: Devs On Coexisting With XIV, Classic Servers, And Its Lasting Influence

Few MMORPGs last as long as Final Fantasy XI, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in May.

Translations were provided by Square Enix.

Now, 20 years later, the game still has a passionate playerbase.

Are you surprised the game has lasted this long?

Why do you think FFXI remains so popular?

Akihiko Matsui, Producer:Thanks to our players, we were able to celebrate our 20th anniversary.

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank everyone at GameSpot, as well as their readers.

So, my reaction to being told, “It’s been 20 years!”

is mostly “What?

There may have been other reasons, but I believe streamers made a significant impact in that aspect.

Part of the 20th anniversary celebration includes the new title track “We Are Vana’diel.”

What do you think is Final Fantasy XI’s most important contribution to the MMO space?

Matsui:I’m not aware of whether FFXI contributed anything that stood out compared to other MMORPGs.

We took on many other challenges as well, but it is unclear if they had any impact.

Final Fantasy is known for its powerful storylines and relatable characters, and Final Fantasy XI is no exception.

I am especially a fan of the Chains of Promathia and Wings of the Goddess expansions.

Which storyline is your favorite?

My favorites are Aphmau and the Serpent Generals.

Oh, and we can’t forget President Naja!

Fujito:Personally, I like Wings of the Goddess.

Can you tell us about any of the ideas wanted to include but couldn’t?

One of the most important parts of Final Fantasy XI’s legacy is its influence on Final Fantasy XIV.

Obviously FFXI and FFXIV are two very different games, but fans often compare the two nonetheless.

What is it like having two MMOs in the same franchise?

Many players look back fondly on the “Level 75-era” of the game.

As such, we hope players can continue to enjoy the current service.

Another popular MMO, Dragon Quest X, recently announced an offline version of its game.

Do you think Final Fantasy XI could work as an offline version to keep it ongoing in the future?

I know many players would appreciate having a way to experience the story and world in a different way.

Thank you again for taking the time to speak with us!

Matsui:Thank you for this opportunity.

Fujito:Thank you too, for giving us the opportunity to do this interview!

Before I knew it, I was married and my children were in elementary school.

In this way, I feel as if FFXI is truly a part of myself.

I’ve grown alongside FFXI and will cherish it for a long time to come.

I hope you will maintain your interest in FFXI.

Thank you very much.

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