Square Enix has continuously bolstered the MMORPG, Final Fantasy XI, with new expansions and content releases since its Japanese release in 2002. It appears that trend will continue according to a recent announcement by the game’s producer, Akihiko Matsui, which addresses future updates and support for the subscription-based game. This announcement was originally planned for January as part of a livestream event but the global pandemic and consequent lockdowns led to its cancellation.
In January and February of this year, the development team will be introducing new features to the Odyssey battle content that released in March of 2020. In particular, they will be implementing a currency system for upgrading gear that involves defeating Notorious Monsters within a time limit. To participate, players are required to have three jobs at level 99 and three Mogolophone II items. It is also necessary for them to have completed the Sheol C Odyssey content. To complement this new system, new notorious monsters are being added to the game.
Matsui went on to state that additional notorious monsters would be added in February. The team also plans for the Voracious Resurgence scenario to make a comeback that month with a story originating in the capital city of San d’Oria. This multipart storyline began in the Bastok Mines on August 3, 2020.
Additional reminders affixed to the announcement’s translation mention new outfit items that will be added in January as part of the Login Campaign as well as the fact that the Shantotto and Chocobo Bring Arts figure set is still available for pre-order on the North American Square Enix store. It includes accessories like a barding for the Chocobo and Shantotto’s Iridal staff.
Final Fantasy XI was formerly available for PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360, but is now exclusively available on PC. The game celebrated its 18th anniversary in 2020 with the return of the “The Maiden’s Rhapsody: Memories of an Unseen Realm” Final Fantasy XIV crossover event. This was the third time the event has popped up. It was used to celebrate the 15th anniversary in 2017 and was originally created to correspond with the final chapter in Final Fantasy XI’s Rhapsodies of Vana’diel main scenario storyline.
