18th July 2005, 4:25 PM
Yeah, some sort of matchmaking. Maybe you could get a lot more than 4 people to quest around with you? Maybe you could even split up into different groups to take on multiple levels at once? (I've actually imagined Mario Bros being played in such a fasion as that.)
At any rate, graphical and audio updates were the only thing they could do with FFXI because, yes, they have announced the game will work on the same networks as the PC and PS2 versions. However, the graphical updates certainly could have been much greater than the videos I've seen. That initial video they released when they announced it led me to believe it would look a lot better.... Sad... Oh well, it doesn't really effect me no matter what they do.
Oh yeah, yes from what I've seen the PS2 version pretty much needs a keyboard (mouse optional). PS2s have USB ports, two of them, with the ability to be expanded further with any USB multitap that works in other USB ports.
However, from what I've played, it's obvious they really designed it around a solid controller setup first and the keyboard/mouse setup came later. All the menus and everything are really optimized for a controller, so if you use a mouse it's just plain awkward and slow. Further more, no "quick action" button bar or anything. The keyboard setup has macros and the secondary setup is better than the default, but even so the setup is pretty awkward there. Not much thought put into it. The controller setup IS nice, and as good as a controller can do in that sort of game, but in the end it's just not enough. For the FFXI player's sakes I hope part of this plan includes updating the keyboard and mouse controls. I dunno, maybe they have already, but at any rate, it wasn't any good at all, especially with a very natural and easy to use setup like they have in WOW.
So um, I know there's a monthly fee for FFXI already, but apparently they are using the Live service as well for the 360 players, most likely so people playing other 360 games can send invites or whatever. The question is, is that part of the free "silver" service or will people be needing to pay TWO fees just to play the 360 version?
At any rate, graphical and audio updates were the only thing they could do with FFXI because, yes, they have announced the game will work on the same networks as the PC and PS2 versions. However, the graphical updates certainly could have been much greater than the videos I've seen. That initial video they released when they announced it led me to believe it would look a lot better.... Sad... Oh well, it doesn't really effect me no matter what they do.
Oh yeah, yes from what I've seen the PS2 version pretty much needs a keyboard (mouse optional). PS2s have USB ports, two of them, with the ability to be expanded further with any USB multitap that works in other USB ports.
However, from what I've played, it's obvious they really designed it around a solid controller setup first and the keyboard/mouse setup came later. All the menus and everything are really optimized for a controller, so if you use a mouse it's just plain awkward and slow. Further more, no "quick action" button bar or anything. The keyboard setup has macros and the secondary setup is better than the default, but even so the setup is pretty awkward there. Not much thought put into it. The controller setup IS nice, and as good as a controller can do in that sort of game, but in the end it's just not enough. For the FFXI player's sakes I hope part of this plan includes updating the keyboard and mouse controls. I dunno, maybe they have already, but at any rate, it wasn't any good at all, especially with a very natural and easy to use setup like they have in WOW.
So um, I know there's a monthly fee for FFXI already, but apparently they are using the Live service as well for the 360 players, most likely so people playing other 360 games can send invites or whatever. The question is, is that part of the free "silver" service or will people be needing to pay TWO fees just to play the 360 version?
"On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question." ~ Charles Babbage (1791-1871)