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{{Short description|2002 video game}}
{{Featured article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Final Fantasy XI
| image = Final Fantasy XI logo.png
| caption = Game logo
| developer = {{Plainlist|
* [[Square (video game company)|Square]]
}}
| publisher = {{Plainlist|
* '''PlayStation 2'''
* {{vgrelease|JP|Square|WW|[[Sony Computer Entertainment]]}}
* '''Microsoft Windows''', '''Xbox 360'''
* [[Square Enix]]
}}
| director = {{Plainlist|
* [[Koichi Ishii]] <small>(1999–2003)</small>
* Nobuaki Komoto <small>(2003–2008)</small>
* Koichi Ogawa <small>(2008–2010)</small>
* [[Akihiko Matsui]] <small>(2010)</small>
* Mizuki Ito <small>(2010–2016)</small>
* Yoji Fujito <small>(2016–)</small>
}}
| producer = {{Plainlist|
* [[Hiromichi Tanaka]] <small>(1999–2012)</small>
* Akihiko Matsui <small>(2012–2023)</small>
* Yoji Fujito <small>(2023–)</small>
}}
| designer = Hiromichi Tanaka
| programmer = Ken Narita
| artist = Ryosuke Aiba
| writer = {{Plainlist|
* Nobuaki Komoto
* [[Masato Kato]]
}}
| composer = {{Plainlist|
* [[Naoshi Mizuta]]
* [[Kumi Tanioka]]
* [[Nobuo Uematsu]]
}}
| series = ''[[Final Fantasy]]''
| platforms = {{Plainlist|
* [[PlayStation 2]]{{efn|name=console|Until March 31, 2016}}
* [[Microsoft Windows]]
* [[Xbox 360]]{{efn|name=console}}
}}
| released = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|May 16, 2002}}|{{Plainlist|
* '''PlayStation 2'''
* {{vgrelease|JP|May 16, 2002|NA|March 23, 2004|}}
* '''Microsoft Windows'''
* {{vgrelease|JP|November 7, 2002|NA|October 28, 2003|EU|September 17, 2004}}
* '''Xbox 360'''
* {{Video game release|NA|April 18, 2006|JP|April 20, 2006|EU|April 21, 2006}}
}}}}
| genre = [[Massively multiplayer online role-playing game|MMORPG]]
| modes = [[Multiplayer video game|Multiplayer]]
}}
{{nihongo foot|'''''Final Fantasy XI''''',|ファイナルファンタジーXI|Fainaru Fantajī Irebun|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} also known as '''''Final Fantasy XI Online''''', is a [[massively multiplayer online role-playing game]] (MMORPG), originally developed and published by [[Square (video game company)|Square]] and then published by [[Square Enix]] as the eleventh main installment of the ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' series. Designed and produced by [[Hiromichi Tanaka]], it was released in Japan on May 16, 2002, for [[PlayStation 2]] and [[Microsoft Windows]]-based personal computers in November of that year. The game was the first MMORPG to offer [[cross-platform play]] between PlayStation 2 and Windows.<ref name="cross-play"/> It was later released for the [[Xbox 360]] in April 2006.<ref>{{cite web|author=Thorsen, Tor|title=Shippin' Out 4/17-4/21: Final Fantasy XI Online, Brain Age|website=[[GameSpot]]|date=April 17, 2006|url= http://www.gamespot.com/news/shippin-out-4-17-4-21-final-fantasy-xi-online-brain-age-6147765|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121106043846/http://www.gamespot.com/news/shippin-out-4-17-4-21-final-fantasy-xi-online-brain-age-6147765|archive-date= November 6, 2012|access-date=December 20, 2006}}</ref> All versions of the game require a monthly subscription to play.<ref>{{cite web|author=Eric Qualls |title=Final Fantasy XI Xbox 360 Info Page |url=http://xbox.about.com/od/xbox360reviews/a/ffxi360info.htm |access-date=May 21, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023015144/http://xbox.about.com/od/xbox360reviews/a/ffxi360info.htm |archive-date=October 23, 2007}}</ref>
The story is set in the [[fantasy world]] of Vana'diel, where player-created [[Avatar (computing)|avatars]] can both compete and cooperate in a variety of objectives to develop an assortment of jobs, skills, and earn in-game item rewards. Players can undertake an array of quests and progress through the in-game hierarchy and through the major plot of the game. Since its debut in 2002, five expansion packs have been released<ref name="Seekers Of Adoulin official website">{{cite web|title=Seekers of Adoulin |url=http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/adoulin/index.html |publisher=Square Enix |access-date=October 5, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819172638/http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/adoulin/index.html |archive-date=August 19, 2012}}</ref> along with six add-on scenarios. Each expansion pack and add-on brings a new major storyline to the ''Final Fantasy XI'' world, along with numerous areas, quests, events and item rewards.
In 2015, Square Enix released the final main scenario for ''Final Fantasy XI'' titled ''Rhapsodies of Vana'diel''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q4-2015/111115a.html |title=Final Fantasy XI Finishes Rhapsodies of Vana'diel |date=November 11, 2015 |last=Fuller |first=Alex |work=RPGamer |access-date=March 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320052728/http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q4-2015/111115a.html |archive-date=March 20, 2017}}</ref> ''Final Fantasy XI'' became the final active server on the PlayStation 2 online service. Support for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 versions was ultimately ended on March 31, 2016,<ref name="TechnoBufallo">{{cite web|url=http://www.technobuffalo.com/2015/03/19/final-fantasy-xi-shutting-down-on-ps2-and-xbox-360-smartphone-version-and-spin-off-announced/ |title=Final Fantasy XI shutting down on PS2 and Xbox 360 |work=TechnoBuffalo |date=March 19, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716053824/http://www.technobuffalo.com/2015/03/19/final-fantasy-xi-shutting-down-on-ps2-and-xbox-360-smartphone-version-and-spin-off-announced/ |archive-date=July 16, 2015}}</ref> leaving only the PC platform playable. A mobile client for the game was under development by Square Enix in collaboration with Korean developer [[Nexon]], using [[Unreal Engine 4]], but was cancelled in late 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamerant.com/final-fantasy-11-mobile-canceled/ |title=Final Fantasy 11 Mobile Game Development Shuts Down |publisher=Square Enix |access-date=March 29, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402131554/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150319005199/en/Nexon-Develop-FINAL-FANTASY-XI-Mobile-SQUARE |archive-date=April 2, 2015}}</ref> A spin-off mobile game, ''[[Final Fantasy Grandmasters]]'' was released on September 30, 2015. A new, episodic story series titled ''The Voracious Resurgence'' was added to the game in 2020,<ref>{{Cite web|title=" THE VORACIOUS RESURGENCE CONTINUES IN FINAL FANTASY XI ONLINE SEPTEMBER UPDATE" - Square Enix North America Press Hub|url=https://press.na.square-enix.com/THE-VORACIOUS-RESURGENCE-CONTINUES-IN-FINAL-FANTASY-XI-ONLINE-SEPTEMBE|access-date=January 19, 2021|website=press.na.square-enix.com|archive-date=January 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119052621/https://press.na.square-enix.com/THE-VORACIOUS-RESURGENCE-CONTINUES-IN-FINAL-FANTASY-XI-ONLINE-SEPTEMBE|url-status=live}}</ref> concluding in June 2023.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}} In May 2022 rumors had circulated that ''FFXI'' may soon be shutting down. Yoji Fujito released a statement noting that this was not the case and users should not worry about the services being shut down any time soon.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/final-fantasy-11-not-shutting-down-despite-rumours|title=Final Fantasy 11 not shutting down, despite rumours|newspaper=Eurogamer.net|date=May 18, 2022|access-date=March 31, 2023|archive-date=March 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331225056/https://www.eurogamer.net/final-fantasy-11-not-shutting-down-despite-rumours|url-status=live}}</ref>
==
''Final Fantasy XI'' is a [[massively multiplayer online role-playing game]] (MMORPG), and differs from [[List of Final Fantasy media|previous titles in the series]] in several ways. Unlike the predefined main characters of previous ''Final Fantasy'' titles, players are able to customize their characters in limited ways, including selecting from one of five races and choosing their gender, facial style, hair color, body size, job, and nation allegiance. Also diverging from previous games in the series, the game takes place in a fully [[three-dimensional space|three-dimensional landscape]] with enemies freely roaming in it, allowing battles to occur in real time as opposed to the [[random encounter]]s used in previous games - a trend continued in every numbered ''Final Fantasy'' title since.<ref name="official">{{cite web|title=Welcome to Vana'diel |publisher=[[PlayOnline]] |date=January 1, 2006 |url=http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/intro/about/welcom.html?pageID=about |access-date=July 16, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060718071636/http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/intro/about/welcom.html?pageID=about |archive-date=July 18, 2006}}</ref>
There are currently 16 public [[game server|game worlds]] available for play, down from 32 at the game's height, with approximately 15,000 to 20,000 players in each.<ref name="xbox"/> A private Test Server was opened to eligible players to aid in feedback of updates in development for the game in mid-2011. The servers are named after summoned monsters from previous ''Final Fantasy'' titles, such as Ifrit and Diabolos. Players have the ability to move between servers, though Square Enix charges a "world transfer" fee to do so.<ref>{{cite web|author=Lewis, Ed |title=FFXI Interview |website=IGN |date=March 23, 2004 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/03/24/ffxi-interview |access-date=August 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104092430/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/03/24/ffxi-interview |archive-date=November 4, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Square Enix |title=World Transfer Service |publisher=Playonline |url=http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/intro/optional/wd_transfer01.html |access-date=April 16, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110505024726/http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/intro/optional/wd_transfer01.html |archive-date=May 5, 2011}}</ref> There are no region-specific or system-specific servers, and unlike most online games, players of different languages play in the same world and can interact through automatic language translation from a library of translated phrases.<ref>{{cite web|author=Zonk |title=Protecting Final Fantasy XI From the Gil-Sellers |publisher=[[Slashdot]] |date=September 7, 2007 |url=http://games.slashdot.org/story/07/09/07/1336213/protecting-final-fantasy-xi-from-the-gil-sellers |access-date=February 24, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209122016/http://games.slashdot.org/story/07/09/07/1336213/Protecting-Final-Fantasy-XI-From-the-Gil-Sellers |archive-date=February 9, 2011}}</ref> The game servers are run by Square Enix as part of their [[PlayOnline]] network.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}
===Interface===
[[File:IngameimageFinalFantasyXI.jpg|thumb|250px|left|A player engages in a dialog sequence to advance the story.]]
Players have the option of using any combination of a keyboard, mouse, and [[game controller|controller]] to play ''Final Fantasy XI''. While, by default, a player using a PlayStation 2 or an Xbox 360 uses a virtual/in-game keyboard option, the player is able to use an external keyboard that is USB compatible for communication within the game. The [[HUD (video gaming)|head-up display]] in ''Final Fantasy XI'' consists of a log window, menus, and several game information elements. The log window at the bottom of the screen displays system messages, battle messages, and text input by other players. Players may choose to filter what appears in the log window. "Menus" allow the player to access different commands, status windows, and configuration options. The "action command menu" appears just above the log window and gives the player several options to interact with the game world. Several menu options are available through the use of keyboard shortcuts, as well.<ref name="manual">{{cite book | year=2002 | editor=[[Square Enix]] | title=Final Fantasy XI instruction manual | pages=81–83 | publisher=Square Enix}}</ref>
===Basic gameplay===
Story related gameplay in ''Final Fantasy XI'' consists of two major components: missions, through which the main storyline of the game is told, and [[quest (video gaming)|quests]], which do not advance the main storyline, but fill out the game's fantasy world.<ref>{{cite web|title=Quests, Missions, Conquest |publisher=[[PlayOnline]] |date=January 1, 2007 |url=http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/guide/system/quests.html?pageID=system |access-date=February 21, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314144147/http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/guide/system/quests.html?pageID=system |archive-date=March 14, 2007}}</ref> Completing missions allows a player to advance in rank, which grants access to new areas, several privileges, and various other storylines. At first, a player may only complete missions for their home nation, though they are able to change allegiances later on, allowing access to other nations' storylines. Quests may be undertaken for their various rewards, or to acquire "fame", which allows a character to become well-known and respected by NPCs; a higher fame rating will open up new interactions and quests with NPCs. At release, over one hundred quests were available to play and each expansion pack has added its own set of missions and quests.<ref name="IGNreview">{{cite web|author=Komili, Onur |title=Final Fantasy XI Review |website=IGN |date=December 1, 2003 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/12/11/final-fantasy-xi-breaks-even |access-date=August 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103094936/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/12/11/final-fantasy-xi-breaks-even |archive-date=November 3, 2012}}</ref> Players obtain in-game money known as [[Gil (Final Fantasy)#gil|gil]] by completing missions, quests and defeating Beastmen, though unlike previous ''Final Fantasy'' games, these monsters drop only small amounts. Gil can then be exchanged amongst players for goods through the Auction House, or be used to purchase items and rewards from NPCs.
Unlike some MMORPGs, there is very little focus on [[player versus player]] (PvP) combat; the game instead revolves around [[player versus environment]] (PvE). There are numerous PvE activities and events for players to partake in, including [[Instance dungeon|instanced]] activities and shared spaces activities. Some instanced events include Dynamis, Salvage, Assault and Nyzul Isle, which involve anywhere between 6 and 64 players.<ref>{{cite web|author=Patrick Gann |title=Final Fantasy XI: Treasures of Aht Urhgan |publisher=RPGFan |date=September 10, 2007 |url=http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/ff11-toau/index.html |access-date=March 14, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080418075518/http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/ff11-toau/index.html |archive-date=April 18, 2008}}</ref> These battle grounds give players a series of objectives to overcome or complete and enemies to defeat, generally within a certain time frame. Popular shared spaces activities include hunting [[Boss (video gaming)|Notorious Monsters]], fiends that rarely appear and drop precious loot.
The only way to attack other players in PvP is to enter one on one competition activities known as "Conflict".<ref>{{cite web | author=Jeremy Dunham | title=Final Fantasy XI PvP Details | website=IGN | date=March 30, 2004 | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/03/30/final-fantasy-xi-pvp-details | access-date=March 11, 2008 | archive-date=January 26, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126170821/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/03/30/final-fantasy-xi-pvp-details | url-status=live }}</ref> The first form of competition, called Ballista, involves players competing to score points by throwing petras into a castle-like structure known as a Rook.<ref>{{cite web|title=Conflict: Rules of Ballista |publisher=[[PlayOnline]] |date=April 1, 2004 |url=http://www.playonline.com/comnewsus/200404225213.html |access-date=June 9, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070420004709/http://www.playonline.com/comnewsus/200404225213.html |archive-date=April 20, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Chapter 2: Event Name Ballista |publisher=[[PlayOnline]] |date=January 1, 2006 |url=http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/guide/conflict/ballista02.html?pageID=conflict |access-date=August 17, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061018230552/http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/guide/conflict/ballista02.html?pageID=conflict |archive-date=October 18, 2006}}</ref> The second form is known as "Brenner", and features a capture the flag type system.
From time to time special seasonal festivals and events are held. They last only for a set period of time and offer a variety of fun or useful rewards. Many events have changed over time, adding new features and eliminating old ones. These events are geared towards any level, often restricting players to level 1, so that veterans and novice players alike can join in together. Events celebrated are often thematically based on real life equivalents, for example: Valentione's Day in place of [[Valentine's Day]], the Egg Hunt Egg-stravaganza in place of Easter, and the Starlight Celebration in place of Christmas.
===
Battles in ''Final Fantasy XI'' take place in the world in which players move around, a first in the series, where battle had previously taken place in a separate screen via [[random encounter]]s. The surprise of the random encounter system is achieved via aggressive monsters, who will attack players based on different factors such as sight and sound. This format would continue in future ''Final Fantasy'' games. Monsters within the game operate under a system of "claim" and "[[wikt:enmity|enmity]]". A monster is claimed the moment a player performs any offensive action upon it, whether physical, magical or ability related. With some exceptions, once a monster is claimed it can only be attacked by players in the party or alliance of the player that claimed it. A monster will focus its attention on whoever has built up the most enmity. Players have several means at their disposal, including spells, abilities and items, to build up enmity or shed it to their advantage in battle - a factor that features heavily in group, or "party" play.
To defeat more powerful monsters and gain [[experience point]]s efficiently, players can join a party. A regular party has room for six members. Like in many other games, a well-balanced party will consist of several archetypes- namely a healer, a tank (the party member with high defense that will be the main target of the monster), and the damage dealer. The enmity system comes into play heavily in parties, as players try to keep the monsters attention off fragile jobs and on the tanks. One of the key aspects of the battle system lies in the extreme flexibility of the party composition: unlike many other games, there are no constraints on the role (or "job" class) of the party members. This feature allows to tackle every fight with a wide array of different strategies, while encouraging the community to share new, creative ways of handling a certain type of enemy.
A party can expand into an alliance, with up to three parties combined, with a total of 18 players. Alliances are necessary to complete more difficult challenges: including missions, quests, nation or territory driven events, and defeating notorious monsters. Much of end-game play consists of alliance forces overcoming these higher level challenges and can even allow several alliances to enter into specific instances owned by a group of players (e.g. Dynamis instances entry is controlled by an hourglass item).
''Final Fantasy XI''{{'}}s incarnation of [[Limit Break]]s are "Weapon Skills". Physical damage given and received fills a Tactical Points (TP) bar, to a maximum of 3000. Any amount above 1000 is able to be used up by being channelled into a weapon skill. These skills vary in effect depending on job class, what weapon is equipped, how full the TP bar is, and how proficient the player is with the weapon. If partying with other players, one may use these weapon skills in succession in order to create a "Skillchain". A skillchain creates additional damage after a series of weapon skills are used. Building on this even further, magic used on a skillchain at the right time will receive a boost to its damage; this is called a "Magic Burst". In order to create the best possible skillchains and magic bursts, players must work together, focusing on each other's actions and timing.
===Job system===
{{See also|Final Fantasy character jobs}}
''Final Fantasy XI'' uses the concept of changing Jobs in a similar fashion to ''[[Final Fantasy III]]'',<ref name="job system">{{cite web|author=Nickel, Thomas |title=Hiromichi Tanaka – Final Fantasy III |publisher=g-wie-gorilla |date=May 17, 2005 |url=http://www.g-wie-gorilla.de/content/view/218/18/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720173734/http://www.g-wie-gorilla.de/content/view/218/18/ |archive-date=July 20, 2011 |access-date=March 7, 2008 }}</ref> and currently has twenty-two Jobs as of the latest expansion pack in 2013. There are six "standard Jobs" available to choose from at the start of the game. After one standard Job has reached Level 30, the "extra Jobs" are accessible upon completing certain quests. Players are able to change their jobs any time from inside their house or by speaking with a Nomad Moogle. In June 2010, the long-standing level limit of 75 was incrementally increased to the higher level cap of 99, finishing in the December 2011 version update.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}
Jobs have a combination of unique "job traits", "job abilities", and magic spells, giving them a specific role within group play due to their area of expertise. Job traits are passive abilities that are always in effect, while job abilities must be activated by the player in order to come into effect. They last a limited time and have a "cooldown" period before they can be used again. Magic spells are available to certain jobs, and in addition to a cooldown period, they often consume [[Magic point|MP]] or some form of item in order to be cast, while at the same time requiring the user to stand still. Additionally, each job has a special one-hour ability that performs an extraordinary function.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}
The unique system of ''Final Fantasy XI''{{'}}s job system is the "Support Job".<ref name="jobs">{{cite web|title=Job and Races |publisher=Final Fantasy XI Official Website |date=January 1, 2006 |url=http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/guide/system/index.html?pageID=system |access-date=August 17, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060902140015/http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/guide/system/index.html?pageID=system |archive-date=September 2, 2006}}</ref> This system allows a player to augment their character with abilities, traits, and spells from another chosen job, at half the level of their current job. For instance, a Level 20 Warrior setting Ninja as their support job would allow them to use all Ninja abilities, traits, and spells up to that of a level 10 Ninja, while still primarily being a Level 20 Warrior. The support job system allows for job-merges never before seen in the ''Final Fantasy'' series. However, there are some exceptions to the system. One-hour abilities and other abilities deemed signature to a particular job (such as Call Wyvern for Dragoons) are restricted to being used only on the main job.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}
=== Crafting and hobbies ===
[[File:ChocoboridersFFXI.jpg|thumb|right|The raising, breeding, and racing of [[Chocobo]]s was a much requested addition to the game.]]
In addition to completing quests and missions, players can participate in several side-[[minigame]]s and other activities.<ref name="official"/> One such minigame is fishing, where players can measure their strength against the fish they attempt to catch. Another is clamming, where players collect as many fish or sea creatures as possible without going over their bucket's size limit. Gardening allows players to raise plants in their residence, or "[[Moogle|Mog]] House" as it is known in the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/12/02/final-fantasy-xi-review |title=Final Fantasy XI |website=IGN |last=Komili |first=Onur |date=December 1, 2003 |access-date=February 21, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107040307/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/12/02/final-fantasy-xi-review |archive-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref> The raising and breeding of [[Chocobo]]s was a long-requested activity enabled in the summer 2006 update.<ref>{{cite web|author=Perry, Douglass C. |title=It's Chocobo Breeding Time |website=IGN |date=June 1, 2006 |url=http://m.ign.com/articles/2006/06/01/its-chocobo-breeding-time |access-date=April 8, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090435/http://m.ign.com/articles/2006/06/01/its-chocobo-breeding-time |archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref> Chocobo racing began in March 2007, which allowed for the racing of player-raised Chocobos against [[non-player character]]s (NPCs). Winning racers can earn "Chocobucks", which can be used to buy, for example, items that assist Chocobo breeding.<ref>{{cite web | author=Cordeira, Jim | title=Final Fantasy XI: Chocobo Racing to launch this week | publisher=Gaming Age | date=March 27, 2007| url=http://www.gaming-age.com/news/2007/3/27-44 | access-date=February 24, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080204223751/http://www.gaming-age.com/news/2007/3/27-44 <!--None--> | archive-date=February 4, 2008}}</ref>
An important part of the game is the accumulation of items, especially rare ones, which allow players to create powerful weapons, armour and food. There are many ways to obtain items, such as harvesting, excavating, logging, mining, defeating monsters, and digging by using Chocobos. Square Enix attempted to increase the opportunity for players to find rare items in order to equalize the game and stop the practice of "gil selling", or exchanging real money for in-game items.<ref>{{cite web |author=Guisinger, Elliot |title=Final Fantasy XI Economy to be Upgraded |publisher=RPGamer |date=December 6, 2004 |url=http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q4-2004/120604a.html |access-date=February 24, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506112546/http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q4-2004/120604a.html |archive-date=May 6, 2008}}</ref> The item auction system was shut down temporarily once due to some players exploiting the system.<ref>{{cite web|title=Final Fantasy XI Cheats Exposed |website=IGN |date=July 8, 2002 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/07/08/final-fantasy-xi-cheats-exposed |access-date=August 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104092436/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/07/08/final-fantasy-xi-cheats-exposed |archive-date=November 4, 2012}}</ref> Items can be created by consuming elemental crystals (obtained by fighting monsters) with other ingredients in a process called "synthesis".<ref>{{cite web|title=Crystals and Synthesis |publisher=[[PlayOnline]] |date=January 1, 2007 |url=http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/guide/system/item.html?pageID=system |access-date=February 21, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070227210941/http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/guide/system/item.html?pageID=system |archive-date=February 27, 2007}}</ref> Recipe results can vary widely based on the player's skill, the quality of the player's equipment worn, and the ingredients used. There is large speculation (though nothing evidently documented yet) about the moon phase, direction the player is facing, in-game day (every day of the week is assigned an element), and even time of day the synthesis is performed to either increase or reduce the results of the recipe.
===
''Final Fantasy XI'' has a largely player-based economy, with a heavy reliance on [[auction house]]s in each of the major cities of Vana'diel. There are certain economic controls in place mainly in the form of fees for putting items up for auction. Transportation, auction house, item storage, and fees do not go to players; these [[gold sink|gil sinks]] effectively remove money from the economy to prevent inflation. The city of Jeuno used to levy a tax on bazaar purchases inside the city, but was removed in a patch in the December 2008 version update.<ref>{{cite web|title=The December Version Update Cometh! |publisher=[[PlayOnline]] |date=December 8, 2008 |url=http://www.playonline.com/pcd/verup/ff11us/detail/3893/detail.html |access-date=August 8, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210001450/http://www.playonline.com/pcd/verup/ff11us/detail/3893/detail.html |archive-date=December 10, 2008}}</ref>
Square Enix has stated that the trade of items for real currency is officially a violation of the [[Terms of Service]] for ''Final Fantasy XI''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Terms and Conditions |publisher=[[PlayOnline]] |date=December 8, 2004 |url=http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/polnews/news3374.shtml |access-date=August 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060814014611/http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/polnews/news3374.shtml |archive-date=August 14, 2006}}</ref> In early 2006, Square Enix discovered that a group of players had found a way to generate game currency and exchange it for real currency, which, in turn, drove up prices for all items across the game. In response, 700 accounts were permanently banned and 300 billion gil was removed from circulation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Final Fantasy XI Smacks Down Cheaters |website=IGN |date=February 10, 2006 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/02/10/final-fantasy-xi-smacks-down-cheaters |access-date=August 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107040322/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/02/10/final-fantasy-xi-smacks-down-cheaters |archive-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref> That July, Square Enix banned or suspended over 8,000 other accounts for similar manipulation and commerce.<ref>{{cite web | title=Square Enix bans more FFXI accounts | website=[[GameSpot]] | date=July 24, 2006 | url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/square-enix-bans-more-ffxi-accounts-6154572? | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104094547/http://www.gamespot.com/news/square-enix-bans-more-ffxi-accounts-6154572 | archive-date=November 4, 2012 | author = Caldwell, Patrick | access-date=August 16, 2006}}</ref> Since 2006, Square Enix has regularly banned accounts found to be in violation of the terms, some of them using third-party tools, effectively removing billions of gil from the in-game economy.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}
== Plot ==
=== Setting ===
The setting of ''Final Fantasy XI'' is the world of Vana'diel, a rich world with diverse climates, ranging from northern glaciers and southern deserts, to ethereal realms and sky landmasses.<ref name="Locations of FFXI">{{cite web|title=Locations of FFXI |url=http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/intro/world/index.html |publisher=Square Enix |access-date=November 15, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130113125733/http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/intro/world/index.html |archive-date=January 13, 2013}}</ref> Vana'diel is divided into a number of regions, which are subdivided into areas known as "zones". These zones are available for exploration and consist of outdoor areas, dungeons, cities, and towns. Players are able to explore a portion of Vana'diel, including the Middle Lands, Near East, and with the release of ''Seekers of Adoulin'', the near west.<ref name="seekers" /> Six city states exist in the available lands, The Republic of Bastok, The Kingdom of San d'Oria, The Federation of Windurst, The Grand Duchy of Jeuno, The Empire of Aht Urhgan and the Sacred City of Adoulin. While most areas are accessible by walking, various modes of transportation, ranging from the classic ''Final Fantasy'' [[Chocobo]] and [[Gameplay of Final Fantasy#Airships and transport|airships]] to special spells, facilitate movement across the game world.
Ancient lore states that Vana'diel was created as a playground for the Gods and their children, who themselves were spawned from an enormous and sentient [[Crystal (Final Fantasy)|Crystal]]. Eventually wishing to be one with the Gods, the children constructed a pathway to paradise. They were smote down for their insolence and their cities cast to the bottom of the sea. After seeing the destruction of her children and filled with sadness, the Goddess Altana wept five tears that gave life to the five Enlightened Races of Vana'diel. The God of Twilight, Promathia, condemned her weakness and the life that arose from it. Promathia cursed the five races with eternal conflict amongst themselves by bringing forth their darkest attributes: the apathy of the Humes, the arrogance of the Elvaan, the rage of the Galka, the cowardice of the Tarutaru, and the envy of the Mithra. He created the Beastmen, commanding them to forever fight the people of Vana'diel and occupy their minds, so these children would never have time to group together and construct a pathway like the ones before them.<ref name="Locations of FFXI" /> The creation lore's sentient Crystal, Gods, Children, and the truths behind them feature as major plot points in several ''Final Fantasy XI'' expansion packs, while the Beastmen are some of the game's main antagonists.
The events of the game are set 20 years after the Crystal War, a devastating war where the Middle Land nations of Bastok, San d'Oria and Windurst fought and defeated the Shadow Lord and his army of Beastmen. Players deal with the aftermath of this conflict in the original story, and may travel back in time to aid in the war effort with the expansion pack ''Wings of the Goddess''. Several parallel worlds are available, such as Dynamis and Abyssea, in which the beastmen won the Crystal War and conquered the land.
=== Characters ===
''Final Fantasy XI'' features five playable races known as the "Enlightened Races":
[[File:The five races of FFXI, opening movie screenshot.jpg|thumb|The playable races in ''Final Fantasy XI''. From left to right: Galka, Mithra, Hume, Elvaan, and Tarutaru.]]
;Elvaan: A race of proud warriors, the Elvaan's home city is the Kingdom of San d'Oria. Elvaan have an unshakable pride and faith in their beliefs, and many eschew the business world, preferring an austere lifestyle as skilled sword fighters. The Elvaan race possesses high strength and mind, but low MP and intelligence. Elvaan are said to be cursed with the sin of arrogance.
;Hume: Originating from the city of Bastok, Humes are the most common race in Vana'diel and are known for their intelligence and high level of skill in numerous areas. Humes have equally balanced abilities, and are said to be cursed with the sin of apathy. They serve as the game's human race.
;Galka: A hulking race of powerful warriors, the Galka's capital city was destroyed by war 600 years ago. Many of the surviving Galka settled in Bastok, and are currently used by the city as cheap underclass labour. The Galka do not have a female counterpart, but reproduce through reincarnation. They possess the highest HP and vitality in the game, but also the lowest MP. The Galka are cursed with rage.
;Mithra: The Mithra are a race of hunters who live alongside the Tarutaru in Windurst. They are known for their energy, curiosity, and their penchant for causing playful mischief. Due to a gender imbalance in their race males are a rarity, and so only female mithra leave the home, making females the only playable gender. Mithra possess high dexterity and agility, but lower HP and charisma. Mithra are cursed with envy.
;Tarutaru: A race of skilled magic users from the Federation of Windurst, the Tarutaru physically resemble children, however their size does not reflect their age. Tarutaru are playful yet cunning. They possess the highest MP and intelligence of all the races, but the lowest HP and strength. Tarutaru are said to be cursed with cowardice.<ref name="official"/>
In addition to the playable races, there are two other non-playable Enlightened Races, known as the Zilart and the Kuluu. These ancient races were thought to be extinct, and are the focus of the first two-game expansions. There is also a large supporting cast of NPCs involved in quests, missions and the game's storylines. The game features several typical [[Monsters of Final Fantasy|''Final Fantasy'' fiends]], including Goblins, Sahagins and Tonberries. Several of these races are known as Beastmen, a distinction made between fiends who possess higher than average intelligence, exhibiting self-awareness, emotions, culture, and religion. The complex relationship, bigoted views, and reasons of conflict between the Enlightened Races and Beastmen is a plot point throughout the game.<ref>{{cite web|title=Adversaries: The Beastmen Forces |publisher=[[PlayOnline]] |date=January 1, 2006 |url=http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/intro/monster/tribe.html?pageID=monster |access-date=August 17, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060821030623/http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/intro/monster/tribe.html?pageID=monster |archive-date=August 21, 2006}}</ref>
''Final Fantasy XI'' is represented in the ''[[Dissidia Final Fantasy|Dissidia]]'' game series by Shantotto, a female Tarutaru Black Mage from the Windurst storyline, voiced by famed voice actress [[Megumi Hayashibara]] in the Japanese version and [[Candi Milo]] in the English version.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.famitsu.com/blog/vanatsu/2008/11/200899.html |publisher=[[Famitsu]]| date=November 22, 2008 |title=ヴァナ★フェス2008レポート04 - 『ファイナルファンタジーXI』ヴァナ・ディール通信 blogのホーム - ヴァナ★フェス2008レポート06 |access-date=April 11, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130702133214/http://www.famitsu.com/blog/vanatsu/2008/11/200899.html |archive-date=July 2, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs39/f/2008/327/2/2/22813cfcb143b9a5f7ed1c840299385c.png| title=Screenshots of Shantotto in Dissidia| access-date=April 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723114052/http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs39/f/2008/327/2/2/22813cfcb143b9a5f7ed1c840299385c.png|archive-date=July 23, 2012}}</ref> The game's [[Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy|prequel]] adds Prishe, a female Elvaan from Tavnazia, who is the main character in the ''Chains of Promathia'' expansion pack.
=== Story ===
The storyline is primarily followed with missions through the governing nations that exist in the base game as well as each expansion that the player is affiliated with. Nation or governing body affiliation is relatively simple, sometimes requiring prerequisite quests being completed and have several stages of progression to achieve higher recognition and reward throughout each story. Some missions are even required to be completed to further progress into the start of the additional storylines of each expansion or specific areas.
Players begin the game as residents of one of the three main countries: San d'Oria, Bastok, and Windurst, and must help band the nations together against the resurrected Shadow Lord.
The expansion ''Rise of the Zilart'' reveals that the Crystal War and the resurrection of the Shadow Lord had been masterminded by the Zilart princes Eald'Narche and Kam'lanaut, who survived the extinction of their race. The two Zilarts plan to become Gods by opening the path to [[paradise]], and the player is charged with thwarting their plans.
''Chains of Promathia'' revolves around an Elvaan girl named Prishe and the dead Twilight God Promathia, who had originally cursed the Zilart race, and the attempts of various factions to either complete or stop his resurrection. The wyrmking [[Bahamut]] is involved in these events, and intends to destroy Vana'diel to prevent Promathia from absorbing the life of the world.
''Treasures of Aht Urhgan'' concerns the Empire of Aht Urhgan which opens up to the nations of midlands after years of self-imposed isolation. As a new and powerful nation, it is of concern to the nation of the player, who is sent as a representative. The player then becomes embroiled in the intrigues of the Empress's court and the growing fears of war and darkness coming to Aht Urhgan.
''Wings of the Goddess'' primarily occurs in the era of the Crystal War, 20 years in the past from the main ''Final Fantasy XI'' setting. The player discovers and crosses mysterious time portals alongside the Hume/Elvaan mix Lilisette, and are led to help the Regal Feline Cait Sith reduce the suffering of the era. However, Lilisette and her partner encounter Lilith, an alternate timeline version of herself who wishes to keep the war going to maintain her time while negating Lilisette's.
''Seekers of Adoulin'' concerns the western continent archipelago of Adoulin, and the Sacred City of Adoulin. The city was a focal point for colonization 200 years before the present game, but when colonization efforts failed in the main continent of Ulbuka, the nation fell in population and shifted to trade as a focus. Now colonization has begun once again, and players are free to explore the region.
''Rhapsodies of Vana'diel'' concerns the conclusion of the previous ''Final Fantasy XI'' storylines with the threat posed by the Cloud of Darkness and an alternate timeline version of the player.
''The Voracious Resurgence'', the follow-up story to ''Rhapsodies of Vana'diel'', concerns the mysterious "world eater eggs" appearing all throughout the land of Vana'diel.
== Development ==
[[File:HiromichiTanaka20070131.jpg|thumb|upright|''Final Fantasy XI'' is the most representative title of the ''Final Fantasy'' series, according to producer Hiromichi Tanaka.<ref name="jeuxvideopc" />]]
The idea to develop ''Final Fantasy XI'' as an online game was conceived by [[Hironobu Sakaguchi]] when establishing [[Square Pictures]] headquarters in Hawaii. Impressed by western MMORPGs that he discovered there, such as ''[[EverQuest]]'', Sakaguchi convinced [[Square (video game company)|Square]] to begin the development of their own MMORPG and suggested that it be based on the ''Final Fantasy'' series.<ref name="jeuxvideopc">{{cite web|url=http://www.jeuxvideopc.com/articles/1095-interview-hiromichi-tanaka-sage-sundi-final-fantasy-xi/ |title=Interview Hiromichi Tanaka et Sage Sundi Final Fantasy XI |publisher=Jeuxvideopc.com|author=Hoopy |date= January 30, 2007|access-date=October 13, 2008|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206162825/http://www.jeuxvideopc.com/articles/1095-interview-hiromichi-tanaka-sage-sundi-final-fantasy-xi/|archive-date=February 6, 2007}}</ref> Since MMORPG creation was seen as a "greater cause", ''Final Fantasy XI'' was made by a merger of four crews: the ''[[Parasite Eve II]]'' and ''[[Brave Fencer Musashi]]'' teams from [[Osaka]], and the ''[[Mana (series)|Mana]]'' and ''[[Chrono Cross]]'' teams from [[Tokyo]].<ref>{{cite video | url=http://www.gametrailers.com/full-episodes/r0ogno/gt-retrospectives-final-fantasy-retrospective--part-vii | title=Final Fantasy Retrospective Part VIII | publisher=[[GameTrailers]] | date= September 4, 2007 | access-date = April 8, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905043019/http://www.gametrailers.com/full-episodes/r0ogno/gt-retrospectives-final-fantasy-retrospective--part-vii | archive-date=September 5, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://we-are-vanadiel.finalfantasyxi.com/post/?id=381&lang=en|title=Naoki Yoshida Part 2|department=WE DISCUSS VANA'DIEL #10|work=FINAL FANTASY XI - WE ARE VANA'DIEL 20th Anniversary Commemorative Website|publisher=Square Enix|date=30 May 2022|access-date=June 27, 2022|archive-date=June 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627043514/https://we-are-vanadiel.finalfantasyxi.com/post/?id=381&lang=en|url-status=live}}</ref> Development began in November 1999. The game was the first developed under Square's new philosophy to develop for "all platforms and media".<ref>{{cite web|author=Nutt, Christian |title=Square Enix Q&A Session Report (PC) |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |date=May 17, 2005 |url=http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/final-fantasy-xi/615391p1.html |access-date=August 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204101126/http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/final-fantasy-xi/615391p1.html |archive-date=February 4, 2015}}</ref> [[Hiromichi Tanaka]], the producer of the game, said that the title is heavily influenced by ''[[Final Fantasy III]]'', especially in its battle and magic systems.<ref name="job system" /> According to Tanaka, Square put in ''Final Fantasy XI'' what they could not put in the first ''Final Fantasy'' titles due to technical limitations, thus making ''XI'' the "most [representative] ''Final Fantasy'' of all the episodes".<ref name="jeuxvideopc" /> The game was developed and ran on the [[Nvidia]] [[GeForce 4 series|GeForce 4 Ti]] [[graphics processing unit|GPU]], which the President of Square [[Yoichi Wada]] described as the most powerful graphics processor available at the time.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jones, Zakk |title=NVIDIA and Square Bringing Final Fantasy XI to PC |website=IGN |date=September 19, 2002 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/09/19/nvidia-and-square-bringing-final-fantasy-xi-to-pc |access-date=August 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107040416/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/09/19/nvidia-and-square-bringing-final-fantasy-xi-to-pc |archive-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref> The game cost two to three billion yen (~$17–25 million) to create along with the [[PlayOnline]] Network Service and was assumed to become profitable over a five-year timespan.<ref>{{cite web|title=Final Fantasy XI—Big Plans, Big Money |website=IGN |date=May 10, 2002 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/05/10/final-fantasy-xi-big-plans-big-money |access-date=August 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104092442/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/05/10/final-fantasy-xi-big-plans-big-money |archive-date=November 4, 2012}}</ref> By creating a unified game world instead of different ones [[balkanization|balkanized]] by language, development costs were cut 66%.<ref name="E3">{{cite web|author=Dunham, Jeremy |title=E3 2003: Final Fantasy XI Developer Interview |website=IGN |date=May 14, 2003 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/05/15/e3-2003-final-fantasy-xi-developer-interview |access-date=August 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017161108/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/05/15/e3-2003-final-fantasy-xi-developer-interview |archive-date=October 17, 2013}}</ref><ref name="game">{{cite web|author=Woodard, Christopher |title=GDC: Creating a Global MMO: Balancing Cultures and Platforms in Final Fantasy XI |publisher=[[Gamasutra]] |date=March 24, 2006 |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/gdc-creating-a-global-mmo-balancing-cultures-and-platforms-in-i-final-fantasy-xi-i- |access-date=August 16, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207102248/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2635/gdc_all_about_ninetynine_nights_.php |archive-date=December 7, 2010}}</ref> Since recurring [[monsters of Final Fantasy|monsters of the series]] are known by different names in the Japanese and English versions of the other installments, it was decided for ''Final Fantasy XI'' to use both Japanese and English names for different varieties of the same monsters.<ref name="E3"/>
[[File:Sony-PlayStation-2-Hard-Drive-wNetwork-Adaptor.jpg|thumb|right|The PlayStation 2 version of the game came with a 40GB hard drive that required the Network Adaptor to connect to the system.]]
A simultaneous release on the [[PlayStation 2]] and [[Microsoft Windows]] as well as concurrent Japanese and American release was originally considered, but this was later changed.<ref>{{cite web|author=Zdyrko, Dave |title=Colossal Final Fantasy XI Revelation |website=IGN |date=February 8, 2000 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/02/09/colossal-final-fantasy-xi-revelation |access-date=August 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104092447/http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/02/09/colossal-final-fantasy-xi-revelation |archive-date=November 4, 2012}}</ref> There was also discussion of an [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] release, but was abandoned mainly because of its small 8 GB hard drive.<ref name="xbox">{{cite web|author=Sheffield, Brandon |title=AGDC: How Square Enix Hunts The Hunters |publisher=[[Gamasutra]] |date=September 6, 2007 |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/agdc-how-square-enix-hunts-the-hunters |access-date=February 29, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221120550/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=15400 |archive-date=February 21, 2008}}</ref> Originally announced on January 29, 2000, at the Square Millennium Conference in Yokohama, there was a great deal of negative press.<ref name="esper"/> There were questions raised about naming the game the eleventh in the series, since it was not clear whether the game would have a structured story, which it ended up having, and the title of ''Final Fantasy Online'' was suggested.<ref>{{cite web|author=Vassar, Darryl |title=Final Fantasy XI (PC) |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |date=November 13, 2003 |url=http://www.power-gamers.net/ffxi.html |access-date=August 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070305042725/http://www.power-gamers.net/ffxi.html |archive-date=March 5, 2007}}</ref> Following an August 2001 [[beta test]] in Japan, a public Japanese beta test was done four months later in December.<ref>{{cite web|title=Final Fantasy XI Due For Full Test in December |website=IGN |date=July 31, 2001 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/07/31/final-fantasy-xi-due-for-full-test-in-december |access-date=August 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104092454/http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/07/31/final-fantasy-xi-due-for-full-test-in-december |archive-date=November 4, 2012}}</ref>
Following its PC release, ''Final Fantasy XI'' was listed as one of [[IGN]]'s most anticipated PlayStation 2 games of 2004.<ref>{{cite web |author=Perry, Douglass C. |author2=Dunham, Jeremy |author3=Lewis, Ed |title=Our Most Anticipated Games of 2004 |website=IGN |date=January 21, 2004 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/01/21/our-most-anticipated-games-of-2004-3?page=3 |access-date=August 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011040454/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/01/21/our-most-anticipated-games-of-2004-3?page=3 |archive-date=October 11, 2012}}</ref> [[Sony]] launched a multimillion-dollar ad campaign to promote the game along with the [[PlayStation 2]] hard drive add-on which the game required.<ref>{{cite web | title=FFXI ad push backed by big $$$ | author=Bob Moseley | website=[[GameSpot]] | date=March 18, 2004 | url=http://m.gamespot.com/news/ffxi-ad-push-backed-by-big--6091761 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306050827/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ffxi-ad-push-backed-by-big-/1100-6091761/ | archive-date=March 6, 2016 | access-date=April 8, 2013}}</ref> Having been released on the PlayStation 2 as well as the personal computer, it became the first [[cross-platform]] MMORPG ever created.<ref name="cross-play">{{cite web|author=Adams, David |title=Final Fantasy XI Hits Subscriber Milestone |website=IGN |date=January 7, 2004 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/01/07/final-fantasy-xi-hits-subscriber-milestone |access-date=August 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107040536/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/01/07/final-fantasy-xi-hits-subscriber-milestone |archive-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref> On June 14, 2002, the game server was down for four hours for maintenance to the database servers, bug fixes on the text interface, and a new patch for the game client.<ref>{{cite web|title=Final Fantasy XI Server Downtime |website=IGN |date=June 12, 2002 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/06/12/final-fantasy-xi-server-downtime |access-date=August 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104092517/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/06/12/final-fantasy-xi-server-downtime |archive-date=November 4, 2012}}</ref> This is thought to be the first patch ever released for a console game.<ref>{{cite web|title=Final Fantasy XI First Patch |website=IGN |date=June 11, 2002 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/06/11/final-fantasy-xi-first-patch |access-date=August 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104092526/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/06/11/final-fantasy-xi-first-patch |archive-date=November 4, 2012}}</ref> Other early issues included complaints by American players that experienced Japanese players had already completed all the quests. Square Enix responded by adding new servers in order to have game worlds with fewer expert players.<ref name="IGNreview"/>
''Final Fantasy XI'' is one of the first cross-console video games, and has continued to update its software to allow the game to run on new consoles. In March 2007, a patch was released to enable gameplay in French and German. Square Enix noted that [[Nintendo]]'s use of "[[Friend Code]]s" was the primary reason ''XI'' was not brought to the [[Wii]].<ref>{{cite web | author = Miller, Ross | title=Square Enix blames Wii friend codes for lack of FFXI | publisher=joystiq | date=February 1, 2007 | url=http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/01/square-enix-blames-wii-friend-codes-for-lack-of-ffxi/ | access-date=March 10, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150131212203/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/01/square-enix-blames-wii-friend-codes-for-lack-of-ffxi/ | archive-date=January 31, 2015}}</ref> In December 2006, the [[PlayStation 2]] versions of PlayOnline and ''Final Fantasy XI'' were able to install and run on the [[PlayStation 3]]. The ''Vana'diel Collection 2008'' discs for the [[PlayStation 2]] had installation issues on the [[PlayStation 3]], causing them to be unusable at first since they weren't on Sony's list of HDD compatible titles in the [[firmware]] the [[PlayStation 3]] had at the time. This problem was fixed in December 2007 when Sony released [[firmware]] update 2.10 for the [[PlayStation 3]]. This allowed all backwards compatible models—20GB model #CECHB01, 60GB model #CECHA01 and 80GB model #CECHE01—to play ''XI''. After working with [[Microsoft]] to resolve the game's incompatibility issues with [[Windows Vista]], Square Enix released a downloadable version of the PlayOnline client which is compatible with the operating system, although small bugs have appeared.<ref>{{cite web|title=Support for Microsoft Windows Vista |publisher=[[PlayOnline]] |date=March 22, 2007 |url=http://www.playonline.com/homeus/headline/news01.html |access-date=March 22, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070328140226/http://www.playonline.com/homeus/headline/news01.html |archive-date=March 28, 2007}}</ref>
In September 2010, [[Akihiko Matsui]] became the director of ''Final Fantasy XI''.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Director for FINAL FANTASY XI (09/01/2010) |publisher=[[PlayOnline]] |date=September 1, 2010 |url=http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/index.shtml |access-date=September 1, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100831202251/http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/index.shtml |archive-date=August 31, 2010}}</ref> Only three months later, on December 10, Matsui left the team to work as "Lead Combat System Designer" on Square Enix's new MMO, ''[[Final Fantasy XIV (2010 video game)|Final Fantasy XIV]]''. His replacement as director of ''XI'' is Mizuki Ito.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Message from the FINAL FANTASY XI Development Team (10/12/2010) |publisher=[[PlayOnline]] |date=December 10, 2010 |url=http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11eu/detail/6065/detail.html |access-date=December 10, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225031809/http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11eu/detail/6065/detail.html |archive-date=December 25, 2010}}</ref> At one point in 2011, [[Square Enix]] considered to port ''Final Fantasy XI'' for [[Sony]] [[PlayStation Vita]].<ref name="andriasang">{{cite web|url=http://andriasang.com/comwyu/famitsu_squenix_feature/|title=Kingdom Hearts 3D, Final Fantasy XI, Dissidia and More in Famitsu|archive-date=January 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101004652/http://andriasang.com/comwyu/famitsu_squenix_feature/|date=July 13, 2011|author=Gantayat, Anoop|publisher=andriasang.com|access-date=August 2, 2011}}</ref> On June 24, at the end of VanaFest 2012, a festival in Yokohama, Japan to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Japanese launch of ''Final Fantasy XI'', [[Hiromichi Tanaka]], for health reasons, decided to step down as producer of the game and leave Square-Enix. [[Akihiko Matsui]] was selected to replace him.<ref>{{cite web|title=Longtime Final Fantasy Producer Stepping Down, Health Reasons Cited |publisher=Kotaku.com |date=June 24, 2012 |url=http://kotaku.com/5920904/longtime-final-fantasy-producer-stepping-down-health-reasons-cited |access-date=June 24, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625144624/http://kotaku.com/5920904/longtime-final-fantasy-producer-stepping-down-health-reasons-cited |archive-date=June 25, 2012}}</ref> In March 2023, Yoji Fujito replaced Matsui as the producer, while Matsui would in some form continue supporting ''Final Fantasy XI''.<ref>{{cite web | title=Announcing a New Producer for FINAL FANTASY XI (22/03/2023) | publisher=[[PlayOnline]] | date=March 22, 2023 | url=http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11eu/detail/20386/detail.html | access-date=April 26, 2023 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322090056/http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11eu/detail/20386/detail.html | archive-date=March 22, 2023}}</ref>
In 2006, between 200,000 and 300,000 active players logged in per day, with 500,000 total active players and around 150,000 online at any one time.<ref name="gs2006">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/gdc-creating-a-global-mmo-balancing-cultures-and-platforms-in-i-final-fantasy-xi-i- |title=GDC: Creating a Global MMO: Balancing Cultures and Platforms in Final Fantasy XI |last=Woodard |first=Christopher |publisher=[[Gamasutra]] |date=March 26, 2006 |access-date=March 25, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303203245/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/131040/gdc_creating_a_global_mmo_.php |archive-date=March 3, 2016}}</ref> By April 2009, the total number of active characters exceeded 2 million for the first time.<ref>{{cite web|author=Square Enix |title=News Flash o Thur April 23, 2009 |url=http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11us/0904/topics_all.html |access-date=April 23, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522105601/http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11us/0904/topics_all.html |archive-date=May 22, 2009}}</ref> By June 2012, ''Final Fantasy XI'' became the most profitable title in the ''Final Fantasy'' series.<ref name="FFXI Most Profitable FF Game">{{cite web|title=The Most Profitable'' Final Fantasy'' of All-Time is...|date=June 24, 2012|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/06/24/the-most-profitable-final-fantasy-of-all-time-is|publisher=IGN|access-date=October 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114023400/http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/06/24/the-most-profitable-final-fantasy-of-all-time-is|archive-date=January 14, 2016}}</ref>
===Music===
[[File:Nobuo Uematsu.jpg|thumb|upright|Uematsu emphasized cross-cultural communication in his compositions.]]
{{Main|Music of Final Fantasy XI}}
The music of ''Final Fantasy XI'' was scored by [[Naoshi Mizuta]], [[Kumi Tanioka]], and [[Nobuo Uematsu]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Gann, Patrick |title=Final Fantasy XI Rise of the Zilart OST |publisher=RPGFan |date=September 23, 2004 |url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ff11-zilart/index.html |access-date=March 7, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409233625/http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ff11-zilart/index.html |archive-date=April 9, 2008}}</ref> Composer [[Yasunori Mitsuda]] was also asked to contribute, but at the time he was unable to do so, as he was scoring the music for ''[[Xenosaga]]''.<ref name="esper"/> The game's five expansion packs since were scored by Mizuta alone, after Tanioka left to pursue other projects and Uematsu left Square Enix. The opening of the game features choral music with lyrics in [[Esperanto]].<ref name="esper">{{cite web|author=Van, Tim |title=Final Fantasy XI OST |publisher=RPGFan |date=January 1, 2007 |url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ff11/index.html |access-date=February 24, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116221144/http://rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ff11/index.html |archive-date=January 16, 2013}}</ref> According to Uematsu, the choice of language was meant to symbolize the developers' hope that their online game could contribute to cross-cultural communication and cooperation. He also noted the increased difficulty of scoring a game for which there was no linear plotline, a major change from the previous ''Final Fantasy'' games. It was the first game in the series for which he composed while he was no longer a Square Enix employee.<ref>{{cite web|author=Fahey, Rob |title=Focus On: Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu |publisher=Gamesindustry.biz |date=February 25, 2005 |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/focus-on-final-fantasy-composer-nobuo-uematsu |access-date=August 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829145306/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/focus-on-final-fantasy-composer-nobuo-uematsu |archive-date=August 29, 2012}}</ref> New music has been employed for special events, such as a holiday score titled "Jeuno -Starlight Celebration-" which can be heard in the city of Jeuno each mid-to-late December since 2004.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}
The game's music has been released in CD form several times and has been featured in ''Final Fantasy'' concerts. Some of the game's music has been released on [[iTunes]], such as the vocal "Distant Worlds", which was released on the Japanese iTunes store on September 13, 2005, having been put in the game in a July 2005 patch.<ref>{{cite web|author=IGN Music |title=Final Fantasy Soundtracks |website=IGN |date=May 10, 2005 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/05/10/final-fantasy-soundtracks |access-date=August 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130205071056/http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/05/10/final-fantasy-soundtracks |archive-date=February 5, 2013}}</ref> A compilation CD box was released on March 28, 2007, titled ''Final Fantasy XI Original Soundtrack Premium Box'', which included the four original soundtracks from ''Final Fantasy XI'' and its three expansion sets, as well as the previously unreleased tracks from the game and the unreleased ''Final Fantasy XI Piano Collections''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Final Fantasy XI Original Soundtrack PREMIUM BOX |publisher=[[Square Enix]] |year=2007 |url=http://www.square-enix.co.jp/music/sem/page/ff11box/info.html |access-date=March 27, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070322172207/http://www.square-enix.co.jp/music/sem/page/ff11box/info.html |archive-date=March 22, 2007}}</ref> [[Dear Friends -Music from Final Fantasy-]], a 2004–05 concert series, featured "Ronfaure" from ''Final Fantasy XI''. A ten-track album of music inspired by ''Final Fantasy XI'' entitled ''Music from the Other Side of Vana'diel'' was released by [[Star onions|The Star Onions]] on August 24, 2005.<ref>{{cite web|title=Square Enix Music |publisher=[[Square Enix]] |date=May 10, 2005 |url=http://www.squareenixmusic.com/companies/staronions/discography.shtml |access-date=February 29, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117070941/http://www.squareenixmusic.com/companies/staronions/discography.shtml |archive-date=January 17, 2008}}</ref>
== Expansions and add-ons ==
''Final Fantasy XI'' has additions released every few years. Expansion packs add new story, jobs, zones, quests, and content to the game, while add-ons are smaller in scale, adding a smaller selection of the aforementioned items. Until the discontinuation of the Xbox 360 and PS2 versions, all of the expansions and add-ons had been released on [[PlayStation 2]], [[Microsoft Windows]], and [[Xbox 360]], with the exception of ''Seekers of Adoulin'', which did not see a PlayStation 2 release outside Japan.<ref name=last />
{| style="width:100%;" class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width:25%;"| Title
! style="width:10%;"| Type
! style="width:10%;"| Year
! style="width:55%;"|Notes
|-
| {{nihongo|''Rise of the Zilart''<br />|ジラートの幻影|Jirāto no Gen'ei|lit. "Phantoms of the Zilart"}}<ref name="free?">{{cite web|title=Final Fantasy XI Expansion Disc? |website=IGN |date=November 20, 2002 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/20/final-fantasy-xi-expansion-disc |access-date=August 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104092534/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/20/final-fantasy-xi-expansion-disc |archive-date=November 4, 2012}}</ref>
| Expansion pack
| {{vgrelease|JP|2003|NA|2003|PAL|2004}}<ref name=shipment>{{cite web|title=Final Fantasy XI PC to Ship on October 28th |website=IGN |date=October 10, 2003 |url=http://m.ign.com/articles/2003/10/10/final-fantasy-xi-pc-to-ship-on-october-28th |access-date=April 8, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402125409/http://m.ign.com/articles/2003/10/10/final-fantasy-xi-pc-to-ship-on-october-28th |archive-date=April 2, 2015}}</ref>
| When news was first circulated about an expansion to ''Final Fantasy XI'', it was thought that the game's title would be ''Final Fantasy XI: Vision of Girade'' and was unclear whether it would be a free upgrade or not.<ref name="free?" /> The Xbox Live version was also beta tested to see how their online playing system supported ''Final Fantasy XI''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Final Fantasy XI Team Works on New Project |website=IGN |date=June 8, 2005 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/06/08/final-fantasy-xi-team-works-on-new-project |access-date=August 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018160039/http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/06/08/final-fantasy-xi-team-works-on-new-project |archive-date=October 18, 2012}}</ref> A demo version of the Xbox 360 release of the game was the first game on the Xbox 360 to require the use of its hard drive addition.<ref>{{cite web|author=Carless, Simon |title=Microsoft Reveals Square Enix Support, 'Selected' Backward Compatibility For Xbox 360 |publisher=[[Gamasutra]] |date=May 16, 2005 |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/microsoft-reveals-square-enix-support-selected-backward-compatibility-for-xbox-360 |access-date=August 16, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061121031454/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=8084 |archive-date=November 21, 2006}}</ref> The game introduced the Dragoon as well as the [[Samurai]] and [[Ninja]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Last Bits of FFXI Expansion Info |website=IGN |date=March 27, 2003 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/03/27/last-bits-of-ffxi-expansion-info |access-date=March 11, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104092541/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/03/27/last-bits-of-ffxi-expansion-info |archive-date=November 4, 2012}}</ref>
|-
| {{nihongo|''Chains of Promathia''<br />|プロマシアの呪縛|Puromashia no Jubaku|lit. "Curse of Promathia"}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Final Fantasy XI Chains of Promathia |publisher=[[GameFAQs]] |date=January 1, 2005 |url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps2/920507-final-fantasy-xi-chains-of-promathia/data |access-date=February 29, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805060504/http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps2/920507-final-fantasy-xi-chains-of-promathia/data |archive-date=August 5, 2011}}</ref>
| Expansion pack
| {{vgrelease|JP|2004|NA|2004|PAL|2004}}
| On November 7, 2006, a new version of "Vana'diel Collection" for 2007 was released including the original game and both expansions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Final Fantasy XI Collection Updated |website=IGN |author=Hatfield, Daemon |date=November 7, 2006 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/11/07/final-fantasy-xi-collection-updated |access-date=March 8, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107040604/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/11/07/final-fantasy-xi-collection-updated |archive-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref> Forty new areas were made available to explore, as well as new quests and missions, but no new jobs for characters to learn or new game mechanics.<ref>{{cite web|title=Final Fantasy XI: Chains of Promathia |website=IGN |author=Jeremy Dunham |date=September 28, 2004 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/09/28/final-fantasy-xi-chains-of-promathia |access-date=March 11, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104092552/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/09/28/final-fantasy-xi-chains-of-promathia |archive-date=November 4, 2012}}</ref>
|-
| {{nihongo|''Treasures of Aht Urhgan''<br />|アトルガンの秘宝|Atorugan no Hihō|lit. "Hidden Treasure of Aht Urhgan"}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Final Fantasy XI: Treasures of Aht Urhgan |publisher=[[GameFAQs]] |date=January 1, 2007 |url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps2/930028-final-fantasy-xi-treasures-of-aht-urhgan/data |access-date=February 29, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523060936/http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps2/930028-final-fantasy-xi-treasures-of-aht-urhgan/data |archive-date=May 23, 2010}}</ref>
| Expansion pack
| {{vgrelease|JP|2006|NA|2006|PAL|2006}}
| The game was also released on the Xbox 360 bundled with all three of the expansions released to date, and on the PC as "Vana'diel Collection 2007". The expansion included three new jobs; Puppetmaster, Corsair, and Blue Mage.<ref>{{cite web|title=Editorial: E3: Interview with FFXI Developers |publisher=[[Allakhazam]] |date=June 12, 2007 |url=http://ffxi.allakhazam.com/story.html?story=10045 |access-date=March 11, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411205909/http://ffxi.allakhazam.com/story.html?story=10045 |archive-date=April 11, 2009}}</ref> The expansion's final update in fall 2007 finally allowed the player to advance to the rank of "Captain".
|-
| {{nihongo|''Wings of the Goddess''<br />|アルタナの神兵|Arutana no Shinpei|lit. "Divine Soldiers of Altana"}}<ref>{{cite web | author = benleslie5 | title=Tokyo Gameshow 07 | website=[[GameSpot]] | date=January 7, 2008 | url=http://www.gamespot.com/pages/unions/home.php?union_id=ATA | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206100655/http://www.gamespot.com/pages/unions/home.php?union_id=ATA | archive-date=December 6, 2008 | access-date=February 29, 2008}}</ref>
| Expansion pack
| {{vgrelease|JP|2007|NA|2007|PAL|2007}}
| The fourth expansion of ''Final Fantasy XI'' was released in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|title=Official Site for 'Wings of the Goddess'! |publisher=[[PlayOnline]] |date=May 12, 2007 |url=http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/index.shtml |access-date=May 12, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070509143511/http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/index.shtml |archive-date=May 9, 2007}}</ref> The expansion shipped for PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 on November 20; the PC version was delayed until November 21 due to manufacturing issues. The expansion went live and became playable on November 22, 2007. On November 20, Square Enix updated ''Final Fantasy XI'' in preparation for the expansion. This update included a new large-scale battle known as "Campaign" and various new spells and job abilities.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nov. 20, 2007 (JST) Update Details |publisher=[[PlayOnline]] |date=November 20, 2007 |url=http://www.playonline.com/pcd/update/ff11us/20071120wwnX41/detail.html |access-date=February 29, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302025344/http://www.playonline.com/pcd/update/ff11us/20071120wwnX41/detail.html |archive-date=March 2, 2008}}</ref> The Dancer and Scholar jobs were introduced in the expansion, and their equipment known as "artifact armor" was released in the March 10, 2008, update.<ref>{{cite web | author=Cody Bye | title=Final Fantasy XI: Dancer and Scholar Interview | publisher=Ten Ton Hammer | date=March 2, 2008 | url=http://www.tentonhammer.com/node/28307 | access-date=March 11, 2008 | archive-date=February 16, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216111053/http://www.tentonhammer.com/node/28307}}</ref>
|-
| ''A Crystalline Prophecy: Ode of Life Bestowing''
| rowspan="3" | Add-on scenario
| rowspan="3" | 2009<ref name="Final Fantasy XI Official Chapters Site">{{cite web|url=http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/addon/ |title='A Crystalline Prophecy' Site Updated and Advance Order Date Announced! |access-date=March 25, 2009 |date=March 16, 2009 |publisher=Square Enix |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090321045142/http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/addon/ |archive-date=March 21, 2009}}</ref>
| rowspan="3" | [[Masato Kato]], the original scenario writer of ''Final Fantasy XI'' and the expansion pack ''Rise of the Zilart'' returned to work on these features. Unlike traditional expansion packs, these chapters, conceived as interactive "[[Novella|novelette]]s", focused on deepening the storylines of existing locations rather than introducing new areas.<ref name="ffxinovelettes">{{cite web|url=http://blog.square-enix.com/ff11/2008/11/the_adventure_continues_with_t.html |title=The Adventure Continues With Three All-New Final Fantasy XI Expansion Chapters! |access-date=November 22, 2008 |date=November 22, 2008 |publisher=Square Enix |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106013829/http://blog.square-enix.com/ff11/2008/11/the_adventure_continues_with_t.html |archive-date=January 6, 2009}}</ref> Moogle Kupo d'Etat was originally conceived to be a scary story, but became comical as it was developed.<ref name=longtime>{{cite web | author=James Mielke | title=FFXI Developer Interview Reveals the Process Behind Their Latest Expansion | publisher=[[1UP.com]] | date=May 22, 2009 | url=http://www.1up.com/news/ffxi-developer-interview-reveals-process | access-date=March 29, 2013 | archive-date=July 1, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701163229/http://www.1up.com/news/ffxi-developer-interview-reveals-process | url-status=dead }}</ref> The series of add-ons was made to tie up several storylines that developers such as Masato Kato had wanted to see well concluded.<ref name=longtime/> Some experienced players criticized the add-ons simple "fetch quest" beginning, which later Kato explained was made for beginner players.<ref name=longtime/>
|-
| ''A Moogle Kupo d'Etat: Evil in Small Doses''
|-
| ''A Shantotto Ascension: The Legend Torn, Her Empire Born''
|-
| ''Vision of Abyssea''
| rowspan="3" | Add-on battlefield
| rowspan="3" | 2010<ref name="Abyssea">{{cite web|url=http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/addon/index.html |title=Final Fantasy XI |publisher=[[PlayOnline]] |access-date=April 11, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510141229/http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/addon/index.html |archive-date=May 10, 2013}}</ref>
| rowspan="3" | Abyssea is a realm composed of battle areas created with characters level 75 and above in mind. There, players partake in activities such as leveling, engaging battles against foes, and collecting powerful equipment. It was the first paid for addition to ''Final Fantasy XI'' that did not have a focus on adding new storylines.<ref name="Abyssea info">{{cite web|title=Abyssea Add-ons Information |url=http://www.playonline.com/pcd/verup/ff11us/detail/6023/detail.html#001 |publisher=Square Enix |access-date=November 15, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121218234231/http://www.playonline.com/pcd/verup/ff11us/detail/6023/detail.html |archive-date=December 18, 2012}}</ref>
|-
| ''Scars of Abyssea''
|-
| ''Heroes of Abyssea''
|-
| {{nihongo|''Seekers of Adoulin''<br />|アドゥリンの魔境|Adourin no Makyō?|lit. "Illusions of Adoulin"}}<ref name="seekers">{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2012/06/23/final-fantasy-xi-expansion-seekers-adoulin-brings-two-new-classes |title=Final Fantasy XI Expansion, Seekers of Adoulin, Brings Two New Classes |date=June 23, 2012 |author=Ishaan |access-date=April 11, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329231803/http://www.siliconera.com/2012/06/23/final-fantasy-xi-expansion-seekers-adoulin-brings-two-new-classes/ |archive-date=March 29, 2013}}</ref>
| Expansion pack
| 2013
| The fifth expansion for ''Final Fantasy XI'', ''Seekers of Adoulin'', was announced at VanaFest 2012, a celebration of the tenth anniversary of the Japanese launch of the game, in Yokohama, Japan. Two new jobs are featured in the new expansion, Geomancer and Rune Fencer.<ref name=last>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5971429/the-japanese-ps2s-last-game-gets-a-release-date |title=The Japanese PS2's Last Game Gets A Release Date |last=Nakamura |first=Toshi |date=December 27, 2012 |publisher=Kotaku |access-date=January 28, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130129101125/http://kotaku.com/5971429/the-japanese-ps2s-last-game-gets-a-release-date |archive-date=January 29, 2013}}</ref> The expansion also contains seven powerful bosses, and a new western continent called Adoulin.<ref name=monsters>{{cite web|url=http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/02/final-fantasy-xi-seekers-of-adoulin-site-details-geomancer-abil/|title=Final Fantasy XI: Seekers of Adoulin site details Geomancer abilities, Naakual bosses|last=Daniel|first=Matt|date=February 2, 2013|publisher=joystiq|access-date=March 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129051428/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/02/final-fantasy-xi-seekers-of-adoulin-site-details-geomancer-abil/|archive-date=January 29, 2015}}</ref> ''Seekers of Adoulin'' was then the last game released on the PlayStation 2 in Asia,<ref name=last /> and is not available on the PS2 outside Japan.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}
|-
| ''Rhapsodies of Vana'diel''<ref name="rhapsodies">{{cite web |author=Square Enix |date=August 6, 2020 |title=NEW STORY SERIES THE VORACIOUS RESURGENCE DEBUTS IN FINAL FANTASY XI ONLINE AUGUST UPDATE |url=https://press.na.square-enix.com/NEW-STORY-SERIES-THE-VORACIOUS-RESURGENCE-DEBUTS-IN-FINAL-FANTASY-XI-O |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005204845/https://press.na.square-enix.com/NEW-STORY-SERIES-THE-VORACIOUS-RESURGENCE-DEBUTS-IN-FINAL-FANTASY-XI-O |archive-date=October 5, 2020 |access-date=October 5, 2020}}</ref>
| Main scenario
| {{vgrelease|NA|2015|JP|2015|PAL|2015}}
| ''Rhapsodies of Vana'diel'' was released as the final main scenario, and serves to tie together all storylines and characters across fourteen years of ''Final Fantasy XI''. The scenario consists of three separate chapters released for free, debuting in the May, August, and November 2015 version updates, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2015/03/square-enix-announces-the-vanadiel-project-details-future-plans-for-final-fantasy-xi |title=Square Enix announces the Vana'diel Project, details future plans for Final Fantasy XI |work=Gematsu |date=March 19, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326120454/http://gematsu.com/2015/03/square-enix-announces-the-vanadiel-project-details-future-plans-for-final-fantasy-xi |archive-date=March 26, 2015}}</ref> This was the last version published for the Xbox 360, with the PS2 and Xbox 360 versions being discontinued in 2016.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}
|-
| ''The Voracious Resurgence''
| Add-on scenario
| {{vgrelease|NA|2020|JP|2020|PAL|2020}}
| ''The Voracious Resurgence'' is an additional add-on scenario, requiring completion of ''Rhapsodies of Vana'diel'' before being able to play through its content. The scenario has been released in episodic installments as part of regular version updates at no additional cost like its predecessor. It is the first story expansion after ''Rhapsodies of Vana'diel'', which had been designed as a conclusion to the game's content. The final chapter of ''The Voracious Resurgence'' was released in May 2023.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}
|}
==Reception==
===Critical reception===
{{Video game reviews
| GR = PS2: 85%<ref name="GRPS2">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/197345-final-fantasy-xi/index.html |title=Final Fantasy XI for PlayStation 2 |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=February 21, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602042244/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/197345-final-fantasy-xi/index.html |archive-date=June 2, 2009}}</ref><br />PC: 82%<ref name="GRPC">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/555735-final-fantasy-xi/index.html |title=Final Fantasy XI for PC |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=February 21, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105144602/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/555735-final-fantasy-xi/index.html |archive-date=January 5, 2010}}</ref><br />X360: 69%<ref name="GRX360">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/928330-final-fantasy-xi/index.html |title=Final Fantasy XI for Xbox 360 |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=February 21, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105144323/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/928330-final-fantasy-xi/index.html |archive-date=January 5, 2010}}</ref>
| MC = PS2: 85/100<ref name="MCPS2">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/final-fantasy-xi/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=Final Fantasy XI for PlayStation 2 Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=February 21, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100914035341/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/final-fantasy-xi |archive-date=September 14, 2010}}</ref><br />PC: 85/100<ref name="MCPC">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/final-fantasy-xi/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Final Fantasy XI for PC Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=February 21, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100830081147/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/final-fantasy-xi |archive-date=August 30, 2010}}</ref><br />X360: 66/100<ref name="MCX360">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/final-fantasy-xi/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=Final Fantasy XI for Xbox 360 Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=February 21, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100823125437/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/final-fantasy-xi |archive-date=August 23, 2010}}</ref>
| Fam = 38/40<ref>''プレイステーション2 - ファイナルファンタジーXI''. Weekly Famitsu. No.915 Pt.2. Pg.77. June 30, 2006.</ref><ref name="fam"/>
| GSpot = 8.2/10<ref name = "spot">{{cite web | author=Komili, Onur | title=Final Fantasy XI Review | website=[[GameSpot]] | date=October 28, 2003 | url=http://www.gamespot.com/final-fantasy-xi/reviews/final-fantasy-xi-review-6083638/?tag=summary%3Breview | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223062558/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/final-fantasy-xi-review/1900-6083638/ | archive-date=December 23, 2015 | access-date=February 29, 2008}}</ref>
| GSpy = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|author=Vassar, Darryl |title=Final Fantasy XI (PC) |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |date=November 13, 2003 |url=http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/final-fantasy-xi/6369p1.html |access-date=March 1, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517120739/http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/final-fantasy-xi/6369p1.html |archive-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref>
| IGN = 8.8/10<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|author=Komili, Onur |title=Final Fantasy XI Review |website=IGN |date=December 1, 2003 |url=http://www.ign.com/games/final-fantasy-xi/ps2-14009 |access-date=August 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628133055/http://www.ign.com/games/final-fantasy-xi/ps2-14009 |archive-date=June 28, 2012}}</ref>
}}
''Final Fantasy XI'' received positive reviews from critics. Aggregating review websites [[GameRankings]] and [[Metacritic]] gave the PlayStation 2 version 85% based on 57 reviews and 85/100 based on 49 reviews,<ref name="GRPS2"/><ref name="MCPS2"/> the PC version 82% based on 44 reviews and 85/100 based on 25 reviews<ref name="GRPC"/><ref name="MCPC"/> the Xbox 360 version 69% based on 32 reviews and 66/100 based on 25 reviews.<ref name="GRX360"/><ref name="MCX360"/> ''[[Famitsu]]'' rated the game 38 out of 40.<ref name="fam">{{cite web|url=http://geimin.net/da/cross_review.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060422203331/http://geimin.net/da/cross_review.php|archive-date=April 22, 2006|title= Famitsu Hall of Fame|publisher=GEIMIN.NET|date=January 1, 2006|access-date=March 7, 2008}}</ref> ''[[Computer and Video Games]] Magazine'' noted that it was one of the most welcoming MMORPGs despite the cumbersome initial registration and setup.<ref>{{cite web | title=Final Fantasy XI Online | publisher=[[Computer and Video Games]] | date=October 15, 2004 | url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/110629/reviews/final-fantasy-xi-online-review/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701103609/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/110629/reviews/final-fantasy-xi-online-review/ | archive-date=July 1, 2012 | access-date=February 29, 2008}}</ref> ''[[IGN]]'' called it a well done but unoriginal game and also noted that North American players were forced to play with already much more experienced Japanese players who had already completed the game's various quests.<ref name="IGNreview"/> ''[[GameSpot]]'' criticized it at release for having an unconventional control system, a lengthy installation, and having no player versus player (PvP) aspects.<ref>{{cite web | author=Kasavin, Greg | title=Final Fantasy XI | website=[[GameSpot]] | date=November 14, 2003 | url=http://www.gamespot.com/final-fantasy-xi/reviews/final-fantasy-xi-review-6083638 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111207092750/http://www.gamespot.com/final-fantasy-xi/reviews/final-fantasy-xi-review-6083638 | archive-date=December 7, 2011 | access-date=August 15, 2006}}</ref> Other elements receiving criticism include the EXP grind, which involves constant battles to access different parts of the game, and overcrowded camp sites.<ref>{{cite web|author=Kudou-Yusaku |title=Final Fantasy XI: Treasures of Aht Urhgan Review |website=IGN |date=July 21, 2006 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/07/22/final-fantasy-xi-treasures-of-aht-urhgan-review |access-date=August 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107040610/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/07/22/final-fantasy-xi-treasures-of-aht-urhgan-review |archive-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref> The expansions have been mostly positively received, with praise for the amount of content added, but increasing signs that the graphics of the game are becoming outdated.<ref>{{cite web|author=Dunham, Jeremy |title=Final Fantasy XI: Chains of Promathia |website=IGN |date=September 28, 2004 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/09/28/final-fantasy-xi-chains-of-promathia |access-date=February 29, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104092552/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/09/28/final-fantasy-xi-chains-of-promathia |archive-date=November 4, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Kudou-Yusaku |title=Final Fantasy XI: Treasures of Aht Urhgan Review |website=IGN |date=June 21, 2006 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/07/22/final-fantasy-xi-treasures-of-aht-urhgan-review |access-date=February 29, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107040610/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/07/22/final-fantasy-xi-treasures-of-aht-urhgan-review |archive-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref> The ''[[IGN]]'' review of the [[Xbox 360]] release was similar, noting that it was a large amount of game content, but had a protracted setup process and elements of the game design that require a large time investment.<ref>{{cite web|author=Onyett, Charles |title=Final Fantasy XI |website=IGN |date=May 3, 2006 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/05/03/final-fantasy-xi |access-date=August 14, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018160102/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/05/03/final-fantasy-xi |archive-date=October 18, 2012}}</ref> It has also been noted{{By whom|date=August 2025}} that this game is the first to move in a wildly different direction while remaining in the main numbering line, as opposed to the ''Tactics'' and ''Crystal Chronicles'' games which became their own side series.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}
===Sales and subscriptions===
The user base for the [[PlayStation 2]] version was truncated initially because of limited sales of the PlayStation 2's hard drive and network adapters that were needed for the game.<ref name="biz">{{cite web|author=Fahey, Rob |title=Japan Charts: Final Fantasy XI add-on goes in at number one |publisher=Gamesindustry.biz |date=April 28, 2003 |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/iwata-pledges-to-keep-revolution-software-prices-down |access-date=February 29, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206011948/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/iwata-pledges-to-keep-revolution-software-prices-down |archive-date=December 6, 2008}}</ref> The Japanese release of ''Rise of the Zilart'' was the number one selling game when it debuted in 2003 with 90,000 copies sold in the first week.<ref name="biz"/> The ''Treasures of Aht Urhgan'', released three years later, sold over 103,000 copies for the PlayStation 2 in Japan during 2006.<ref name="EBsales">{{Cite book|title=Famitsū Gēmu Hakusho 2007 |publisher=[[Enterbrain]] |year=2007 |isbn=978-4-7577-3577-4 |___location=Tokyo |page=387 |id={{JPNO|21240454}} |language=ja |script-title=ja:ファミ通ゲーム白書2007 |trans-title=Famitsu Game Whitebook 2007 |chapter=2006年ゲームソフト年間売上TOP500 |trans-chapter=2006 Game Software Annual Sales Top 500 |url=http://geimin.net/da/db/2006_ne_fa/index.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626214525/http://geimin.net/da/db/2006_ne_fa/index.php |archive-date=June 26, 2015}}</ref> In the United States, ''Final Fantasy XI''{{'}}s computer version sold 340,000 copies ($15.5 million) by August 2006, after its release in October 2003. It was the country's 51st best-selling computer game between January 2000 and August 2006.<ref name=edgesales>{{cite magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017165955/http://www.edge-online.com/features/top-100-pc-games-21st-century/ |url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/top-100-pc-games-21st-century/ |title=The Top 100 PC Games of the 21st Century| date=August 25, 2006 |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |archive-date=October 17, 2012 }}</ref> The ''Final Fantasy XI All-in-One Pack'' was number 36 and ''Wings of the Goddess'' was number 40 on the top 50 best-selling [[Xbox 360]] games in Japan as of December 2007.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Xbox 360 History 2005-2007 |magazine=[[Famitsu]] |date=December 9, 2007 |url=http://n4g.com/news/95272/lifetime-sales-of-top-50-xbox-360-software-in-japan |access-date=February 29, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603122801/http://n4g.com/news/95272/lifetime-sales-of-top-50-xbox-360-software-in-japan |archive-date=June 3, 2012}}</ref> For the April–September 2004 financial period, Square Enix saw online gaming, particularly ''Final Fantasy XI'', sales increase by 101 percent and operating profit increase by 230.9 percent.<ref>{{cite web|author=Gantayat, Anoop |title=Square Enix Strong on Online, Mobile Content |website=IGN |date=November 18, 2004 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/11/18/square-enix-strong-on-online-mobile-content |access-date=August 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104092545/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/11/18/square-enix-strong-on-online-mobile-content |archive-date=November 4, 2012}}</ref> Revenues held steady from subscription services in the summer of 2006; in the fall, however, Square acknowledged that online subscription revenues were "unsatisfactory", despite the steady performance of ''Final Fantasy XI''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Dobson, Jason |title=Square Enix Revises Revenue, Profit Projections Down |publisher=[[Gamasutra]] |date=August 18, 2006 |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/square-enix-revises-revenue-profit-projections-down |access-date=August 16, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060905203159/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=8951 |archive-date=September 5, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author = Graft, Kris | title=Squeenix Slashes Profit Forecast by 43% | publisher=[[Next Generation Magazine]] | date=August 18, 2006 | url=http://www.edge-online.com/news/squeenix-slashes-profit-forecast-43/ | access-date=February 29, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625041554/http://www.edge-online.com/news/squeenix-slashes-profit-forecast-43 | archive-date=June 25, 2009}}</ref> By December 2003, there were over 200,000 subscribers to ''Final Fantasy XI'', allowing the company to break even and start making a profit.<ref>{{cite web|title=Final Fantasy XI Breaks Even |website=IGN |date=December 11, 2003 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/12/02/final-fantasy-xi-review |access-date=August 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107040307/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/12/02/final-fantasy-xi-review |archive-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref> There were between 200,000 and 300,000 active players daily in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Woodard |first1=Christopher |title=GDC: Creating a Global MMO: Balancing Cultures and Platforms in Final Fantasy XI |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/gdc-creating-a-global-mmo-balancing-cultures-and-platforms-in-i-final-fantasy-xi-i- |website=Gamasutra |date=March 24, 2006 |access-date=March 24, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511035518/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/131040/gdc_creating_a_global_mmo_.php |archive-date=May 11, 2012}}</ref> As of August 2006, the Xbox 360 version was the sixth most played game on [[Xbox Live]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Hryb, Larry |title=Halo 2, CoD 2 Remain Most-Played Xbox Live Games |publisher=[[Gamasutra]] |date=August 14, 2006 |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=10465 |access-date=August 16, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061121031539/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=10465 |archive-date=November 21, 2006}}</ref> As of 2008, the game had 500,000 subscribers.<ref name="MISQ11">{{Cite journal|last=Roquilly|first=Christophe|date=2011|title=Control Over Virtual Worlds by Game Companies: Issues and Recommendations|journal=[[MIS Quarterly]]|volume=35|issue=3|page=657|doi=10.2307/23042802|jstor=23042802|issn=0276-7783}}</ref> By June 2012, ''Final Fantasy XI'' became the most profitable title in the ''Final Fantasy'' series.<ref name="FFXI Most Profitable FF Game"/> While many MMOs have switched to some form of free-to-play model, the base monthly subscription price point for ''Final Fantasy XI'' has remained the same at $11.95 since its debut in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|author=Ed McGlone |title=It's Been 13 Years and Final Fantasy XI Still Has a Monthly Sub; How Does It Do It? |publisher=Twinfinite |date=October 28, 2016 |url=http://twinfinite.net/2016/10/final-fantasy-xi-13-year-sub/ |access-date=November 4, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104141937/http://twinfinite.net/2016/10/final-fantasy-xi-13-year-sub/ |archive-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Monthly Service Fees |publisher=Square Enix |url=http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/envi/charge.html |access-date=November 4, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104141601/http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/envi/charge.html |archive-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=FINAL FANTASY XI Official Web Site |url=http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/envi/charge.html |access-date=2022-03-27 |website=www.playonline.com |archive-date=November 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104141601/http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/envi/charge.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Awards and legacy===
''Final Fantasy XI'' was awarded the grand prize from the Japan's Consumer Entertainment Software Association (CESA) for 2002–2003 along with ''[[Taiko no Tatsujin]]''.<ref>{{cite web|author=IGNPS2 |title=CESA Announces Game Awards |website=IGN |date=October 30, 2003 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/10/30/cesa-announces-game-awards-5 |access-date=August 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108053915/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/10/30/cesa-announces-game-awards-5 |archive-date=November 8, 2012}}</ref> It has also received [[GameSpy]]'s 2003 PC MMORPG Game of the Year Award and IGN's Game of the Month for March 2004, citing the game's huge customization and its successful cross-platform and cross-language game world.<ref>{{cite web|author=IGNPS2 |title=Game of the Month: March 2004 |website=IGN |date=March 31, 2004 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/03/31/game-of-the-month-march-2004-2 |access-date=August 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108053929/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/03/31/game-of-the-month-march-2004-2 |archive-date=November 8, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Final Fantasy XI USA Awards |publisher=[[PlayOnline]] |date=January 1, 2006 |url=http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/guide/development/awards.html?pageID=development |access-date=August 17, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061018224735/http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/guide/development/awards.html?pageID=development |archive-date=October 18, 2006}}</ref> It received a runner-up position in ''GameSpot''{{'}}s 2004 "Best Massively Multiplayer Online Game" award category, losing to ''[[World of Warcraft]]''.<ref name=bestworst2004>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050307021607/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2004/ | url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2004/ | title=Best and Worst of 2004 | date=January 5, 2005 | website=[[GameSpot]] | archive-date=March 7, 2005}}</ref> During the [[8th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]], the expansion ''Chains of Promathia'' received a nomination for "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Role-Playing Game of the Year|Massively Multiplayer/Persistent World Game of the Year]]", ultimately losing out to ''[[World of Warcraft]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2005&idGameAwardType=74 |title=2005 Awards Category Details Massively Multiplayer/Persistent World Game of the Year |website=interactive.org |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |access-date=6 November 2023 |archive-date=November 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106171804/https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2005&idGameAwardType=74 |url-status=live }}</ref> During the [[9th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards|following year's awards ceremony]], ''The Vana'diel Collection'' received a nomination for "Massively Multiplayer Game of the Year".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2006&idGameAwardType=73 |title=2006 Awards Category Details Massively Multiplayer Game of the Year |website=interactive.org |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |access-date=6 November 2023 |archive-date=November 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106171807/https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2006&idGameAwardType=73 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Final Fantasy XI'' was referenced in the online game ''[[Everybody's Golf (series)|Minna no Golf Online]]'' in the form of a ''Final Fantasy XI''-themed lobby.<ref>{{cite web|title=Minna no Golf Merges with FFXI |website=IGN |date=January 15, 2004 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/01/15/minna-no-golf-merges-with-ffxi |access-date=August 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104092558/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/01/15/minna-no-golf-merges-with-ffxi |archive-date=November 4, 2012}}</ref>
Square Enix released the second MMORPG in the series in 2010, titled ''[[Final Fantasy XIV (2010 video game)|Final Fantasy XIV]] Online''. The original version received generally unfavorable reviews and the new version was released in 2013, ''[[Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn]]''. ''[[Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail|Dawntrail]]'', the fifth expansion pack for ''Final Fantasy XIV'' released in 2024, introduced a crossover raid series with ''Final Fantasy XI'' titled ''Echoes of Vana'diel''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Robertson |first=Joshua |date=November 1, 2024 |title=Final Fantasy 14 Gets First Gameplay Look At Echoes Of Vana'Diel Raid |url=https://www.thegamer.com/final-fantasy-14-patch-7-1-echoes-of-vanadiel-alliance-raid-gameplay/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241119223715/https://www.thegamer.com/final-fantasy-14-patch-7-1-echoes-of-vanadiel-alliance-raid-gameplay/ |archive-date=November 19, 2024 |access-date=November 19, 2024 |website=[[TheGamer]]}}</ref>
The game has spawned several written adaptations and related merchandise. Starting in 2003, a series of ''Final Fantasy XI'' novels was written by Miyabi Hasegawa and released in Japanese,<ref>{{cite book | author=Miyabi Hasegawa | title=ファイナルファンタジー11―星の誓い (文庫) | isbn=4-7577-1424-6 | date=April 2003| publisher=エンターブレイン }}</ref> German,<ref>{{cite book | author=Miyabi Hasegawa | title=Final Fantasy XI: Final Fantasy XI Bd. 1. Das Lied des Sturms: Bd 1 (Broschiert) | isbn=3-8332-1455-4 | year=2006| publisher=Panini-Verlag-GmbH }}</ref> and French.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.fleuvenoir.fr/sf-fantasy-poche-jeux-video-fiche-livre-9782265085596.html | title= Fiche livre "Final Fantasy XI T-1" | access-date=July 21, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070718004648/http://www.fleuvenoir.fr/sf-fantasy-poche-jeux-video-fiche-livre-9782265085596.html | archive-date=July 18, 2007}}</ref> Additionally, in 2004, ''Adventure Log'', a [[webcomic]] by [[Scott Ramsoomair]], was commissioned by Square Enix starting in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://na.square-enix.com/ffxi/newsletter/18/index.html |date=March 8, 2007 |title=Final Fantasy XI Newsletter Issue 18 |publisher=[[PlayOnline]] |access-date=August 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629112453/http://na.square-enix.com/ffxi/newsletter/18/index.html |archive-date=June 29, 2009}}</ref> ''Final Fantasy XI'' [[PlayOnline]] [[Visa (company)|Visa]] and [[MasterCard]] credit cards were available in Japan, with features including no annual fees as long as cardholders remain PlayOnline subscribers and various other rewards.<ref>{{cite web|title=Final Fantasy XI Credit Cards |website=IGN |date=February 7, 2002 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/02/07/final-fantasy-xi-credit-cards |access-date=August 16, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104092604/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/02/07/final-fantasy-xi-credit-cards |archive-date=November 4, 2012}}</ref> There have also been posters with limited edition phone cards and keychains released, also exclusively in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|title=Final Fantasy XI Moichandising Begins |website=IGN |date=January 18, 2002 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/01/19/final-fantasy-xi-moichandising-begins |access-date=August 16, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104092609/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/01/19/final-fantasy-xi-moichandising-begins |archive-date=November 4, 2012}}</ref> Several T-shirts have been made available for order in North America,<ref>{{cite web |title=Final Fantasy XI |publisher=[[Square Enix]] |date=January 1, 2006 |url=http://shopcdsbooks.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=SQX&Category_Code=ffxi |access-date=August 17, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060912235852/http://shopcdsbooks.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=SQX&Category_Code=ffxi |archive-date=September 12, 2006}}</ref> and various [[stuffed animal]]s and [[gashapon]] figurines have also been made available to order of different races from the series.<ref name=stuffed>{{cite web |author=Natalie Kipper |title=Rest a spell on these Final Fantasy XI pillows |publisher=TomoPop |date=June 22, 2012 |url=http://www.tomopop.com/rest-a-spell-on-these-final-fantasy-xi-pillows-25534.phtml |access-date=April 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030063856/http://www.tomopop.com/rest-a-spell-on-these-final-fantasy-xi-pillows-25534.phtml |archive-date=October 30, 2014}}</ref><ref name=figuresXI>{{cite web |author=Rio McCarthy |title=TomoPop Review: Square Enix's Final Fantasy XI Tarutaru Trading Arts' Mini Figures |publisher=TomoPop |date=April 27, 2010 |url=http://www.tomopop.com/tomopop-review-square-enix-s-final-fantasy-xi-tarutaru-trading-arts-mini-figures-12191.phtml |access-date=April 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113101752/http://www.tomopop.com/tomopop-review-square-enix-s-final-fantasy-xi-tarutaru-trading-arts-mini-figures-12191.phtml |archive-date=November 13, 2012}}</ref> A Vana'diel clock which displayed the in-game time was also marketed, as well as CDs of the game's music.<ref>{{cite web | title=Final Fantasy XI Vana-Diel Clock | publisher=Home Visions | date=January 1, 2008 | url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/36993/hori-unveils-final-fantasy-xi-vanadiel-clock/ | access-date=February 24, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307032141/http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/36993/hori-unveils-final-fantasy-xi-vanadiel-clock/ | archive-date=March 7, 2009}}</ref>
==See also==
* [[List of Square Enix video game franchises]]
==Notes==
{{Notelist}}
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
== Further reading ==
* {{Cite book | title=Final Fantasy Ultimania Archive Volume 3 | publisher=[[Dark Horse Comics]] | year=2019 | isbn=978-15-0670-801-0 | ___location=Milwaukie}}
* {{Cite book | title=Final Fantasy XI Atlas | publisher=Brady Books | year=2005 | isbn=978-07-4400-401-4 | ___location=Upper Saddle River}}
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikiquote|Final Fantasy XI|''Final Fantasy XI''}}
* {{Official website|http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/index.shtml}}
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