One of the most venerable MMO's in the gaming industry is ceasing development after 14 years, with Final Fantasy XI's final update released earlier this week.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vj4mG0kfzds The update itself is a full patch and update, a finale for the "... final chapter of the Rhapsodies of Vana’diel scenario... where the battle for the future of Vana’diel will ensue." Powerful new Aeonic weapons have been added with the new update, along with new 'battle content' that sees players fighting 'notorious' monsters and hunting for 'attractive' loot.
The update also invites old players to come back to Final Fantasy XI in a 'homecoming campaign', with the entire event taking place "from Friday, November 13, 2015 at 12:00 a.m. (PST) to Tuesday, November 24 at the same hour."
There is also collaboration event between Square-Enix's two MMORPG's - Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV. Players in Final Fantasy XIV will receive an 'Amatsu' outfit upon completion of the quest, which is running from today until December 31st 2015.
While content updates have concluded as a result of this last monthly update, Final Fantasy XI will at least continue until March 2016 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 2, with the PC version as of yet undetermined as to how long the lights will remain on, although it looks as though it will be for the 'foreseeable future'.
Quick Take
Probably the most surprising thing about this was that Square-Enix was still releasing updates for this title, let alone the fact that it will still be running on PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 until next March. Overall, Square-Enix earns points for continuing support for an long-in-the-tooth MMO, despite having an extremely profitable two year old sequel on the market.
Are you a veteran that is looking to go back one more time? Got any memories to share? Let us know in the comments!