FFXI Saved?! Fans Hype Kept Servers ALIVE!

by

Summary

  • Square Enix considered shutting down Final Fantasy 11 but changed its mind thanks to strong fan support.
  • The developer planned to shift the game to maintenance mode after The Voracious Resurgence, but fans kept joining the servers and showing a lot of support.
  • Final Fantasy 11 is now receiving new updates, and Square Enix will continue supporting it moving forward.

It was announced by the current director of Final Fantasy 11 that Square Enix had thought about shutting down the game permanently, but in the end decided against it due to the ongoing strong interest from players. Celebrating its 23rd anniversary this year, rather than dwindling in popularity, Final Fantasy 11 remains relevant—with fans still logging on—leading Square Enix not only to keep the game servers running but also release new updates.

In simpler terms, “Final Fantasy 11” is a massively multiplayer role-playing game (MMORPG) that was released way back in 2002, and it was the first online installment in the widely acclaimed “Final Fantasy” series. Similar to other games in its category during that period, players can fashion their own character from five unique races and journey through a vast open world filled with diverse landscapes and settings. As they progress, players engage in various quests while unraveling the story of “FF11” and delving deeper into the realm’s lore. The game offers a job system with various roles, a “Trust” system to call upon NPC allies for aid, and intense combat that requires tactical planning. Over time, it has received numerous significant updates enriching its content, offering fresh experiences for fans. However, there were discussions about potentially shutting the game down by Square Enix.

In an interview with Dengeki Online, the current game director Yoji Fujito shared that it’s likely updates for Final Fantasy 11 will cease in 2024, transitioning to a maintenance phase. This means that new content won’t be added anymore, but Square Enix would continue with essential tasks such as fixing technical issues and ensuring the servers remain active. Fujito further noted that there could be a scenario where the game is ultimately shut down if the expansion “The Voracious Resurgence” begins to lose its popularity.

Final Fantasy 11 Was About to Shift to Maintenance Mode

Thankfully, the studio abandoned the idea when they realized that gamers were still actively playing, inspiring the creators to plan additional content for Final Fantasy 11. Recently, the developer has announced plans to add more solo content in 2025, based on a survey where players requested more opportunities for individual gameplay.

Moreover, Square Enix has just revealed plans for a Character Race Change Service in Final Fantasy 11, enabling players to pay for modifications of their character’s appearance and base stats—a perk that is currently available in Final Fantasy 14. As the game remains popular, players can expect regular updates from the developer as long as they keep playing.

Read More

2025-05-19 17:04