FFXI 360 beta set for December

By Ellie Gibson Published 13 October, 2005

So still time to move to Japan.

Microsoft Japan has confirmed that beta testing of the Xbox 360 version of Final Fantasy XI will commence on December 10 - the same day the shiny new console launches over there.

All those who purchase the limited edition launch package, which costs the same as the regular bundle but comes with a free Xbox Live headset, will receive a free FFXI beta test disc too. Until stocks run out, of course.

Anyone who wants to take part in the beta will need to sign up for Square-Enix's PlayOnline service and make use of the Xbox Live Silver package, which are both free.

Final Fantasy XI first appeared on PC and PS2 last year. It'll be the first Square-Enix game to appear on a Microsoft console, and we're promised lovely high definition graphics and a tip top online mode. There's no word on a release date as yet.

Picture of Ellie.

About Ellie Gibson

Since joining Eurogamer in the mid 2000s, Ellie has written about subjects as diverse as the fall of Gizmondo, the rise of Hollyoaks actresses in Red Alert games and the noise a bear makes under NSFW circumstances.

Read more articles from Ellie by visiting the Ellie Gibson archive page.

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Comments (17) Latest comment 7 years ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • ssuellid #1 7 years ago

    Seem to be really taking Japan a lot more seriously this time. Same it an old title.

  • Blerk #2 7 years ago

    we're promised lovely high definition graphics and a tip top online mode

    Uh... it's an online game! Wouldn't be much cop without an online mode, would it? :-)

    Surely they'd need the gold version of Live! too - I thought the silver version didn't allow you to play online? Unless it just uses PlayOnline and doesn't actually utilise Live! properly...

    Question:
    Does it require the hard drive? It doesn't mention it in the article, but there's no HDD-less 360 in Japan so it probably wouldn't...

  • tengu #3 7 years ago

    This game: OLD!

  • Yossarian #4 7 years ago

    can we expect any X05 hands-ons/previews over the next while? I kinda figured you guys would be doing them

  • Yossarian #5 7 years ago

    silver allows you to play MMOs, which use a different subscription than regular Xbox Live

  • Blerk #6 7 years ago

    Ah! Gotcha. So as long as the game requires you to pay a fee for that game alone, you're okay with Silver. It's just the games which don't require an extra sub to play online that require Gold.

  • The12thMonkey #7 7 years ago

    Being an older MMO gives it a positive advantage over much new IP. It's depth of content is enormous.

  • Xerx3s #8 7 years ago

    wait, limited edition console you say? Cant find anything on that! They only sell premium consoles here. /gets confused ^_^

  • jiveguy #9 7 years ago

    I think they mentioned a good while ago that FF(howmany?!) will require the hard drive.

  • Xerx3s #10 7 years ago

    "Being an older MMO gives it a positive advantage over much new IP. It's depth of content is enormous." - Ye, but the fact that it has been the same shit for several years now devalues that.

    Anyway, ill take a well developed rpg over a mmo anyday. Coop would be nice though (oke, i know, that sounds weird, but it makes sence. In some twisted alterd reality).

  • Yazoo #11 7 years ago

    Final Fantasy XI first appeared on PC and PS2 last year

    FFXI has just has just celebrated its third year.

    a tip top online mode

    FFXI by its nature as an MMORPG, is online only.

    -

    The game is such a grower (due to its enormous size), I just wonder whether the beta will be on a seperate server, or on current servers but utilise the new graphics etc. Also be nice if Tetramaster is given away too.
    Edited by Yazoo at 13/10/05 @ 17:46

  • Kami #12 7 years ago

    I left FFXI three months ago. I think it had finally outstayed it's welcome... prettier graphics are nice, but FFXI needs more to bring me back. It is ancient compared to some of the great MMORPGs out there... and feels ancient to play as well...

  • Kafeen #13 7 years ago

    The game is such a grower (due to its enormous size), I just wonder whether the beta will be on a seperate server, or on current servers but utilise the new graphics etc. Also be nice if Tetramaster is given away too.
    The Beta tests are held on their own servers. Cactaur, if I remember correcly.

    anyone know if the x360 is going to have its own servers?.. or are x360 and pc players going to beable to interact like pc/ps2 players can?.

    it would be nice if the new x360 players had there own server... that way voice would be used by everyone.. not just x360 people, and we wouldnt feel so small and noob against all the high level PC players in a 3yr old game !.
    The 360 players will be on the same servers has everyone else (after the beta). Voice chat can't be used by anyone as SquareEnix wants to be able to monitor communications incase any abuse is reported, something you can't do with voice chat.
    Edited by Kafeen at 14/10/05 @ 09:39

  • rinoaMW #14 7 years ago

    i wonder if you can use characters from the PC version in this (if you do indeed play on the same servers as Ps2 and Pc users, like ive been lead to believe from previous reports).. i like the idea of new sparkly graphics (depending on how much of an over-haul they have indeed had), but i don't fancy the idea of getting to lvl 40 all over again...

    its been ages since i've played this too, so it would be nice to get back into it.

  • Yazoo #15 7 years ago

    Just as you can log in to your PS2 character on the PC version, I assume you'll be able to log in to your PC character on 360.

    [Kami] "I left FFXI three months ago. I think it had finally outstayed it's welcome... prettier graphics are nice, but FFXI needs more to bring me back"

    It sounds like you were more than likely end-game then, which takes an enormous amount of time to get to (much longer than, for instance, the endgame in WoW), and you were waiting on the next expansion, for instance? But the actual mechanics of the game are still fresh when compared to current gen MMORPGs, and the new expansion pack is set to add new jobs and a large amount of new areas and story.

    "and feels ancient to play as well..."

    If you play something for so long other things can appear fresher?

  • #16 7 years ago

    "This game: OLD! "

    So is Tetris , doesn't stop that still being a great game though.
    You should really stop trolling the 360 threads Tengu it's getting a tad bit dull my friend, besides do you actually ever play games or do you just sit on here bitching about them coz honestly it seems as if you are here 24/7 ?

  • Yazoo #17 7 years ago

    An MMORPG is the hardest thing to be reviewed, period. In fact, I'd go as far as to say they should just be previewed - as to enjoy the game you'll have to want to enjoy the game.

    /random