330°

Notice Regarding the Cancellation of PS2 and X360 Service for FINAL FANTASY XI

Square Enix today sent out word reminding PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 players about the upcoming closure of the long-standing MMORPG game, Final Fantasy XI.

They also sneaked in a comment stating that subscription charges will persist unless cancelled manually.

Godmars2903080d ago

On one hand - and immediate reaction - I want - and did - laugh manically at this act of exploitation and incompetence on Square's part, this expression of loyalty for fans, yet on the other know as likely fact that some poor fool who hasn't played in years has still been paying for it.

CaptainCamper3080d ago

It does seem a bit shady if I'm honest. I mean, it's obvious to them if an account has been active for an extended period of time but I guess a few dollars is worth more to them than common decency?

dead_pixels3080d ago

Agreed. This is pretty unbelievable.

Vhampir3080d ago (Edited 3080d ago )

FFXI was shady all around. If you subscribed on the last day of a month, they would charge you for a full month. In the beginning they would delete your account if you didn't resubscribe within 90 days of canceling. As in you would have to buy the full game again to play.

I have over a year in 'Played Time' on FFXI...and I didn't ever setup a bazaar.

Spenok3079d ago (Edited 3079d ago )

All developers do this. While it is a bit ridiculous to force the user to cancel the sub, even knowing someone hasn't actively turned on the game in months/years. It is in the EULA for you to manually cancel it yourself.

nitus103079d ago

In what way is this shady. If people are silly enough to continue to pay an on-line subscription to a game they don't play anymore then isn't the onus on them to instigate cancellation.

Square/Enix have sent reminder notices to all player's email accounts, it is really up to the player to take action.

It does not matter if the account is still active or has not been used unless notice of cancellation is received or payment stopped then nothing will happen.

I can just see the headlines now "Player had his account deleted because they had not used it for a year even though his subscription was fully paid up". Litigation hell here we come.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3079d ago
Abriael3080d ago (Edited 3080d ago )

Only, the game is not closing down at all. There's no "exploitation" or "Incompetence."

The game is continuing to be supported on PC, and since you pay for your playonline account, and not for playing on a specific platform, of course you have to cancel your account in order to deactivate charges.

Square Enix correctly warned customers of this fact, and it's quite sad to see that some would use it to try and stir false controversy.

Godmars2903080d ago

That the article mentions specifics where the title doesn't comes off as being besides the point.

Abriael3080d ago (Edited 3080d ago )

Whether the article mentions specifics or not doesn't cancel the fact that accounts aren't platform specific, so there's nothing strange, controversial or even newsworthy about this. If you want to stop being charged for a game that is still running (because the game isn't closed as the title falsely alleges), you gotta cancel your account. It's industry standard.

Death3080d ago

If Square has the ability to shut the servers for PS2 and 360 gamers, why don't they have the ability to stop taking payments from them as well? It might take a little effort, but wouldn't that be a more pro-customer approach? I would like to think the moment they stop supplying goods or a service they should be responsible for not charging for it.

Godmars2903080d ago

Think more than anything this shows how poorly the industry in general is managing online. From just about anything Nintendo does with online, to Sony and PSN failing on a regular basis to MS trying to mandate an all digital future with the launch of the XBO and that biting them in the @$$.

But none of that makes this little news mention any less news worthy. Not to the degree of calling it fake.

Vhampir3080d ago

They are just shutting down support for the consoles. PS2 and 360 use the same servers as PC.

Anyone with an account could download the full client and login on any computer, and soon smartphone, and still play.

Spenok3079d ago

I love it when people use common sense. It's not so common these days. However, people often comment before getting all the information first. Making them look foolish.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3079d ago
DarkZane3080d ago (Edited 3080d ago )

How is it exploiting, they literally sent a message to every PS2 and Xbox 360 users about this. If people don't cancel, it's their problems. They'd only be exploiting if they didn't warn you about this and continue to charge you anyway.

WildArmed3080d ago

FF11 will be missed. Truly one of a kind co-op MMO.

TFJWM3080d ago

It is still going on PC, It is just not being supported on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 .

3080d ago Replies(1)
djplonker3080d ago (Edited 3080d ago )

I bought this on my 360 in 2012 and damn was I out of my depth soo much to catch up on and I didn't even get close but I had massive fun trying...

Tbh not having to use that playonline website to cancel is probably worth £7 a month
it was that bad.

CaptainCamper3079d ago

Lol, I'd pay £7 a month never to have to use such a poor portal again. Was such a pain in the ass, even trying to extend a subscription

noxeven3080d ago

I think the reason is you can still play on the pc if you have it installed until that gets shut down as well.

Show all comments (24)
130°

Final Fantasy XI Online November Update Goes Live

The latest update for Final Fantasy XI Online, the 'November Update', is now live across all platforms where the game is playable.

Kurisu173d ago

Can't believe this game is still getting updates 21 years after it launched. That's crazy! XI remains the only main numbered FF that I haven't played.

MrNinosan173d ago

At the time, it was an amazing game if you had a good Linkshell and/or friend to play with.
A MMOROG that actually required teamplay to be played.

Spenok173d ago

Easily one of the best games ever. As you said, it had the caveat of NEEDING a good group to play with, but I've never had memories/experiences like that in ANY game since.

I've been chasing that experience since I stopped playing it, and the closest I've come to is FFXIV. And even that is still vastly different.

Seraphim173d ago

Played the shit of this 20 years ago. Getting the Serket ring was epic. Idk how many mornings we spent camping before we finally got the pull and I won the roll upon defeat. It was great solo, but you really need a good link/squad for some of the notorious monsters....

MrNinosan173d ago

@Seraphim
I loved those camping hours for every NM of interest.
Leaping Lizzy or what was it's name. Damn, so many days and nights 😅

And first time you got attacked by the Kraken on the boat, omg...

MrNinosan173d ago (Edited 173d ago )

Why tag all those platforms where it ain't playable then?

Spenok173d ago

To get more engagement with his article, and drive clicks. DUH!

(Thanks, I'll go ahead and report that).

YoungKingDoran173d ago

Wish they'd release it for PS4, 5, Xboxes and Switch - it ran on ps2 and still works on potato PCs so should run well everywhere

160°

Disrespecting The Consumer: The Critical Problem With Live Service & GAAS

Live service games are vehemently criticized and companies need to rethink & prioritize respectful game design for consumer benefit.

Kaii276d ago

Gabe says not being publicly owned is a huge part of what makes Valve so successful.
"The whole point of being a privately held company is to eliminate another source of noise in the signal between the consumers and producers of a good."

Looks at Destiny 2 > I used to go into a store to find a game. Now I go into a game and find a store.
"Bungie reportedly expressed concerns over how engaging The Last of Us multiplayer project was"
Bungie at GDC "Beware of overdelivering, quality doesn't matter, a live service being fast is more important than quality"

meh

P_Bomb276d ago

I remember that headline about Bungie and Factions. I’m not a Bungie guy, but I am a Factions guy. Can’t help but wonder if their GaaS input will be to my liking. 🤔

ChasterMies275d ago

I always thought Destiny would be better if Bungie built the game and then handed it off to another company to run it.

Christopher276d ago

That's kind of the GaaS whole thing, though. This is like telling wolves to stop behaving like wolves.

P_Bomb276d ago

Was looking at the top games in my country as per the PS Store and it’s overwhelmed by service games. Blood is in the water.

senorfartcushion275d ago

The issue is that journalists mostly ignored this issue as it was arising. Games like Overwatch were considered exciting until lesser news websites and organisations began taking opinion pieces on the problem. From then it’s just gotten worse.

ChasterMies275d ago

A lot of “game journalists” are just extensions of the corporate PR teams. Remember when Bungie flew people out to Bungie HQ and showed them the 4v4 multiplayer in Destiny 2? Everyone who attended said this was the best decision for multiplayer. Less than a year later, Destiny 2 went back to 6v6. Everyone who attended said this was the best decision for multiplayer.

FinalFantasyFanatic275d ago

The issues are so prelevant, that I just immediately skip over the majority of GaaS games, hardly any are worth the time. The mainstream media glossing over the issues is nothing new, you always have to wait a few months for the real reviews or opinion pieces (that tends to include video game reviews as well).

FinalFantasyFanatic275d ago (Edited 275d ago )

This is why I won't spend money on a lot of these games, not only do they nickle and dime you at every opportunity, but a lot of these games have a very short life span, not many of them survive for multiple years like Fortnite has.

I also feel like most MMOs in generally are more aqueduct in terms of content, for what you pay, I feel like a lot of them give you a decent amount to enjoy.

Profchaos275d ago

Gaas the game doesn't end untill people stop paying

Show all comments (15)
80°

Final Fantasy XI Online January version update is now available

SQUARE ENIX® announced that the January version update for FINAL FANTASY® XI Online is now available. #FFXI #JRPG #MMORPG @SquareEnix

Read Full Story >>
mmohaven.com
jznrpg477d ago

Didn’t know this game was still going . It is an awesome game

Exvalos477d ago

Wait what ff11 is still online????

sadraiden477d ago

I think I speak for the entirety of humanity when I say this update announcement doubles as a reminder that this game still exists.

Auron477d ago

I wish theyd port this game to modern consoles

Spenok475d ago

I'm honestly surprising it's still going. I have some of my most fond memories in gaming on this game. And I've been gaming for over 25 years.

I wish I had the time to keep playing it, but I just can't. Good on SE continuing to support it after all this time.