A Step Back to Step Forward

Epic, Phague & I strolling 
through Lufaise Meadows

The joints in my fingers hurt, I think it's this getting older thing, maybe I don't get enough Vitamin D, or it's probably from the years I spent crunching buttons on a video game controller for whichever system was popular at that moment. If I took a serious guess it would be most likely from the lack of Vitamin D due to all those cool video games. Sad I know, but I can't blame it on video games in general. I'm at fault, though the vitrual crack named Final Fantasy XI is to blame for a small part as well. Yes, another Final Fantasy XI Blog!

Nah, not really.. I don't play much anymore due to responsibilities I can't shrug off and a growing lack of interest. XI (Final fantasy 11) has lost all of it's appeal to me, well besides being a virtual chat-room with a lot of cool scenery and the only way I could keep in contact with the few yet precious folk there that I call friends. I started in Dec 04' made my character, and tried it out. I found it too hard as I couldn't figure out what was going on and there was no real in-game tutorial for beginners. I quit a couple days after and didn't pick it up until a year later and haven't looked back until recently. I've had a lot of great times on XI, meet a ton of really cool people, a few bad apples but overall the experience was awesome. Being that XI, was my first MMORPG (Massive Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Game) I went in with no expectations except to see the staples of the Final Fantasy series and came out with a lot more. I've had a plethora of great experiences and learned a few things about people, life, and oddly enough love.

Tara & I enjoying her last moments in-game

Though my experiences now aren't as exciting as they were then, I still login every now and again but lately with Final Fantasy XIV just around the bend I wonder what adventures a newer MMORPG would offer. Should I leave it all behind for something shinier and probably not as good? XI was my first, I figure there will never really be anything that could capture the same magic it did. The triumph and glory of defeating that monster you need an item from, the relief and joy when you finally accomplish obtaining your max level, most importantly the friends you make and memories you create through doing so. XI I noticed is quite unique in the sea of online games, players seem to build bonds that carry on outside of the game and are generally deeper than friendships you would form on other games. Is it worth giving up the familiar, the already earned fame and rare items, leaving behind old faces and alliances to create new ones?

Just you and I under a sky,
filled with airships, we watch them go by

That's a question I ask myself and I'm sure most XI veterans will be asking themselves this coming month. Whether I decide to stay or try something new, one thing is for sure I'll be gaming with a controller in one hand and a bottle of multivitamins in the other.