Fantasy Fighters

12:37 The break is over - time to get back into it! Special Talk with the Dev. Team - part 2!
12:39 Tanaka just played a new trailer announcing three new high-level battle area add-ons, called “Abyssea”.
12:40 These differ from previous add-ons in that adventurer focus will be on fighting strong enemies, epic battles, and new armor to collect.
12:41 Though the term is not yet finalized, adventurers will be able to earn “AF3” in Abyssea.
12:42 Tanaka showed a picture of the current idea for PLD and BLM "AF3".
12:42 Abyssea will be very different from Dynamis in that you can do these areas with one full party.
12:43 The first release, “Vision of Abyssea”, will debut this summer for the price of $9.99 (£7.99).
12:43 Following later this year, “Scars of Abyssea”, and “Heroes of Abyssea” will round out 2010.
12:44 Global Online Producer Sage Sundi is discussing the successes of the STF team in combating RMT activities in FFXI.
12:44 Unfortunately, in part due to some RMT activities, player population has diminished on some worlds.
12:45 After many discussions, the consensus was reached to merge the lower populated worlds with fuller ones.
12:46 The goal of the merger is to balance adventurer populations across all regions time zones and increase the quality of play for everyone.
12:46 The merger is scheduled for the March version update, where the number of worlds will go from 32 to 24.
12:47 Soon, adventurers will be able to explore the Walk of Echoes! Adventurers can expect their first glimpse of this content this summer!
12:48 These brand new never before seen notorious monsters sure are scary. Adventurers, brace yourselves for battle!
12:49 Woah, a giant clot-type enemy bigger than even some buildings in Jeuno… And that HUGE crab was epic looking.
12:51 EVENTS! Two new items have been prepared especially for this year’s feast of swords!
12:51 Special tuxedos will be available to players as an 8th Vana’versary appreciation gift! How debonair!
12:52 Looks like we’ll be seeing some interesting items added to future Mog Bonanzas, possibly even drops from Pandemonium Warden!
12:52 Higher synergy skills and new recipes are sure to make the avid crafter excited!
12:54 These new recipes seem to make new warp items as well as new guild-related items!
12:55 An expansion of evolith stats as well as new ways of obtaining them will be added as well.