It was announced some time ago that Square-Enix would make it easier for Final Fantasy XI players to get married in-game, with the vague insinuation that the feature would go live at around the same time as the version update. Sure enough, the new wedding system is now in place, and it makes the entire procedure so much easier that it's almost trivial.
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All good things come to an end, including PlayStation 2 support. Before that curtain completely closes Square Enix will release one more game.

In Japan, Final Fantasy XI: Vana'diel Collection 2 will be released on three platforms: Xbox 360, PC, and PlayStation 2. The international equivalent, Final Fantasy XI: Ultimate Collection, is only available for the Xbox 360 and PC in North America.
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Square Enix Ltd. today announced that the second product in the Final Fantasy XI Players' Collection the Original Silver Dog Tag is now available for pre-order. The Final Fantasy XI Players' Collection is a series of collectible accessories designed exclusively with fans of Final Fantasy XI in mind. Available for a limited time only, and produced in a made-to-order quantity only, the Final Fantasy XI Players' Collection allows players to always keep Vana'diel close to heart no matter where they go.
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DualShockers Writes:

"This just in from TGS, Square Enix has just revealed a new add on to it's long time running (7 years now) MMORPG Final Fantasy XI. This welcomed addition is coming in the form of "A Shantotto Ascension - The Legend Torn, Her Empire Born". This will be the third scenario released this year alone. It will be available VIA the PlayOnline viewer. Masato Kato, the same man behind the stories for Final Fantasy XI and it's first expansion was also behind the three add-on scenarios this year. Check out the video below to see the latest sneak peak into this upcoming scenario, while I take the time to realize how old I'm getting now that FFXI has been around for 7 years. (Sigh)"
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The complete Final Fantasy XI experience is to be made available on one disc over in Japan. "The Final Fantasy XI Vana'diel Collection 2" consists of every Final Fantasy XI expansion released in stores to date in addition to the recently released downloadable expansions, on disc for the first time.

For your 6090 Yen you'll get Final Fantasy XI, Rise of the Zilart, Chains of Promanthia, Treasures of Aht Urhgan and Wings of the Goddess. In addition to these original disc-based expansions you'll also get your hands on the three recently released downloadable scenarios, on disc for the first time.
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411mania talks about this week's game releases. Highlights include Dissidia: Final Fantasy, Mana Khemia 2: Fall of Alchemy, Metroid Prime Trilogy, Cursed Mountain, and Harvest Moon: Magical Melody.
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A group of teenagers from Texas called "The Speed Gamers" are attempting to complete the entire Final Fantasy series in only a week, while taking donations for ACT Today, an organization to help support families affected by Autism.

(From their front page)

TheSpeedGamers have been streaming video game marathons for over a year to raise money for various charities. In total they have raised over $32,000 dollars and played 11 marathons.

TheSpeedGamers are based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas, but have members from around the world.
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John "Karlinn" Boske writes "Square Enix has announced that the next mini-expansion for Final Fantasy XI will be available for prepurchase worldwide on Sunday, July 5. Titled A Moogle Kupo d'Etat - Evil in Small Doses, the story apparently focuses on how a single drop of rain in a run-down Mog House spells trouble for Moogles everywhere, or something. You had to know something was up when every level one schmoe in the game got their own personal flying butler, no questions asked."
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Examiner: "A federal class action suit is in progress against Square Enix. Allegedly deceiving 100,000 customers by not being upfront about fees and penalties, Square Enix will now enter court."
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Yes, yes, you're all clamoring about Final Fantasy XIV, but let's get real here people and get to the present. Final Fantasy XI isn't dead yet and it's getting itself a nice version update.

The upcoming version update will bring a new slew of Wings of the Goddess missions as usual, but players will also be able to look forward to seeing brand new areas of past Vana'diel being made available, more job adjustments like what was done with the White Mage, more additions to campaign and Moblin Maze Mongers, and even more that's still being kept secret.
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A new service is now available for former players who wish to revive a character deleted longer than the original three-month time limit.

"The Character Reactivation Service offers customers who have deleted their characters an opportunity to adventure through Vana'diel once again with their original characters."
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Sure, the majority of people are clamoring over Patch 3.1 for World of Warcraft today, but you Final Fantasy XI users already received something just as juicy -- the April version update.

For those of you not in the know, the April update launched expansions to many of the current game systems -- such as Moblin Maze Mongers, Fields of Valor, and Campaign -- and also added the ability for players to enchant items via "Item Augmentation." The update also added some nice changes to the White Mage, Red Mage, and Summoner classes, and will be the first of Square-Enix's revisit to all of the classes in FFXI.
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In a move that has annoyed and disappointed more than a few fans, Square Enix has decided to make some changes to FF11 including charging users for an all new 'Account Security Key' USB drive that protects players from hackers and account theft.
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Head over to the PlayOnline store to grab your copy of "A Crystalline Prophecy", or read more to see what you get for your money.
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Music from the Other Side of Vana'diel was an incredibly unique arrangement album, as the Star Onions applied their own unique style to the music from Final Fantasy XI. Many fans considered it a very love/hate album though, as the diversity was so strong; fortunately, we here at Final Fantasy Union absolutely loved the album!
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Square Enix is currently developing three downloadable scenario expansions for Final Fantasy XI (PC / Sony PlayStation 2 / Microsoft Xbox 360).

The creation of these three expansions is led by Masato Kato, who created the stories and scenarios for Final Fantasy XI and its first expansion pack, Rise of the Zilart.

- A Crystalline Prophecy – Ode of Life Bestowing
- A Moogle Kupo d'Etat – Evil in Small Doses
- A Shantotto Ascension – The Legend Torn, Her Empire Born
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The Final Fantasy XI official site at PlayOnline.com has a new article focusing on the developers' enforcement of the EULA, particularly with regard to Real Money Transactions (RMT). The piece outlines the past year's work by the Special Task Force.
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Every Final Fantasy story is set in a different world. This of course means, every compilation features different locations and environments. The environments in every Final Fantasy are thus different from each other, as they reflect the themes and ideas of the story, as well as the emotions involved in the story at the time you encounter them in a game for the first time. Of course this is helped with the oh-so-magic use of music...

Continuing with our Top 5 Season We've compiled our top 5 iconic Final Fantasy locations which can be found following. Do you agree with our choices? If not what would you change in the list? (Please note this article contains Spoilers)
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These promotional videos ran in the Open Mega Theater at Tokyo Game Show 2008! It's a new comedic campaign featuring a humorous look at the world of Final Fantasy XI, and the many deep, emotional tales that flow throughout Vana'diel everyday. Enjoy!
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The official website for Square Enix's yearly fan-gathering for the Final Fantasy XI dedicated, Fan Festive 2008, is now open. This year's event is being held at the Renaissance Hollywood, Southern California and is only 54 days away with the whole thing kicking off on Friday, December 5th. There's a giveaway featuring an ultra-cute Nomad Moogle Sheild and other bits. In addition to the giveaway there will be contests aplenty. Attendees can expect a fan art contest to enter drawings and sculptures into as well as a costume contest. And finally, it wouldn't be complete without a sneak peek at an upcoming version update and a developer panel.
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