Hold on to your Chocobos! Gamers who still haven't updated their respective gaming platforms for PlayOnline's Final Fantasy XI might be interested at taking a look at the file sizes for the newest update released today.

Check out the details right after the jump!

In a two-part maintenance scheduled by PlayOnline, several services tied in to Final Fantasy XI's (Xbox 360, PC) accounts will be disabled for the duration of the said maintenance. The first phase of the downtime will be on October 1, 2007 from 12:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. (PDT), while the second phase will be on October 2, 2007 from 12:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. (PDT). The maintenance completion time for the second phase is still subject to change, however.

The following services will be unavailable during the maintenance period:

• Registering or canceling PlayOnline accounts
• Reviewing or updating member information
• Reviewing, purchasing, canceling, or reactivating Content IDs
• Purchasing expansion pack registration codes
• Applying for the World Transfer Service

While PlayOnline and Playonline contents will be available during those times, the Return Home to Vana'diel campaign will not be activated during the registration server maintenance. Also, it is highly recommended to complete all necessary billing changes in advance so as to avoid any disconnection problems during this period.

 

Square Enix has finally set a definite date for the upcoming 2007 Edition of Final Fantasy XI. According to the Squeenix press release, a new all-in-one Final Fantasy XI package – dubbed the Final Fantasy XI 2007 Edition – will be released in Europe on March 30.

The new packaged version for Windows and Xbox 360 will allow players to experience the world of Vana'diel in German, French or English. The new package also includes all three Final Fantasy XI expansion packs: Rise of the Zilart, Chains of Promathia, and Treasures of Aht Urhgan.

The company has also announced that the language conversion download for Final Fantasy XI is now available at PlayOnline. The service is available for those who are using the European version of the game and will allow them to select the language of their choice without any additional fees. Those interested can download it from PlayOnline.

Whenever people talk about a Final Fantasy game, the first assumption is that it's going to be a sure hit. That's the usual notion and it's up to the game to live up to expectations. For cross-platform title Final Fantasy XI (Xbox 360, MMO), it looks like it has indeed delivered and it has nowhere to go but up.

The series publisher Square Enix announced the other day that it will be soon offering the game in non-English speaking markets. It would be remembered that the English service began back in September of 2004, and two years after that, it decided to come up with a German and French service for FF XI. This is to broaden the number of users playing the game.

Beginning early March, PlayOnline will be offering a language conversion download that will make it possible to play the game fully in German and French languages. But more interestingly, Square Enix mentioned that this new service will be free of charge, meaning the monthly subscription fee will not change whatsoever.

Lastly, the publisher announced as well that for would-be players, it is planning to released in Europe a new all-in-one package of Final Fantasy XI that already includes the above-mentioned service. Now, that's what we call customer service.

PlayOnline has just posted the details of the upcoming server maintenance update for Final Fantasy XI (Xbox360, PC), which is scheduled to kick off this Monday, December 18th.

So if you're an avid FFXI player, you might wanna take note of the following details such as the file size and how long it'll take you to download the necessary files - both for those who have "Chains of Promathia" and "Treasures of Aht Urhgan" installed and for those who don't.

However, we wave the disclaimer flag on this one because as you know, download times still vary and depend on the network you're using. Also, the update will take longer if you weren't able to complete previous version updates. So with that, let's get on to the nitty gritty stuff:

For clients with "Chains of Promathia" and "Treasures of Aht Urhgan" installed:

Windows Version - file size: 27.5MB

• Analog modem (56Kbps) users
• Volume check: 9 minutes
• Download / Unzip: 1 hours, 52 minutes plus Installation: 1 minutes, 30 seconds
• Total: About 2 hours, 2 minutes, 30 seconds
  

DSL (1Mbps) users

• Volume check: 6 minutes
• Download / Unzip: 9 minutes plus Installation: 1 minutes, 30 seconds
• Total: About 16 minutes, 30 seconds
  

Xbox 360 Version - file size: 33.8MB

DSL (1Mbps) users

• Volume check: 4 minutes, 30 seconds
• Download / Unzip: 11 minutes plus Installation: 4 minutes
• Total: About 19 minutes, 30 seconds
  

Don't have Promathia or Aht Urhgan installed? Click on full article for YOUR download details.

The one game for the Xbox 360 that didn't have achievements, Final Fantasy XI, finally receives its own set of points to add to your gamerscore. The game has 32 secret achievements that add up to the usual retail 1000 gamerpoints. The update for the game today unlocked the ability to get the achievements and now when your playing FF:XI it will no longer say playing PlayOnline Viewer.  According to PlayOnline:

After fulfilling certain requirements, players will be able to speak with title-changing NPCs to unlock Xbox 360 “achievements.” In the case where players have no titles available to change, they will be unable to unlock any achievements.

So, if your one of the many people playing Final Fantasy XI on the 360 you try to be one of the first to find out what the secret achievements are (maybe it's for raising a chocobo?). On a side note from the update the game is now compatible with 1024x768 screen resolution.