Preparing Properly for Perpetual Playing: FFXI on the PS3.Follow

We seem to not have a proper sticky for this, so might as well get down to it.

With old-model PS2s on the decline, and SE deciding a PS3 port is out of the question, many players of the PS2 version may decide to get a PS3. This guide is to help you make that decision and how to make it all work.

How to install Final Fantasy XI on a Playstation 3:

Contents:
Part Uno: A Word of Warning
Part Dos: Checking Your Internet
Part Tres: Purchasing FFXI
Part Cuatro: Purchasing a PS3
Part Cinco: Setting Up The PS3
Part Seis: Installing FFXI

Note: Use CTRL+F and copy/paste to scroll to a specific part.

Part Uno: A Word of Warning

Let's point out the worst part of this deal altogether: PS3's are expensive. A PS3 that can actually play FFXI is even moreso. One can end up paying nearly $500 in the U.S.A. for the 60 GB model(More if you don't know where to look, which is something this guide is out to squish).

You also need to take account if you would even use a PS3 for anything other than FFXI. If not, you're probably better off staying on the PS2 or getting the PC/XBox 360 version.

I can't personally say that the PS3 doesn't have any good games or exclusives, because I think it does. However, this is still a personal opinion, so it's still up to your own judgment if there's anything else worthwhile on the PS3.

If not, you shouldn't waste your money. You will likely save more money in the long run going elsewhere than getting a PS3. Still, it's your own choice.

If you think the PS3 will be of use to you outside of FFXI(Or not, but still want it), read on.

Part Dos: Checking Your Internet

Even if you're committed to this, there's one very important thing to check: what's your internet setup?

More importantly, are you on dial-up?

If so, then I regret to inform you that the PS3 can't use a dial-up connection. The only way for a PS3 to get online is through either an Ethernet or wireless connection.

Basically, anyone without dial-up can set up FFXI on the PS3.

Anywho, if you connect to the internet with Ethernet, be sure to have a cable handy to connect the PS3 to the modem/router/what-have-you.

If you use wireless connections for your house, then you shouldn't need any preparations regarding the internet.

With all that said, let's get to the next part.

Part Tres: Purchasing FFXI

If you already have FFXI and all the expansions for the PS2 console, congratulations, you can skip on over to the next part.

If not, it's time to get hunting!

It's actually rather simple: Just type "Final Fantasy XI PS2" into the search engine you use, and you'll get quite a few results for the PS2 version of the game.

You should aim for the 2008 Vana'diel Collection, which has all the expansions as well as the original game and PlayOnline altogether. The going cost seems to be around $30-40, which can be attributed to the PS2 version's limited run and rarity.

You could also try online auctions such as Ebay, but only if you think you can trust the dealer you buy it from.

There's also the choice of going out on foot and find one in stores, but as of now, it's not likely.

If you only need one expansion, however, you won't need the Collection. It'll be much cheaper to just get the single expansion online.

Anyways, you now have FFXI. Time to get the most expensive item for all this.

Part Cuatro: Purchasing a PS3

There are three models of the PS3 that can run FFXI due to having to parts needed for the PS2 emulation.

The 20 GB model has no wireless or Flash card support, but has nearly complete and utterly perfect emulation of a PS2. Not entirely recommended, but it's out there.

The 60 GB model has all the bells and whistles, and is basically the 20 GB model with wireless, Flash card support, and 40 extra Gigabytes of storage space. I highly recommend this model, as it will likely get you the most out of your time with it.

The 80 GB model is essentially the 60 GB model with extra storage, but it lacks a key part: The Emotion Engine, a major part of the PS2. It can still play PS2 games due to emulation and still having the GPU of the PS2, but there's a better chance some PS2 games won't work on this model than the 60 GB version. This is also the older version of the 80 GB: The new 80 GB, and by extension, all currently made PS3s have no PS2 compatibility at all. As such, you may get some confusion when searching for an 80 GB model that can still play PS2 games.

Note: PS2 game compatibility can be checked here, but it might not be up-to-date. FFXI is fully compatible with all PS2-capable PS3s if they are updated properly.

Anyways, it's time to surf the web to get a PS3. Use the search engines with the model you want(You may need to modify the terms if looking for the old 80 GB model), and start looking. If looking for a 60 GB, a reliable deal can be found here.

Don't spend over $500 on a PS3: despite PS2 compatibility no longer being produced, there seem to be plenty of PS3s out there online that are BC-capable. It's merely a matter now about who you trust to buy from and how long you can wait for a PS3 that decides the pricetag.

Before you hop to the next step, you may want to buy a memory card adapter, considering you probably have PS2 saves you want to move over.

Part Cinco: Setting Up The PS3

After waiting on shipping, now you finally have your PS3. It's time to put this badboy up.

First, though, start with prepping on your PS2.

FFXIclopedia says this on storing character data on the POL servers:



This is essential if you don't want to have to redo all your macros for your characters.

Also of note is the fact that save data from other games can be on the PS2 HDD. If you have any, move them over to the PS2 memory card to transfer over to the PS3.

Anyways, setup the PS3 as instructed by any manuals and guides. Internet setup should be easy, especially wireless setup(The PS3 can wirelessly detect networks, so it should be simple to auto-setup).

After the PS3 has the basic setup done, sign up for the Playstation Network, as you'll need to check the Playstation Store for something to make FFXI run and install. Select View All by Title, and start looking in the Ps for something called PS2 System Data. It's free, and it allows you to prepare your PS3 for installing FFXI.

Before we move to putting FFXI on the PS3, you might want to move your PS2 saves to the PS3. Be sure to make the virtual memory cards for it.

Ready? Now comes the longest(Discounting any mailing done), and last step: Installing FFXI on the PS3.

Part Seis: Installing FFXI

First, you may want to set time aside for this, because this will take awhile.

For those without the 2008 Collection, insert the Wings of The Goddess disk. That disk may not contain the base FFXI, but it does have the latest POL up to the release of WoTG, so it'll save time on updating.

Regardless of the disk used, the PS3 will first make a partition for FFXI. This will probably be around 12-13 Gigabytes. When made, the PS3 will reset, and you can proceed to install POL.

Be sure to set the connection during setup as Ethernet when inside POL(Not in any PS3 menu, but the POL menu while installing). Updates will probably take around an hour or less for POL.

After this, it's time to install FFXI proper. This should take around 2 hours total. After all the disks are installed, be sure to change the POL setting to wherever you had them, as they will likely be lost from the transfer over to the PS3.

Now we play the waiting game again, as updates will take upwards of 6+ hours, although depending on the connection, it may only be 2 at most. Some caution: While files downloaded will be kept on should you quit during the update, the file check will always run a full check, which takes a load of time itself.

Anyways, with that done, simply start FFXI, and reload the character data you saved earlier.

Congratulations, you now have FFXI ready to go on the PS3! Hell, by now you've logged in.

Hopefully this guide has given all you need to know. We've been through the good times and the bad. The time your baby was born. The time I found out I had Syphilis and you convinced me to go to rehab after my drinking binge. The time we had to fight communists in a race for an alien psychic ship because of a giant plastic skull(I refuse to call it crystal).

Anyways, it probably still needs some tweaking somewheres, but if you have any other info I missed, lemme know.

Cya in-game, doods.