Player of the Month November 2007

Real Name: Lee
Age: 26
Character Name: Anonymous
Character Race: Elvaan/Mithra
Character Job(s): Warrior, Dark Knight, Dragoon
Nation: WindHurst
Rank: 10/10/10
Server: Unicorn, Land of the Free Range Psychopath
Career / Employment Industry / Current Level of School: Customer Service Representative; Night Shift
Hobbies: Anime, Gaming, Girls, and Pirating on the High Seas.
Family: They frighten me.

Besides Final Fantasy XI, what other MMORPGs have you played and how do they compare to Final Fantasy XI?

A lot of MUDs way back when the standard for internet was changing to the super speed of 56k. Asheron's Call was probably my first real MMO, then FFXI and WoW. FFXI has what I like most about role playing games, an intricate storyline, and I've yet to see a better one in another MMO. It has it's problems, but you either find ways around them or you sit there staring at those problems miserably.

How did you find out about Final Fantasy XI, and when did you begin playing?

It has Final Fantasy attached to it, and I'm dumb for that. I started around October after release.

Do you know anyone in real life who plays Final Fantasy XI?

A dozen or so people, five of which of us do all the missions together since the beginning. Frankly, everyone should develop a nice static group for things like that.

How did you come up with your main character's name?

A fairly obscure charcter from a fairly obscure show. As far as posting name goes, it's essentially a joke towards the old "dual wield onry" mentality that was going on with bandwagon Warriors. Now that it's changed, and my new sword from Fafnir, I consider changing it to loldw. I guess I keep it just for the history.

What is your favorite job and why?

Bl -- Warrior, hands down. If only because it's one of the only jobs that went from lolsubjob mentality to omgnerfit mentality without Square touching it at all. That, and it's one of those jobs that people say can't do certain things, and it turns out it either has done or does already do those things.

Which forum(s) do you frequent the most?

Warrior's Mead Hall mostly, FFXI General, and Feedback, with varying degrees of notoriety.

About how often do you play Final Fantasy XI and how long is a typical playing session for you?

Mostly once a day, for two to three hours at most. I'm basically a casual gamer in all reality and have to pick and choose what I need to get done and what I want to get done. Needs usually outweigh the wants.

How do you spend your time in game?

Dynamis once a week, Limbus once a week, HNM/Ground three times a week, and whatever else the other two days.

Do you craft? If so, what are your skill levels?

I have Smithing and Fishing to 100, and everything else at 60. Nowadays, I just farm whatever zone "works for me" at the time, and if I'm really pressed for time I farm the Auction House for sales.

Approximately how much of Vana'diel have you experienced?

Pretty much all of it. My group and I are the kinds of gamers that have to finish off the missions and get access to the locked areas as soon as possible.

What is your favorite expansion?

Definitely CoP. The storyline was solid, it had Prishe, and (when I did it) it had a decent amount of challenge involved. The capped areas required us to alter our normal "level 75" strategies, and the uncapped areas required us to work with what we had available to us. And it had Prishe.

What is your least favorite expansion?

So far it's turning out to be the one being released soon. I realize it's not even out yet, so not very fair of me, but the information being released just doesn't interest me much. Almost seems like a rehash of Aht Urghan, and I wasn't too pleased with that one to begin with. I pretty much hope the missions are more like CoP with actual content, and the need for varying strategies, and not a series of cutscenes with the occasional plow through fight.

How far have you progressed in missions?

Nations all 10, Zilart, CoP, and ToAH all complete. It's the first things my group and I concentrate on.

What is your favorite zone?

Sanctuary of Zi'tah. The music and ambiance is really relaxing. Also, between sky and Dragon's Aery, I find myself running through it a lot. It's also no secret the farming is pretty good there now, so I can head from dragon camp to farming immediately afterwards. Overall, a good all purpose zone for a busy body.

Who is your NPC hero and why?

Prishe, because she's Prishe. I always like the headstrong tomboyish lead female character in animes, and she fits that mold. That, and she cure bombed me while I was tanking Promy. She totally digs me.

If Shantotto was your mom, give a good excuse for coming home 6 hours after curfew.

I'd first try to convince her that I'm 12 hours early for my next curfew, and failing that I'd hope she doesn't like house work and that bloodstains are difficult to get out.

Describe your most memorable moment or proudest accomplishment in game.

My most memorable moment would be just before I got the skull for my subjob. I was a lowbie Warrior, with my almighty Great Sword, and provoking like a good little soldier. I was having a little trouble getting it, and got a little help from a Japanese player, also Warrior, who was passing through the Dunes waiting to unlock Summoner from what I gathered at the time. We went about attacking every Lindsay Lohan lookalike Ghouls we came across, and was taken aback every time he used Sturmwind. I later learned the beauty that was Shield Break, but over all I've used and suggested the use of Great Axes from that day on.

As far as proudest accomplishments go, I don't have any. I mean, none of my accomplishments were really my accomplishments, as they required a varying degree of people. So I guess my proudest accomplishments would be the connections I've made in the game that have helped me get where I am in game today.

What is the largest amount of gil you have ever had at one time, and how did you go about accumulating it?

Somewhere in the 80,000,000 range. During that Christmas inflation, Unicorn equipment was released. I would buy the ingredients for the Leggings, a friend would craft them, and then I'd sell them in the Bazaars for three to four times the cost of ingredients. I did that three or four times.

What are some things you would change or implement in order to improve Final Fantasy XI?

I can't think of much personally. A few more manaburn friendly camps, I guess. Less jobs added and more gear and ability changes for the jobs already in the game, if anything. I'd like SE to make a clean break away from the Final Fantasy name with their next MMO, if only to remove the "Well, that's not how it's supposed to be" mentality is removed.

If you were stranded on Purgonorgo Isle what 5 items would you most want to have with you?

Ridill, Prishe, a fridge with an endless supply of alcoholic beverages, a barbeque grill, and the "3x Carlin: An Orgy of George" book.

How do you describe Final Fantasy XI to your coworkers or computer-illiterate friends?

A land of magic casting midgets, hairy women, and giraffes. I can't imagine why they aren't more interested.

What is next for you in the world of Final Fantasy XI?

WoTG Missions, and the possible completion of Groundking camping. Oh I hope I hope I hope. Then I have to move on to Limbus/Dynamis gear for my other two jobs. I'm so looking forward to that. Ugh.

Maybe I'll level Dancer just to terrorize people with the joyous Elvaan prancing about. In white subligar.