A lot of curiosity has been around for ‘Final Fantasy XIV’ ever since it was announced a few months back. How will it shape up, how will it be different from the earlier versions; these are all questions that need answers.
To get to know the game up-close and personal, an interview with the creator Hiromichi Tanaka follows:

Q: You have said earlier that the game is similar to Final Fantasy XL. Have the monsters changed between the two versions?

Tanaka: The graphics of the new one are very different from the older versions. A new graphic engine has been used so more details can be seen. As far as the races are concerned, we don’t want to make it difficult for people to switch, so they have been kept similar. Additionally the new one offers a lot of options of customization.

Q: You were considering transferring your name over from FFXI. Is that plan still on?

A: This is not yet confirmed. We would like to give due credit to players. For players with same names there can be a conflict and to avoid that the way is to add their surname. If they want they can add something else also. This way people with same names can add uniqueness to their identity with FFXI.

Q: Will the combat system have lesser team play feature?

A: In FFXI the system was job based. The process needed a party to complete each task. Now it is no longer a job based process. Here the predominant system is Armory. Depending on what weapons and armory you select you can make a team selection. You also have an option to go it alone. If you want, fight monsters or heal yourself as a healer. Basically players will have a lot of choice.

Q: The system is said to be not experience based. Please elaborate.

A: As mentioned earlier, everything is Armory based. Depending on how much weapons you have used, your skill sets will go up. That’s the ladder to way up as you also pick up other abilities on the way. Fighting the monsters won’t take you level up, but you certainly get skill points for that.

Q: Has there been an outside influence on you ever?

A: Nothing specific that I can talk about. But if there has to be one, it will be Final Fantasy XI. For FFXI we want everything to be new and different. I can’t say that the game worlds won’t seem or feel the same, but the gaming experience will certainly be way different.

Q: Is there a spring 2010 beta on anvil?

A: As of now there is no certainty about timing. The launch will be in 2010, so we have to bring up something in spring. But if all goes well, and something comes before time, you might find something in 2009 itself.