This title represented an ambitious reimagining of the beloved 2002 MMORPG, Final Fantasy XI Online, specifically tailored for mobile devices and PC. It aimed to bring the expansive world of Vana'diel to a new generation of players on platforms like PC (Microsoft Windows) and legacy mobile devices. As a role-playing game (RPG), it promised to retain the core elements that defined its predecessor while introducing modernizations.

The project, originally announced with a 2016 release window, experienced a prolonged development period with limited official updates. While images did surface in 2018, the game eventually faced significant delays. By late 2020, speculation about its cancellation grew, and it subsequently disappeared from developer listings. An official announcement in early 2021 confirmed that the project had been shelved, with the stated reason being that the mobile version did not meet the creative standards expected by Final Fantasy fans.

Core Concept and Vision

The fundamental goal of this remake was to translate the rich MMORPG experience of Final Fantasy XI Online into a format accessible on mobile platforms and PC. This involved adapting the vast world, intricate storylines, and deep character progression for a potentially different player base and hardware capabilities. The intention was to preserve the essence of the original while exploring potential gameplay modernizations and visual enhancements suitable for the target devices.

Gameplay and Features

As an RPG, the game would have centered on exploration, character development, and cooperative play within the world of Vana'diel. Players would have likely engaged in quests, battled monsters, and interacted with a persistent online world. The remake's design would have focused on adapting the complex combat systems and extensive job classes of the original for a more streamlined, mobile-friendly experience. Key features would have included:

A vast, persistent online world to explore.
Deep character customization through various job classes.
Cooperative gameplay elements for tackling challenges.
A narrative rich with the lore and history of the Final Fantasy universe.

Development Status and Content

This title was officially announced as a remake of Final Fantasy XI Online. However, the project has been shelved and will not be released. Therefore, there is no available content in terms of DLCs, expansions, or additional content to discuss.

Preservation vs. Modernization

The development aimed to strike a balance between preserving the beloved aspects of the original Final Fantasy XI Online and introducing modernizations. This would have likely involved:

Visual and Audio Enhancements: Updates to graphics and sound design to leverage the capabilities of modern mobile hardware and PC.
Gameplay Modernizations: Potential adjustments to user interface, control schemes, and gameplay loops to better suit mobile play.
Preserved Elements: The core narrative, world lore, and the fundamental MMORPG structure were intended to be retained.

The direction was to remain faithful to the spirit of the original while making it accessible and engaging for a new audience. However, due to its shelving, the extent of these changes and their impact remains speculative.

Platform and Release Information

The game was intended for release on PC (Microsoft Windows) and legacy mobile devices. It was originally slated for a 2016 release, but this window passed without the game launching. As of the current date, the project has been officially shelved and is not available.

What was the intended scope of this remake?

The remake was designed to be a comprehensive adaptation of the original Final Fantasy XI Online for mobile platforms and PC. It aimed to bring the full MMORPG experience, including its extensive world, story, and gameplay mechanics, to a new audience. The intention was to offer a faithful yet modernized version of the game.