Tanaka: The Windows specifics are ready to go but we are still working on the Japanese character input.

GI: Are the servers going to be PlayOnline servers or will they be Microsoft servers?

Tanaka: PlayOnline.

Giant birds look best in widescreen

GI: Same cost as the other versions for the monthly fee?

Tanaka: Not decided yet.

GI: Another thing you announced at the event was that you were starting a beta test service at the Xbox 360 launch?

Tanaka: The beta test will start in Japan at the launch of the 360.

GI: What about North America?

Tanaka: Since America will have the 360 first, they will have the beta test before anyone else.

GI: Will the beta testing be free?

Tanaka: Yes. When you get the Xbox 360, you will be able to apply for the beta test.

GI: Besides the upgraded graphics, is there any reason people should spend the extra $50 or $60 on another version of the game?

Tanaka: The visuals are so amazing you will never want to play it on PS2 or PC again.

GI: Are you going to offer any rebates for anyone who has already bought it twice? I know that may sound crazy but the average gamer is between 10 and 25 years old and doesn’t have a lot of disposable income – especially when you go out and buy a new $300 console.

Tanaka: Well, right now the current versions aren’t that expensive. It’s like $29. So of course, we are hoping to make the 360 version as competitive as the others. But also, the price has not been determined yet.

GI: But that’s what you are targeting?

Tanaka: Yeah.

GI: One of the things that turned me off about FFXI Gil was the leveling up process. It was a slow and tedious process. You would have to find a good party, which was tricky in itself, and then if you died, you could wipe out six or seven hours of progress in the game and even end up worse off than when you started. Anything you’re planning on doing in the game to change that?

Tanaka: Sometimes it is difficult for a passive player to find a party, so it may be best for you to make a party yourself. Or you have the option of getting a party together and doing one of the quick battlefields and you can get experience for those.

GI: Looking back on the game, are you pleased on how everything went? If there was one thing you could do differently, what would you do?

Tanaka: The team is very pleased at the way the game went and did not expect it to be quite as successful as it was. Since the game can keep evolving onto different platforms, the life of FFXI has been much longer than other titles. The team is able to go ahead and change things in the game rather than just looking back and talking about that they would change.