Source: http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/...ff11off.htm (some pictures from: http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/...7_1124.html) http://ffxi.allakhazam.com/forum.html?forum=10;mid=11941882311705553;num=75;page=1 Translated by: Elmer the Pointy On November 3rd, Square Enix held the "Altana Festival in Osaka" in Umeda, at the Umeda Fine Arts Theater in support of their MMORPG Final Fantasy XI, which currently serves players in Japan, North America, and Europe. With an attendance limit of 1,800, this was a hot ticket, including a mini-concert and the revelation of highly anticipated information on the new expansion, Wings of the Goddess, set to go on sale November 22nd. Final Fantasy XI Producer Tanaka Hiromichi led an array of development team members in divulging news across a two-part event, and we've outlined everything we could below. So let's get to the good stuff.

The latest new job with Magic-boosting abilities: Scholar! Then, Dancer and Campaign Info

At beginning and end of the festival, there were opportunities for the fans of Final Fantasy XI to hear the latest scoop on Wings of the Goddess.

The first presentation revealed "Campaign," a new battle system mixing elements of Conquest and Besieged. Also brought to light were new jobs Dancer and Scholar.

http://images.mmosite.com/news/2007/11/06/20071106232321021.jpg
^Scholar: The second job released with Wings of the Goddess. Using ancient magical tomes of battle tactics, known as "Grimoire," they can enhance White or Black magic as well as wield some unique spells of their own.

Campaign

First, regarding Campaign, it will be a large-scale system that sets the stage for the battles of Vana'diel's past. Players from San'dOria's Royal Army, Bastok's Republican Forces, or Windurst's Federation, will all fight together under the Allied Forces of Altana against the Beastman Confederate.

 ^The Wings of the Goddess Region Map. Here you will not use Conquest, but wage battle under the new Campaign system.

It plays out similar to Conquest, with individual battles taking elements from Besieged in Al Zahbi. Mixing these aspects together, Square Enix has created a whole new system for this expansion.

The flow of Campaign basically follow that of Conquest, in that it works on weekly cycles. The division of power for each area changes depending on the outcome of skirmishes between the Allied Forces of Altana and the Beastman Confederate. After a week's time, each area has its total calculated and the results determine who holds power over which region for the following week. The overall winners or losers will they attain an advantage (or disadvantage) in the coming battles. One example is that those with greater forces will be able to obtain higher rank Campaign Missions. Also, Players will receive "Alliance Points" and experience points based on their performance.

^Players reach the past in Wings of the Goddess by travelling through a "Cavernous Maw." They are located everywhere in Vana'diel, and after fulfilling certain conditions, they can be used free of charge.

Campaign is broken up into four separate events. First, is Campaign Battle. This is when a target area randomly erupts into conflict. Previous screenshots have depicted this event, (such as the Orcs battling in Ronfuare). Basically, you participate in a fight similar to Garrison, but are restricted to a certain area of space like in Besieged.

As for the system governing all of this, instead of Signet or Sanction, there will be a completely new magic cast upon you, which eliminates experience loss upon death. Like Besieged, you can participate as you please from start to finish. Your activity in battle will determine what rewards you receive. It's perfect for casual users and beginners to jump in and play.

The second type of event is Campaign Missions. These are meant to earn one an advantage in Campaign. If Campaign Battles are like Besieged, then Campaign Missions are more like Assault.

These missions are available based on conditions met through improving rank, war situation, military policy, domestic policy, division of power for areas, and Scout. These missions can also scale to meet the needs of a wider variety of players than Assault, which was generally limited to 3 or more level 50+ players. There are Campaign Missions you can solo, complete with low level players, set to short periods of time, or enjoy without battles. There is much more variation incorporated into the missions this time around.

The system is similar to Assault in that you use tickets to undertake a challenge, but the big difference is that only the Leader's ticket is used up. Therefore, a party of six players could tackle the same mission six times in a row if they wanted. The rewards boost your "fame" in some way, but the results are unclear. (different than present-day fame)

The third type of event within Campaign is called Scout. Just like the title, you will be seeking out "scout" NPCs unaffiliated with the Allied Forces of Altana in Field Areas and Dungeons. Upon meeting them, you will attempt to convince them to join the Alliance, which can produce beneficial effects for your country. Furthermore, you may just run into some unexpected characters and get a look into their past. It sounds like this particular event will make great use of NPCs.

The fourth event within Campaign is Survey. This system makes use of the opinions of adventurers to determine national policies and military action. Each week, adventurers are tallied, and the results determine the course of action their nation will take the following week. Campaign Battles and Campaign Missions will become available based on the findings from Survey. For instance, questions like, "What areas should we invade?" or "What battle strategies should we employ?" or "What techniques should we develop?" will all have an effect on national policy. It lets the players control the course of the game, and should prove to be a great addition to Campaign.

 Before the official implementation of Campaign, there is a "rehearsal" planned in the form of an event called, "Crystal War Revisited." Beginning of November 8th, players will have a chance to compete for a prize of red sunglasses. The victorious nation will also receive a special vendor selling goods exclusive to their homeland. In addition, the World with the greatest results will get a special Tele-point that allows travel between the three nations, not to mention the possibility of "HQ sunglasses." Adventurers everywhere should be ready to enthusiastically take on this challenge.