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To celebrate FINAL FANTASY XI reaching its momentous 11th anniversary, we are happy to announce the Shield Design contest! This is no ordinary contest, as the winning entry’s design will be implemented into the game during the next version update! Summon your creativity, break out a grimoire to start sketching, and create a shield so ornate and elegant that it captures the eye of all the adventurers in Vana’diel!
　
　Entry Requirements

• Must possess an active FINAL FANTASY XI service account
• Must agree to all of the official entry rules and requirements listed

　Entry PeriodThursday, May 16, 2013 to Thursday, June 6, 2013 at 7:59a.m. (PDT)　ThemeDesign a shield related to FINAL FANTASY XI

• Shield design example:
  　⇒　　⇒　　⇒　

　 Prizes

• Grand Prize Winner (1)
  • The shield you designed
  • Moogle Rod
    
  • Moogle Masque　&　Moogle Suit
    
  • One of the following:
    Town Mog. Shield／Nomad Mog. Shield
    
  • One of the following:
    Ark Tachi / Ark Tabar / Ark Scythe / Ark Saber / Ark Sword
    
  • Atomos Statue
    
  　
• Runners-up (2)
  • Moogle Rod
    
  • Moogle Masque　&　Moogle Suit
    
  • One of the following:
    Ark Tachi / Ark Tabar / Ark Scythe / Ark Saber / Ark Sword
    
  • Atomos Statue
    
• Participation Prize
  • Levigated Rock　×　11
    

* Please note that the number of winners for each category is subject to change.
* The grand prize will be available after the next version update.
　 How to Enter

[*]Download the template file by clicking here. [*]Using the template and image editing software, design your own shield related to FINAL FANTASY XI. [*]Submit the entry via email with all of the required information and the design attached.

* Photos and hand-drawn images will not be accepted.
* If an entry is selected to be implemented, the design will be be subject to alteration by the development team and there is no guarantee that it will be implemented as-is.
*Entries are limited to one per person.
　 Design Creation There are multiple file types within the template file. Please select one of the formats and use it to create your shield. The resolution and shape of the shield are the same for each file.
Included file types:JPEG／BMP／PNG Template:A


B
*Designs that have different proportions or resolutions from the template will be disqualified. Please make sure that there have been no changes made when submitting your entry. 　 Entry Method Submissions may only be sent via email to the below email address. No other method of entry will be accepted. The body of the email should contain all of the required information listed below, with the illustration attached (see below for file format/size information). Emails should be sent to the following address:

Email subject:

• Shield Design Contest (NA)

Required information:

• Square Enix ID
• Character Name
• World Name
• Nickname (max. 40 characters)
• Entry title (max. 50 characters)
• Personal comment or caption for your entry (max. 100 characters)
• Prizes you wish to receiveOne of the following:
  Town Mog. Shield／Nomad Mog. Shield
  
  One of the following:
  Ark Tachi / Ark Tabar / Ark Scythe / Ark Saber / Ark Sword

* Should your entry be chosen, the above nickname (or your real name if submitted), entry title, and personal comment will appear along with your artwork.
* Along with the above information, submitting an item name and stats are permitted; however, they are subject to adjustments by the development team and may not be reflected in-game. Entry format:

• Image resolution: 98x128 pixels
• Image format: BMP/JPEG/PNG
• File size: Up to 750KB

*Please note that in the event the resolution or size is different than the above, your entry will be disqualified. 　 Selection The development and operation teams will select the winners and they will be announced on the forums at or around the beginning of July.　
IMPORTANT! Please read these rules before entering the Shield Design Contest Rules (the “Contest”). By entering the Contest, you agree to be bound by these Contest Rules and represent that you satisfy all of the eligibility requirements.


Official Contest Rules1. ELIGIBILITYNO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. ALL ENTRANTS MUST AGREE TO THESE OFFICIAL RULES AND HAVE A VALID SQUARE ENIX MEMBERS ACCOUNT. THE CONTEST IS OPEN TO MEMBERS WHO ARE LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE U.S. AND CANADA OVER THE AGE OF 13. IF YOU ARE NOT A RESIDENT OF THESE AREAS, YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO WIN A PRIZE, AND SQUARE ENIX RESERVES THE RIGHT NOT TO AWARD PRIZES TO CONTESTANTS WHO RESIDE IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS. If you are under the legal age of majority in your state of residence (a "Minor"), your parents or legal guardians must read, understand, and agree to these Contest rules. To be eligible to win a prize, entries must be completed and received by Square Enix in the format designated below. Directors, officers, and employees of Square Enix and any of their respective affiliate companies, subsidiaries, agents, professional advisors, advertising and promotional agencies, and immediate family members of each are not eligible to win any prizes. All applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply. Offer void where prohibited.
ONE SUBMISSION PER PERSON.
In the event multiple entries are submitted, only the first submission shall be accepted. 2. CONTEST PERIODThe Contest period is from May 16, 2013 to June 6, 2013 7:59am (Pacific Time) (the "Deadline"). All entries and votes must be posted by the Deadline. Square Enix will, in its sole discretion, determine the valid and official entry time, should any discrepancies of time occur.3. ENTRY METHODSubmissions may only be sent via e-mail. The body of the e-mail should contain all of the following required information with an image of the entrant’s design attached in PSD format. E-mails shall be sent to
.
E-mail Subject: Shield Design Contest (NA)
E-mail Body shall include the following:

• Square Enix ID
• Character Name
• World Name
• Nickname (max. 40 characters)
• Entry title (max. 50 characters)
• Personal comment or caption for your entry (max. 100 characters)
• Prizes you wish to receiveOne of the following:
  Town Mog. Shield／Nomad Mog. Shield
  
  One of the following:
  Ark Tachi / Ark Tabar / Ark Scythe / Ark Saber / Ark Sword

Should your entry be chosen as a winner, your nickname (or real name if provided), entry title, and personal comment may appear along with your artwork submission. 4. PRIZES Entries will be judged by the FFXI development and operations teams based upon creativity, contest requirement, and other elements in the sole discretion of Square Enix.
i. 1st Place (1 winner): 1st Place Winner’s design shall become an in-game item and provided to winner (no monetary value). The implementation of Winner’s design as an in-game item is subject to the development schedule and version updates.

ii. 2 runners-up: in-game item (no monetary value)

iii. 3 Honorable Mention: in-game item (no monetary value)

ALL FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL TAXES ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECEIPT OR USE OF ANY PRIZES ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WINNER. Winners will be announced on or about July 5, 2013. Prizes will be awarded within two weeks after winners are announced unless stated otherwise. Prizes are not transferable. No substitutions or exchanges (including for cash) of any prizes will be permitted, except that Square Enix reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value for any prize listed in the table above. Prizes won by a Minor (as determined by the laws of the contestant's state of residence) will be awarded to a parent or legal guardian on the Minor's behalf. Actual retail value of prizes may vary due to market conditions at the time prizes are awarded. All prizes are awarded "AS IS" and WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, express or implied, including, without limitation, any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

IN NO EVENT WILL THE CONTEST WINNERS BE ENTITLED TO ANY FEE, ROYALTY, OR OTHER COMPENSATION OF ANY KIND AS A RESULT OF THE CONTEST. BY ENTERING, EACH CONTESTANT (AND, IF A MINOR, HIS OR HER PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN) IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO COMPENSATION FOR SQUARE ENIX'S USE OF SUCH CONTESTANT'S ENTRY MATERIALS (AS DEFINED BELOW) IN ACCORDANCE WITH THESE RULES.5. SQUARE ENIX OWNERSHIP OF ENTRIESAll entries and other materials (the "Entry Materials") (including all copyright, trademark, and other proprietary rights associated therewith) submitted by you become the property of Square Enix upon submission, and Entry Materials will not be returned to any contestant. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, you acknowledge that Square Enix will own all rights to use, modify, and make derivative works of the Entry Materials, without separate compensation to you or any other person or entity. You agree to take, at Square Enix's expense, any further action (including, without limitation, execution of affidavits and other documents) reasonably requested by Square Enix to effect, perfect, or confirm Square Enix's ownership rights as set forth above in this paragraph. Entry Materials may be used by contestants only for purposes of the Contest or for private, personal, non-public viewing. Entry materials received by Square Enix may be destroyed by Square Enix at any time following the Contest.6. ORIGINAL WORK OF AUTHORSHIPYou hereby warrant and represent that (a) as between you and parties other than Square Enix, you own all rights to all Entry Materials submitted by you; and (/> other than the fact that all intellectual property embodied in and related to the FFXI game, including all copyrighted works and trademarks and derivative works thereof, are the exclusive property of Square Enix, all such Entry Materials are original works of authorship on your part and have not been copied, in whole or in part, from any other work and do not violate, misappropriate, or infringe any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary right of any other person or entity.7. GENERAL RELEASEBy entering the Contest, you (and, if you are a Minor, your parents or legal guardians) release Square Enix, other participating sponsors, and any of their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, employees, and agencies (collectively, the "Released Parties") from any liability whatsoever, and waive any and all causes of action, for any claims, costs, injuries, losses, or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the Contest or acceptance, possession, or use of any prize (including, without limitation, claims, costs, injuries, losses, and damages related to personal injuries, death, damage to or destruction of property, rights of publicity or privacy, defamation or portrayal in a false light, whether intentional or unintentional), whether under a theory of contract, tort (including negligence), warranty, or other theory. IF YOU ARE A MINOR, YOUR PARENTS OR LEGAL GUARDIANS FURTHER AGREE TO INDEMNIFY EACH OF THE RELEASED PARTIES FROM ANY CLAIMS, COSTS, INJURIES, LOSSES, OR DAMAGES DESCRIBED IN THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPH THAT MAY BE SUFFERED BY YOU.8. SELECTION OF PRIZEActual model, color, accessories, and features of the gaming-related merchandise awarded as prizes shall be selected by Square Enix in its sole discretion and may vary from photos or images shown in the Contest materials and advertising including the Square Enix web site.9. USE OF WINNER'S NAME, LIKENESS, ETC.Except where prohibited by law, entry into the contest constitutes permission to use the winners' voice, names, addresses, likenesses, and/or prize information, without limitation, for promotional purposes without further permission or compensation. As a condition of being awarded any prize, except where prohibited by law, winners may be required to execute a consent to the use of their name, address, likeness, and/or prize information, without limitation, for promotional purposes without further permission or compensation.10. AFFIDAVIT & RELEASEAs a condition of being awarded any prize, winners (and if winner is a Minor, winner's parent or legal guardian) will be required to execute and deliver to Square Enix a signed Affidavit of Eligibility and acceptance of these Official Contest Rules and release of liability.
11. WINNER'S LIST; RULES REQUESTFor a copy of the winners list, send a stamped, self addressed, business size envelope after July 15, 2013 and before September 30, 2013 to Square Enix at the address listed below (Attention: FFXI Shield Design Contest Winners List). To obtain a copy of these rules, send a stamped, self addressed business size envelope to Square Enix at the address listed below (Attention: FFXI Shield Design Contest Rules Request). 12. COPYRIGHT NOTICEThe Contest and all accompanying Contest materials are Copyright © 2013 by Square Enix, Inc. All Rights Reserved.13. MISCELLANEOUSThe Contest and these Official Contest Rules will be governed, construed, and interpreted under the laws of the United States. Contestants agree to be bound by these Official Contest Rules and by the decisions of Square Enix, which are final and binding in all respects. Square Enix reserves the right to change these Official Contest Rules at any time, in its sole discretion, and to suspend or cancel the Contest or any contestant's participation in the Contest should viruses, bugs, unauthorized human intervention, or other causes beyond Square Enix's control affect the administration, security, or proper play of the Contest or Square Enix otherwise becomes, as determined in its sole discretion, incapable of running the Contest as planned. Contestants who violate these Official Contest Rules, tamper with the operation of the Contest, or engage in any conduct that is detrimental or unfair to Square Enix, the Contest, or any other contestant, in each case as determined in Square Enix's sole discretion, are subject to disqualification from entry into the Contest. Square Enix reserves the right to disqualify persons whose eligibility is in question or who have been disqualified or are otherwise ineligible to enter the Contest. If you have any questions about these Official Contest Rules or the Contest, please send written questions to Square Enix at the address set forth below.
14. FORCE MAJEURESquare Enix reserves the right to change, suspend, or cancel the contest if, in Square Enix's sole discretion, intervening circumstances warrant such change, suspension, or cancellation. Intervening circumstances include, but are not limited to, strikes, labor disputes, war, insurrections, revolutions, terrorism, riots or other civil disturbances, earthquakes, fires, floods, or other natural disasters, governmental restrictions, embargoes or other exercises of governmental authority, unavailability of supplies, components, or material, or any other cause beyond Square Enix's control.15. DISCLAIMERSquare Enix, all participating sponsors, and any of their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, professional advisors, employees, and agencies will not be responsible for: (a) any late, lost, misrouted, garbled, or distorted or damaged transmissions or entries; (/> telephone, electronic, hardware, software, network, Internet, or other computer or communications related malfunctions or failures; © any Contest disruptions, injuries, losses, or damages caused by events beyond the control of Square Enix or other participating sponsors; or (d) any printing or typographical errors in any materials associated with the Contest.16. CONTEST SPONSORThe sponsor of the Contest is Square Enix, Inc. Square Enix is a leading developer and publisher of digital entertainment content. Correspondence regarding the Contest or these Official Contest Rules may be directed to the following address:

Square Enix, Inc.
Attention: FFXI Shield Design Contest
999 North Sepulveda Blvd., Third Floor
El Segundo, California 90245
After you have read over and agreed to all of the above rules and regulations, please submit your entries to the email address listed above.

Today marks a full eleven years since FINAL FANTASY XI first began service, a grand achievement that I never thought I'd see in even my wildest dreams.

Looking back over the years I've spent working on XI, I'm reminded of the times the team spent running around like cockatrices with their heads chopped off. Through it all, however, we were lucky enough to receive kind—or sometimes necessarily strict—support from all of you adventurers.

I sincerely thank each and every one of you for your invaluable contributions during these past eleven years.

Though the eleventh anniversary may be an awkward one for most games, it carries an incredible amount of weight for FFXI, so let's work together to make this 11th Vana'versary the most memorable year ever—both in- and outside of Vana'diel!

We look forward to working together with all of you for many more years to come.

—FINAL FANTASY XI Producer
Akihiko Matsui

Illustration : Mitsuhiro Arita

---

Event Schedule

The Adventurer Appreciation Campaign will run from Thursday, May 16, 2013, at 1:00 a.m. until Thursday, May 30, 2013, at 7:59 a.m. (PDT)

Participating in the Adventurer Appreciation Campaign

This year, we have taken our traditional Anniversary ring and imbued it with a decade's worth of powerful magic...plus one to grow on! Dubbed the Undecennial Ring, it will surely prove to be an invaluable item to any adventurer!



Event Moogle Locations
Southern San d'Oria (J-9) / Northern San d'Oria (D-8) / Bastok Mines (H-9) / Bastok Markets (G-8) / Windurst Waters (North ) (F-5) / Windurst Woods (K-10)

11th Vana'versary Congratulatory Letters and Moogle Guard!?

While tradition dictates that distinguished individuals across the realm send congratulatory letters, this year there is only a sole communiqué—and it eschews commendations for an explanation of the "Mog Institute mock exams." Written by the institution's infamous and draconian director himself, what sort of academic assessment does this mysterious missive hold for Vana'diel's valiant 'venturers...?



Proctor Moogle Locations:
Southern San d'Oria (I-8) / Bastok Markets (F-8) / Windurst Waters (North) (F-9)

Mog Tablets Unleashed!

Ordinarily, upon the discovery of all eleven mog tablets, three random Super Kupowers will take effect. For the duration of the Adventurer Appreciation Campaign, however, the full set of eleven powers will be unleashed. So go on, get out there and help your fellow adventurers scour the land in the search effort!

Brush up on details pertaining to areas hosting mog tablets and the list of Super Kupowers.

*The effects of Super Kupowers will remain active for one week (Earth time) following the discovery of all eleven mog tablets.

The 11th Anniversary Vana'diel Census

The results of Vana'diel's Tenth Anniversary census are scheduled to be presented to the public around the middle of August. We will reveal more information regarding the census as time goes on, so stray not far from the bulletin boards.

Held in duress for aeons within the lesser moon, Dalamud, the elder primal Bahamut broke free of his captivity when the celestial body was wrested from the heavens to descend upon the Battle of Carteneau. Once freed, the terrible being wrought fiery destruction across the length and breadth of Eorzea, his devastating rampage marking the beginning the Seventh Umbral Era. In the midst of the chaos, however, Bahamut was enveloped in a blinding white light and abruptly disappeared from the skies. None claim to have seen the primal in the five years since.




A fell knight clad all in black, Odin roams paths long forgotten beneath the canopy of the Black Shroud.
There are none now alive who know the truth of when or by whom this elder primal was first summoned into the world. Ever vigilant as he sits astride his mighty steed, Sleipnir, it is said that Odin is drivenly solely by the desire to do battle with worthy foes.

Though a land blessed with vistas of indescribable beauty, Eorzea is also populated by a menagerie of formidable dangers. Slavering beasts, savage monstrosities, and restless spirits abound to beleaguer the intrepid adventurer seeking to explore this stunning yet perilous realm.

The origins of this nightmarish combination of lion, goat, and dragon have been furiously debated. Some deem the creature a cruel jest of the gods, while others believe it the twisted creation of forbidden sorcery.

These predatory quadrupeds are feared for their unrivaled savagery. In the same manner as its close cousin, the coeurl, the torama subdues its prey by unleashing electrical shocks from the two whip-like appendages that frame its fang-lined jaws.

Golems are magical constructs of clay or stone that have been imbued with temporary life. Ancient tomes claim that the creation of these beings is only possible when the laws of nature are weakened by the chaotic influence of an Umbral calamity.

While commonly considered to be a variety of ancient golem, the exact nature of these hulking suits of animated armor is unknown. One theory suggests that they once clad men, and that the original wearer's soul lingered on after death, doomed to spend the afterlife in a prison of steel.

The enigmatic mandragora were first observed in the aftermath of the Seventh Umbral Era. It is not known whence they came, or if they even existed prior to the Calamity. There are those who insist that the diminutive seedkin are sentient, but further research is required to confirm such speculation.

The wyvern is a sinuous scalekin that cuts swiftly through the air on large, membranous wings. A less-imposing relative of dragons, wyverns often serve as frontline troops in the endless assault on the fortifications of Ishgard.

The beautiful, vibrant coloration of this scalekin's feathers are a natural indication of its venomous nature. Infamous for supplementing physical attacks with poisonous breaths, it is also capable of impressive bursts of speed, owing to its muscular legs and the purchase afforded by its sharp talons.

The Cyclopes dwell in the western parts of Abalathia's Spine, and are immediately recognizable by the single eye that dominates their broad faces. Though thickly muscled and possessed of prodigious strength, these dim-witted creatures are often enslaved and used as shock troops by the more cunning beast tribes.

Letter from the Producer, XLV (05/10/2013)

Hello again to all of you eagerly awaiting FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn. I know I haven't been pumping out letters as often as I used to, but we've all been working feverishly in preparation for phase 3 of the beta test. Nevertheless, I couldn't let another day go by without bringing you the forty-fifth Letter from the Producer!

We recently attended the Niconico Chokaigi 2 event here in Japan, and I'd like to give a big thanks to everyone who showed up in person, as well as all of you who tuned in from afar. After traveling overseas to events last year like E3, Japan Expo, and Gamescom, it was nice to finally have one here at home. In case you haven't heard through the grapevine yet, we made two important announcements at the event, which I'd like to go over in this letter.

First and foremost, FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn will be released in summer 2013. It will be a worldwide release for the PC and PlayStation 3, available in Japanese, English, French, and German. At the end of the month we'll announce the release date, along with pricing and details on the collector's edition. We'll also start accepting preorders at the end of the month.

Our second important announcement was that phase 3 will start at the beginning of June. Phase 3 will include a multitude of changes based on feedback from the first and second phases, as well as the long-awaited commencement of PlayStation 3 testing. But that's not all—we're also adding Ul'dah and Limsa Lominsa, nearly one hundred new FATE encounters, four additional dungeons, main scenario quests up to level 20, grand companies, provisioning missions, free companies; we're making revisions to the battle system, testing the transfer of characters from version 1.0—the list goes on and on. I've been working around the clock, double and triple checking everything along the way, so sit tight and phase 3 will be here before you know it!

It's not just me though—the whole team has been working at full throttle to ensure the game will be ready for a summer release. It won't be long before you can mark your calendars and begin the final countdown!

With phase 2 of the beta test now at an end, I know our beta testers are feeling a bit anxious waiting for phase 3. If the forums are any indication, a good number of you seem to be going through withdrawal, which is a good thing...I think. Anywho, since you all still have a while to wait until phase 3, I found a little something that might help tide you over.





Well, that's all I can give you for now. I'll see you all next time in my seventh LIVE letter. And not long after that, I'll be headed to E3. If you're in America, make sure to drop by!!