More on Square's PlayOnline network

[02.08.00] » U.S. and Japanese players to share one gaming network.

   More light has been shed on the tentative blueprints for Square's PlayStation2-based Play Online network. Square currently plans for both the Japanese and North American editions of the online-only Final Fantasy XI to share the same network -- in other words, both Japanese and North American players will be part of the same world. Inter-player communications will be handled through a simple icon-based interfaces so as to eliminate the language barrier.

   Additionally, IGNPS2 reported that the English and Japanese versions of Final Fantasy XI be released simultaneously. While unconfirmed, such a plan makes a great deal of sense given that both versions share the same online arena -- if FF XI was released in Japan first, Japanese players would have a clear headstart.

   In any case, the world won't be limited to just console owners. Square also plans to release a PC version of Final Fantasy XI that will also share the same massive online world. As character data will be saved on the Play Online network and not a memory card, players can switch back and forth between the PC and PS2 editions and pick up where they left off each time.

   Finally, contrary to previous reports that Final Fantasy X would use only Play Online to give hints, Square may be considering introducing some online gameplay elements -- most likely a few extra side quests.