Major Newb question from a Major Newb.

Hello!
Final Fantasy XI just came in the mail today, and after installing it and watching the amazing opening video, I was super excited. I have played many other MMORPGs in the past, but the second my character was left on my own... I couldn't move. I couldn't access a menu, or change any options. While most MMORPGs have your typical controls, tutorials, and -menus-, I was surprised when I realized that this did not. After a long, long time of trying to figure out how to even -move-, I couldn't even figure out how to exit the damned thing and had to alt, ctrl, delete to get out.

So please, someone, anyone, save this beautiful game for me. All I want is some option menu where I can increase the graphics settings (it's set extremely low and head-achy atm), and just anything to help this poor, frustrated noob. I know some of these things can be done, but how? I'm getting annoyed looking through the manual and online sites, because none of them even tell me how to exit the damn game, and if it's supposed to be obvious then chalk me up as stupid :p

Thanks so much guys

Wow, and I was going to buy it for the computer.

To open the main menu, I push the minus sign (-) key on the upper right of the number pad. :)

Although I'm curious to learn how people on laptops with no number pad open it. I wonder if there's a command to open it. :confused:

/menu? :lol:

It would help if you read the manual, which explains how to access all of the menus and options.

I actually find it easier to control my character and menus in FFXI, than it is in WoW. It feels a lot faster, than reaching for the mouse all the time.

Anyways, for people with laptops, there's an option to set the keyboard to 'compact mode', incase they don't have a numpad (there are some laptops that do have one though). And to actually access the graphical options, there are a few in-game and the main ones outside of the program which deal with bump mapping, resolutions, etc. (and you can even go further with regedits)

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Originally Posted by Odd Eye

To open the main menu, I push the minus sign (-) key on the upper right of the number pad. :)

Although I'm curious to learn how people on laptops with no number pad open it. I wonder if there's a command to open it. :confused:

/menu? :lol:

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The hyphen/dash key that follows the one and is two keys before the backspace.

To move it is the keys on the num. pad if you are using the full keyboard. I have to admit it took me a good five to ten minutes with the manual to figure out what the heck I was doing and how to change to the compact layout. Then it took me a few to get comfortable with the controls. Once you do though, it becomes much easier.

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Originally Posted by Omecle

It would help if you read the manual, which explains how to access all of the menus and options.

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It would help if the "quick manual" I have actually explained something instead of listing all of the commands with no explanation.
It would also help if you wouldn't be so rude about it.

I think I just wasn't expecting to be thrown into the game with no direction. I managed to figure it out somewhat, with great help from a friend who taught me the ropes. I did find the manual on the playonline thing, which helped a little bit, but unless you are specifically looking for something it's not a huge help I think- and forget about the one that came with the CD, because it explains nothing, but sends me out to fight ogres before telling me to equip a weapon, etc.

Sorry, I know I come off as very n00bish and dumb, but I was just exasperated about the lack of explanation.. I do like this game now that I'm getting more used to it, I just felt like I had to rant somewhere :p


Edit: thank you everyone who so helpfully replied :) I do appreciate it

I wasn't being rude, I was being blunt. You said you had no idea, yet if you did look in the manual, it'll explain it clearly. Seriously, I picked this game up 3-4 years ago and had no troubles what-so-ever in figuring it all out with the help of the manual.

I think PlayOnline even have video tutorials now, that are even more helpful.

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Originally Posted by Omecle

I wasn't being rude, I was being blunt. You said you had no idea, yet if you did look in the manual, it'll explain it clearly. Seriously, I picked this game up 3-4 years ago and had no troubles what-so-ever in figuring it all out with the help of the manual.

I think PlayOnline even have video tutorials now, that are even more helpful.

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And which manual do you have that I don't? The one that came with my game that I bought recently has no information, no explanations, nothing but a list of commands, which if you didn't know how to play the game already, you wouldn't get what they are for, or when to use them. Good for you that you had an all-explaining manual to help you.
If there are video tutorials, then I guess I must have missed them, because there are no links that I can see. Doing a quick search on google, and I found some on other webpages, but I wouldn't have seen them earlier.
I don't want to argue with you, but feeling the need to increase your font size and bold it for dramatic effect is a little step past being blunt, hun. No need to be snarky.

So now Im wondering- what manuals -do- you guys have, because mine simply says "quick manual" on the front, with instructions for installation, a billing FAQ, and a quick chart of controls and commands, with no explanations. Is this the same one you guys are mentioning?

Anyways, I am getting the hang of the game now, hope to see some of you on it :choc2: The Summoner of Leviathan- now that I have gotten some of the things down and have put a few hours playing time in, it is getting much easier like you said :) I was just pretty much flustered over the dramatic difference (I guess I understand, having been designed for the PS2) of the controls and menus.

Don't worry about it man.

I played for like two years, and then switched to playing on a different laptop and for the life of me, I could not figure out how to move.

And this isn't that rare of a question. On occassion, I've seen random characters standing still in the middle of town asking out loud, how the heck they were supposed to move their character. It's all just part of that newbie experience.

This game has a pretty steep learning curve. There is a LOT of stuff that you won't know, will never know, unless someone with more experience tells you about it.

I only just recently learned why warp IIs were called D2. Random stuff like this, I'm still learning, even 2+ years into the game.

Don't be afraid to ask questions, it's how you learn. There are a lot of helpful people in this game. Try and get into a good linkshell with people who don't mind answering questions, and you'll be fine.

lolol i dont even have the game or have i ever played it or seen someone play it and i know how to move and all that good stuff.if anyone has something they want to find out my theory is research.if you only know the right places to look then youll find it in no time.i ahve the chains of promathia expansion pack though lolol.exploration is the key my friends,playonline helps a bunch.

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Originally Posted by Miriel

Don't worry about it man.

I played for like two years, and then switched to playing on a different laptop and for the life of me, I could not figure out how to move.

And this isn't that rare of a question. On occassion, I've seen random characters standing still in the middle of town asking out loud, how the heck they were supposed to move their character. It's all just part of that newbie experience.

This game has a pretty steep learning curve. There is a LOT of stuff that you won't know, will never know, unless someone with more experience tells you about it.

I only just recently learned why warp IIs were called D2. Random stuff like this, I'm still learning, even 2+ years into the game.

Don't be afraid to ask questions, it's how you learn. There are a lot of helpful people in this game. Try and get into a good linkshell with people who don't mind answering questions, and you'll be fine.

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Why is it called D2, ive been playing 3 years and I dont know that...

Dezone 2, which is the name in Japanese. Warp sounds better.

I was unable to move when I first got the game to, but I was using a laptop without a numpad :P
Lol the noob days...

Thanks again to everyone, I appreciate the support being a n00b :p
I just messed with the registry to up the graphics since they were giving me a headache, and sweet holy giraffe everything looks so much better! :love:

For people with laptops (like me) Buy one of these:

Amazon.com: Toshiba PA1390U-1NKP Slim USB Numeric Keypad with 2-Port USB Hub: Electronics

They usually have them at any major department store and it saves alot of frusteration. -_-;

On my laptop, I dragged the mouse to the edge of the screen where I wanted to go with the mouse and keep it held down a move as necessary.

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Originally Posted by UltimateSpamGrover

For people with laptops (like me) Buy one of these:

Amazon.com: Toshiba PA1390U-1NKP Slim USB Numeric Keypad with 2-Port USB Hub: Electronics

They usually have them at any major department store and it saves alot of frusteration. -_-;

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I actually find the compact keyboard layout quite comfortable, once I got used to it.

Or you can buy a laptop like HP, Sager, or Toshiba and get a numpad with the laptop. I got a Sager >>; even let me choose WinXP instead of Vista.

Yeah, unfortunately I started off playing FFXI on a desktop computer and was so used to the non-compact setup that when I got my laptop I needed that keypad.

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Originally Posted by Miriel

Don't worry about it man.

I played for like two years, and then switched to playing on a different laptop and for the life of me, I could not figure out how to move.

And this isn't that rare of a question. On occassion, I've seen random characters standing still in the middle of town asking out loud, how the heck they were supposed to move their character. It's all just part of that newbie experience.

This game has a pretty steep learning curve. There is a LOT of stuff that you won't know, will never know, unless someone with more experience tells you about it.

I only just recently learned why warp IIs were called D2. Random stuff like this, I'm still learning, even 2+ years into the game.

Don't be afraid to ask questions, it's how you learn. There are a lot of helpful people in this game. Try and get into a good linkshell with people who don't mind answering questions, and you'll be fine.

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oh my gosh. I thought D2 was some sinister end-game place x333

to change the graphic settings. there should be a little program in your Start Menu n_n

I play on my laptop using my wired Xbox 360 controller and it couldn't be easier. I am primarily a console gamer but felt bad for my flatmates for all the time I hogged the TV playing FFXI :D

The only issue with the Xbox controller (this was added in a recent driver update I believe) is that if you accidentally hit the middle button you lose full screen mode...irritating if you are in a pt.