In most MMORPGs, no one wants to become a jack of all trades, master of none. But in Final Fantasy XIV it is a viable option under the Armoury system, which allows each character to switch from an axe-swinging gladiator to a bass-frying culinarian with a simple switch of the main weapon hand.

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The first section of the fabled Walk of Echoes area–previously just seen through cut-scenes in the Wings of the Goddess expansion–will finally be accessible to Final Fantasy XI players in next week’s June version update. According to Square Enix, this new content will bring “thrilling new battlefields tailored…to seasoned veterans” and players will have to clear progression, cage-style fights.

Set in a lost and timeless realm, Walk of Echoes is teeming with monsters who stand guard against intruders. Heroes must engage enemies in succession, but Square Enix has dropped the restriction for claiming battlefields, allowing other players to join the fray as long as the participant limit isn’t breached.

Cooperation may not be a bad idea, considering the rewards at stake, which include synthesis materials for all-new level 76 and above equipment. As you may know, the version update will lift the level cap to 80 and is the first of several adjustments to expand character progression to level 99.

While all participants have a random chance to win dropped loot, vanquishing foes within the time limit and contributing more to the group effort will yield better bounty. But newbies, hold your chocobos! Only level 70 or above characters can participate in the Walk of Echoes battlefields and should have completed up to the “Cait Sith” mission in Wings of the Goddess. So earn your marks first and leave this creepy dungeon to the veterans.

To mark its 8th year anniversary as an MMO game, Final Fantasy XI is hosting  another Mog Bonanza where adventurers can scoop up free Gil and prizes in a lottery-style draw.

Square Enix said the contest is slated to run from May 16 to June 7, and also released helpful reminders for new players:

The Mog Bonanza is a number-guessing game in which you pick a five-digit number of your choice, kupo. Playing is simple! Purchase a Mog Bonanza marble from a Bonanza Moogle at designated areas, then have the vendor inscribe your desired five-digit number on it, kupo. If you can’t decide on a number, we moogles will be more than happy to pick one for you. The winning numbers will be announced at a later date, so sit tight and leave the rest to Lady Luck, kupo!

Up to 10 Mog Bonanza marbles can be purchased per character. You can have the same number inscribed on multiple marbles. This will mean bigger earnings should you have a winning number.

Each marble costs 2,000 gil apiece and can be bought from Bonanza Moogles stationed at Port San d’Oria (I-9), Port Bastok (L-8), Port Windurst (F-6), or the Chocobo Circuit (H-8).

The winning numbers will be announced on June 24 via the log-in screen, or ask the Bonanza Moogles for help. Prize redemption also starts on the same day until July 8.

Square Enix has widened the loot collection for all Rank 1-3 winners by including Mog Bonanza coupons, which can be traded for relic items such as Ninurta’s Sash, Dorje and your choice of a Dynamis-Xarcabard armor.

If gear doesn’t tickle your fancy, then you have the option of swimming in Gil instead. Last year, there were 74 winners in Rank 1 that earned 85 million Gil each. Should you hit the sweet jackpot, try to be discreet about it unless you want to spend the better part of your newfound fortune on linkshell hand-outs.

It’s hard not to turn into a mushy fan boy when a new video from Final Fantasy XI maker Square Enix  pops up in YouTube.

Life in Eorzea, a two-and-a-half minute video which shows the first official footage of Final Fantasy XIV, shows off the stunning graphics engine of the MMO title which has so far been only captured in stills. The video has been uploaded to the official FFXIV channel—the first of many to come according to SE—and has racked up an estimated half a million views in less than a week.

The bright port-like areas showcased in sleek detail throughout the video belong to the marine city-state of Limsa Lominsa, one of the few strongholds in the Eorzean continent. Official lore tells us Limsa Lominsa is composed of hundreds of islands connected via ivory bridges, and the video captures the airy atmosphere expected of such a place.

Fan site Eorzepedia even provided an English video translation of a Square Enix staff and a couple of testers talking while exploring the ports and bridges in their respective avatars (a male Hyur, a female Lalafell and a Roegadyn). There’s even some cheeky commentary at the trade shops like one of the testers saying “Look, she’s crying, I bet she was dumped by her boyfriend” when an NPC was tearing up while cutting onions.

The Lalafell dancing and coordinated goodbyes at the end, though, were a bit cheesy so I hope future videos just end with zoom outs that capture a bird’s-eye view of the game world. Square Enix should also roll out menu screens and battle sequence vids soon, although a couple more exploration videos featuring those sexy Miqo’te could sate my appetite in the meantime.

Pic credit: Eorzepedia.com