Now that the December update has come and gone, several questions have been popping up in regards to what the future holds for Vana'diel. To quell some of these quandries, the Final Fantasy XI development team has taken some time out to answer questions posed by the community. Ranging from changes to the Aht Urhgan final mission to congestion in Port Jeuno, there's undoubtedly something here that will appeal to everyone!

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From Playonline.com:

The FINAL FANTASY XI community is ever abuzz with discussion on in-game content. The development and operations teams would like to take this opportunity to address some of our fans' most pressing questions and concerns.

*FINAL FANTASY XI will see more frequent version updates in the future, with the introduction of small-scale patches to complement the major releases seen thus far. The first of these is scheduled to take place in mid-February, with further details to be made known via Topics in the coming weeks.

Q: Are there plans to lift level restrictions placed upon battlefields for nation of allegiance missions?

A: Yes. To begin with, we are planning to lift level restrictions currently in place for the battlefields listed below, the implementation of which is expected to take place ahead of the next major version update.
- San d'Oria: Journey Abroad / The Ruins of Fei'Yin
- Bastok: The Emissary / Darkness Rising
- Windurst: The Three Kingdoms / The Final Seal
The lifting of level restrictions is also being considered for certain other quests in the future.

Q: Very few items are being auctioned at each of the three nations, making it difficult to acquire what I need.

A: An auction house merger is in the pipes for the next major version update, which will make it possible for players to bid for and sell a particular item at all auction houses. As this change may profoundly impact the in-game economy and flow of items and gil, due consideration will be given to all aspects of the merger leading up to its implementation.

Q: Will the item awarded for completing the Treasures of Aht Urhgan missions be made reobtainable in the future?

A: Yes. Players will be given the option of reobtaining the reward item ahead of the next major version update.

Q: I'd like to undertake Fields of Valor training regimes more often than once per Vana'diel day.

A: We are moving to abolish the per-day training limit imposed upon Fields of Valor, and expect to be able to deliver this change ahead of the next major version update. The gil and tab reward allocated for the completion of each regime, however, will be issued no more than once per day.

Q: The area surrounding the Port Jeuno NPCs Joachim and Horst is constantly overcrowded. Are there any plans to alleviate this congestion?

A: In the next major version update, we intend to make the popular services offered by these two NPCs available across the three nations and places beyond. In so doing, we hope to resolve the issue of overcrowding in Port Jeuno.

Q: Atma infusion and traverser stone issuance are really bothersome procedures. Can't anything be done to simplify things?

A: For the next major version update, we are considering ways to streamline the atma infusion process, such as introducing a feature whereby players can edit and save their favored atma combinations for later use. With regards to traverser stones, we intend to make them available for collection in bulk. This adjustment we expect to be able to implement ahead of the next major version update.

Q: The WHM job trait Divine Benison sometimes fails to activate for characters equipped with certain combinations of gear. Will this issue be rectified in the near future?

A: Following testing, it has been determined that the above issue occurs for players simultaneously equipped with a Magian trial-enhanced Lv.90 Yagrush and either Orison Pantaloons +1 or Orison Pantaloons +2. This problem will be rectified in the next major version update.

Q: I can't seem to obtain the Shadow Sachet item...

A: Following testing, it has been determined that the Shadow Sachet was not being dropped by certain enemies as intended. This problem will be rectified in the next major version update.

Q: Of all the items used to enhance Empyrean Armor pieces, the Card of Wieldance alone seems rather elusive to obtain. Are there any plans to increase its drop rate?

A: Following testing, it has been determined that the drop rate for the Card of Wieldance is lower than intended. Alongside other cards in the series, this item will be made into a guaranteed drop come the next major version update.