TheWhiteMage.com

Accounts Banned (03/22/2007)
Over 7,900 accounts in violation of the FINAL FANTASY XI user agreement were suspended or banned today. These accounts belonged to users that engaged in RMT activities or made use of third-party tools or “cheats”.

Based on the results of our investigation, over 6,800 PlayOnline accounts were terminated while over 1,100 accounts were temporarily suspended.
Details of the violations are as follows:

– Usage of tools that allow enhanced character movement.
Approx. 1,050 cases

– Usage of tools that circumvent game mechanics with respect to the timing of ability use, etc. in certain areas or at points where Notorious Monsters appear.
Approx. 500 cases

– Using cheats to automatically repeat a particular action.
Approx. 2,650 cases
* The above number reflects the total number of accounts banned within the period of a month. This does not include individual cases handled by GMs.

– Accounts from people that were previously confirmed to have RMT connections, or that had violated the user agreements but re-subscribed to PlayOnline.
Approx. 2,500 cases

– RMT-related activity
Approx. 1,200 cases

Source Playonline.com:
http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/polnews/news10030.shtml

This is good as recently I was victim of one of these cheats that made me almost cancel my account! I had claimed a Dragon and started fighting it, WHM/NIN Yay. I had it to 90%ish hp and all the sudden the dragon was no longer in front of me but behind me and now claimed by 2 RMT’s…. WTF? (So to all I was Rude to on Wednesday my apologies, I was very angry)

Support for Microsoft® Windows Vista™ (03/22/2007)

We’ve posted important information regarding support for PlayOnline and FINAL FANTASY XI on Windows Vistaâ„¢.

Read Full info:
http://www.playonline.com/homeus/headline/news01.html

FFXIclopedia Becomes a Premier Site! (03/14/2007)

We are pleased to announce that FFXIclopedia has joined the list of
FINAL FANTASY XI Premier Sites. FFXIclopedia is an enormous resource of
information for all levels of players and continues to grow daily.
Players will benefit greatly from the comprehensive guides that are
being created on a regular basis, its bustling forum, and in-depth look
at all aspects of FINAL FANTASY XI.

Check them out, Great Info:
http://www.ffxiclopedia.org/

The FINAL FANTASY XI development team has been hard at work brewing up a batch of new content that is sure to make your mouth water! From new Aht Urhgan missions and monsters, as well as Besieged and battle adjustments, to the unlocking of a brand new Nyzul Isle Assault area, this update has a little something for everyone!

New Aht Urhgan missions have been added.

The following changes have been made to Besieged:

– Level 7 Besieged has now been released. Accordingly, the maximum value for enemy forces has increased to 170.

– New Notorious Monsters and Level 7 units comprised of new creatures will now appear during Besieged.

– The variety of temporary items distributed at the beginning of every Besieged has been expanded. The availability of these items will depend on which NPCs have been taken captive and the overall condition of the Imperial defense.

– The Serpent Generals have each received unique new combat abilities to use during Besieged.

The following changes have been made to the Chocobo Hot and Cold Game:

– There are now new chocograph areas available in which to play the Chocobo Hot and Cold Game.
*To obtain the new chocographs, players must first succeed a number of times in discovering treasure in the existing areas.
*Players will find the number of times they can dig in the new chocograph areas will be less than existing areas.

– When digging with a tired chocobo in a location where treasure is buried, there is a chance that you will “hit the jackpot.” If this happens, it will be possible to discover the treasure chest in your next digging attempt.
*After “hitting the jackpot,” the subsequent digging attempt does not count towards the maximum number allowed.

– Items obtainable in the prairie chocograph and bush chocograph areas have been adjusted.

– Your chocobo’s general digging ability will now be improved when successfully discovering treasure.
*The amount the ability improves varies with the chocograph area.
*The exact value of the ability increase will not be displayed.

The new mercenary rank “Chief Sergeant” is now attainable.
Players with the rank of Chief Sergeant will have access to new items in exchange for Imperial Standing credits.

The following changes have been made to Assault:

– Five new Assault missions have been added for players with the rank of Chief Sergeant.

-The new Assault area “Nyzul Isle” has been released.
A reception counter for Nyzul Isle Assault missions has been opened within the Commissions Agency in Aht Urhgan Whitegate.

1. Sign up at the Commissions Agency as you would for a normal Assault mission, then enter the Assault area from the Nyzul Isle staging point.
*Players cannot impose a level restriction on Nyzul Isle Assault missions.
*Players do not earn Assault Points for missions completed within the Nyzul Isle Assault area.

2. The Nyzul Isle Assault area will be randomly generated as a series of “floors” every time you begin a mission. After entering the area, you will be required to use the Rune of Transfer to select a floor.

3. After being transported to the destination floor, your mission objective will be relayed to you through the Rune of Transfer.

4. After completing the mission objective for a particular floor, the Rune of Transfer will be activated. You will then have the choice to proceed to the next floor, or end the mission and exit the Assault area.
Your mission will be considered a success when you exit the Assault area in this manner. At this point, you will be able to record the number of “tokens” (the equivalent of Assault Points for Nyzul Isle) you are entitled to, as well as the highest floor you have reached.
*Only the person who operates the Rune of Transfer on the starting floor will receive the recorded floor data.
*All participants will obtain tokens from a successful mission.

Offical PlayOnline post:
http://www.playonline.com/pcd/update/ff11us/20070308c2bbd1/detail.html