Vana’diel Comes to Hollywood – Final Fantasy Fan Fest 2008

While most American gamers have heard of
the E3, PAX, and (recently deceased) E for All shows, some might not be
aware of a convention dedicated to a single game. This Saturday,
December 6th, a congregation of rabid Final Final Fantasy XI fans assembled at the Hollywood, CA Renaissance Hotel to play and pay tribute to the popular MMO.

A
panel consisting of seven of the game’s producers and directors fielded
questions from an appreciative audience, while others played Moblin Maze Mongers– content specially created for the show. The festival concluded with a live concert featuring delightful renditions of Nobuo
Uematsu’s music. The mood of the show was festive and social; players were encouraged to mingle to obtain a compete set of five beautiful ‘tarut’ cards.

Cosplay
was light, with small numbers of Mithra, and almost no Galka or
Tarutaru; although we did see one baby in attendance. Undoubtedly, one
of our favorite parts of the show was the room dedicated to fan-created
art, from sculpture to paintings. Nearly all the craftsmanship
reflected a great love and appreciation for the game.


About Robert Allen

Since being a toddler, Robert Allen has been immersed in video games, anime, and tokusatsu. Currently, his days are spent teaching at two southern California colleges. But his evenings and weekends are filled with STGs, RPGs, and action titles and well at writing for Tech-Gaming since 2007.

38 comments

  1. What happened to my comment?

  2. Hubba Hubba, nice lookin’ girls there.

  3. Thanks for the pics, sounds like you had a good time.

  4. Nerd fest! Hahaha Im just jealous; I’m not into FF XI, but it sounds like fun.

  5. No pics here.

  6. Never heard of this festival. Thanks for the pictures.

  7. More girls in skimpy elf outfits needed. And whats the octopus looking guy in the last pic supposed to be?

  8. LOL, i just noted your hidden notes!

  9. Great pics, except for the last one.

  10. 10 measly pics?

  11. Second pic all the way to the right is a TS.

  12. Not so bad, there’s like 4 good looking girls, and 1 ugly one.

  13. You’re so lucky, DE!

  14. I got for 360, but haven’t played in a while.

  15. I think that’s supposed to be artistic 😉

  16. Hot chicks FTW!

  17. Skankiest Mithra I ever did see. and I like it!

  18. Why have I never heard of this? I would have loved to go!

  19. Great images from the show! I wish I could have went. Maybe next year.

  20. Ok, they work now.

  21. Maybe DE knows for sure 😉

  22. I just stopped playing FFXI a few months ago. I didn’t need to read this!

    Here coming the addiction, again.

  23. Do you play DE and TG?

  24. Needs more chocobo!

  25. When did they turn FF into an MMO?

  26. Ok, whose the cutest chick guys?

  27. I loved FFXI, glad to see it’s following continues to grow.

  28. 2002, where have you been 😉

  29. Hotties. MMM.

  30. Its on 360, PS2 and PC! You couldn’t escape it if you tried!

  31. Middle, second pic! I’m in love.

  32. Looks and sounds like a good time. I wish I went.

  33. Next year. maybe.

  34. Hey that’s my artwork. Top row, second from right! Yes!

  35. Daang this looks like it would of been loads of fun.

  36. Congrats, CloudIX! There was some quality artwork there!