From Playonline.com:

Ladies and gentlemen! At long last, the winning entries for the Shantotto Fan Art Contest have been decided! The staggering amount of entries and the love that evidently went into each are a testament to the good doctor's enduring popularity, and this made the task of selecting winners that much more difficult for the judges. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who took the time to join in this celebration of one of Vana'diel's most distinguished citizens.

Which of the entries have been deemed to best capture the indomitable spirit that is Doctor Shantotto? Proceed here to find out!

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In today's Happy Friday comic, Dragoon gets a new skill, but it looks like they forgot to implement the whole patch.

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From Playonline.com:

Today, we are proud to announce the launch of the new wedding support service, packed with features sure to delight adventurers across Vana'diel looking to exchange eternal vows with their beloved!

Responding to player demands for greater customization, the new service will grant brides and grooms freedom in choosing location, timing, dialogue, and more for their ceremony, allowing them to create a truly memorable event all their own. Information on all the features, including in-game item vendors and wedding certificates, can be found on the new wedding support site, so head on over and get started planning the wedding of your dreams!

The new wedding support site can be found here.

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It’s been too long since I last saved the world.

As a die-hard fan of the Final Fantasy series, life just feels empty when I’m not locked in an epic struggle between the forces of good and evil.

Don’t get me wrong -- I enjoy the therapeutic soloing on Buburimu Peninsula as much as the next guy. It’s just that I feel more in my element when I’m hurtling toward a lunar foe in the Big Whale, battling my father in depths of Sin or chasing a genetic freak with a ridiculously oversized sword.

About a year and a half ago, my closest linkshell mates and I prevented Ragnarok by the slimmest of slim margins. Since then, the only time I’ve saved the world was in A Crystalline Prophecy -- but that wasn’t epic enough to count.

Final Fantasy XI started feeling less and less like Final Fantasy. Most of my friends from my social linkshell left, and then my dynamis linkshell disbanded as well. Square Enix released A Moogle Kupo d’Etat, but, as was the case with ACP, I just couldn’t convince myself that Vana’diel really needed my help.

Lately, though, I’ve got that feeling in my bones. There’s electricity in the air. Something wicked this way comes. And this time, it really is up to me to stop it. Put an end to the wickedness.

I’m talking about Wings of the Goddess.

At the premire viewing of A Shantotto Ascension, Lilisette gets all the attention while Prishe and whatsherface are all but forgoten in today's Happy Friday. What was her name again? Tiger, Cougar? It was some kind of large cat. Gosh it's on the tip of my tounge!

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The Final Fantasy XI Ultimate Collection is now available through Steam, an online gaming community and game distribution site. Steam is known for distributing popular titles such as the Half-Life series and Left 4 Dead, as well as several MMORPGs such as Aion and Champions Online.

Steam could put Final Fantasy XI in front of thousands of new potential players. The service touts a huge user base, handling more than 1.8 million connections during peak two-day periods. People who are registered with Steam can purchase many of their favorite games online and download them straight to their computers for immediate gameplay. Steam also offers a friend list interface and instant messaging options.

The Final Fantasy XI Ultimate Edition, which is scheduled for release Thursday, includes the Rise of the Zilart, Chains of Promathia, Treasures of Aht Urhgan and Wings of the Goddess expansions. It also includes the three add-on scenarios A Crystalline Prophecy - Ode of Life Bestowing, Moogle Kupo d’Etat - Evil in Small Doses and A Shantotto Ascension - The Legend Torn, Her Empire Born.

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After many months of anticipation, the November version update has finally arrived. Featuring new Wings of the Goddess nation missions, job changes, and a slew of additional new content for events such as Moblin Maze Mongers and Chocobo Circuit, this update is sure to give everyone something to be thrilled about. Furthermore, for those wishing to engage in an epic story featuring Vana'diel's most potent Tarutaru Black Mage, the third add-on scenario, "A Shantotto Ascension" will now be open for players!

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For those fishing and chocobo racing enthusiasts hoping that this month's version update would give them something to be excited about, Square Enix has announced upcoming changes to the Chocobo Circuit and the quest "Inside the Belly". From increased chocobucks for rewards to being able to land new equipment through some of the assorted new fish that you'll be able to exchange, this update will allow those adventurers who don't seek fortune through the use of sword and spell to still reward themselves for their time and effort!

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When the Square Enix devs said that they hope their players will play both Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV, I don't think this is what they had in mind. That poor poor tank...

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In conjunction with the recently announced Evolith system, Square Enix has announced a new synthesis-based system, known as the Synergy system. Designed to, but not limited to, being the focal point behind the Evolith system, Synergy will allow whole parties to come together for the sake of creating a new equipment piece. Expect this unique system to be arriving in Vana'diel as early as late November.

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