Final Fantasy 11 Team Honors 91-Year-Old Player Who Explored Vana’diel for Nearly Two Decades: “Thank You for Your Journey”

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A 91-year-old woman from Japan, who dedicated nearly 20 years to playing Final Fantasy 11, has passed away, prompting heartfelt tributes from the game’s developers.

Her grandson shared the news on February 4, stating, “On Tuesday, February 3, my beloved grandmother passed away at the age of 91. Until her health declined, she was a veteran player of FF11 for nearly 20 years. She watched me play since the beta version. I bet she’s adventuring through the world of Vana’diel with Mimi (her dog) right now.”

That’s a remarkable commitment to any game, and his tweet resonated within the Final Fantasy 11 community, catching the attention of composer Kumi Tanioka, who offered a touching response: “Thank you for journeying through Vana’diel for nearly 20 years. I hope you are enjoying yourself in heaven. If you have been reborn in Vana’diel, I would love to know if you occasionally hear music carried on the wind. May you rest in peace.”

Game designer Kensuke Shimoda also expressed gratitude for her dedication. It’s not often you hear such sentiments about Final Fantasy 11, especially since Final Fantasy 14 has taken the spotlight as the series’ leading MMORPG.

Launched in 2002 on PlayStation 2, with a PC version released the same year and an Xbox 360 port in 2006, Final Fantasy 11 was a trailblazer for online gaming, being the first MMO to support cross-platform play between PS2 and PC. Console support ended in 2016, leaving it as a PC-exclusive title.

This has made it somewhat of an outlier, as it remains on a single platform and has a more retro feel in terms of mechanics. However, it still boasts a dedicated community, including this grandmother. Her grandson noted her love for the music, particularly the Gustaberg theme, and if you haven’t experienced the Final Fantasy 11 soundtrack, today is a perfect day to dive in.

For the first time in over a decade, there’s buzz from Square Enix about a brand-new zone for the original Final Fantasy 11.