Hi Everyone. I went to get something from the local pharmacy which is in the train station. We usually have a piano there that has not been used since this pandemic started. But yesterday someone was playing it. As I got closer I recognised what he was playing. It was Gustaberg. I waited for him to finish and just before he started his next song asked him if he played XI. He was about mid 40's. Turns out he played from PC release all the way to when they closed his server, Diabolos. He tried to come back a few times and as we were talking about regrets of playing too much he said "I only wish I was able to keep touch with the friends I had. That's what really made FFXI special to me"
We didnt have the social media reach that today's youth have. For many who stopped playing back in 2009-2012, friendships were lost forever.
He admitted to me that when I asked him which server, he was hoping I was also from diabolos. I saw the excitement in his eyes diminish a bit when I told him I wasn't and didn't know any people from there. But we still had a good long conversation, mostly around how long it took us to get a normal life back in place after quiting. We shared some war stories, mostly around MPK in valley of sorrows for Dalmaticas and Dragon Aery shenanigans. He played Rolanberry fields and after that we parted ways. (I went back home forgetting I went out to pharmacy to get something for my asthma /facepalm)
I've heard stories of people running into the rare XI ex-player in airports and at XIV conventions. Its something else when it happens to you, after all these years.
I told him about FFXIAH. he said he only ever used killingifrit. but to give a shout out to all the Element Rush, Poisoned and Mercury players of Diabolos and wish you well, if you're reading this.
Ex-FFXI players, where are you at? How is life treating you? some of you will be in your 50's, 40's and some in their mid 30's. I hope you have all been well. I hope you're surviving the pandemic well. I hope you took away some great memories from XI. Nothing will ever be come close to it. We were a special niche' generation that got to experience something special and magical.