Hello FF-XI.net OnlineWelten Community members! This is Snakeeye. I’m in charge of the development of both Chocobo Raising and Chocobo Racing.
Thank you for all the many opinions and suggestions you sent in.

I’m really happy that we received so many contributions these last two weeks.
Between my other development tasks, I’ve been looking at all the unique and interesting ideas being debated in North America, Europe, and Japan.

I want to keep reading your conversations and debates, but then I’d never be able to get started on development. 
At this point, I feel like most of the issues have been discussed to some extent. Now, in order to encourage more in-depth ideas and discussion, I’d like to talk about Chocobo Racing in two separate sections:

(1)An outline of the plan discussed within the development team based on the opinions and requests collected
(2)Impressions and answers for your opinions and questions

So starting with the plan outline, please keep in mind while reading the following that this is just part of the direction we’re starting to head at this point, that the names and functions are temporary, and that these may not be released all at once depending on when they are added to Chocobo Racing.

・In general, racing will be controlled automatically. Depending on the kind of strategies and customization before the race, the outcome of the race will change.
・It will be possible to increase chocobos’ ability by using equipment or items on them before the race.
・To some extent, riders will be able to freely plan their tactics.
・A chocobo’s ability, personality, favorite weather, etc. will have an influence on the race.
・******* “public Public matches” will be implemented with a ranking system.
・“Private races” will be implemented which can be enjoyed individually or as a party.
・In “Private Races,” “Chocobo Points” can be earned.
・Earning points will raise your grade and allow you to appear in “Public Matches.”
・Ranking will be based on the results of “Public Matches.”
・There may also be special crown races with famous NPCs.

Next are some of our impressions and answers to your opinions and questions.
Between the different regions, some of the issues were the same and some were different, so it would be a huge volumedifficult to list them all here. ThereforeUnfortunately, it’s difficult hard to answer every question, therefore we’ve sorted them into major categories in order to answer as much as possible.
I’m also planning to answer questions not listed here in the near future, so please be patient until then.

■How and Where Chocobo Racing Takes Place

Q: Please make Chocobo Racing available to not only high level players but also low level players.
A: It’ll be　like Chocobo Raising. We’ll make chocobo races available to every player no matter what their level.

Q: Does it take place at certain times like Ballista? Can we have a chocobo race anytime we want?
A: It’ll depend on the rules of the race; however we are planning to make Chocobo Racing enjoyable both ways.

Q: How many players and chocobos are able to participate in the a race?
A: Because ofDue to performance and processing reasons, we won’t be able to put lots of players and chocobos in each race. In real life horse races, we see 16 horses run in the same race, but it’s not going to be like that.

Q: It might be interesting if the race continues after a player has registered their chocobo even if the player logs out.
A: I think it’s a good idea but it might be difficult to implement.

Q: I don’t want Chocobo Racing to be like Besieged. It’s difficult to participate sometimes because of congestion. It might be great if we have to buy entry rights or establish some type of requirements so no one will be able to enter chocobo races with the same chocobo over and over.
A: We will continue to investigate congestion issues and ways to prevent them. For counter measures, we might implement minor limitations.

Q:　Where is the chocobo circuit located? Is the “Treasures of Aht Urhgan” expansion pack needed?
A: We are still unable to reveal the location of the circuit. “Treasures of Aht Urhgan” expansion will be required to access to some exclusive circuits.

Q: I am sure that users are looking forward to have functions features such as free rules settings, private races and the ableability to sponsor a race.
A: It would be difficult in the beginning, but we will try our best to make it happen.

■ ■ Regarding chocobo Chocobo racingRacing

Since chocobos are not controllable by players during a race, is it possible to have simple commands to, for instance, accelerate our own chocobo during a races?
AWe understand the fun desire of for player-controlled chocobos during a race. However due to time lagdifferences in network speed, counterfeit of transmission datause of third party tools and many other network issues which will would spoil the fun of a race, it would be difficult to havefor players to hold have control of their chocobo during a race.

How about allowing card battle styled chocobo controls during a race?
RAAlthough card battle is far apartvery different from the game’s mechanismmechanics, it may be a good idea.
 
I want Team team battles!!!
RA : This idea is pretty interesting

Please also consider keep in mind about the players who have slower network connections too so that there will notwon’t be any disadvantages to them. 
RA : Of courseBien entendu., we have been considering this.
 
Will there be races that only veterans or chocobos under a certain age could can participate in?
RAUnfortunately no, as you may not be ableare unable to to  view a chocobo’s age.
 
It will bring more heatmake the race more exciting to a race if there are factors such as disqualifydisqualification, retire etc. to be implemented.
 RAIt may be difficult but we will think about it.
 
What do you think of survival races with where monsters chasing chase the chocobos to the goal?
RAThis may be possible as one of the rules sets. Expect it in the future!
 
I hope there will be various types of race courses and rules.
A
The basic rules will be “Race between a certain distance.” We have not yet decided what other rules sets to implement at this moment.

■ ■ Regarding chocobo’s Chocobo statusStats

Will different chocobo breeds have their own specified specific abilities?
AIt would be a good idea to be able to visualize these specified specific abilities at a certain level.

I want would like to see status such as health condition, weight, and the parameter of tirednessdegree of fatigue etc. for my chocobo.
AIt is a good idea to have tirednessfatigue to be reflected when a chocobo has been racing without rest.

I wish hope there will is be chocobo longevity, succession or genealogy etc in cChocobo raisingRaising.
APlease do not worry about thisDon’t worry!. We have implemented similar factors into chocobo Chocobo raisingRaising.
 
What do you think of the idea where a chocobo could learn abilities such as “ConcentrateFocus” or “Self control” and which could be freely set as usable skills?
ASetting an ability similar to a Blue Mage setting a spell, right? Players freely setting abilities on a Chocobo chocobo learned abilities might result in the player “itemizing” a chocobotreating the chocobo like an item. However abilities that would affect a race will is be a great idea and we would love to give that a try.

Well it seems this page has gotten much longer than we originally intended!
I hope that you can give us your opinion on the current state of affairs after reading
the material mentioned above. We continue to look forward to hearing from all of you!