In addition to the basic 1,280 yen per month fee (approximately $10.00/month US) required to play one Final Fantasy XI online character, players can purchase additional characters. Each costs an extra 100 yen per month ($0.78 US).

Final Fantasy XI is fast approaching its May 16 release in Japan. The usual hype has been building in recent months, with news and promotional videos trickling out at a steady pace, but it remains to be seen if Square's ambitious online title garners the same rabid following as its predecessors.