Gamefront has reported that certain PlayStation 2 models are incompatible with Final Fantasy XI. Final Fantasy XI has already had massive problems during its Japanese launch so this isnt what they had hoped for. The game refuses to play on certain PS2 models. Instead of booting, the system simply prints an error message and quits loading. If you're having this problem you should notify Sony. It has not been said if this is to rectify the problem (by replacing the system in question) or simply help research it.

This announcement of the incompatible PS2 systems is the latest in a long line of problems. The PS2 hard drive has been notoriously hard to come by, requiring consumers to purchase them through select ISPs instead of offering them in stores.

Most ISPs offered the hard drive only in bundles that included internet service, effectively leaving out those gamers who already had DSL or Cable. In addition, hard drives may take up to seven weeks to arrive once ordered, making the wait even longer.

Gamers that do try to find the hard drive separately are forced to contact multiple ISPs until they find one that has the unit in stock and is willing to sell it separately.

Square also took down the PlayOnline servers recently over this past weekend for bug fixes and upgrades. This patch will be tweaking numerous abilities and adding a myriad of small features. The new version of the game was required to log on once the patch was issued.

Final Fantasy XI is due out in North America in 2003, which hopefully will be enough time to fully debug the game. Still no release date for Europe.