August’s Player of the Month award goes to… Simplicity of the Ifrit server! Well done!

1) How did you discover FFXI and what made you decide to play?

I have always enjoyed the Final Fantasy series as a whole. So when I heard about an online Final Fantasy I couldn't wait to play, I was not disappointed in it at all! FFX & FFX-2 were probably the two games that re-affirmed my love for the series.

2) How long have you been playing FFXI?

Since 2004 with occasional breaks for school and now work.

3) What is your favourite job? It must be RDM, right?

RDM is my most played and pampered job but DRG and SMN are also tied for my favourite jobs. SMN because it was what I wanted to be most when I first saw a Carbuncle and DRG is my sexy job, as I look adorable in Relic!

4) The meaning of your name is clear, but is there a specific reason you chose it for your character?

Simplicity is both how I live my life and play my game. I keep things simple and never worry about the big things. It's only life after all.^^

5) Who is your favourite NPC and why?

Shantotto! Anything involving her is always a hoot! She gave me my Moldy Hat for BLM and we've been friends ever since (despite her experiments on me)!

6) How did you hear about Vana’diel Profiles and what was your initial reaction to the site?

Someone posted a link on Allakhazam where I troll for the LOL-out-louds. I clicked it and was so happy to find a relatively new site w/o all the shenanigans of Allakhazam and Blue Gartyr, the rest is history I guess.

7) You have the highest Karma at the moment. How does it feel to be the most thanked person in our community?

I see that and just think, “WOW”. I just post simple stuff that I give away for free in game daily, and it feels wonderful to receive the praise of my FFXI peers. Thanks guys n’ gals!

8) You’ve written some nice guides for the site. Can we expect to see many more from you in the future?

I have some New Player Guides in the works dealing with things that we advanced players often forget about. Sub Jobs, Chocobos, obtaining the Tele Crystals; that sort of thing.

9) I notice from your profile your main character is retired. Are you planning to level another character? If so, what are your in-game goals from now on?

Simplicity does end game now which cuts into goofing-off time so she's not truly retired. I've done almost all there is to do up to the WotG content and have all the jobs I care about to L75. So now I can concentrate on the next stage of the game.

My Main goal in FFXI is to obtain all the HNM titles I can. Gear is completely secondary too me. It's the thrill of fighting something new and developing strategies that aren't publicly available yet. End game is fun in its own way: new challenges; figuring out strategies that aren't posted everywhere, etc. but I need some “Me” time every so often.

I also have a Taru and a Mithra for “noobing” it up around Vana’diel.

10) Is there anything else you would like to say?

Play the game, don't let it play you; take your time and enjoy all that it has to offer and don't go rushing off to L75 and become elite. I did this at first and found that I regretted it.

I was asked to help with some ZNMs once, since I had completed it. I should have been able to guide them through it only to realise that I had done it in a day spamming through cutscenes and had no clue where to start without using a guide. Now I don't care how much whining the group does I read all my cutscenes and find that I enjoy my accomplishments more.

Simply put, the game has been around for a few years with many more to come so no need to rush through it. The NPCs and gear aren't going to go anywhere until you're ready for them.

Lastly, to the Admins: I'm overwhelmed that you all chose such a new member as myself for this honour I am truly humbled.

Thank you so much.