Welcome to our brand new semi-regular feature Voice Box, where we'll be showcasing your thoughts, opinions and stories here on the blog. In this first edition we'll be hearing the fondest memories and unforgettable experiences of two FINAL FANTASY XIV players as the game enters its chrysalis, awaiting rebirth. Our first entry comes from Michael Fisher who tells us his tale of friends, family and Christmas.

Michael Fisher (aka Drazzan Tsukiko)

"Final Fantasy XIV's release date was announced and the three of us were incredibly excited to start a brand new journey across a brand new world. We looked back fondly on our previous four years of Final Fantasy XI, the game which we met on, and ultimately what lead to our unbreakable friendship; both in and outside the game. A problem arose for one of our friends, he couldn't play due to his PC specifications and so we would have to wait until Christmas when he could obtain a new PC. 

Months rolled by and the Miqo'te and I rarely played, I picked up the profession of Mining, and she donned the hammer of Armorer. Things just weren't the same without our Lalafell friend. But then on Christmas Day, around 8pm, I received a phone call "I'm ready to play" he exclaimed. I hastily contacted the Miqo'te and we rushed online. We're pretty sure our families understood the situation, this was just as important to us as Christmas, we were our own small family. 

Meeting in Ul'dah we greeted fondly, then swiftly moved to Camp Blackbrush to begin levelling. The time flew by, as did the levels and soon it was time to move to Drybone. A small run there, we decided to rest and I proposed "Screenshot?" they of course answered "Yes" and so that's where this picture comes from."

"Our Beginning in Eorzea" - 25th December 2010 21:52PM

Our second short story comes from Michael Shillingford, whose first near-death experience with Atomos left a lasting impression that he'll never forget.

Michael Shillingford 

"I'll never ever forget the first time I unwittingly stumbled into Atomos. There was I, thinking that the floating spiky ball with gaping maw and evil looking friends would be totally cool with me poking it. The picture tells the rest of the story... 

Click to zoom

Note especially "The deepvoid slave's Firespit hits you from the rear for 2095 points of damage". Yep, I was running away like a big wuss. Pro-tip: Never, ever go near orange Aetherite without a FRIKKING ARMY."

Join us again soon for Part 2 of our FINAL FANTASY XIV Voice Box where Nathan Williams and Jessica (aka Andra Nafare) recount the final hours.