About FFXI Hub

The Beginning

Back in 2012, I created ffxiblu.com - a simple site focused solely on helping Blue Mages track and learn their spells. As a developer who started with ASP.NET and later transitioned to PHP, it was both a passion project and a way to combine my love for coding with my gaming interests.

I've always found it challenging to keep track of my progress in FFXI. I tried using spreadsheets and notes scattered across various files and papers, but they weren't practical. I needed one centralized place where I could organize everything - from spells learned to missions completed, from mounts collected to teleport points unlocked.

Why Create FFXI Hub?

After years of developing the Blue Mage tracking site, I had an idea: why not expand it to cover more aspects of the game? I know Final Fantasy XI is an aging MMO with a shrinking player base, but I've poured so many hours into this project over the years that it felt wasteful not to see it through to completion.

I thought to myself, "I've already started this years ago and invested countless hours into it - it would be a shame not to deploy it." So the idea for FFXI Hub was born - a comprehensive tracking tool that would solve the same problems for others that I created it to solve for myself.

Making it Public

I understand that FFXI is no longer new, and many veteran players have already achieved much of what there is to accomplish in the game. But I also know there are returning players, newcomers discovering the game for the first time, and dedicated players starting new characters or jobs.

While working on this tool for myself, I realized it wouldn't hurt to make it public. Even if it helps just a handful of players better organize their journey through Vana'diel, that makes all the work worthwhile.

I've spent innumerable late nights coding, debugging, and populating the database with accurate information. It's been a labor of love - something created by a player, for players.

The Present and Future

FFXI Hub is the evolution of that original Blue Mage tracking site. It now encompasses tracking for missions, Trust magic, mounts, teleport points, and more. I've designed it to support multiple characters and to be intuitive to use.

I maintain and update the site in my spare time, adding features and refining the experience whenever I can. There's always more that could be done, and I have a long list of improvements I'd like to implement in the future.

If you have suggestions or encounter any issues while using the site, please don't hesitate to reach out. This project has been a significant part of my development journey, and I'm always open to feedback that can make it better.