UI Redesign / New Engine

The subject of a UI redesign was not only brought up - it was actually worked on!

And then discarded.

2016

During the 2016 Reddit AMA, a player asked Akihiko Matsui and Yujo Fujito about the long-awaited user interface.

Q: What is the status of the new user interface that was being developed before? Is it still being developed now that PC is the only platform for FFXI?

A: In order to reduce the time between version updates for Rhapsodies of Vana’diel we stopped the development of this user interface. Mainly this was because updating certain portions of the new client program would not make it in time. 

During the same event, another player brought up the subject of improving the game's graphics now that console support was dumped.

Q: Is it possible for any graphical or performance improvements in the future for FFXI now that PC is the only platform?

A: Unfortunately, this is not possible at the moment. Our current plan is to devote our development resources to in-game systems and balance adjustments.