From PlayOnline.com:

We're proud to introduce brand new FINAL FANTASY XI merchandise that is set to make its debut at Fan Festival 2008! A stylish card case and two meticulously crafted mascot key rings will be available at the merchandise area of the show. The new goods will be available at the Square Enix Official Online Merchandise Store soon after Fan Festival 2008.

Under trees resplendent in autumn hues, the streets of the three nations were abuzz with anticipation. Townspeople bustled to and fro, carving pumpkins and sewing costumes for the masquerade. The annual Harvest Festival was nigh.

And yet, amidst all the merriment, something was amiss. Anyone who turned an ear to the whispers of the crowd would soon hear the disquieting rumor that had struck fear into the hearts of commoner and noble alike.
"Pyracmon is coming...coming to bring doom to us all!"

On an isle far to the west, two young exorcists who had caught wind of these ill tidings descended to the vault of their church, hoping to uncover the story behind this unfamiliar moniker...

Adventurers with the courage to face the sinister tale are invited to read on.

* The ghoulishly fun Harvest Festival event will creep into town on Friday, October 17th at 1:00 (PDT), and skulk back into the shadows on Saturday, November 1st at 1:00.

UPDATE: Fan Fest 2008 is officially SOLD OUT!

Ready to attend this year's Fan Fest in Hollywood, California?

Registration for the event has now officially opened! Get your tickets now as you don't know how fast they'll sell out! Visit http://www.ffxifestival.com for more details.

FFXI players in Europe will now be able to download the software for FFXI and its expansions!

London (3rd October 2008) - Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of Square Enix® interactive entertainment products in Europe and other PAL territories, today announces that FINAL FANTASY® XI 2008 Edition is now available to purchase via digital distribution services.

From today, PC owners can download FINAL FANTASY XI 2008 Edition throughout Europe via digital distribution services such as Metaboli and their partners including Virgin Media. Priced at £29.99 in the UK and €39.99 throughout Europe, the digital version of FINAL FANTASY XI 2008 Edition contains all the same exciting content and features as the original retail version.

No word on when downloads will be available for other areas, but read on for the rest of the announcement!

From Playonline.com

Confounded chigoes! Blasted buffalo!
Dagnabbit! Get back here, or I'll turn yer worthless hide into a leather jerkin!
Hey, you over there! I'm talkin' to you, pardner! Ever wrangled a wild buffalo before?

What sort of calamity has befallen the hapless moogles of the Mog House Management Union (MHMU) this time? Read on for the full scoop!

* Blazing Buffaloes will blitz into town at 01:00 on Friday, September 26 (PDT) and ride off into the sunset at 01:00 on Monday, October 6.