As many live-service games and MMORPGs face challenges in building robust player communities, Final Fantasy XI, celebrating its 24th anniversary this year, finds itself experiencing the exact opposite. Following a notable increase in new players that began in mid-2025, another server will soon be inaccessible to new sign-ups.

According to a recent post from Square Enix, the Odin server will cease to accept new players starting March 10, 2026. This update also affects the Character World Transfer service, which facilitates moving existing characters to different servers. This development highlights the unexpected resurgence of the aging MMORPG, even as Final Fantasy XIV remains the more modern and glamorous MMO for fans of the franchise.

Last year, producer/director Yoji Fujito announced the closure of the Asura server due to overcrowding issues, a situation that was later echoed with the Bahamut server. The decision to restrict access to Odin marks the third server in less than a year to implement such measures to manage player volumes, which is quite an enviable “problem” to navigate.

Current online activity data indicates that the Odin server boasts over 13,000 concurrent players, Asura has surpassed 11,000, and Bahamut regularly sees more than 9,000 players online. Other servers, such as Phoenix, Fenrir, and Ragnarok, maintain active but more stable player counts. Overall, it is clear that Final Fantasy XI is thriving against all odds.

In contrast, reactions to Final Fantasy XIV have been somewhat mixed following the release of its Dawntrail expansion in the summer of 2024. While the game remains immensely popular, some long-time players, particularly those seeking new challenges, might be inclined to explore alternatives. Revisiting a beloved MMORPG from the same franchise that they may have missed could be an appealing option.