Here at Fanbyte’s dedicated Final Fantasy XIV section, aka The Linkshell, we cover the critically acclaimed MMORPG as comprehensively as possible. News, featured stories, guides, and even a model viewer are all part of the mix. But our latest addition might be the biggest site feature yet: a full FFXIV item database.
As long-time FFXIV players ourselves, we’ve used various tools and resources to aid our adventures. We seek answers for where to find specific items, which vendors sell it, what quest they belong to, what the crafting recipes are, and so on. A resource we often use is the database on The Lodestone, the official FFXIV site. Now we have all that information on our own site. When you look at ours, you might see a lot of similarities, however. So, you’re probably asking yourself the fair question: well, what’s different about this item database?
For one, it lets us integrate item information into the coverage we do. We have plenty of guides on gear, event rewards, and how to get certain highly sought out items, and we’ll be continually updating the site with best-in-slot gear guides for each Job. We now have all the vital information compiled onto one site for ease of use and access for those who need or want it for reference. Stats, locations, vendors, and quests for items and gear can be found in the same site doing the coverage.
The second part is just as advantageous for us and users. We are able to customize individual item pages with useful text and images whenever we want. That might not sound like a big deal, but someone seeking a specific item will be able to get all the same data as you would on The Lodestone and with additional context and information. Our goal is to gradually fill out item pages to become guides themselves, so it becomes more than just a database.
Below are a few examples of what we’re doing with our item pages. When taking a look at the item page for Cordials, you’ll get all information from a traditional database, but our own custom entry about the best ways to get Cordials, including the currencies needed, locations, and requirements.
Another different example is in our Silver Ore item page entry. We have the location for the mineral deposit where you can mine the material, but also have screenshot of the map highlighting the specific area for quick and easy reference.
Those are just two the many cases we have, which will grow in due time. Again, the idea isn’t to just replicate what The Lodestone is doing without adding value. We want players who use our database and item pages to have all the relevant information they need in one spot including tips and context you wouldn’t get elsewhere.
We’re well aware that we’re not the first to do something like this. But over time with further iteration and improvements, we hope to have the most comprehensive and helpful FFXIV item database possible. As we always say, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. There are kinks to work out and tweaks that can be made, but we have to start somewhere. And the foundation we have already shows that potential.
Be sure to poke around and check out different items in our FFXIV item database, use the search and filter functionalities, and let us know what you think. Since we’re working to improve our item pages, feedback is always welcome.
