Has anyone here tried using an online game like Final Fantasy 11 to learn Japanese? I'm studying solely RTK1 currently and I'm having trouble imagining myself keeping a strong interest and drive in studying the Japanese language without inspiration (I'm not living in Japan, so the instantaneous usability of the language and influx of JP culture isn't here). Khatzumoto on AJATT suggests creating an immersion environment with Japanese books and movies and the like, but I can't see that as being very interesting and it lacks social interactivity.

So, does anyone have any experience using FFXI as an immersion tool?

For those unfamiliar with FFXI, it's potentially useful as a Japanese language tool because it has servers with both English and Japanese speakers.

Absolutely - go for it. I use video games to "study" all the time. Just keep your chin up when you don`t understand it right away. Like you`re avatars levels, It will come with experience!

I'm with blackstockc - do it! Anything that forces you to use the language is a good thing. Of course, you'll learn plenty of slang and such - which in my opinion, isn't a bad thing. Also, you'll have the luxury of being able to ask people to rephrase things so that you'll understand them - something that isn't really possible in a book or movie!

I'd try a similar approach (I will play Japanese videogames sometimes), but I'm deathly afraid of any flavor of MMORPG. On the other hand, mixi seems like a decent balance.