Got some new tidbits regarding the upcoming Materia system implementation to share with you straight from the dev. team!
By using the armor and weapons that you equip yourself with, you
will generate "attachment points"* and when your attachment points reach
100% you will be able to convert that weapon or armor into "materia."
This is known as "materia conversion." "Materia" is a crystallized form
of the weapon and armor’s stats that the player has used and formed an
attachment to.
During the materia conversion process, there will be fluctuations that
result in NQ stat materia, as well as HQ stat materia, even when using
the same type of item. However, even the NQ stat material will have
beneficial stats.
Also, you will be able to purchase and trade materia freely.
Crafters will be able to utilize the catalysts that gatherers obtain and
attach a single materia to an item (there is no chance of failure). The
materia you will be able to attach will depend on the type of weapon
and the type of stat that matches the equipment slot. There are a
variety of different combinations of materia that can be attached to
each equipment slot’s item, so each player will need to decide what they
want to pursue.
In addition to this, you will also be able to remove materia from items
that have had materia attached to them. However, upon removal you will
lose the materia, so you should probably only remove it when you
definitely have a better upgrade to replace it with.
Finally, rumors tell of a forbidden technique with a high risk of
failure to attach another materia to an item that already has a materia
attached to it…
We're looking forward to hearing feedback on this!
*Rep note: Similar to "affection" not "attaching" something.(Please note that some terms may not be final and may be subject to change in the future.)
Subject: Upcoming Materia System 
Thu Jun 02, 2011 12:12 am
