Final Fantasy XIV producer outlines MMO's decade-long plan
Final Fantasy XIV will go on for another ten years, at least. That's all according to Square Enix and director and producer Naoki Yoshida, who outlined the next decade's worth of work for the game in a new Live Letter. The long list of updates coming to SE's hit MMO includes plans for upgraded graphics, an improved singleplayer experience, and other goodies tucked away in patches planned for years.
In case it's not clear, it's quite a long roadmap. In the latest Letter from the Producer Live, Yoshida and his team on Final Fantasy XIV highlighted exactly what SE plans on doing with the MMO's surge in popularity. While there are more obvious beats, like plans for 6.1 and more expansions, Yoshida detailed other important milestones for the online Final Fantasy - like a big graphics overhaul and improved experience for solo players.
Version 6.1 is on the horizon with new story content, Hildibrand sidequests, a Tataru side story, PVP, Ishgard housing, and more - but FFXIV has a long-term plan. A press release from Square Enix detailed a few of those beats expected to take us all the way until the next expansion, version 7.0.
Patch 6.1 Series
- New Main Scenario Questline – Patch 6.1 - 6.5
- “Somehow Further Hildibrand Adventures” – Patch 6.1 – 6.5
- “Tataru’s Grand Endeavor” Sidequest Series – Patch 6.1 – 6.5
- Myths of the Realm #1 (Alliance Raid)
- Crystalline Conflict (New PvP)
- Arkasodara Tribe Quests and Dailies
- Dragonsong’s Reprise (New Ultimate Duty)
- Ultima’s Bane (Unreal)
- Trust Support for A Realm Reborn (Patch 2.0) Main Scenario Dungeons
- New Calling Card-Style UI (Name TBD)
- New Hairstyles for Hrothgar
- Empyreum (Ishgard Housing)
- Custom Deliveries: Ameliance
- Plus, New Trials and other assorted updates…
Patch 6.2 Series
- Trust Support for A Realm Reborn 2.X Main Scenario Dungeons
- Trust Support for 2-3 Heavensward™ Main Scenario Dungeons
- New Weapon Enhancements
- New "Criterion" Dungeon with Variable Difficulty (for 1–4 Players)
- "Island Sanctuary" Debuts
- Plus Pandæmonium, Faux Hollows, Other Trials, and more…
Patch 6.3 Series
- Trust system for Remaining Heavensward Main Scenario Dungeons
- Deep Dungeon Series #3
- Ultimate Duty #5
- Island Sanctuary Updates
- Plus Myths of the Realm, Faux Hollows, Other Trials, and more…
Patch 6.4 and Patch 6.5 Series
- Trust system for Stormblood™ Main Scenario Dungeons
- “Criterion” Dungeons #2 & #3
- Additional Area for Island Sanctuary
- Plus the Conclusion to Pandæmonium, Further Myths of the Realm, Faux Hollows, Other Trials, and more…
- More Plans for Patches 6.4 and 6.5 are being made as we speak!
Outside of those upcoming beats, Square Enix detailed plans to improve the singleplayer experience for FFXIV. Bits of earlier expansions like A Realm Reborn, Heavensward, and Stormblood will see reworked dungeons and added Trust System content. Instances for ARR's main scenario, Praetorium and Castrum Meridanium, will go from eight-player encounters to just four players. You'll also see trusts added to ARR content, then the NPC will follow up in versions 3.0 and 4.0.
Since FFXIV is a decade old already, Yoshida also indicated it's time we get a graphic update. Throughout the course of 6.x patches, the team at SE will slowly work on major overhauls to content we've already got in-game. Yoshida noted in the livesteam some of this may look a little odd as it roles out, but the end goal is to provide an overhauled world for FFXIV by the time we usher in 7.0.
And while new graphics changes are exciting, Yoshida also offered a warning in getting your hopes up. Eorzea's hero isn't going to appear lifelike, and the producer noted your Warrior of Light isn't about to show up like Aloy from Horizon Zero Dawn. If the MMO is to continue letting 300+ players in one instance, Yoshida says some expectations just can't be met.
Outside of that, the producer also reassured PlayStation 4 players they'd be set for a while. Due to ongoing struggles with the supply chain, there's still some concern about widespread access to the PlayStation 5. For now, those of you playing on the older console should see continued support, and forced PS5 upgrades aren't on the horizon any time soon.
It's wild thinking about how FFXIV is trying to adapt its look to a new era when it launched on the PS3 not long ago. The Live Letter stream has plenty for folks eager to check out the upcoming 6.x changes, but if you're looking for little story bits, I'd say this is among the most rewarding of broadcasts. For those of you done with Endwalker, check out the stream for spoiler musings - it's well worth the watch.