FINAL FANTASY XIV Letter from the Producer Outlines Future Long-Term Plans for Final Fantasy XIV

Earlier today, Square Enix hosted their next instalment of Final Fantasy XIV’s Letter from the Producer Live video series, featuring Naoki “YoshiP” Yoshida and key members of the game’s development team.

Today’s stream, which came in at several hours in length, focused on several key elements which make up the game’s long-term plans, both during the Version 6.0: Endwalker release schedule and beyond. If you have some time to spare, I would strongly encourage you to watch the full video below. Alternatively, scroll down for a synopsis of some key takeaways.

#1 – An even better RPG – alone or with friends

Large Scale Updates to Final Fantasy XIV’s Trust System, implemented in Shadowbringers

• Trust compatibility will be introduced into all main scenario dungeons and 4-player trials in Patches 6.1 through 6.5
• Patch 6.1 will make A Realm Reborn (Patch 2.0) scenario duties Trust Compatible
• Further improvements will be made to some low-level main scenario dungeons and trials
• This does not include any 8-player trials

#2 – Final Fantasy XIV’s First Graphical Upgrade

Many graphical systems to be overhauled and improved for Final Fantasy XIV Version 7.0

• Development and preparation is described as “ongoing” until the next expansion releases
• Aiming for screen-wide aesthetic appeal, suited to a multiplayer environment
• Animation and lighting system updates are also planned
• Caveats
  • New graphics will not be comparable to those of stand-alone Final Fantasy games
  • Minimum operating specifications will also change as of 7.0

Character Appearance Updates

Primary Features and Goals:

1. Higher Resolution and Textures
2. Improved material qualities
3. Better lighting and shadow effects, especially for players shadows
   • Overall appearance of player characters will be altered as little as possible
   • Will be applied to old NPCs where possible from 7.x onward
   • Testing for additional improvements will continue in the future

Background Visuals Updates

Primary Features and Goals:

1. Additional lighting points
2. Higher-resolution shadows
3. Improved textures
4. More and better auto-generated greenery
   • Possible improvements to fog and other ambient effects currently being tested
   • Upgrades will be tuned to the maximum extent that performance allows

#3 – Continuing to provide regular updates on an appropriate schedule

1. Main Scenario Updates (Patch 6.1 – 6.5)
2. “Somehow Further Hildibrand Adventures” (Patch 6.1 – 6.5)
3. “Tataru’s Grand Endeavor” (Patch 6.1 – 6.5)

Patch 6.1 Series Roadmap: Planned Major Updates

1. Myths of the Realm #1 (Alliance Raid)
2. Crystalline Conflict (New PvP)
3. Arkasodara trible quests and dailies
4. Dragonsong’s Reprise (New Ultimate Duty)
5. Ultima’s Bane (Unreal Trial)
6. Trust system for A Realm Reborn (Patch 2.0) main scenario dungeons
7. New Calling Card-Style UI
8. New Hairstyles for Hrothgar
9. Empyreum (Ishgard Housing)
10. Custom Deliveries: Ameliance

Patch 6.2 Series Roadmap: Planned Major Updates

1. Trust System for 2.x Main Scenario Dungeons
2. Trust System for 2-3 Heavenward Main Scenario Dungeons
3. New Weapon Enhancements
4. New “Criterion” Dungeon with Variable Difficulty (For 1-4 Players)
5. “Island Sanctuary” will debut
6. Plus Pandaemonium, Faux Hollows, Trials and More

Patch 6.3 Series Roadmap: Planned Major Updates

1. Trust system for the remaining Heavensward main scenario dungeons
2. Deep Dungeon Series #3
3. Ultimate Duty #5
4. Island Sanctuary Update
5. Plus Myths of the Realm, Faux Hollows, Trials and More

Patch 6.4/6.5 Series Roadmap: Planned Major Updates

1. Trust system for all Stormblood main scenario dungeons
2. Criterion Dungeons #2 & #3
3. Additional area for Island Sanctuary
4. Plus the conclusion to Pandaemonium, further Myths of the Realm, Faux Hollows, Trials and more
5. More plans in the works

Change in Patch Schedule

• Final Fantasy XIV’s major patch schedule will transition to every 3-and-a-half months to every four months

Extra – 6.1 Housing Savage

Lottery System Details:

• Each player may only enter the lottery for one plot of land during each lottery period (Each member may enter only once when purchasing land for a Free Company)
• Players must pay the full price of the plot upon entry – unsuccessful players will be refunded in full, obviously.
• There will be four lottery systems implemented – Lottery (FC), Lottery (Individual), First-Come First-Serve (FC) and First-Come First-Serve (Individual)
• One of the four purchase systems will be applied to each ward. In Patch 6.1, all wards will use either the individual or FC lottery system.

Next Live Letter Going Live 4 March 2022 at 22.00 (AEDT)