Final Fantasy XIV producer and director Naoki Yoshida, aka “Yoshi-P,” has shared a special New Year’s greeting for the game’s fans. He discusses the release of Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood as well as the annual Fan Festival Events, which take place three times a year. He’s also shared some teasers on what fans can expect of Final Fantasy XIV in 2018.
“Hello there, everyone. Producer and Director Yoshi-P here to wish you all a Happy New Year!
2017 was a fantastic year. The release of our second expansion, Stormblood, was a great success, and we’ve seen more players online than ever before,” the director’s message reads before he thanks players for their support, loyalty and patronage.
Yoshida shares the first major update of the year, patch 4.2, which is due at the end of January 2018 as mentioned in the LIVE letter this past December. In anticipation of Patch 4.2—Rise of a New Sun, a preview site is up that shares details about the main scenario, notable side quests and two dungeons (Hells’ Lid and The Fractal Continuum (Hard)).
The main scenario continues the Ala Mhigo plot of Stormblood. “Yet there is no rest for the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, for the winds of trouble are blowing from the Far East, where an unexpected spark threatens to set the kindling of chaos ablaze. Can Doma survive the brewing firestorm to welcome the light of the new day?”
Meanwhile, the side story quests for Patch 4.2 center around the Jade Stoa. “Legend tells of a peerless samurai who, at the behest of a king, ventured forth to drive a host of oni into the sea. Yet for all his strength, Tenzen could not do this alone, and so he turned to the Four Lords─greatest of the auspices─for assistance. Together they succeeded, and afterwards journeyed west, far from the realms of men, to live out their days in solitude,” the official site states.
Yoshida also mentions that plans for the FFXIV Fan Festival 2018-2019 are “well underway,” with a year’s worth of preparation going into the event. But Fan Festivals aren’t the only big event the Final Fantasy XIV team is planning: “In fact, I’ve already settled on plans for another event over a year from now. I suggest keeping a look out for future announcements to find out what it is,” said Yoshida.
Finally, Yoshida shared a little in-game teaser:
“Strange… I was expecting perhaps another ancient Eastern proverb, or even a passage from the diary of the late Archon Louisoix. What could this mean for the future of the realm? I suppose we can only speculate until the truth reveals itself,” he said.
What could Yoshida be referring to? What are you most looking forward to in Patch 4.2? What else are you hoping for Final Fantasy XIV in 2018? Stay tuned for more updates on all fronts by following @PlayerDotOne on Twitter.
