Final Fantasy XIV
News, coverage and analysis tracking Final Fantasy XIV across the outlets.
Final Fantasy XIV Items Now Offered As Tax RewardsSquare Enix is offering in-game rewards for Final Fantasy XIV to individuals who donate to Shibuya through Japan's hometown tax system. Donors can receive items such as attire, a mount, dance emotes, or Fantasia sets based on their contribution amount, with rewards ranging from 7,000 to 17,000 JPY. This initiative utilizes the hometown tax system, which encourages donations to rural areas by offering tax credits and gifts.
'World of Warcraft Camelot' is a mysterious new branch of the MMO that Blizzard fans are convinced is the first real evidence of a remixed WoW ClassicA new version of World of Warcraft, codenamed 'World of Warcraft Camelot,' has been discovered on Blizzard's servers, leading players to speculate it's an enhanced 'WoW Classic Plus' version. This discovery coincides with Blizzard inviting streamers to their offices under NDA and follows a pattern of accidental leaks through internal server updates.- Choose My Adventure: Cutting through the latest normal raids of Final Fantasy XIV DawntrailThe author recounts their experience tackling normal raids in Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail, specifically the Arcadion and Vana'diel series. Despite initial trepidation and some challenging encounters, they found enjoyment in learning mechanics and the overall vibe, particularly the pro wrestling theme and music of the Arcadion raids, though the story of the Vana'diel raids felt middling.
Arc Raiders gives players what they asked for as "quieter period" leaves some bored: "no free loadout" in night raids or Close ScrutinyEmbark Studios is implementing a temporary ban on free loadouts for Arc Raiders' night raids and Close Scrutiny modes to increase risk and reward, a change requested by players. This comes amid a quieter period for the game, with major updates now planned every six months, and the studio addressing concerns about cheaters and item duplication.
DualSense PC gamers have been vindicated at last, as haptic support is finally here—though no thanks to SonyAn update to the DSX beta software now provides unofficial support for Sony's DualSense controller haptics and adaptive triggers on PC via Bluetooth or USB. While this functionality requires a paid upgrade, it brings a feature previously exclusive to the PlayStation 5 to PC gamers. This development comes as Sony continues to focus on PS5 exclusives, making unofficial support a welcome addition for PC players.- Wisdom of Nym: Speculating on Final Fantasy XIV Evercold’s new tank jobThis article speculates on the potential new tank job for Final Fantasy XIV, considering various weapon and armor possibilities based on in-game lore and character designs. The author explores concepts like dual shields, hammers, power armor, and chainsaws, weighing their pros and cons against existing game mechanics and series history.
- WoW Factor: What are the pros and cons of World of Warcraft in 2026?This article analyzes the pros and cons of the MMORPG World of Warcraft in its current state, comparing it to other games in the genre. Strengths include a vast open world, diverse race and class options, a rich endgame, and a vibrant art style. Weaknesses identified are the mandatory subscription model, the game's age showing in its dated combat, and the near impossibility of catching up on the extensive story content.
I went to the UK's largest rock festival to see its one and only videogame bandThe Primals, Final Fantasy 14's in-house band, performed at the UK's Download Festival, marking their first live show outside of a Fan Festival or Asia tour. Despite being a niche act, the band drew an enthusiastic crowd, demonstrating the potential for videogame music to resonate at mainstream rock festivals.
Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies vet tells me the theme park 'assembly line' MMO just isn't viable anymore, especially as dev costs spike: 'We hit the wall'Veteran MMO developer Raph Koster believes the 'theme park' style of MMO, popularized by World of Warcraft, is no longer viable due to skyrocketing development costs. Koster, who worked on Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies, argues that the increasing expense of creating static content, coupled with player consumption rates, makes this model unsustainable. He suggests that the genre has become stagnant, with players growing bored and feeling underserved by an industry focused on monetization over innovation.- One Shots: Hangin’ with my virtual homiesThis week's 'One Shots' feature highlights community screenshots from various MMOs, including Final Fantasy XIV, Guild Wars 2, Secret World, EverQuest II, and Lord of the Rings Online. Players shared unique in-game moments, from NPC group photos to holographic dragons and secret hideouts.
- WRUP: Every toy version of G1 Devastator from TransformersThis article examines the evolution of the G1 Devastator toy from Transformers across various iterations, including the original 1985 release, Universe (2003), Combiner Wars (2015), and Studio Series (2025). It also includes community members' thoughts on effective and ineffective advertising.
Final Fantasy 11 is one of the greatest MMOs of our timeThis article reflects on the enduring legacy of Final Fantasy XI, an MMO nearing its 20th anniversary. Despite its age and a complex login process, the game's design fostered cooperation and friendship, setting it apart from modern, more frictionless MMOs. The author explores the game's unique job system and the challenges of returning to a once-beloved world that has significantly changed.
Japanese gamers reveal their favourite games and the answers might surprise youA survey by Japanese magazine Famitsu revealed that RPGs dominate the preferences of Japanese gamers, with series like Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy being highly influential and desired. Nintendo was named the nation's favorite developer, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was a top pick for recommendations and replaying. The survey highlights a significant difference in gaming tastes compared to Western markets, with a strong emphasis on adventure and anime-style games in Japan.
Stardew Valley player farming at 50x speed with 28-second long days commits to beating the cozy sim in the least cozy…A player known as Rath Games is attempting to beat Stardew Valley by playing at 50x speed, resulting in in-game days that last only 28 seconds. This challenge run, documented on YouTube, involves Rath Games employing various exploits to manage farming, fishing, and other activities within the drastically shortened timeframes.
Japanese gamers vote on most influential game and series, favorite character, favorite developer, moreFamitsu magazine's 40th-anniversary survey of over 5,000 Japanese gamers revealed Nintendo as the favorite developer and Mario as the favorite character. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was highly recommended, while Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest series dominated influence and sequel requests. Masahiro Sakurai was named favorite creator.
Destiny 2's dormancy will leave a power vacuumWith Destiny 2 entering its end-of-service lifecycle and no new content planned, a power vacuum is created in the looter shooter genre. While previous games failed to dethrone Destiny, its dormancy presents an opportunity for a new title to capture player attention, though the high development costs and the challenge of appealing to its dedicated player base remain significant hurdles.
Square Enix Releases Final Fantasy XIV Online Switch 2 Gameplay TrailerSquare Enix has released a gameplay trailer for Final Fantasy XIV Online running on the Nintendo Switch 2, showcasing the upcoming early access version launching in August 2026. Players will need to purchase the game and a separate subscription for the Switch 2, though existing players receive a discount on the subscription. Additionally, a new HD-2D title, Final Fantasy Resonance, was announced for the Switch and Switch 2, releasing in October.
Final Fantasy 14 receives first Nintendo Switch 2 gameplay trailerSquare Enix has released the first gameplay trailer for Final Fantasy XIV on the Nintendo Switch 2, following its announcement at the recent Fan Festival. The trailer showcases footage of the MMORPG running on the upcoming console, which is slated for an August release. The game's director has also commented on the expected frame rate performance.- Final Fantasy XIV recaps the journey of the Echoes of Vana’diel raid seriesFinal Fantasy XIV has released a retrospective detailing the 'Echoes of Vana’diel' raid series crossover with Final Fantasy XI. The article highlights the collaboration between the development teams, including producer and director Yoji Fujito and composer Naoshi Mizuta, and emphasizes the care taken to faithfully recreate PlayStation 2-era models and environments.
All Announcements from the Nintendo Direct on June 9, 2026 - NintendoFuseThe Nintendo Direct on June 9, 2026, showcased over 50 minutes of upcoming games primarily for the Nintendo Switch 2, with some titles also releasing on the original Nintendo Switch. Major announcements included a new Xenoblade game, Kingdom Hearts IV, and a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, alongside numerous third-party titles and DLC for existing games like Pokémon Pokopia.