Final Fantasy XIV
News, coverage and analysis tracking Final Fantasy XIV across the outlets.
Latest coverage
WRUP: Presenting Bilford McGurkee’s Slam Your Hand In The Car Door edition
This article is a weekly roundup of what the Massively OP staff and community are playing. This week's participants mention games like Splatoon, Pokopia, Pokemon Go, Guild Wars 2, Palworld, The Division 2, Final Fantasy XIV, Final Fantasy VIII, ZeroSpace, and Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The bonus question asks about the worst reason for ruining one's sleep schedule, with answers ranging from work to gaming.
Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival in Berlin reveals the new tank job, new areas, and a new FFVII raid
During the Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival in Berlin, director Naoki Yoshida revealed the new tank job, Bastion, which starts at level 90 and uses 'skyltborg' weapons. The expansion will feature 'Realmships' as its primary setting, with new zones like Naglfar and Hringhorni, and a Final Fantasy VII-inspired raid series called Beyond the Lifestream. Updates to character customization, chocobo companions, and a new Gold Saucer attraction were also announced.
"The desire for a world you can escape to is stronger than ever": How MMORPGs are flourishing in a multiplayer…
Despite the volatility of the live service game market, MMORPGs continue to flourish by evolving and serving dedicated fanbases. Developers of long-running titles like Final Fantasy 14, The Elder Scrolls Online, and Warframe emphasize community engagement, transparency, and adapting to changing player lifestyles to ensure longevity. These games offer players a persistent world to inhabit and evolve with, a concept that remains highly attractive in the current gaming landscape.
Final Fantasy 14 reveals Nintendo Switch 2 release date and pricing, Final Fantasy 7 remake collaboration, more
Square Enix announced the Nintendo Switch 2 release date for Final Fantasy 14 as August 4, 2026, alongside details for the upcoming expansion, Evercold, launching January 2027. The expansion will feature a new job called Bastion, a crossover raid series with Final Fantasy 7 Remake Trilogy titled 'Beyond the Lifestream,' and significant updates to game systems and character customization.
The FF14 Bastion is our first new Evercold job - here's everything Yoshi-P announced in the Fanfest Berlin keynote
During Final Fantasy XIV Fan Fest Berlin, Game Director Naoki Yoshida revealed the new 'Bastion' job for the upcoming 8.0 expansion, Evercold, set to launch in January 2027. The keynote also showcased new zones, a third raid difficulty tier, and collaborations with Final Fantasy VII Remake.
The Final Fantasy 7 Remake series comes to Final Fantasy 14 as part of Evercold's new raid series, and veterans of…
Final Fantasy 14 will feature a crossover raid series with the Final Fantasy 7 Remake series, titled 'Beyond the Lifestream,' as part of the upcoming Evercold expansion. The raid will include three tiers and three difficulty levels, with the first tier launching in update 8.01. Original Final Fantasy 7 writer Kazushige Nojima and artist Tetsuya Nomura are involved in the project, and new outfits inspired by Tifa and Barret will be unlockable.
The Bastion is Final Fantasy 14's first new job for Evercold, a hulking tank with a shield and gun on each arm
Square Enix has revealed the Bastion, a new tank job for Final Fantasy 14's upcoming Evercold expansion, set to launch in January 2027. This job features a unique design with a shield and gun on each arm, capable of firing them off as projectiles. Players will need to be level 90 and in Limsa Lominsa to access the Bastion upon the expansion's release.
Americans will be getting up before dawn to watch this weekend’s Final Fantasy XIV fan festival in Berlin
Americans will need to wake up early this weekend to watch the Final Fantasy XIV fan festival in Berlin, with the keynote containing major announcements scheduled for 4:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday. Gameplay footage of Beastmaster will also be shown during a "Letter from the Producer" segment later that day. The game's team, including localization director Michael-Christopher Koji Fox and global community producer Toshio Murouchi, will also be present at Otakon 2026 the following weekend.
Final Fantasy 14 reportedly tops 1 million active players for the first time in over a year as fans prepare for the…
Final Fantasy XIV has reportedly surpassed one million active players for the first time in over a year, with numbers reaching approximately 1,020,000. This surge in players is attributed to anticipation for the upcoming expansion, Evercold, which is set to launch in early 2027 and begin the Godless Realms Saga. The MMORPG has seen a significant increase from its March figures of around 770,000 active players, with new account creations also doubling.
Massively Overthinking: Which MMOs are a lot more popular than most people realize?
This article discusses the phenomenon of Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs) that are significantly more popular than mainstream perception suggests. Games like Elder Scrolls Online, Albion Online, RuneScape, and Guild Wars 2 are highlighted for their substantial revenue and player bases, despite often being overlooked by general gaming media. The discussion also touches upon the separate fanbases of Eastern MMORPGs and the tendency for some players to underestimate the continued success of established titles like World of Warcraft.
SGJ Podcast #517 – Games That Don’t Respect Your Time (And That’s Okay)
This episode of the SGJ Podcast features a discussion on video games that may not respect players' time, such as those requiring extensive grinding for gear or endings, but are still enjoyable. The hosts shared their picks for such games, and the next episode will cover remakes and remasters.
Vague Patch Notes: MMORPG guides are your friends
This opinion piece argues that using game guides, particularly for MMORPGs like Warframe and Final Fantasy XIV, is a valuable part of the gaming experience. The author contends that guides help players understand game mechanics and make informed decisions, rather than simply removing the challenge. Eliot Lefebvre suggests that guides are essential tools for navigating complex games and understanding meta-game strategies.
After years of failed MMO efforts, I have finally found my place in the genre with Warframe as a newcomer in 2026
A newcomer to the MMO genre finds a satisfying experience in Digital Extremes' Warframe, despite initial reservations about the genre's endless nature. The author contrasts Warframe's power fantasy and engaging combat with other MMOs like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy 14, and expresses excitement for the developer's upcoming title, Soulframe.
Massively OP Podcast Episode 573: Project Demogorgon
The Massively OP Podcast episode 573 covers SpiritVale's early access launch, Dungeons and Dragons Online's Terror of Demogorgon expansion, and the cancellations of Overwatch Stadium and Final Fantasy XIV Mobile. Hosts Bree and Justin also discuss Richard Garriott's comments on Ultima and the predictability of MMO experiences.
RuneScape CEO is serious about taking World of Warcraft's MMO crown: "Why not swing for the top?"
Jagex CEO Jon Bellamy has stated the company's ambition for RuneScape to become the number one MMORPG brand globally, surpassing World of Warcraft. While acknowledging the significant gap, Bellamy believes Jagex can achieve this goal by executing their strategy correctly. The article also briefly mentions Final Fantasy 14 as another major player in the genre.
Final Fantasy 14's Third Walk raid starts with FF11's most infamous boss being bodied in a cutscene because a raid designer wanted to show off the true strength of your first foe
Final Fantasy 14's battle content designer Masayoshi Ishikawa discussed the inclusion of Absolute Virtue in the Final Fantasy 11 crossover raid, explaining it was to showcase Shantotto's power. Ishikawa noted that while Absolute Virtue was a notoriously difficult boss in Final Fantasy 11, Shantotto defeats it in a cutscene before the fight in Final Fantasy 14, demonstrating her formidable strength.
Wisdom of Nym: Bold predictions for Final Fantasy XIV’s second fan festival
This opinion piece makes predictions for the upcoming Final Fantasy XIV fan festival, anticipating the reveal of a new tank job, sharing of area names including the first city, a preview of the refined activity window, and the reveal of the normal raid. The author acknowledges that many details remain unknown but expresses excitement for the surprises to come.
FFXIV Shadowbringers Backlog for Adults | TAG
This guide outlines a plan for busy adults to complete the extensive main story quests of Final Fantasy XIV, focusing on Shadowbringers, Endwalker, and Dawntrail. It acknowledges the significant time commitment required for each expansion, suggesting a pace suitable for those with limited playtime and advising against endgame raiding to prioritize story completion.
Final Fantasy 14's attempt to take the MMO mobile is over before the world even gets the chance to see it
Square Enix and Tencent have decided to terminate the licensing agreement for Final Fantasy 14 Mobile, leading to the shutdown of the game in China and the cancellation of its unreleased global version. The mobile iteration, developed by LightSpeed Studios, offered a streamlined experience based on the base A Realm Reborn content with some features from later expansions. Service for the mobile game is ending on September 30, 2024.
The Daily Grind: Does your MMO have a rivalry with another game?
This article discusses the phenomenon of rivalries between Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Games (MMORPGs), using examples like Destiny 2 and Marathon, and the long-standing perceived competition between World of Warcraft, Guild Wars 2, and Final Fantasy XIV. It questions the legitimacy and origins of these rivalries, encouraging readers to share their own experiences.
