Final Fantasy XIV
News, coverage and analysis tracking Final Fantasy XIV across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Wisdom of Nym: Final Fantasy XIV’s relaunch was partly fueled by going away
This analysis argues that Final Fantasy XIV's successful relaunch was not solely due to the number of changes made between versions 1.0 and 2.0, but rather the strategic decision to shut down the game for nine months. This period allowed players to miss the game, focus on its positive aspects, and created a clear narrative of a completely new experience, signaling Square Enix's commitment and gamble on the project.
MMO Week in Review: Funcom’s folly
Funcom has confirmed significant layoffs and the stepping down of its CEO as part of a restructuring effort. The company will now focus on its existing titles, Dune: Awakening and Conan Exiles. This news comes amidst a broader week of MMO updates, including RuneScape halting its Reignited plans and Enshrouded launching its 1.0 release.
One Shots: Charting the best course forward
This week's "One Shots" feature highlights community screenshots from various MMORPGs, including Final Fantasy XIV, Diablo 3, Guild Wars 2, and Lord of the Rings Online. Players shared moments ranging from chaotic battles to scenic vistas and humorous in-game events.
Discussion time: Do you think zone chats in MMOs are forces for good, or evil?
This article discusses the nature of zone chats in Massively Multiplayer Online games, such as World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy 14. While intended to foster community, these chats often devolve into toxic or nonsensical conversations, with specific examples like 'Barrens Chat' and bot-dominated trade channels highlighted. The author questions whether these chats are ultimately a force for good or ill within the gaming community.
WRUP: Eliot is missing edition
The Massively OP staff and community share their weekend gaming plans, with mentions of City of Heroes, Guardians of the Galaxy, Final Fantasy XIV, and Warframe. Several staff members also discuss games or media they were disappointed by after high expectations, including Guardians of the Galaxy and the original Halloween film.
Years after they got married in-game to save money, these two Final Fantasy XIV players are getting married IRL
Two Final Fantasy XIV players, who initially married in-game to save money on wedding costs, are now getting married in real life. This heartwarming story highlights the unique connections formed within the MMORPG community.
Final Fantasy XIV shares the times for its Japan Fan Festival livestreams
Final Fantasy XIV has announced the specific times for its upcoming Japan Fan Festival livestreams on October 30th and 31st. The keynote presentation, featuring reveals for the Evercold expansion and a new class, will begin at 10:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, with a developer panel following on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. EDT. Most of the event will be free to watch on Twitch and YouTube.
Massively Overthinking: What does your perfect MMORPG endgame look like?
The Massively OP staff discusses their ideal MMORPG endgame experiences, with differing views on the necessity and design of endgame content. While some prefer a midgame philosophy with varied activities, others find value in structured endgame pursuits like raids or PvP, provided there are multiple options catering to different playstyles and schedules.
Jagex cancels MMO reset RuneScape Reignited after player backlash: "The last time we didn't listen to player…
Jagex has canceled its controversial RuneScape Reignited project, a plan to soft-reset the MMO with forked servers and fresh economies, following significant player backlash. The developer acknowledged that the plan alienated its existing community by potentially forcing players to abandon their accounts and pay for new memberships. This decision comes after Jagex previously faced criticism for the Evolution of Combat update, which led to the creation of Old School RuneScape.
Vague Patch Notes: The business models of MMO expansion bundling
This article analyzes the evolving business models of MMO expansion bundling, contrasting traditional retail expansions with newer, piecemeal approaches. It examines how separating content like new races or classes from core area updates can benefit players and developers, but also discusses potential drawbacks such as a focus on selling individual items over cohesive content.
GTA 6 was delayed partially because the amount of NPCs was 'horrifying' and required a dedicated studio full…
Grand Theft Auto 6 experienced a delay to November due to the 'horrifying' number of NPCs required for its detailed world, necessitating the creation of a dedicated studio. Developers Rob Nelson and Phil Hooker discussed how the scope led to a date shift to ensure the game's quality. The article also touches on the industry's reliance on AI versus human writers for background details.
World of Warcraft: Forever aims to "aggressively shut down the flow of suspicious gold" – but Blizzard warns there "may be false positives" at first
Blizzard Entertainment is implementing a new system in World of Warcraft: Forever to combat real money trading (RMT) by placing suspected accounts under a Temporary Economy Hold. This measure aims to aggressively shut down the flow of illicit gold, though the studio warns of potential false positives during the initial fine-tuning phase. The system will eventually be deployed to all versions of World of Warcraft if successful.
Massively OP Podcast Episode 583: I’ve got my Aion 2 of you
The Massively OP Podcast episode 583 covers various MMO topics including Halloween events, the launch of Aion 2, World of Warcraft Forever's promotional efforts and level cap, and the return of Throne and Liberty to NCSoft. The episode also features an MMO Spotlight on The Secret World.
I can summon jumbo jets and boats from the sky in GTA 5 now, and I'll do it in the middle of crowded intersections…
This article explores the fun and chaos of using mods in Grand Theft Auto 5, specifically a mod that allows players to summon vehicles and objects like jumbo jets and shipping crates from the sky. The author details their experiences dropping these items on unsuspecting NPCs and bodyguards, highlighting the emergent gameplay and humorous situations that arise from such modifications.
Final Fantasy 14 devs ask for the impossible, beg players to "take time to read" up on the MMO's options…
Final Fantasy XIV's global community producer Toshio Murouchi humorously urged players to read the game's extensive settings and options menus, especially in preparation for the upcoming expansion Dawntrail. While the developers have implemented numerous options over the MMO's decade-long history, players often request features that already exist. Some community members suggested improving the UI with features like a search bar to make navigation easier.
The Daily Grind: Pick three MMOs to play forever – one popular, one niche, and one obscure
This article poses a hypothetical question: if readers could keep three MMORPGs online forever, one popular, one niche, and one obscure, which would they choose. The author shares their personal picks of Final Fantasy XIV, Project Gorgon, and Tower Unite, and invites readers to share their own selections.
Wisdom of Nym: Looking ahead to the next few months of Final Fantasy XIV’s waiting game
This article speculates on the content and events players can expect in Final Fantasy XIV during the approximately 15-week period leading up to the potential January 26, 2027 release of the Evercold expansion. It anticipates minor in-game events like All Saints' Wake, Starlight, and Heavensturn, alongside a potential second part of the Moogle event and a benchmark release in November or December.
Gears of War: E-Day server crashes and login problems are because of DDoS attacks, studio says
The Coalition has confirmed that Gears of War: E-Day is experiencing server crashes and login problems due to distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks targeting its online services. While the studio is working to mitigate the activity, these issues have caused significant disruptions for players, impacting even campaign playability. This follows similar DDoS incidents affecting other games earlier this year.
WRUP: Rejected ideas I have put forth for making our site feel appropriately Halloween-ish edition
The Massively OP community and staff share their weekend gaming plans, with participants discussing titles like Pokemon Go, Lord of the Rings Online, Aion 2, and Diablo IV. The discussion also includes a bonus question about ideal Halloween decorations, ranging from giant skeletons to themed yard displays.
Final Fantasy XIV brings All Saints’ Wake back once more on October 15
Final Fantasy XIV's annual Halloween event, All Saints' Wake, returns on October 15th and will run until November 2nd. Players can participate by speaking to an NPC in Gridania and will receive new rewards, including a teddy bear monster costume and new decor items.
