Final Fantasy XIV
News, coverage and analysis tracking Final Fantasy XIV across the outlets.
Latest coverage
ArenaNet says Guild Wars 3 will make you "fall in love with MMOs." Here's why I think it could
ArenaNet aims to revitalize the MMO genre with Guild Wars 3, focusing on innovative 'Momentum' systems that allow for fluid movement and dynamic combat. Studio head Colin Johansen believes the game will attract both existing Guild Wars fans and new players seeking a fresh experience, potentially making them 'fall in love with MMOs.' The design prioritizes a cleaner UI and more action-oriented gameplay, a departure from traditional MMO mechanics.
MMOs Have “Stagnated,” Guild Wars 3 Studio Head Says
ArenaNet studio head Colin Johanson believes the MMO genre has stagnated, with many players still engaging with games over a decade old. He aims for Guild Wars 3 to introduce "wild, crazy ideas" to revitalize the genre by addressing approachability and respecting players' time, offering a less demanding experience than traditional MMOs.
New Final Fantasy 14 site update stabs the final pin into my conspiracy board, leaving me 99.9% sure I know what the new…
The author believes they have definitively uncovered that the new physical ranged job in Final Fantasy XIV will be a crossbow-wielding falconer, citing a new image on the patch 7.5 website as the final piece of evidence. This aligns with previous hints from sound design and trailer snippets, vindicating their long-held speculation.
CD Projekt Red isn't 'planning to rely on AI making complete games', and will still be 'predominantly using people' for The Witcher 4 and beyond
CD Projekt Red's joint CEO Michał Nowakowski stated that the company is not planning to rely on AI for making complete games and will continue to predominantly use people for development, including for The Witcher 4. While AI tools are being experimented with, they are seen as supplementary rather than core to the complex game creation process.
FF14 7.56 just gave us a first taste of Evercold, with a new special site
Final Fantasy XIV patch 7.56, the final update before the Dawntrail expansion, will introduce a new special site featuring the character Visna. The patch also launches the Beastmaster limited job with a roguelite-inspired activity and adds new Gold Saucer content themed around Final Fantasy VII.
Perfect Ten: Revisiting the winners of our last 10 underrated MMORPG awards
This article revisits the winners of the last 10 years of "underrated MMORPG" awards, offering retrospective thoughts on each choice. While some picks like Project Gorgon and Final Fantasy XIV are celebrated, others like Elyon are noted for their short lifespan, and New World's inclusion is bittersweet due to Amazon's decision to sunset the game.
Final Fantasy 14 details end of free subscription period on Nintendo Switch 2, more on fees
Square Enix has detailed the end of Final Fantasy XIV's free subscription period on Nintendo Switch 2, effective September 7, 2026. Following this, a 30-day free play period will be offered with the Starter or Complete Edition, after which a subscription fee, payable via FFXIV Coins, will be required. A discount is available for players with existing subscriptions on other platforms.
Dwarf Fortress' creator says the industry's in shambles over AI and layoff-happy CEOs: 'Everyone I know, their bosses are slowly getting psychosis'
Dwarf Fortress creator Tarn Adams expresses deep concern over the current state of the game industry, citing widespread layoffs and the problematic integration of generative AI. He believes these trends are unsustainable and are leading to a 'psychosis' among industry leaders, drawing parallels to past economic downturns.
Wisdom of Nym: Melee weaponry Final Fantasy XIV could use for future jobs
This opinion piece explores potential melee weapons that could be introduced for future jobs in Final Fantasy XIV, moving beyond past job archetypes. It discusses the viability and design challenges of whips, hammers, poles, and various sword types, considering their historical use in the series and potential gameplay roles.
MMO Week in Review: Gamescom, Asura, and Ascension
Gamescom was the dominant event this week, bringing news for numerous MMOs including launch dates for Aion 2 and Path of Exile 2, and trailers for Dune Awakening, Sea of Remnants, and Cinder City. Star Citizen's Squadron 42 received another delay into 2027, while Guild Wars 3 revealed its Asura, and Blizzard shut down another World of Warcraft private server. Other news included updates for Throne and Liberty, Ultima Online, and The Division 2, alongside discussions on game design, AI training lawsuits, and the shutdown of the Project Ascension World of Warcraft emulator.
PSA: Final Fantasy XIV’s PvP Series 11 ends with patch 7.56 on September 8
Final Fantasy XIV's eleventh Player versus Player series will conclude with the release of Patch 7.56 on September 8th. Players have until this date to earn rewards from the current PvP series, after which their rank will reset with the start of Series 12. Unclaimed rewards may be available from a PvP vendor later.
Netflix is likely pleased as punch with the GTA 6 extended look, which more than doubled its web traffic
Netflix experienced a significant surge in web traffic, with user counts increasing by 125%, following the debut of the Grand Theft Auto 6 extended look on its platform. While the streaming service largely handled the load, the move has raised questions about Take-Two's decision to partner with Netflix for the trailer's initial release, especially given the trailer's subsequent availability on YouTube.
Massively Overthinking: Are you your own worst enemy in MMORPGs? How?
This article discusses how players often ruin their own enjoyment of MMORPGs through excessive overthinking, setting unrealistic expectations, comparing games unfavorably, and consuming too much external information. Contributors share personal anecdotes about rushing through content, burnout, and the negative impact of social media on their gaming experience.
Vague Patch Notes: Resenting structure and blaming guidance in MMOs
This article analyzes the evolution of game structure and guidance in MMOs, contrasting early titles like Final Fantasy XI with more modern experiences like Final Fantasy XIV. It discusses how the 'bump method' of exploration in older games has been replaced by more direct questing and guidance, and how this shift impacts player experience and perception of game openness.
Crimson Desert will be slowing down its free updates in preparation for its paid DLC, and I'm just glad Pearl Abyss…
Pearl Abyss is shifting development resources from free updates to focus on Crimson Desert's first major paid DLC, which is slated for release in the final quarter of this year. While free updates will slow down, they will continue, with director of marketing and PR Will Powers confirming the change in pace.
Hideo Kojima wants to 'continue to focus on making games' at 63, even as 'the time I have decreases'
Hideo Kojima, at 63, reflects on the decreasing time he has versus his increasing desire to create games. Despite his age, he intends to continue focusing on game development, mentioning the upcoming 40th anniversary of his game-making career and the 10th anniversary of Kojima Productions. He plans an exhibition in Tokyo to celebrate these milestones.
The white Epomaker GX1 wireless headset gives me Y2K vibes in the best possible way
The white Epomaker GX1 wireless gaming headset offers a distinct Y2K-inspired aesthetic with metallic blue accents and oval earcups, reminiscent of early 2000s tech. Despite its budget-friendly $49.99 price point, the headset provides comfortable wear and surprisingly good audio quality for its class, making it a notable option for retro enthusiasts.
Wisdom of Nym: Magical concepts that Final Fantasy XIV could potentially use for new jobs
This opinion piece explores potential new job concepts for Final Fantasy XIV, moving beyond strict interpretations of existing roles. It discusses ideas like Geomancers, Necromancers, Druids, Psionics, Illusionists, and Metamagic as sources for future job designs, emphasizing conceptual magic systems over specific weaponry.
The Daily Grind: Would you pay money to place an in-game ad in an MMO?
This article discusses the potential for players to pay real money for in-game advertising space within MMORPGs like Final Fantasy XIV. Commenters suggest this could be a viable monetization strategy for companies like Square Enix, offering an alternative to spamming global chats for guild or event promotion.
Twitch hit with class-action lawsuit over Amazon AI training: 'Twitch sent no email, displayed no pop-up…
Twitch is facing a class-action lawsuit from user Warren Pandiscia, who alleges that Amazon, Twitch's parent company, used Twitch stream content to train its generative AI without proper consent or notification. The lawsuit claims this practice is unlawful and an attack on content creators, as the data collection was opt-out and consent depended on host streamer settings. The article notes that Twitch sent no email or pop-up notification about the feature, which was discovered by a reporter.
