Final Fantasy XIV
News, coverage and analysis tracking Final Fantasy XIV across the outlets.- One Shots: A trot on the beachThis week's One Shots feature community screenshots from various MMOs, including Equinox Homecoming, Final Fantasy XIV, Crimson Desert, and Guild Wars 2. Players shared their virtual adventures, from beach sunrises and in-game festivals to unique in-game events and seasonal content like Guild Wars 2's Super Adventure Box.
"Butt slider?": Final Fantasy 14's Yoshi-P promises to pester devs about the highly-requested feature, but warns fans of the dangers of a big bootyFinal Fantasy XIV director and producer Naoki Yoshida has stated he will bring up the community's request for a "butt slider" to the development team. While he has pledged to advocate for the feature, he also cautioned fans about the potential implications of such a customization option.
After 13 years, Final Fantasy 14 is finally letting healers be healers by removing cast times for attack spells and changing GCD heals: "We want healing to be a healer's main priority"Square Enix is implementing significant changes to the healer role in Final Fantasy XIV with the upcoming 8.0 expansion, Evercold, in January 2027. These changes include removing cast times for attack spells, allowing healers to prioritize healing while still contributing damage. This shift aims to make healing the primary focus for healers, addressing a long-standing balance issue in the game.
Final Fantasy XIV director would love to hear pitches for single-player spin-offFinal Fantasy XIV director Naoki Yoshida expressed openness to pitches for a single-player, standalone version of the popular MMO. He stated that while he considers the idea, the current FFXIV team is focused on the main game, but he would welcome external proposals from passionate developers or companies interested in taking on the challenge.
SQUARE ENIX ANNOUNCES EVERCOLD— LATEST FINAL FANTASY XIV EXPANSION SET FOR JANUARY 2027Square Enix announced Evercold, the sixth expansion for Final Fantasy XIV Online, launching in January 2027. The expansion will feature a crossover alliance raid with Evangelion, a battle system overhaul, new jobs, and increased level cap. Additionally, a Nintendo Switch version of the game is slated for August 2026, and the Shadowbringers expansion has been added to the free trial.
Final Fantasy XIV Online For Switch 2 Able To Reach "30fps In A Stable State"Final Fantasy XIV Online director Naoki Yoshida confirmed the game will run at a stable 30fps on the Nintendo Switch 2, though some areas with many players may see drops. Square Enix is working hard on optimization for the August release and will offer a one-month free period for early access.
Final Fantasy 14 is Coming to Switch 2 in August, Nintendo Switch Online Not RequiredSquare Enix announced that Final Fantasy XIV will be released on the Nintendo Switch 2 in August, featuring a one-month early access trial that includes the Shadowbringers expansion. While Nintendo Switch Online is not required, a separate monthly subscription will be necessary after the free trial concludes. The upcoming expansion, Dawntrail, is slated for January 2027.
Alien: Isolation Sequel Gets First Teaser Aptly Titled “False Sense of Security”Creative Assembly and Sega have released a teaser for the sequel to Alien: Isolation, titled "False Sense of Security." While details like an official name, release date, and platforms are not yet available, the teaser hints at a return to the survival horror gameplay of the original. The original Alien: Isolation was released in 2014 for PC and consoles.
Square Enix has thought about making a single-player Final Fantasy 14Square Enix has considered developing a single-player game set in the world of Final Fantasy 14, according to director Naoki Yoshida. While the current team is focused on the MMORPG, Yoshida suggested such a project might be possible after their work on the online version concludes. The article also mentions discussions about bringing Final Fantasy 14 to the Nintendo Switch.
Final Fantasy XIV Evercold Teaser Hints at Icy New AdventureSquare Enix has released a teaser trailer for an upcoming Final Fantasy XIV expansion titled "Evercold." The title suggests a new adventure with themes of cold, preservation, and potentially emotional distance, following the events of Endwalker. Players are actively speculating on the lore implications and potential new territories.
Final Fantasy XIV on Nintendo Switch 2 has some frame rate issues, game director says players don’t have to be concernedFinal Fantasy XIV director Naoki Yoshida addressed performance concerns for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 port, stating that while some frame rate drops may occur in crowded towns, a stable 30 frames per second can still be achieved. Yoshida expressed enthusiasm for the console's versatility and assured players that the performance should not be a major concern.
Yoshi P: Final Fantasy XIV on Switch 2 has some framerate issues, but “you don’t have to be concerned”Square Enix has confirmed that Final Fantasy XIV will launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 this summer. Producer Yoshi P acknowledged that the game may experience framerate drops in certain areas, particularly in towns with many players, but assured that a stable 30 frames per second can be maintained, especially during duty content. He emphasized the team's efforts in optimizing performance for the new console.
FF14 Evercold's 'Evolved Mode' jobs aren't a replacement, because Yoshi-P remembers what happened to Star Wars GalaxiesFinal Fantasy XIV director Naoki Yoshida discussed the upcoming 'Evolved Mode' for the Evercold expansion, emphasizing it will be an optional alternative to the existing 'Reborn Mode' to avoid alienating the player base. Yoshida cited the unpopular overhaul of Star Wars Galaxies as a cautionary tale, ensuring that established systems will remain supported and viable. The development of Evolved Mode began about a year and a half ago, with battle system planner Hikaru Tamaki playing a key role.
Naoki Yoshida On Final Fantasy XIV’s Ongoing EvolutionFinal Fantasy XIV director Naoki Yoshida announced the upcoming expansion Evercold at the North American Fan Festival, detailing new narrative directions and gameplay systems. The expansion will feature an "Evolved Combat" system and improvements to player matching. Yoshida also confirmed the game's arrival on Nintendo Switch 2 in August and discussed the eventual discontinuation of PlayStation 4 support due to hardware limitations.
The Enduring Appeal of Final Fantasy: Why One Franchise Defined an Entire MediumThe Final Fantasy franchise maintains its cultural relevance through a comprehensive ecosystem of games, merchandise, and media, extending its reach beyond mainline releases. Its ability to reinvent itself, exemplified by the turnaround of Final Fantasy XIV and iterative game design, allows it to survive and surprise audiences, ensuring its continued impact on the gaming medium.
Final Fantasy XIV: Evercold Expansion And Switch 2 Version AnnouncedSquare Enix announced Final Fantasy XIV: Evercold, the next major expansion launching in January 2027, which will include new jobs, a level cap increase to 110, and new content. A version for the Nintendo Switch 2 is also set for August 2026 with a separate subscription. The announcement was made at the Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival 2026 in Anaheim, which also revealed an Evangelion collaboration and a battle system overhaul.
Final Fantasy 14's Yoshi-P has considered a single-player version of the MMO because some fans think "an…Final Fantasy XIV director and producer Naoki Yoshida has considered the possibility of a single-player spin-off game set in the MMO's world. This idea stems from some fans' reluctance to engage with online-only titles. Yoshida discussed this during a Q&A panel at Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival 2026.
Final Fantasy 14 boss Yoshi-P "can't really imagine" the MMO coming to an end, hopes in 10 years time there's a conclusion that rivals EndwalkerFinal Fantasy XIV director Naoki Yoshida, also known as Yoshi-P, stated that he cannot imagine the MMORPG coming to an end, even in 10 years. He expressed hope that a conclusion rivaling Endwalker might be possible in the future. The discussion took place during a Fan Festival Q&A panel.
WoW came back from the brink because Blizzard ran it like a live service game—but now that same tactic's…World of Warcraft's resurgence is attributed to Blizzard's adoption of a live service model with strict adherence to roadmaps, preventing content droughts. However, this rigid schedule has led to the release of buggy patches, suggesting a need for more flexibility and potentially longer development times, even if it means occasional delays. The article argues that MMOs, with their invested player bases and diverse content, can afford a less frantic release pace than typical live service games.
Final Fantasy 14's next expansion ushers in an ice age and adds in an Evangelion crossover for good measureSquare Enix announced a new expansion for Final Fantasy 14, titled Evercold, which will introduce the Godless Realms Saga storyline and a crossover event with Neon Genesis Evangelion. The game's free trial will now extend up to the Shadowbringers expansion, and combat systems are receiving a rework with Reborn and Evolved modes. Additionally, daily duties are being replaced with a weekly progression system.