Naoki Yoshida
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Square Enix just killed Final Fantasy 14's mobile port before it could even launch globally, offering "sincere apologies for being unable to meet your expectations"
Square Enix and Tencent have officially canceled the global release of Final Fantasy 14 Mobile, citing business and market changes. The Chinese version, which launched in June 2025, will also go offline on September 30. This decision follows the earlier shutdown of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remaster and the upcoming closure of Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis.
Tales of series lead apologizes for the long wait as the JRPG series approaches its largest gulf between mainline…
Yusuke Tomizawa, the lead for Bandai Namco's Tales series, has apologized for the extended wait for a new mainline entry. He cited increasing development times and the need for new games to meet high expectations as reasons for the delay. Tomizawa also mentioned the ongoing remaster project as a way to help players engage with older titles.
The NES is 45 years old – here’s why there’s no nostalgia for it in the UK
The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), despite its global importance and iconic franchises, had a minimal cultural impact and generated little nostalgia in the UK. This is attributed to its late release in 1987, high price point compared to dominant home computers like the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64, and a perception of being for children, unlike Sega's offerings. While foundational for many genres and franchises in North America and Japan, the NES's legacy in the UK is largely overshadowed by these market factors.
Final Fantasy 14 devs pulled off the best relaunch "in the history of video games," Clair Obscur: Expedition…
Guillaume Broche, lead developer for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, praised Final Fantasy XIV's relaunch as "the best thing in the history of video games." He highlighted Square Enix's successful turnaround of the MMORPG after its disastrous initial launch, culminating in the dramatic in-game cutscene depicting the world's end before the release of A Realm Reborn.
Wisdom of Nym: Speculating on Final Fantasy XIV Evercold’s weekly activity system
This opinion piece speculates on the upcoming weekly activity system in Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail, cautioning against overconfidence due to limited information. The author analyzes potential implementations by comparing it to current tomestone systems and discussing how it might encourage broader engagement with various in-game activities.
Final Fantasy 14 boss Yoshi-P has "many game ideas" tucked away that he'd like to do something with, one being a "game design that combines AI and servers"
Naoki Yoshida, producer of Final Fantasy 14, has revealed he has numerous game ideas he wishes to develop, including one that combines AI and servers. Despite the challenges in the current game industry, Yoshida expressed excitement and has no plans to retire soon, continuing to work on Final Fantasy 14 and potentially other projects.
Final Fantasy 14 seasonal events schedule: what to expect and when to expect them
This guide outlines the seasonal events schedule for Final Fantasy 14, detailing current and upcoming events like Make it Rain, Moonfire Faire, and All Saints' Wake. While exact dates are not always provided far in advance, Square Enix typically holds these events around the same time each year, offering unique in-game rewards and activities.
Final Fantasy and Star Wars have the same problem, says former Square Enix exec: fans are getting older, and young…
Former Square Enix executive Jacob Navok argues that both Final Fantasy and Star Wars face a critical problem of an aging core fanbase with a shrinking new audience. He points to declining ratings for Star Wars: The Mandalorian and the high average age of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth players as evidence that these franchises are struggling to connect with younger generations who are growing up with platforms like Roblox.
Wisdom of Nym: What will Final Fantasy XIV’s next ranged DPS job be?
This article speculates on the potential next ranged DPS job for Final Fantasy XIV, analyzing hints from developer statements and imagery. Potential weapon concepts discussed include dual pistols, throwing axes, crossbows, whips, and gun-and-sword combinations, with arguments for and against each based on existing jobs and franchise history.
A burnt-out Final Fantasy 14 playerbase is noticeably more chipper after its latest reveal, even if we've seen…
A Final Fantasy 14 player expresses renewed enthusiasm for the MMORPG following the recent Fan Fest reveal of the upcoming expansion, "Evercold." The announcement, particularly the "Evolved Mode" combat overhaul and regional Party Finder system, has significantly improved community sentiment and player engagement, addressing long-standing player fatigue with aging systems.
Running Final Fantasy 14 for 16 years means Square Enix knows live service, former exec says, but it's "used to being slow" and has "failed to bring its IP to a new generation"
Former Square Enix executive Jacob Navok believes the company, despite its success with Final Fantasy 14, is too slow to adapt and has failed to bring its intellectual property to a new generation. He suggests collaborations and being present on platforms popular with younger audiences, like Roblox and Fortnite, are crucial for Square Enix to appeal to new players and revitalize its brands.
Final Fantasy 14 Evercold sleuths think they've figured out the MMO's new jobs, and it's thanks to the new expansion's theme that Yoshi-P hoped we wouldn't notice yet
Final Fantasy 14 players are speculating about the new jobs coming in the Evercold expansion, based on clues from director Naoki Yoshida's shirt. Theories suggest a tank job might be a 'Sentinel' or a 'Matador' wielding a hammer, while the DPS job remains more mysterious, with some suggesting a yo-yo-like weapon.
Final Fantasy XI Is Expanding Its Free Trial
Square Enix has significantly expanded the free trial for its pioneering MMORPG, Final Fantasy XI. The new trial removes the time limit and raises the level cap to 75, allowing players to explore the base game's world indefinitely. The announcement was made during a livestream celebrating the game's 24th anniversary.
7,000 hours in, Final Fantasy 14 tired me out with Dawntrail – but Evercold's healer reworks, duo duties, and new meta might win me back
Despite initial fatigue with Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail, upcoming changes in the 'Evercold' update, including healer role reworks, duo duties, and a shift away from the two-minute meta, are expected to revitalize the MMORPG. These updates aim to restore the identity of healers and offer more player choice, potentially drawing players back to the game.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Director Says Clair Obscur’s Success Shows Appetite for More Action Gameplay
Naoki Hamaguchi, director of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, believes modern gamers desire more action elements, citing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as an example of a turn-based RPG successfully integrating real-time mechanics. He suggests this trend reflects a player preference for both strategic depth and immediate feedback. Hamaguchi also discussed the challenges of adapting the original Final Fantasy 7's combat for the Remake trilogy.
Final Fantasy 14's newest expansion name almost broke the series' 12-year tradition as Yoshi-P 'really…
Final Fantasy XIV director and producer Naoki Yoshida revealed several rejected names for the MMORPG's expansions, including 'Absolute Zero' for the upcoming 'Evercold'. While the team often favored compound words for expansion titles, Yoshida explored alternatives like 'World's End' for Endwalker and 'Darkbringer' for Shadowbringers, but ultimately stuck to the established naming convention.
Final Fantasy XIV Online Director Confirms Mouse And Keyboard Support For Switch 2 Version
Final Fantasy XIV Online director Naoki Yoshida confirmed that the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 version will support mouse and keyboard controls, as well as Joy-Con mouse controls. Players can choose their preferred input method depending on the in-game task, with options for high-difficulty raids or crafting and gathering.
Final Fantasy 14 for Nintendo Switch 2 supports keyboard and mouse controls including Joy-Con 2, director praises the system
The director and producer of Final Fantasy 14, Naoki Yoshida, confirmed that the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 version will support keyboard and mouse controls, including the Joy-Con 2. Yoshida praised the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware for its versatility, noting its ability to support different playstyles for various in-game activities. The MMORPG is slated for release on the Nintendo Switch 2 in August.
Final Fantasy 14 Director Confirms Nintendo Switch 2 Performance and Mouse-Keyboard Controls
Final Fantasy XIV director Naoki Yoshida confirmed technical details regarding the game's performance and mouse-keyboard control support on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. These details were shared during an interview at FFXIV Fan Fest.
FFXIV Free Trial Now Includes Shadowbringers Expansion
The free trial for Final Fantasy XIV now includes the Shadowbringers expansion, in addition to the base game and previous expansions Heavensward and Stormblood. This update allows new players to reach level 80 and access all jobs and races from these expansions. Restrictions on gil, Party Finder, trading, and market board usage remain in place.
