Final Fantasy XIV is famous for undergoing a rebirth from its initial release in 2010 to its relaunch in 2013 with A Realm Reborn. But the games director and producer, Naoki “Yoshi-P” Yoshida has highlighted how with Dawntrail, FFXIV will be undergoing a “second rebirth,” as per an interview from the Tokyo Fan Fest.
Published by Famitsu on Jan. 8, the interview, conducted on Jan. 7, delved into numerous topics, but focused on the upcoming release of Dawntrail and the features revealed in Yoshi-P’s Keynote address. But Yoshida was also certain to explain that with the release of Dawntrail, FFXIV would be undergoing its “second rebirth.”
In response to a question about what Yoshida and the team were planning to add to the game, the game director explained his vision for the upcoming expansion. “Ten years ago, in August 2013, we launched A Realm Reborn. But this time, we’re taking on the challenge as if it were a second rebirth,” explained Yoshida. “However, compared to new players at the time, we have gained far more experience, so we believe we can deliver a game experience that is three or four times more solid. Please look forward to it.”
Yoshi-P was also clearly keen to express that his team was not running short on inspiration. A follow-up question asked whether the development team needed to take measures to not run out of ideas. He explained that he managed this through both steering the overall direction of the team, and makes sure his team works on making something interesting. Yoshida also described how they use new staff, and this fresh blood helps create something interesting: “Age doesn’t matter, and I think being able to create something really interesting, with a solid sense of cost, and with the support of a variety of people is a truly rare talent. In order to take advantage of the ideas and opportunities of these people, we have given support from our seniors to give shape to them, and this may be one of the reasons why we always feel new and fresh” he explained.
Dawntrail, the “second rebirth” of Final Fantasy XIV is set for a Summer 2024 release. In 2023 FFXIV celebrated its 10th anniversary of the first rebirth - the release of A Realm Reborn. Now Yoshida and the rest of Creative Business Unit III are poised once again to breathe new life into the MMO.
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