Everyone has a fighting chance
FanFest is a big deal. Roughly 4,500 Final Fantasy XIV players headed to Paris in early February, filling the lofty Grande Halle de la Villette to capacity with friendly cheer. Almost all were desperately seeking more news on Shadowbringers, the upcoming expansion due out on July 2. But behind these headline announcements, it was also the epicentre of a community celebration unlike any other.
FanFest is for the fans. It’s an opportunity for players worldwide to come together and celebrate Final Fantasy XIV, meet the developers behind the game, and hear exclusive news first-hand. Members of the press are invited (yours truly included), but interview sessions are usually saved for Gamescom and E3.
Cosplay competitions have become a staple of MMO fan festivals, showcasing some extraordinary skill and creativity. Even so, the contest at the European leg of this year’s Final Fantasy XIV FanFest was especially challenging, as time became a crucial factor. Some creators drew inspiration from the recently released Shadowbringers trailer, giving themselves a few short months to build an outfit.
At long last, it’s time to take the fight to Omega in the Alphascape. The sentient super-weapon that dispatched Shinryu and chased Midgardsormr to Hydaelyn is ready to take on the Warrior of Light in the final tier of the eponymous raid series. It’s been a hell of a journey since we first scuffled with Exdeath in the summer of last year, but the end is within reach if you can handle the challenge. (Expect some mild spoilers.)
FFXIV Patch 4.4, Prelude in Violet, went live today! It brings two new dungeons, a new trial, four more raid encounters to end the Omega series — and, of course, a traditionally encyclopedic list of patch notes.
The Moonfire Faire, FFXIV’s summer celebration, is back for 2018. Head on down to Costa Del Sol for fireworks and festivities as Eorzea’s most-eccentric gillionaire splashes out on an excuse to hand out swimsuits.
I’m not much of a monster hunter. Believe me, I’ve tried. No matter how many times I’ve wandered out of camp ready to slay a lizard several times bigger than me with an egregiously large sword on my back, I always end up struggling with the most basic of foes before being sent home on a stretcher. There are people out there who’re made for this sort of thing, and I’m not one of them.
August is always a busy month for Final Fantasy XIV. True, I’m not sure there’s ever been a major content patch in the dog days of summer, but not only does it mark two seasonal events — the Moonfire Faire and the Rising — but also the anniversary of the game’s rebirth.
It was a struggle, but I did it: I’ve finally cleared every floor of Heaven-on-High, introduced earlier this month in FFXIV patch 4.35. Long-time readers of this column will know that I was excited for the latest Deep Dungeon for months, and, now I’ve finally managed to clear it, I have to say I’m really satisfied with what was released. Here are my thoughts following my first successful foray to HoH’s greatest heights.
Final Fantasy XIV producer Naoki Yoshida is back with another live letter. This month’s instalment offers a look about the upcoming Monster Hunter collaboration and the next Eureka expedition, as well as the first concrete details about Patch 4.4, Prelude in Violet.