While the cold chills may not have completely vanished from the air, trees are blooming and spring is gradually settling upon us. I'm sure I'm not the only one tearing up at the thought of finally enjoying a warm day outside...
And as the seasons turn, so does the time once again come for a new celebratory event in Eorzea!
This year's event will combine both Little Ladies' Day & Hatching-tide festivities, so you can enjoy the best of both worlds together!
******
I'm sure you're all wondering about the event reward this time around, so allow me to introduce to you:
Reward Item
▼ Mount: Peatie
A lovely soft pink Goobbue! How majestic and charming!
Peatie comes with a special mount action, which you can see in... egg-tion right here.
What are those pink puffs of smoke?! Look out, sneeze incoming!
Surprise, BUNNIES!!!
And finally, the egg in Peatie's hand goes POP with the vibrant colors of Hatching-tide. ☆
Be sure to complete the event quest for your Peatie mount ahead of some glorious spring walks around Eorzea with your friends!
******
City Decorations
For this year's event, the festival decorations on display will vary from city to city.
Limsa Lominsa and the cities' residential districts, however, will be decorated according to the schedule outlined below.
Little Ladies' Day Decorations
From Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 1:00 a.m.
to Friday, March 22, 2024 at 7:59 a.m. (PDT)
Hatching-tide Decorations
From Friday, March 22, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.
to Monday, April 1, 2024 at 7:59 a.m. (PDT)
Be sure to factor in the switch if you're planning to make some festive /gpose screenshots!
******
Last but not least, here's how to participate in the Little Ladies' Day & Hatching-tide event:
Event Period
From Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 1:00 a.m.
to Monday, April 1, 2024 at 7:59 a.m. (PDT)
How to Participate
To begin the quest, speak with Jihli Aliapoh in Old Gridania (X: 10.2 Y: 9.4). The nearest aethernet is the Mih Khetto's Amphitheatre.
******
And that's all for today~
May you all have an amazing celebration full of blossoming dreams and bun-derful memories!
Kiwikopo
- Community Team
------------------------------
Visit the Little Ladies' Day and Hatching-tide special site.
]]>I'm here to share exciting news: the FFXV collaboration event, A Nocturne for Heroes, will be returning soon.
Since it's been about three years since the last event rolled around, here's a teaser trailer for our first-timers!
Event Period
Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 12:00 a.m. (PST)
to Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 7:59 a.m. (PDT)
How To Participate
Speak with Kipih Jakkya at Ul'dah: Steps of Nald (X:8.5 Y:9.7) to accept the quest.
Reward
▼ Equipment: Lucian Prince's Attire Set
Think you can wear this fit better than Noctis himself?
All pieces are dyeable and can be combined with cute accessories too!
And of course, you can also just wear it as-is to match Noctis!
Event Items
▼ Regalia Type-G Mount
Is your light party ready to travel in style?
The Regalia Type-G seats up to four players including the driver.
Each race has various poses based on where they're seated, so I recommend switching places with your friends when you get the chance!
▼ Modern Aesthetics - Lucian Locks
Get your hair styled just like Noctis'!
The hairstyle is usable on both male and female characters, so be sure to test out different colors and highlights!
The Regalia Type-G Title and Modern Aesthetics - Lucian Locks can be purchased with MGP from the Ironworks Vendor in the Gold Saucer.
They also sell the Noctis Lucis Caelum Card for half the usual price at 10,000 MGP, so be sure to stop by during the collaboration event!
You can also earn Unidentified Magitek items from event-related FATEs.
Visit the Ironworks Hand NPCs in Limsa Lominsa, Ul'dah, Gridania, or Black Brush Station in Central Thanalan to exchange Unidentified Magitek for orchestrion rolls of tracks from FFXV!
Seasonal Event Replay
If you've already completed the FFXV collaboration event before but want to see Noctis again, you're in luck! The Seasonal Event Replay feature will allow you to play through the event quests again! Visit the special site for details.
If there's still event items you haven't obtained, I'd recommend getting a head start and earning MGP before the event begins! The Gold Saucer's GATEs are part of the ongoing Moogle Treasure Trove event, so now's a great time to get started!
Oh! For your safety, keep your hands, arms, feet, and legs inside the Regalia! Happy driving!
- Minaryne
Community team
Visit the FFXV collaboration event special site.
]]>The subject of our fourteenth interview is...
Background Concept Artist Mariko Higashi!
The ever-growing world of FFXIV contains a diverse range of towns, areas, dungeons, and many other fantastic environments. In this interview with Ms. Higashi, we'll uncover how background concept artists go about designing those outstanding landscapes!
* Certain images can be clicked to be viewed in a larger resolution!
▲ Above are some of Ms. Higashi's work. She not only works on the overall imagery, but structures and other intricate designs as well.
******
Miyamiya: Ms. Higashi, could you tell us how and when you joined the FFXIV Development team?
Higashi: I joined the team in 2018, back when Shadowbringers was being developed. My previous job was also at a game company, and I'd worked on several titles including simulation and monster-taming role-playing games. But I wanted to try working at a company with their own intellectual properties and moved to Square Enix.
Miyamiya: So you had prior experience with working on games of various genres. What are some of the most memorable backgrounds you've worked on for FFXIV?
Higashi: I'm especially fond of Labyrinthos, the first area I ever designed.
With Labyrinthos, we added "high-tech machinery" to Old Sharlayan's imagery of "Greek architecture and conch shells." While these conflicting visuals were an intriguing combination, a poor integration would look out of place, so I spent many painstaking hours getting the balance just right.
Out of everything in Labyrinthos, I'm especially fond of Thaumazein's shell-like roof and the bizarrely cute roundness of the cisterns.
I was also in charge of backgrounds for the Copied Factory and the Puppets' Bunker of YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse. As a big fan of the NieR series, I was absolutely thrilled when I was assigned to the crossover!
I enjoy imagining the internal structure of mechanisms or how they might move, so I had a lot of fun designing Hobbes, the second boss in the Copied Factory. Since its mechanics involve the chamber's walls, we background concept artists had the rare opportunity of designing both a boss and its arena, which was a gratifying experience.
Miyamiya :The Hobbes encounter definitely feels like you're fighting the entire arena. I'm surprised that you designed both in tandem!
I'm also a big fan of the fairy tale look of Lyhe Mheg and the mural in the Loporrit tribe quests, do you have any stories about those?
Higashi: We were directed to make Lyhe Mheg "a picture-perfect location," so we set out to create a charming area where you can't help but take screenshots.
Back then, I had a toddler at home who was just as mischievous as the pixies, so the toys we played with together inspired me to add slides and other playground equipment. I also have a sweet tooth, so I went all out with adding sweets! (laughs)
The final design was simply brimming with hope, and I'm very grateful to my team for helping me make it happen.
For the mural, we were told that some of the Loporrits were great artists, while others were... not as talented, so the other artists and I drew together to depict that variance. Each and every sketch captured that "crude but pretty" look, and I remember being impressed that we all could draw in so many different styles. In the end, I compiled all of their ideas and drew the final illustration. My favorite part is the Loporrit who loves carrots so much that they drew themself with carrots for ears and arms. (laughs)
Miyamiya: You've worked on backgrounds of various different genres, but is there anything that you keep in mind when designing them?
Higashi: It's crucial to discuss with the other developers who will be working on the scenario or backgrounds before we start designing. It obviously helps ensure that our ideas don't clash with the setting, but talking with them can also give us new ideas, or even solidify details that were still undecided.
Miyamiya: I see, so the artists' active participation in the world-building aspects helps to create convincing designs.
I've been told you were also in charge of Island Sanctuary's backgrounds. Do you have any stories from behind-the-scenes, or anything you'd like our players to look out for?
Higashi: The structures of Island Sanctuary are built from resources found throughout the island, so most of them have conventional designs. On the other hand, the water otter fountain was one of the structures I intended to be more eye-catching.
When I was brainstorming structures, I happened to be reading "The Namazu and the Greatest Gift." The picture book was so adorable that I ended up designing several structures based on its characters, and ultimately chose the otter to be the motif.
Miyamiya: I never would've guessed that the fountain was based on the picture book! How do you come up with detailed designs for buildings or small objects?
Higashi: In the case of Island Sanctuary, my ideas came from taking my toddler to the beach or the park. For example, "Water-based playgrounds are easier to enjoy with shorter structures" or "Having a swing here might be fun." Island Sanctuary involves "living" in the island environment, so I tried my best to make the designs as compelling as possible.
I've always been fond of interior design as well, so when I'm designing furnishings, I try to imagine how someone might navigate the various rooms. In my head, I'd think, "There's the entrance with a rug, a coffee table on the side for placing various items, a sofa to relax on, and some drinks...ah, bliss!" (laughs)
Miyamiya: I see, so your designs are inspired by both your real-life experiences and imagination!
The upcoming expansion, Dawntrail, will include a graphical update. I'm sure it's still in development, but how do you feel about this upcoming change and how it'll affect your designs?
Higashi: My workload has started to calm down a bit, so I went for a stroll in the world of FFXIV as its being updated!
First of all, I was really impressed by how even more gorgeous the world could be with higher-resolution textures. Buildings and settlements were decorated with more "props" too. Seeing those everyday objects reminds me of the people who go about their daily lives in those places and really enhances my immersion. The update is sure to bring the world of FFXIV a step closer to its ideal form, and that makes me truly happy.
▲ A trailer from Fan Festival 2024 in Tokyo showcasing new areas.
Miyamiya: I imagine we're all eager to adventure in the updated world! Last but not least, do you have anything you'd like to say to our players?
Higashi: Thank you all for playing FFXIV.
I'll continue creating all sorts of new designs and memorable areas in hopes that you'll have brand new experiences every time you play. Seeing everyone's screenshots is a huge source of motivation and fills my heart with gratitude. Our designs are the work of everyone on the Background Concept Art team, and we'd all love to hear about your favorite locations or anything else you'd like to share.
A background concept artist's job is designing our players' surroundings. So if you enjoy traveling, gaming, and playing outdoors, and want to help create a new world where you can have those kinds of experiences, we'd love to work with you! (laughs) Thank you!
******
Something that stood out to me in this interview was Ms. Higashi's cheerful expression and how often she mentioned words like "fun" and "happy." We talked about a few in-game locations, but perhaps there's even more discoveries waiting to be found in various other places! It might be nice to take a stroll in FFXIV's cities, areas, and dungeons when we have the time!
Miyamiya
-Promotional team
This is Chesskyth from the Community team.
Ah, the wonderful smell of chocolate is in the air~ 'tis truly the season of love! Maybe you have a gift prepared for a special someone this year, or might you be hoping to receive one?
Shower your loved ones with affection as Eorzea once again celebrates Valentione's Day!
Event Period
From Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 12:00 a.m.
to Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 6:59 a.m. (PST)
How to Participate
To begin the quest, speak with Astrid in Old Gridania (X: 10.2 Y: 9.4).
The nearest aethernet is the Mih Khetto's Amphitheatre!
On this most amorous of occasions, Astrid is in need of assistance.
Reward
▼ Emote: Love Heart
Once you progress through the seasonal event quest, you can obtain the Love Heart emote, which is perfect for this special occasion!
Behold a gesture overflowing with love and hearts! Now let's try it out with different facial expressions~
First, a heart with a smile!
If you're not the lovey-dovey type, you could always go with a more mysterious and villainous vibe.
Because, you know, love can come in many different forms...
We'd love to see all your wonderful and creative screenshots!
Event Item
▼ Furnishing: Valentione's Heart Chair
The back of the seat is heart-shaped! How adorable!
You can purchase this furnishing from the House Valentione maid near the Mih Khetto's Amphitheatre.
Valentione's Day is just around the corner. Be sure to spread your love to your dearest and nearest!
With love,
Chesskyth
-Community Team
------------------------------
Visit the Valentione's Day special site.
]]>This is Sicycre from the Community team.
The Maiden's Rhapsody is a returning collaboration event with our FINAL FANTASY MMO predecessor, FFXI! It's also an opportunity to learn a bit about the world of Vana'diel before the FFXI-themed alliance raid series arrives in the upcoming Dawntrail expansion.
It's been about two years since the event was last held so I'm sure those playing it for the first time will be happy to rise to the occasion. Personally, I'm leaping with joy for those who will be seekers of this quest for the first time! So, pardon me if I insert a few (too many) FFXI references throughout the blog!
Event Period
From Monday, January 22 at 12:00 a.m.
to Monday, February 5 at 6:59 a.m. (PST)
How to Participate
To begin the quest, speak with Remumu in Limsa Lominsa Upper Decks (X:11.6 Y:11.2).
Event Items
▼ Equipment:
Amatsu Hachigane / Amatsu Togi / Amatsu Tekko / Amatsu Haidate / Amatsu Sune-ate
The Amatsu set is an even match replica set worn by Iroha, a maiden from a faraway land that you meet during the event. This iconic red-and-white armor can be worn on any job, so you can mix and match with similar pieces to give yourself an Eastern-style makeover!
And if you happen to make some notorious glamoured gear sets in conjunction with any treasures you may find during your adventures--like an Emperor Hairpin, Scorpion Harness, etc.--then please share some screenshots with us!
If none of those suggestions fit your style though, it's fine if you're the type who just wings it and creates a new glamour set, too!
Seasonal Event Replay
Unlike the past iterations of this event, if you've already completed it but wish to experience it again, you can do so by using the Seasonal Event Replay feature!
You can learn more about the Seasonal Event Replay feature on our special site.
We hope you enjoy this mysterious story that chains the worlds of FFXI and FFXIV together!
As for you adventurer, you have done well... reading through this whole blog.
We hope you look forward to the Echoes of Vana'diel alliance raid series coming in Dawntrail! I know members of our team are quite bubbly about its upcoming release.
Sicycre
-Community Team
------------------------------
Visit the Maiden's Rhapsody special site.
]]>I've been seeing many fellow Warriors of Light running around Eorzea dressed head-to-toe in Starlight cheer, which really warms my heart! Be sure to check out the Starlight Celebration event if you haven't already: you'll have until Sunday, December 31 at 6:59 a.m. (PST) to complete the quest and claim your rewards.
Once the Starlight Celebration festivities conclude, however, we'll be jumping straight into welcoming the new year with Heavensturn!
Look at this super adorable dragon chocobo hatchling!
But wait... this is a familiar face... what is Seiryu doing here?!
I'm really looking forward to seeing how all this comes together this Heavensturn!
******
Event Period
From Sunday, December 31, 2023 at 7:00 a.m.
to Monday, January 15, 2024 at 6:59 a.m. (PST)
How to Participate
Speak with Ryu Metsuke in Limsa Lominsa, Upper Decks (X:11.5 Y:13.9) to begin the quest.
If you're wondering where the bugyo from previous Heavensturn events has wandered off to, worry not--they're still here!
Though, it looks like they're a little tied up in conversation. I suppose we all need a little break every now and then...
Reward Item
▼ Minion: Ryunosuke
Ryunosuke is ready to join you on your adventures!
Upon completing the event quest, you will be rewarded with this adorable chocobo hatchling minion, all dressed up in their snug little dragon outfit.
Since Ryunosuke is a dragon(?), surely this means it's possible for them to converse with their fellow dragons, right...? In that case, let's head to the Dravanian Forelands and pay Vidofnir a visit!
Alright Ryunosuke, say hello!
\ Kweh! Kweh! /
While I am very curious about what they're discussing, I'm afraid I don't understand Dragonspeak, so we'll have to leave this mystery for another time.
Omikuji
The omikuji is back for more fortune-telling shenanigans!
If you're curious about your fortune* for the upcoming year, you can bring your trusty 100 gil and seek out the Far Eastern Omikujishi during the Heavensturn celebrations.
* Fortune accuracy not guaranteed.
******
The upcoming year will see a wide variety of events, such as the Fan Festival 2024 in Tokyo, as well as the Dawntrail expansion. We'll make sure to keep you updated on what's to come, so stay tuned!
Until then, Happy Holidays and a Wonderful New Year to all Warriors of Light across the realm!
(Here's one more screenshot of Ryunosuke staring at Althyk's mark for good luck!)
Kiwikopo
- Community Team
------------------------------
Visit the Heavensturn special site.
]]>While the end of the year and Fan Festival 2024 in Tokyo are closing in on us, we can't forget one last hurrah in 2023!
Today, I am delighted to share news of the upcoming Starlight Celebration event! We remember the event's humble beginnings of honoring the Ishgardian Knights during this time of year.
Event Period
From Friday, December 15, 2023 at 12:00 a.m.
to Sunday, December 31, 2023 at 6:59 a.m. (PST)
How to Participate
Head over to Old Gridania (X:10.2 Y:9.4) and speak with Bearded Lady to start the quest.
It seems the Starlight Celebration volunteer looks a little different this year. At least, with this majestic facial hair, it's difficult to discern their identity.
Reward Items
▼ Equipment: Unorthodox Saint's Outfit
This outfit will be sure to keep you warm during the cold season. Rumor has it that this outfit is based on the attire worn by the Saint of Nymeia.
Ohohohoho!
Don't forget you can also dye the outfit. You can become a saint of gold, going forth to spread cheer and good fortunes to all!
▼ Outdoor Furnishing: Illuminated Topiary Chocobo
'Tis the season to deck the yard with illuminations and the topiary chocobo is perfect for the season!
This topiary chocobo can be purchased from the seasonal event vendor, the Starlight supplier, so grab it before it's gone!
---
Additionally, while you're out helping the Starlight volunteer, you may see some familiar faces stopping by to chat.
Who will come to visit you? That's a Starlight surprise!
That's a wrap from me. As Starlight Celebration begins, we hope your days continue to be merry and bright!
Happy holidays!
Minaryne
- Community Team
---
Visit the Starlight Celebration special site.
]]>We hope you enjoyed our announcements at the European Fan Festival! The next round of announcements will take place at the Japanese Fan Festival in January 2024, but before that, we also have All Saints' Wake to enjoy!
Here's a quick overview of this year's eerie shenanigans!
Event Period
Friday, October 27, 2023 at 1:00 a.m. (PDT)
to Monday, November 13, 2023 at 6:59 a.m. (PST)
How to Participate
Speak with the Adventurers' Guild Investigator in Old Gridania (X:10.4 Y:8.4) to accept the quest.
Quest: The Fright Stuff
The Adventurers' Guild investigator is eyeing the festive displays with a healthy dose of suspicion.
Event Items
▼ Emote: All Saints' Charm
Swish and flick to shoot a sparkling star from the tip of the wand!
And should that star land upon a target...
POOF!
A burst of All Saints' Wake surprises!
May your spellcasting bring festivity and happiness to everyone during this frighteningly fun season!
▼ Furnishing: Wall-mounted Vampire Bats
"Who let these bats in my house!?"
These cute bats might follow you home!
This wall-mounted decoration will be available from the seasonal event vendor.
Photo Spot
The Haunted Manor and the Phantoms' Feast return from previous years. Complete the seasonal event quests to visit them!
Use your newfound spell along with the Haunted Manor's mysterious magicks to play out a little scene!
"Oh, look! I've been turned into a lovely sultana!"
These photo locations will surely make for amazing All Saints' Wake screenshots! (There are also rumors that the number of characters you can dress up as has increased this year!)
Now, if you'll indulge me in a little spellcasting, "Water, water, froth and..."
Oh dear, a certain someone might come to haunt me if I continue, so perhaps I should fly away now.
I hope you enjoy this year's All Saints' Wake!
Minaryne
- Community team
―――
Visit the All Saints' Wake special site.
]]>Zhexos here and today, I'd like to introduce the second round of merchandise to commemorate the Fan Festival 2023-2024 events! The next wave of merch is available for pre-order ahead of the Fan Festival 2023 in London!
Ancient's Mask
Presenting a reproduction of the mask worn by the ancients!
The adjustable cord will allow you to wear the mask just like an ancient or simply wear it around your neck... also just like an ancient! We'd love to see you all wearing it in the crowd at future events, like the upcoming Fan Festival! That said, please be mindful that your vision may be obstructed while wearing the mask, so please exercise caution when maneuvering while wearing the mask.
Silver Pendant - Elpis Flower Silver and Gold-plated
Next, we have a pendant featuring the iconic Elpis flower, replicating the delicate flower design.
Whether you're selecting a silver or a gold-plated pendant, this would be a wonderful gift for any Warrior of Light (even if it's just yourself)!
Emet-Selch, Hythlodaeus, and Venat Figures
Next up we have figures of three iconic characters from Endwalker. We have adjusted the printing method for the faces of these figures compared to previous offerings. We used a printing method that blends in with the skin coating in an effort to reproduce their detailed eyes.
This method is primarily used for figure prints of characters from live action films and this is the same method we opted to use to faithfully reproduce our characters. The masks are intricately detailed and have a shinier finish to differentiate their texture from the rest of their attire.
Square Tote Bag - Loporrit
This tote bag features a blue color inspired by the Loporrits! Both the Loporrit and the tiny carrot designs add a nice, cute touch. This adorable tote bag also features a wide gusset and inner pocket that allows you to carry a multitude of items!
Plushie Keychain - Ambystoma and Little Troll
Continuing from our first round of Fan Festival 2023-2024 merchandise, we now have these two adorable Ambystoma and Little Troll added to our plushie keychain collection. To draw attention to the keychain, the color of the plastic clip was selected to match well with the plushies themselves.
Speaking of matching well, these keychains pair up well with the Loporrit tote bag!
Status Effect Pins
Here are some newly created pins featuring some of the status effect icons! Select the pins that reflect your mood and put them on your jacket, bag, or other accessories to make sure everyone knows your current status!
Fluffy Leisurewear - Loporrit
Feel warm and fuzzy both inside and out with this fluffy leisurewear! It's cozy but still easy to move around in, so long as you can resist the urge to curl up into a ball of comfort forever! The coat is designed a tad larger than usual for ease of wear, and the shorts are held up by elastic. Wear them with the Fluffy Slippers for the ultimate fuzzy combination!
Fluffy Slippers - Fat Cat, Moogle, and Namazu
These fluffy slippers will definitely keep you warm during the cold season! They're fluffy on both the outside and inside so you can wear them bare foot and your feet will still be nice and warm. There are different slippers that feature Fat Cat, Moogle, or Namazu minion doodles, with the color being selected to accompany these minions.
Nail Stickers - Minion Doodle
Look at these nail stickers featuring adorable minion doodles! Along with the nail wraps, they also feature nail art stickers to customize your nails even further! As a heads up, to avoid wrinkles from appearing, we recommend using a size smaller than your nail. You can always cut any excess with scissors as well.
These are so adorable and I'm sure they'd be amazing conversation starters among friends, family, or fellow Warriors of Light!
1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzles
IMAGE ILLUSTRATION: © YOSHITAKA AMANO
These jigsaw puzzles feature illustrations by the famed Yoshitaka Amano. They're approximately 20.08 in (510 mm) by 28.94 in (735 mm) in size and should be a fun activity to do while you're waiting for your duty to pop.
-----
We had a lot to showcase, so thanks for making it through it all with us! These products are scheduled to start shipping in October 2023, so be sure to pre-order today!
That's all from me today, I gotta go fill up my cart!
Zhexos
- Community Team
------------------------------
Visit the Square Enix Store to view the new merchandise.
]]>This is Minaryne from the Community team.
I am excited to be the latest adventurer to join the ranks of the North American Community team! I have been a Warrior of Light since we had Dreams of Ice in A Realm Reborn.
I hope you are all enjoying your time keeping the beaches safe and having fun as one of the Phoenix Risers during this year's Moonfire Faire seasonal event!
Don't miss this opportunity to obtain that amazing looking hero suit, taking screenshots with the summer festivities in the background, or completing the Eorzean Nimble Warrior course! The Moonfire Faire event comes to an end on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 7:59 a.m. (PDT), so don't miss out.
But with the Moonfire Faire ending, we have the Rising seasonal event starting the very next day.
It has been a decade since A Realm Reborn! We've prepared a special celebration to show our gratitude to all our Warriors of Light once again, so let us all reflect on the journey we've taken thus far and enjoy the time together!
Event Period
From Sunday, August 27, 2023 at 12:00 a.m. (PDT) until the launch of Patch 6.5
How to Participate
Speak with Kipih Jakkya located in Ul'dah - Steps of Nald (X10.1 Y:8.7) to accept the quest.
Quest: Siblings Rising
Kipih Jakkya is looking a worried sister.
Event Rewards
These orchestrion rolls are for the songs that play in a mini-game you can enjoy after completing the seasonal event. You can purchase these orchestrion rolls from the Rising vendor!
▼ Furnishing: The Rising Advertisement
This furnishing can also be purchased from the Rising vendor. Why not decorate your place with this amazing piece which was featured during our first anniversary?
▼ Mount: Rising Phoenix
You get a mount. And you get a mount. And we all get a mount!
Take a good look at this mount. Notice anything in particular?
If you noticed that no one is riding it, you have quite a keen eye! You become the phoenix! First you became the Phoenix Riser, and now you become the phoenix itself, how cool is that!?
Furthermore, the rising phoenix features a unique action named "A Flame Reborn"!
Maybe this will stir memories of embarking on a pilgrimage to visit the Twelve for some veteran adventurers.
There's More!
Not only do we have the seasonal quest this year, but you'll get to read some special messages and play a mini-game after completing the event.
▼ Special Messages
You'll be able to read messages someone wrote to those who survived the Seventh Umbral Calamity, so be sure to give them a read.
▼ Mini-game: Kupo Kupo Adventure
Give instructions to a moogle to bounce balls to target and defeat enemies. Here's what it looks like!
This game is addicting... It's so fun that it may distract me from my adventures!
These special messages and the mini-game will be available from NPCs marked with the 10th anniversary icon above their head.
Archon Louisoix
You'll also be able to accept a new quest related to Louisoix Leveilleur from Nanaji in Ul'dah - Steps of Nald (X:8.9 Y:9.2).
* To accept this quest, you will need to have a level 50 Disciple of War or Magic and have completed the main scenario quest "The Ultimate Weapon."
This quest is a great refresher for those already familiar with Louisoix, and also great for adventurers who may be unfamiliar with him, so be sure to check it out!
* The quest related to Louisoix will be available even after the Rising event concludes.
This year we have a lot in store for the Rising event, so I hope you all look forward to it!
Until next time!
Minaryne
- Community team
------------------------------
Visit the Rising special site.
]]>It's Voltenyne from the Community team, returning from Fan Festival 2023 in Las Vegas! I hope you're excited for the upcoming expansion, because oh boy, I sure am!
But put away your tacos, now's not the time to take it slow and take a bite! It's the middle of summer and you know what that means: it's time for Moonfire Faire! Let's take a peek at the event and its rewards, which are sure to get you fired up!
Event Period
From Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 1:00 a.m. to Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 7:59 a.m. (PDT)
How to Participate
Speak with Mayaru Moyaru in Limsa Lominsa, Upper Deck (X:11.5 Y:13.8) and he'll send you on your way to Costa del Sol!
Event Items
▼Armor: Phoenix Riser Helmet / Phoenix Riser Suit
Introducing the Phoenix Riser, a heroic set of garb for our Warriors of Light! Its standard color is a blazing red, reminiscent of its fiery namesake.
But I think you'll agree when I say there's only room for ONE red ranger per team, so it's a good thing these outfits are dyeable! Use the dye preview to find the perfect color for your heroic persona!
Photo Spot
This unique photo spot will be available to help set the stage for some amazing photos! Gather your friends and rivals to host your very own performance!
At a glance, it seems like your typical stage with no standout features besides a nice view of the sea, but then...
KABOOM!
You'll be greeted with an explosion of color that sets the perfect backdrop for you and your ensemble. Don't worry, it won't get on your clothes!
This could be an over-the-top commercial for laundry detergent though.
Emotes with flashy poses like Advent of Light or Black Ranger Pose (recently used in Eorzean Aetherobics!) can really help take your group screenshots to the next level, so be sure to try some out!
******
That's all for today's sneak peek. I hope it reminded you in time to practice your posing ahead of Moonfire Faire!
See you next time, hopefully when this summer heat becomes more bearable!
- Voltenyne
Community team
Next weekend is our long-awaited North American Fan Festival! There will be plenty of new announcements and fun stage events, so we hope you're looking forward to it!
Today, I'm here to showcase the Fan Festival commemorative items, which are already available on the FINAL FANTASY XIV Online Store! They're on discount for a limited time, so be sure to check them out!
◆ Mount: Garlond GL-IS (Account-wide)
Introducing the magnificent Garlond GL-IS, a magitek two-wheeler with a sidecar!
Here's a side view of the latest machine from Garlond Ironworks. The Garlond GL-IS comes in a soft teal color that is sure to look sharp with any rider.
But perhaps you've noticed something else about this new vehicle...
\Kweh!/
Well, according to my notes, it's actually a mascot--handcrafted by Wedge! It's an incredible replica of the real deal and a wonderful addition to our bike! Good on you, Wedge!
Our precious passenger already makes this new ride a must-have, but there's still more to this mount! The Garlond GL-IS can traverse at the first enhanced level of mount speed from the get-go, a handy perk in areas where you've yet to unlock a mount speed increase!
And did I mention ...it seats two?
"But wait," you might be thinking. "If my buddy wants to ride with me, what happens to Alpha?"
Well, about that...
Surely your buddy won't mind taking a "back seat" (if it can be called that) for everyone's favorite little bird! They can be the third wheel on your two-wheeled tour with Alpha, at least until Eorzea gets stricter with traffic safety.
◆ Emote: Advent of Light
Leap into action with this superhero landing emote, Advent of Light! If you promise you won't try this at home, we can take a closer look at this superb animation.
First, our friend gets into a low stance and prepares to propel herself upwards with everything she's got.
Now up you go! Don't worry about the consequences for now!
She vanishes into the blue for a split second, and then...
WHAM! (That's gotta hurt...)
Now she lifts her gaze, as if to declare...
I wish I looked this impressive when taking towers in P10S...
Our heroic adventurers may already have ideas for using this emote in their gear set transformation macros, and I'm probably going to do the same! After all, a flashy entrance goes a long way in intimidating foes and reassuring those in distress! (Just make sure to nail the landing!)
◆ Emote: Cheer Jump: Green
◆ Emote: Cheer Wave: Violet
◆ Emote: Cheer On: Bright
◆ Emote: Fan-tastic Cheer Set
Next is a new set of air traffic lights... I mean, the ever-popular cheering emotes! These three new colors are a blessing for those of us who longed for more than red, blue, and yellow! Those cheerleading crowds in Leap of Faith are about to see a lot more color variety!
◆ Eorzean Symphony Orchestrion Roll Set
◆ Pulse Orchestrion Roll Set II
Last but absolutely not least, we have new orchestrion rolls featuring tracks from Eorzean Symphony FINAL FANTASY XIV Orchestral Album Vol. 3 and Pulse: FINAL FANTASY XIV Remix Album! Each set contains five orchestrion rolls with the following tracks.
▼ Eorzean Symphony Orchestrion Roll Set
・Shadowbringers (Orchestral Version) Orchestrion Roll
・Endcaller (Orchestral Version) Orchestrion Roll
・Your Answer (Orchestral Version) Orchestrion Roll
・Close in the Distance (Orchestral Version) Orchestrion Roll
・The Final Day (Orchestral Version) Orchestrion Roll
▼ Pulse Orchestrion Roll Set II
・Unbreakable (Pulse) Orchestrion Roll
・Equilibrium (Pulse) Orchestrion Roll
・Beauty's Wicked Wiles (Pulse) Orchestrion Roll
・I Am the Sea (Pulse) Orchestrion Roll
・A Long Fall (Pulse) Orchestrion Roll
I don't know about you, but I'll be hogging orchestrion privileges to always play Unbreakable (Pulse) at our house! Hand you the aux cord? No way!
******
As a reminder, these optional items are already available on the FINAL FANTASY XIV Online Store and will be discounted until Wednesday, August 16 at 11:59 p.m. (PDT)!
That's all for today's showcase, and it's time for me to get back to Fan Festival preparations! Our team has been doing our best to ensure it'll be enjoyable for attendees and viewers alike, and I can't wait for you all to see what awaits!
I better go before I spill the beans! See you soon!
Voltenyne
- Community team
Today we released a surprise video, Eorzean Aetherobics!
You may be wondering, "Why an exercise video!?" With many of us working from home during the last couple of years or simply preferring to stay indoors, we thought it'd be nice to have some simple and easy-to-follow stretches for short breaks during work or prolonged gaming sessions.
There may be plenty of other exercise videos already out there on the internet, but we felt that some of our Warriors of Light may be more motivated if we used movements and music from FFXIV.
So 80% of the "why the video was created" was to motivate us to move our bodies, 19% being that it will be beneficial for our health while we enjoy it. The remaining 1% was because we just wanted to do something fun for everyone!
Follow Along at Your Own Pace!
You may struggle with some of the more difficult movements, like the Manderville Dance or squats. Just remember that there's no need to follow along with the video perfectly; these movements are mostly just for fun and to keep our bodies moving!
Feel free to adjust the movements in any way that works best for you, whether that may be focusing on the upper body movements or doing smaller moves instead or skipping the difficult movements entirely!
That also means you don't have to follow the entire routine; if a specific movement gives you an especially good stretch, you can focus on doing that one for the whole duration!
Personally, one of our favorites is the "Show Off" movement. I struggle to keep up with the on-screen instructor, but kneeling and stretching those arms wide really helps with your shoulders, spine, and hips, which feels great!
Arranging the Moves for a Better Stretch
In making Eorzean Aetherobics, our team in Japan worked together with RENAISSANCE INC., who operates many sport clubs and health programs in Japan.
The goal was to choose movements that were easy enough to memorize while also providing a good stretch, but it was difficult to achieve both with some of the movements. The final version ended up prioritizing easy-to-remember movements from FFXIV, but here I'd like to share some adjusted versions that might give you a better stretch.
Point
In the video, this movement just extends your arm forward, but facing your palm upward can help to relieve your arms after using a PC for a long time.
Show Off
The video shows the character facing forward while extending their arms to one side. We can improve the stretch by turning your body in the direction of your arms, as well as extending your arms further apart.
Yol Dance
In the video, we showed the character taking little hops, which can be replaced by adopting a wide stance and shifting your weight from side to side to get a better stretch on your hips.
There are More Exercise Examples in FFXIV!
We have plethora of emotes and animations in FFXIV, and there were many candidates for the video that were ultimately dropped.
Lookout
This would've been a great exercise for stretching your neck and upper body, but there is one critical problem: you can't follow the video if you're looking away! It's still a nice exercise, so here are some photos to demonstrate the movement.
Ball Dance
The rhythm for this one is pretty difficult, but if you think you can keep up with the beat, give it a go!
Ritual Prayer
This was a candidate for loosening your shoulders, but Cuff-a-Cur won the position in the video. If you feel the Cuff-a-Cur movement is too intense, you can swap it with this instead.
We also had other candidates that were job-specific, like black mage's Meteor (LB3) or monk's Riddle of Earth. I'm sure there's a lot of other emotes and animations that could provide a good stretch!
We hope Eorzean Aetherobics will help motivate our Warriors of Light to keep their body active and stay healthy for the journeys ahead!
- Zhexos
Community Team
We have some fun updates for our Group Pose (GPose) enthusiasts and everyone who is excited to try and creating their own fun screenshots!
Patch 6.45 includes special limited-time 10th anniversary frames (10) and stickers (9)!
Let's check them out, shall we?
A white frame with blurred effects with a monochrome anniversary logo. Simple, yet elegant! Also, check out the sticker with a golden moogle peeking out of the meteor saying hi!
Next up, we have a red ribbon sticker with a golden anniversary logo. Since this is a sticker, you can play around with the size and placement to fit your fancy.
This frame with a large anniversary logo looks like it'll be great for some business card-like screenshots!
This frame wraps the screenshot in red ribbons in each corner.
This white version of the anniversary logo and vertical anniversary logo stickers may work well with a cool screenshot!
And finally, a frame with a gigantic golden meteor in the center! Use this when you really want to show off a specific subject!
You can modify the size, positioning, angle, and transparency of the stickers, so there are many ways to make use of them!
These frames and stickers will be available until sometime in January 2024, so you have plenty of time to enjoy them.
These are sure to make all your amazing screenshots even more amazing, so get out there adventurer, snap some group pose shots with these and share them on social media. We look forward to seeing all your creativity at work!
- Zhexos
Community Team
FFXIV Backstage Investigators is a blog series that shares behind-the-scenes stories from the team members who work on all aspects of FFXIV.
The subject of our thirteenth interview is...
Game UI Designer Kei Odagiri!
FFXIV's UI (user interface) team is involved with an impressive range of FFXIV's development, from its structural systems to its immersive menus!
Also, FFXIV is currently hiring game UI designers! If you're interested, please check out this blog and recruitment listing.
******
Hama: Mr. Odagiri, could you start us off by sharing what it's like to work as a game UI designer?
Odagiri: Sure thing.
People tend to think of game UI designers as artists, but it's more of a technical profession. When an update calls for new content or features, we create a list of specifications based on their menu windows; namely, what features the menus will need and how they should be designed for navigation. From there, we discuss and decide a course of action with other relevant teams, then work in tandem with our programmers and artists to get everything implemented. That basically sums up the UI team's main duties.
As for me, I mainly work on many of the system-related elements that form the fundamental parts of the game. I'm in charge of player input-related features such as camera and movement controls, control system features for UI customization elements (like the Configuration menus), reviewing the necessity of platform-specific features for PlayStation®5 and PlayStation®4, and more.
In addition to those fundamental aspects, I also oversee the features which derive from them, such as group pose, performance, and most recently-adventurer plates.
Hama: Sounds like working on UI encompasses far more than we might expect!
Could you tell us more about what the UI team does when new content is being added to the game?
Odagiri: After our game designers finish their proposal for a new piece of content or feature, they ask us to work on its interfaces. We have a detailed discussion with the person in charge to make sure we're on the same page regarding the intent of the proposal or the key points of the content.
From there, we narrow down the necessary requirements and functionality for each feature, gauge how difficult they would be to implement, then assign a game UI designer to the task before moving on to the finer details of the specifications.
One example would be variant dungeons, which were introduced in Patch 6.25 and encompass a wide variety of different features. When you look at the V&C Dungeon Finder menu, there's a feature for duty registration, another for selecting variant actions, as well as an expedition log feature which unlocks entries upon duty completion. There's also one that switches the menu to the higher-difficulty criterion dungeons, which reveals yet another feature that allows users to select matchmaking criteria.
We begin by identifying these kinds of essential components and organizing them into features that players would presumably need. Then we request our UI artists to create the visual designs and layout data, and our UI programmers to implement the actual features.
With the V&C Dungeon Finder, the basic features, such as duty registration and variant action selection, were designed to look like the standard system UI, while the expedition log window was given a more stylized look.
Hama: The fancy expedition log window and having the duty registration feature outside of Duty Finder certainly stood out to me at the time.
Odagiri: Our game designers were the ones who provided the framework of the variant dungeon system, whereas we worked with our artists and programmers to flesh it out into actual UI features. During that process, we made suggestions based on in-game immersion, usability, functionality, and other factors.
It's worth mentioning how the UI team is often working on the next patch to be released. While most other teams are planning and creating development environments for patches far into the future, the UI team is typically occupied with the most immediate patch based on those upcoming plans. So, for us, it's a never-ending battle with "the next patch." (laughs)
Hama: I've also noticed that your team sometimes goes back and revamps systems that were implemented in the past.
Odagiri: That's right.
While it may not have made much of a difference for veteran players, in Patch 6.4, we added a feature that allows players to carry over their class's hotbar settings to their new job, such as gladiator to paladin.
▲ One of the many system-related updates implemented in Patch 6.4.
Prior to this feature, when a player advanced from a class to a job, they had to place their actions on their hotbars all over again, which wasn't exactly intuitive for beginners. It was a situation we wanted to address for years, and we were finally blessed with a timing where the task could be prioritized by our staff members.
Developing UI for new content may be our primary job, but we're always looking to address small-but-worthwhile changes and bringing features up to current standards, even if it's in small steps at a time.
Hama: There've been times where I've been surprised by how tiny some changes were, but now I understand your intentions behind them.
Odagiri: We do make miniscule adjustments that might make you go, "I can't believe they're going that far with the UI!" Everyone in our team pitches in with ideas for improvements, which are tracked as a list and worked on whenever we have time to spare.
Our conversations go something like, "Wouldn't it be better like this?"
"Oh, that seems feasible."
"I think it'd take about three days."
"Sounds good, stick it on the task list!"
Hama: Another major change in Patch 6.4 was the ability to display job icons next to nameplates.
I remember when you appeared on the Letter from the Producer LIVE in 2020, you explained how it would be hard to implement immediately but would be kept in consideration. So when I saw that update, I was glad it had finally came to fruition.
Odagiri: That was quite a noticeable change to the UI, wasn't it?
The circumstances regarding nameplates are still mostly unchanged from what I explained during that Letter LIVE. Since only one icon can be displayed at a time, simply overwriting that slot with a job icon would mean online status icons (In Queue, Mentor, and Disconnecting, etc.) would no longer be displayed.
With this in mind, we managed to make it work by assigning a display priority to online statuses so that, depending on the situation, certain status icons are delegated to the text part of the nameplate instead.
A key aspect of UI is how it's a collection of various elements that were built up over time. There isn't really a state where it can be considered "complete," since we're always piling new things on top of everything that's been made or modified so far.
As a result, as time goes on, it's inevitable for some aspects to become distorted or limited in certain ways as a result of something we previously implemented. We're talking about the development side of things, of course; our players have nothing to do with these matters. But because even a single issue can involve a tremendous number of hurdles to address, I'd be grateful if you could bear in mind that our improvements will often be implemented in small steps.
Something I strive for is being able to explain the intentions and processes behind an implementation. Having a firm knowledge of the causes, reasons, and limitations may eventually lead to the ability to improve the situation in the future. With that in mind, even if a problem doesn't have an obvious solution, I make it a point to try and find a workaround.
Hama: My first thought was, "Sounds like an endless amount of work!" (laughs)
Odagiri: We'll never run out of things to do, no matter how hard we try! I can't deny that we're essentially digging our own graves by making more work for ourselves (laughs) but making our players happy is our biggest source of motivation.
Hama: Last but not least, do you have anything you'd like to say to our players?
Odagiri: As I previously mentioned on the Letter LIVE, UI is something that players often take for granted, so my impression is that UI teams are usually met with criticism and little praise. However, FFXIV players shower us with compliments, which I'm truly grateful for. Of course, we also owe it to our fellow Development team members who work alongside us, but I also think it's due to the feedback we receive from our players and the improvements we make based on that feedback.
There will inevitably be discrepancies in how quickly we can address requests from our players, but the UI team will continue working hard to create an environment that makes the game more playable. Our players' reactions are truly a big source of motivation. We're always keeping an eye on the official forums and social media, so we'd really appreciate it if you could continue to share your feedback with us!
On a different note, we're currently hiring Game UI Designers! We could use a few more hands to help us expand the world of FFXIV, and we would love to receive applications from Warriors of Light who've played FFXIV and are familiar with its in-game features. It's a very rewarding job where we receive a lot of feedback from our players due to the relatively short intervals between updates.
I would highly recommend it to anyone who finds themselves meticulously going through the game settings before starting their playthrough of a new game! If you are interested in UI development for FFXIV, we would love to hear from you!
******
Sounds like we can count on our UI team to continue taking in player feedback and elevating FFXIV's UI to new heights! Thanks for joining me for another issue of Backstage Investigators!
Hama
- Promotional team