Final Fantasy XIV’s producer and director Naoki Yoshida has shared a special New Year’s message for players over on the official Lodestone. In the message, Yoshida reflected on the two Fan Festivals that have taken place in both Last Vegas and Tokyo, as well as what they have achieved in the game during 2016. He goes on to thank all the “Warriors of Light” who have made everything possible before mentioning that they’ve almost finished fine-tuning everything that will be new in both Part 1 and Part 2 of patch 3.5, The Far Edge of Fate.
Additionally, Yoshida shared a cryptic message that was handed to him by a “strange hooded man,” as well as a bit of special artwork celebrating the New Year featuring Yoshida dressed up as a Red Mage, the newly-confirmed job that will be available when the game’s upcoming expansion, Stormblood, releases in June 2017.
Here is Yoshida’s full message:
FFXIV Producer and Director Yoshi-P here to wish you all a Happy New Year!
I hope each and every one of you is enjoying the holiday season.
I imagine that you’ll all be ringing in the new year in your own way: adventuring in Eorzea, spending time with friends and loved ones in the real world, wrapping up warm on your couches watching TV.
All of us here on the FFXIV team are enjoying some long-awaited time off, after running ourselves ragged putting on the Fan Festival in Tokyo last month.
As for myself, I’ve finally had the time to get back to playing FFXIV. It’s been a blast going around getting new mounts, trying to collect even more anima weapons, and chatting away with friends.
I’ve really just been relaxing in Eorzea. Having the time to leisurely play through a game truly is one of life’s little pleasures.
Looking back on 2016, it has really been a fruitful year for the game. We wrapped up the Dragonsong War story that began in Heavensward, as well as creating new experiences like the deep dungeon.
It’s been three years since ARR’s release and I feel like this past year has been one where we were able to take on new challenges, while continuing to provide a consistent, stable experience.
At the second Fan Festival in Las Vegas we announced the upcoming Stormblood expansion, and recently revealed further details at the Tokyo event.
That we will be delivering another major expansion is a sign of how stable and prosperous Eorzea has become. This in turn provides us the time and resources we need to consistently bring you new adventures.
I want to take this chance to express my thanks once again to all you Warriors of Light out there that have made this possible.
At this point, we’ve mostly finished fine-tuning the new additions that will be included in the Far Edge of Fate Part 1 and Part 2 patches. All that’s left now is to make sure there are no bugs before we push the new patch live. What trials and tribulations lie in wait for the Warrior of Light and the Scions of the Seventh Dawn? Keep your eyes peeled for further developments before the patch drops!
(Make sure you also don’t miss the Far Edge of Fate trailer we’ll be releasing in the near future.)
But what’s this!? Just as I was enjoying my time back in Eorzea, a strange hooded man has handed me a piece of parchment that seems to have a poem written on it…
What new adventures and encounters await the Warrior of Light in 2017?
Experience them for yourself as FINAL FANTASY XIV moves full steam ahead!
Final Fantasy XIV is available for PC, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation 4.
