Summary
When it comes to the histories behind many of the world’s most popular MMOs, it’s hard to find a game with a more interesting story behind it thanFinal Fantasy 14. In the past, the title ofFinal Fantasy 14was associated with a rather unsavory experience that was changed with a climactic in-game event that marked its shutdown. However, this also brought on the re-launch in the form of A Realm Reborn; an expansion that changed the game dramatically for the better.
2023 marked 10 years since A Realm Reborn helpedFF14become the Eorzean experience fans know and love today, and in that time the game has earned many rewards and accolades while some questionhowFinal Fantasy 14has managed to keep goingfor this long. Despite those who are surprised atFF14’s longevity, frequent events, patches, and even further expansions are still very much on the way. Producer Naoki Yoshida has stated he wishes to work onFF14for ten more years and possibly longer, and this might be more achievable than gamers think.
The Heart and Soul of Final Fantasy 14 Will Keep it Around Despite Everything Stacked Against It
Final Fantasy 14 Treats Age as Just a Number
In the past ten years, it could easily be said thatFinal Fantasy 14was in a paradoxwith itself, adding and evolving combat and class mechanics while also allowing many of its older features to show their age. One of the features that is a point of contention between newer and older players is naturally the game’s graphics, which haven’t changed much since 2013. That is, until the upcoming Dawntrail expansion sought to change that with an upcoming graphical overhaul set to come to the game when the fifth expansion releases in July.
This is only one, albeit a rather large undertaking, example ofhowFinal Fantasy 14constantly changesto better itself for its growing player base. Changes to the duty system and consideration towards allowing solo players to make it through the story with NPCs standing out as other examples of howFF14keeps itself up-to-date and accessible. Because of this, gamers shouldn’t judge the game solely based on its age.
How Final Fantasy 14’s Mindfulness to Players Will Carry It Quite a Long Way
Final Fantasy 14’s improvements over the years are important when it comes to the game’s longevity because they set a precedent; the game development strategies used when A Realm Reborn first began are still being used for future improvements today. The dedication from Yoshi-P and his team has not gone unnoticed either, as the game’s community has a very large beating heart. The thoughtfulness of the developers comes back through the fans, to where the playerbase is a big reason whyFinal Fantasy 14has won Best Ongoing Game awardsin the past.
With this in mind, it’s incredibly easy to see just whyFF14has such a loyal fanbase, which will likely stick with the game until it’s time to go down with the ship. When it comes to gaming, such a strong positive support loop between players and developers is incredibly rare to cultivate. While player support has its limits, the way that Yoshi-P’s team understands the game and what its players want iswhy the last 10 years ofFinal Fantasy 14: A Real Rebornhappened at all. Only time will tell whereFF14winds up going forward, but with the fact that the development team would be more than happy to keep the game alive for another 10 years, It’s hard to find another MMORPG capable of accomplishing such a strong feat.
Final Fantasy 14 (2010)
WHERE TO PLAY
Begin your adventure in FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm RebornCreate your very own Warrior of Light and embark upon a quest to deliver the land from an eternity of Darkness.Take to the skies in FINAL FANTASY XIV: HeavenswardTake your first steps in the reclusive nation of Ishgard, locked in a seemingly never-ending struggle with dragons.Rekindle the fires of hope in FINAL FANTASY XIV: StormbloodJourney to the East and rise up against the might of the Garlean Empire.Become the darkness in FINAL FANTASY XIV: ShadowbringersTravel to a world where light ushers all unto oblivion. But hope is not yet lost, for where there is light there is shadow.Journey to the very stars above in FINAL FANTASY XIV: EndwalkerA great calamity has been building - a second advent of the Final Days. The Warrior of Light must journey ever higher and stand firm as hope’s last bastion.Set forth for new horizons in FINAL FANTASY XIV: DawntrailBlue seas, clear skies, and boundless possibilities await! Explore uncharted territories with familiar faces as hope’s light dawns once more.
