Summary
Final Fantasy 14producer and director Naoki Yoshida said during a Q&A session that he and the developers are thinking about ways that player characters can become closer to their favorite NPCs. According to a translation, Yoshida said that the question about more player and NPC interactions inFinal Fantasy 14gets asked frequently, and posed a scenario that came to mind.
Final Fantasy 14is coming off the launch of its fifth expansion,Dawntrail. Featuring the game’s first major graphical update, two new Jobs, and more challenging dungeons than in previous expansions,Dawntrailis billed as the start of a new chapter for Square Enix’s critically acclaimed MMORPG. AlthoughDawntrailhad a relatively smooth launch compared toEndwalker, the expansion suffered from performance issues on the Xbox Series X/S. These problems promptedSquare Enix to compensate players with game timeas an apology while the developers worked to iron out any remaining bugs.
As players familiarize themselves withthe new characters ofDawntrail,a recent Q&A session with Yoshida prompted players to ask for a feature that had been requested before. During the 2024 Japan Expo in Paris, Yoshida was asked a question by an attendee named Suncosplays, who asked if their character would be able to be more than friends with NPCs. As translated by Aitaikimochi, Yoshida said that, while the developers have to abide by the main story, he pondered whether the fan-favorite character Estinien could suddenly appear on some random planet, and jokingly mused about what could happen. Suncosplays responded that they would settle for a “long-distance relationship” in that case, while Yoshida expressed his appreciation that players have grown fond of the main cast ofFinal Fantasy 14and said that more player and NPC interactions could happen in the future.
Yoshida Responds to Final Fantasy 14 Cosplayer’s Request
Although Yoshida did not offer further details beyond what was asked, what actions Square Enix will take to satisfy this request remains to be seen. While games such asBaldur’s Gate 3,Stardew Valley, and theDragon Agefranchise are known for the amount of player and NPC romance options available,Final Fantasy 14instead allows two players to take part inthe Ceremony of Eternal Bonding. The ceremony is an in-game wedding experience replete with rewards for all in attendance, but requires the wedding party to make reservations with Square Enix days in advance.
WhileFinal Fantasy 14constantly updates the game withJob adjustments and raid content, sometimes highly-requested features can be added after careful consideration. Only time will tell if additional player and NPC interactions will be added duringDawntrail’s post-launch cycle.
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.
