History VideoGame / FinalFantasyXIV

* ''Dawntrail'' [[note]]"Gilded Legacy" in Japanese[[/note]] (2024): With the Final Days averted, a new adventure dawns on the Warrior of Light and the Scions on greener lands. Tural, also known as the New World, is a tropical paradise where a contest of succession to sit upon the throne of Tuliyollal is underway. And if the rumors are true, the contest may lead them to the fabled city of gold spoken of in legends. However, the Scions may find themselves at odds with one another when they arrive. This expansion features two new Jobs: The Viper, a dual swords-wielding hunter that can transform their weapons into a fearsome twinblade, and Pictomancer, a Caster DPS capable of painting their spells into reality to attack enemies.[[/folder]]

* ''Dawntrail'' [[note]]"Gilded Legacy" in Japanese[[/note]] (2024): With the Final Days averted, a new adventure dawns on the Warrior of Light and the Scions on greener lands. Tural, also known as the New World, is a tropical paradise where a contest of succession to sit upon the throne of Tuliyollal is underway. And if the rumors are true, the contest may lead them to the fabled city of gold spoken of in legends. However, the Scions may find themselves at odds with one another when they arrive. This expansion features two new Jobs: The Viper, a dual swords-wielding hunter that can transform their weapons into a fearsome twinblade, and a currently unknown Caster DPS.[[/folder]]

[[caption-width-right:348: Where there is life, there is hope.]]

Archives of cutscenes from the first version of the game (1.x) exist on [=YouTube=] (such as [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU5N24_5VIk this one]]), and much of the text is preserved on various wikis; none of it may be found any longer in game. An excellent video with a condensed summary of 1.0's lore may be found [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjZgp8mUrog here]].

* ''Dawntrail'' [[note]]"Gilded Legacy" in Japanese[[/note]] (2024): With the Final Days averted, a new adventure dawns on the Warrior of Light and the Scions on greener lands. Tural, also known as the New World, is a tropical paradise where a contest of succession to sit upon the throne of Tuliyollal is underway. And if the rumors are true, the contest may lead them to the fabled city of gold spoken of in legends. However, the Scions may find themselves at odds with one another when they arrive. This expansion features two new Jobs: The Viper, a dual-swords wieldinghunter that can transform their weapons into a fearsome twinblade, and a currently unknown Caster DPS.[[/folder]]

* ''Dawntrail'' [[note]]"Gilded Legacy" in Japanese[[/note]] (2024): With the Final Days averted, a new adventure dawns on the Warrior of Light and the Scions on greener lands. Tural, also known as the New World, is a tropical paradise where a contest of succession to sit upon the throne of Tuliyollal is underway. And if the rumors are true, the contest may lead them to the fabled city of gold spoken of in legends. However, the Scions may find themselves at odds with one another when they arrive...[[/folder]]

* ''A Realm Reborn'' (2013): Five years have passed since what has become known as the Seventh Umbral Calamity. Eorzea has largely recovered from the catastrophe, but its rebirth is threatened by the resurgent Garlean Empire and the shadowy Ascians. The only ones standing between the realm and damnation are the Scions of the Seventh Dawn and their champion, the Warrior of Light.
* ''Heavensward'' (2015): Following the shocking conclusion to post-''A Realm Reborn'' events, the Scions are scattered to the winds, with the Warrior of Light finding refuge in Ishgard, an isolationist theocracy embroiled in a thousand-year-long war with the dragons of Dravania--a war which must be resolved, lest both sides destroy one another. Along with the addition of flying mounts and a new playable race in the form of the [[HornedHumanoid Au Ra]], ''Heavensward'' also introduces three new jobs: Dark Knight, a seemingly-sinister tank wielding [[{{BFS}} greatswords]]; Machinist, a magitek-empowered gunslinger; and Astrologian, a healer using the power of astrology to manipulate fate and heal or empower their allies.
* ''Stormblood'' (2017): In the hopes of pushing back against the Garlean Empire, the Warrior of Light and the newly-reunited Scions must travel abroad to bolster their ranks, their journey leading them from Ala Mhigo, the Empire's last remaining foothold in Eorzea, to the far eastern land of Doma, and help both conquered nations throw off imperial yoke. Along with a new housing district situated in the Hingashi neighborhood of Shirogane, ''Stormblood'' introduced two new jobs at launch: TheRedMage, a MagicKnight mixing swords and sorcery; and Samurai, a [[KatanasAreJustBetter katana-wielding]] master of the blade. Later updates also add the Blue Mage, a special solo-based class that learns spells by [[PowerCopying copying the abilities of monsters]].
* ''Shadowbringers'' (2019): Worlds collide as a new threat from beyond Hydaelyn threatens the planet, forcing the Warrior of Light to travel across space and time to "The First," a parallel world in danger of [[LightIsNotGood being consumed by the overwhelming power of light]], where they must become its Warrior of Darkness and bring balance back. A number of additions and changes were included, from the removal of Tactical Points to streamline combat to the "Trust" system allowing players to tackle dungeons with a party of NPC companions, as well as two new races in the form of the female-dominant Viera and the male-dominant Hrothgar. Two new jobs are also included with this expansion: Dancer, a ranged DPS class that uses the power of complex dance routines to assail enemies while aiding allies; and Gunbreaker, a tank that uses unique [[MixAndMatchWeapon Gunblades]] to both attack and protect.
* ''Endwalker'' (2021): A sinister plot has been set into motion that threatens the whole of Hydaelyn. It is up to the Warrior of Light to face this new menace head-on, traveling to the island nation of Thavnair and the scholarly settlement of Old Sharlayan, going behind enemy lines in Garlemald, and even reaching to the stars in the GrandFinale of an epic tale several years in the making. While the plotline at launch marks the definitive conclusion of this story, post-launch updates will begin a brand new tale. Additions include a new housing district in Ishgard, male Vieras, an Island Sanctuary where players can raise crops, an overhaul of the combat system, and two new jobs: Sage, a healer who uses [[AttackDrone nouliths]] to aid allies and assail enemies with lasers; and Reaper, a SinisterScythe-swinging menace that can harness the PowerOfTheVoid.
* ''Dawntrail'' (2024): With the Final Days averted, a new adventure dawns on the Warrior of Light and the Scions on greener lands. Tural, also known as the New World, is a tropical paradise where a contest of succession to sit upon the throne of Tuliyollal is underway. And if the rumors are true, the contest may lead them to the fabled city of gold spoken of in legends. However, the Scions may find themselves at odds with one another when they arrive...[[/folder]]

The initial incarnation of the game was met with negative reactions from players and reviewers alike, citing, among other things, [[ObviousBeta poor optimization]], a barebones story, questionable and poorly implemented features, a very convoluted UI, tedious and copy-pasted level design, an unbalanced in-game economy and a ridiculous amount of LevelGrinding as the game's main problems. Creator/SquareEnix responded by [[https://www.pcgamer.com/square-enix-say-sorry-for-final-fantasy-xiv-announce-staff-changes-and-free-trial-extension/ apologizing for the state of the game]], and replaced several key members of the development team. The team then had to decide if they wished to try to fix and salvage what they could or rebuild the game from almost the ground up. They ultimately opted for the latter.

The initial incarnation of the game was met with mixed-to-bad reactions from players and reviewers alike, citing [[ObviousBeta numerous glitches and bugs, poorly implemented features]] and an unbalanced in-game economy as the game's main problems. Creator/SquareEnix responded by [[https://www.pcgamer.com/square-enix-say-sorry-for-final-fantasy-xiv-announce-staff-changes-and-free-trial-extension/ apologizing for the state of the game]], and replaced several key members of the development team. The team then had to decide if they wished to try to fix and salvage what they could or rebuild the game from almost the ground up. They ultimately opted for the latter.

* ''Dawntrail'' (2024): With the Final Days averted, a new adventure dawns on the Warrior of Light and the Scions on greener lands: Tural, also known as the New World, where a contest of succession to sit upon the throne of Tuliyollal is underway. And if the rumors are true, the contest may lead them to the fabled city of gold spoken of in legends.[[/folder]]

* ''Dawntrail'' (2024): With the Final Days averted, a new adventure dawns on the Warrior of Light and the Scions on greener lands: Tural, also known as the New World, where a contest of succession to sit upon the throne of Tuliyollal is underway. And if the rumors are true, the contest may lead them to the fabled city of gold spoken in legends. [[/folder]]

A UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 version, originally scheduled for a March 2011 release and initially put on indefinite hold, was finally released alongside the ''Realm Reborn'' client in August 2013. An UsefulNotes/Xbox360 version was also in development, but has been canceled after they failed to come to an agreement with Xbox Live and Microsoft. The UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 version was announced in E3 2013 and was released in April 2014. A smartphone app called ''Libra Eorzea'' was also released as a reference for quests and such, though it has since been rendered defunct and replaced by the ''FFXIV Companion App''. On July 28, 2023, it was announced that UsefulNotes/XboxSeriesXAndS would finally see the game come out for its platforms sometime in Spring 2024, fulfilling a promise made by Phil Spencer back in 2019 to bring the game to the Xbox platform. It has also been hinted that Square Enix would like to publish the game on UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, but Sony's current refusal to allow for cross-platform play likely makes this difficult. In February 2021, an open beta for a UsefulNotes/PlayStation5 version was announced to launch on April 13, 2021.

A UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 version, originally scheduled for a March 2011 release and initially put on indefinite hold, was finally released alongside the ''Realm Reborn'' client in August 2013. An UsefulNotes/Xbox360 version was also in development, but has been canceled after they failed to come to an agreement with Xbox Live and Microsoft. The UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 version was announced in E3 2013 and was released in April 2014. A smartphone app called ''Libra Eorzea'' was also released as a reference for quests and such, though it has since been rendered defunct and replaced by the ''FFXIV Companion App''. Talks are still ongoing with Microsoft and there is potential for an Xbox version.[[note]]Though it appears contingent on two things: one, the Xbox version absolutely must be allowed to talk to the same servers as the PC and [=PS3=] & 4 versions, which Microsoft was opposed to at the time; and two, the game should ideally not require an Xbox Live Gold subscription to access online functions, since it's already a subscription-based game and the additional fee would be unfair for Xbox players who otherwise don't use the Gold services for much. Microsoft has reversed their stance on cross-platform play, ironically leaving that requirement in Sony's hands. It is unclear if they will budge on the Xbox Live requirement, however.[[/note]] It has also been hinted that Square Enix would like to publish the game on UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, but Sony's current refusal to allow for cross-platform play likely makes this difficult. In February 2021, an open beta for a UsefulNotes/PlayStation5 version was announced to launch on April 13, 2021.

* ''Dawntrail'' (2024)[[/folder]]

* ''Endwalker'' (2021): A sinister plot has been set into motion that threatens the whole of Hydaelyn. It is up to the Warrior of Light to face this new menace head-on, traveling to the island nation of Thavnair and the scholarly settlement of Old Sharlayan, going behind enemy lines in Garlemald, and even reaching to the stars in the GrandFinale of an epic tale several years in the making. While the plotline at launch marks the definitive conclusion of this story, post-launch updates will begin a brand new tale. Additions include a new housing district in Ishgard, male Vieras, an Island Sanctuary where players can raise crops, an overhaul of the combat system, and two new jobs: Sage, a healer who uses [[AttackDrone nouliths]] to aid allies and assail enemies with lasers; and Reaper, a SinisterScythe-swinging menace that can harness the PowerOfTheVoid.[[/folder]]

The game is set in the Eorzea region of the planet Hydaelyn. Before the start of the game, the {{dungeonpunk}} Garlean Empire had set to use their overwhelming military force to attempt to conquer Eorzea, starting with the city-state of Ala Mhigo. The remaining four city-states—Limsa Lominsa, Ul'dah, Gridania, and Ishgard—militarized to meet this threat, but before another shot was fired the Garleans were halted in their tracks by the sudden intervention of a horde of dragons. this left the city-states with a large armed force but nothing to really fight against, and the Garleans fortifying their current position but not advancing any farther. The cities thus banded together in an uneasy peace, forming the Adventurers' Guild to employ these new mercenaries and investigate the secrets behind the Empire's sudden invasion and retreat.

The hype for ''A Realm Reborn'' was severely underestimated by Square Enix, who were forced to pull the digital copy of the game after their servers choked from the sheer influx of new players attempting to log in. After improving the capacity of their servers, they began to ease back the restrictions and gave everyone one week of free play as way of apology. Even to this day, many servers remain character-creation-locked during their "prime-time" hours, in an attempt to keep server populations relatively even, due to the sheer number of new people ''still'' joining the game.

* ''Endwalker'' (2021): A sinister plot has been set into motion that threatens the whole of Hydaelyn. It is up to the Warrior of Light to face this new menace head-on, traveling to the island nation of Thavnair and the scholarly settlement of Old Sharlayan, going behind enemy lines in Garlemald, and even reaching to the stars in the GrandFinale of an epic tale several years in the making. While the plotline at launch marks the definitive conclusion of this story, post-launch updates will begin a brand new tale. Additions include a new housing district in Ishgard, male Vieras, an Island Sanctuary where players can raise crops, an overhaul of the combat system, and two new jobs: Sage, a healer who uses [[AttackDrone nouliths]] to aid allies and assail enemies with lasers; and Reaper, a SinisterScythe-swinging menace that can harness the PowerOfTheVoid.
[[/folder]]

A UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 version, originally scheduled for a March 2011 release and initially put on indefinite hold, was finally released alongside the ''Realm Reborn'' client in August 2013. An UsefulNotes/Xbox360 version was also in development, but has been canceled after they failed to come to an agreement with Xbox Live and Microsoft. The UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 version was announced in E3 2013 and was released in April 2014. A smartphone app called ''Libra Eorzea'' was also released as a reference for quests and such, though it has since been rendered defunct and replaced by the ''FFXIV Companion App''. Talks are still ongoing with Microsoft and there is potential for an Xbox One version.[[note]]Though it appears contingent on two things: one, the Xbox version absolutely must be allowed to talk to the same servers as the PC and [=PS3=] & 4 versions, which Microsoft was opposed to at the time; and two, the game should ideally not require an Xbox Live Gold subscription to access online functions, since it's already a subscription-based game and the additional fee would be unfair for Xbox players who otherwise don't use the Gold services for much. Microsoft has reversed their stance on cross-platform play, ironically leaving that requirement in Sony's hands. It is unclear if they will budge on the Xbox Live requirement, however.[[/note]] It has also been recently hinted that Square Enix would like to publish the game on UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, but Sony's current refusal to allow for cross-platform play likely makes this difficult. In February 2021, an open beta for a UsefulNotes/PlayStation5 version was announced to launch on April 13, 2021.

The game was initially met with mixed-to-bad reactions from players and reviewers alike, citing [[ObviousBeta numerous glitches and bugs, poorly implemented features]] and an unbalanced in-game economy as the game's main problems. Creator/SquareEnix responded by [[https://www.pcgamer.com/square-enix-say-sorry-for-final-fantasy-xiv-announce-staff-changes-and-free-trial-extension/ apologizing for the state of the game]], and replaced several key members of the development team. The team then had to decide if they wished to try to fix and salvage what they could or rebuild the game from almost the ground up. They ultimately opted for the latter.

''Final Fantasy XIV'' is the fourteenth game in the [[GroinAttack groin-grab]][[WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons bingly]] [[RunningGag popular]] ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' series. It is an {{MMORPG}}, similar to its online predecessor ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXI'', and was timed exclusively to the PC in its first release, and was a simultaneous PC & [=PS3=] release in its second iteration (see below). In both its 2010 and 2013 releases, it had both a Standard and a [[LimitedSpecialCollectorsUltimateEdition Collector's Edition]], whose buyers were able to start the game 8 days early (in the 1.0 CE's case), get exclusive in-game items, [[{{Feelies}} a themed journal (in 1.0) or an artbook (2.0), and some other bells and whistles]].

The game is set in the Eorzea region of the planet Hydaelyn. Before the start of the game, the {{dungeonpunk}} Garlean Empire had set to use their overwhelming military force to attempt to conquer Eorzea, starting with the city-state of Ala Mhigo. The remaining four city-states—Limsa Lominsa, Ul'dah, Gridania, and Ishgard—militarized to meet this threat, but before another shot was fired the Garleans were halted in their tracks by the sudden intervention of a horde of dragons, leaving the city-states with a large armed force but nothing to really fight against and the Garleans fortifying their current position but not advancing any farther. The cities thus banded together in an uneasy peace, forming the Adventurers' Guild to employ these new mercenaries and investigate the secrets behind the Empire's sudden invasion and retreat.

The game is set in the Eorzea region of the planet Hydaelyn. Before the start of the game, the {{Dungeonpunk}} Garlean Empire had set to use their overwhelming military force to attempt to conquer Eorzea, starting with the city-state of Ala Mhigo. The remaining four city-states—Limsa Lominsa, Ul'dah, Gridania, and Ishgard—militarized to meet this threat, but before another shot was fired the Garleans were halted in their tracks by the sudden intervention of a horde of dragons, leaving the city-states with a large armed force and nothing to really fight against and the Garleans fortifying their current position but not advancing any farther. The cities thus banded together in an uneasy peace, forming the Adventurers' Guild to employ these new mercenaries and investigate the secrets behind the Empire's sudden invasion and retreat.

The game is set in the Eorzea region of the planet Hydaelyn. Before the start of the game, the {{Dungeonpunk}} Garlean Empire had set to use their overwhelming military force to attempt to conquer Eorzea, starting with the city-state of Ala Mhigo. The remaining four city-states—Limsa Lominsa, Ul'dah, Gridania, and Ishgard—militarized to meet this threat, but before another shot was fired the Garleans mysteriously halted their advance, leaving the city-states with a large armed force and nothing to really fight against. The cities thus banded together in an uneasy peace, forming the Adventurers' Guild to employ these new mercenaries and investigate the secrets behind the Empire's sudden invasion and retreat.

The game is set in the Eorzea region of the planet Hydaelyn. Before the start of the game, the {{Dungeonpunk}} Garlean Empire had set to use their overwhelming military force to attempt to conquer Eorzea, starting with the city-state of Ala Mhigo. The remaining four city-states—Limsa Lominsa, Ul'dah, Gridania and Ishgard—militarized to meet this threat, but before another shot was fired the Garleans mysteriously halted their advance, leaving the city-states with a large armed force and nothing to really fight against. The cities thus banded together in an uneasy peace, forming the Adventurers' Guild to employ these new mercenaries and investigate the secrets behind the Empire's sudden invasion and retreat.

The game is set in the Eorzea region of the planet Hydaelyn. Before the start of the game, the {{Dungeonpunk}} Garlean Empire had set to use their overwhelming military force to attempt to conquer Eorzea, starting with the city-state of Ala Mhigo. The remaining four city-states- Limsa Lominsa, Ul'dah, Gridania and Ishgard- militarized to meet this threat, but before another shot was fired the Garleans mysteriously halted their advance, leaving the city-states with a large armed force and nothing to really fight against. The cities thus banded together in an uneasy peace, forming the Adventurers' Guild to employ these new mercenaries and investigate the secrets behind the Empire's sudden invasion and retreat.

And in December of 2021, Square Enix released a [[HighSchoolAU]] spin-off manga called ''Manga/EorzeaAcademy'', featuring the various characters from ''Final Fantasy XIV'' in a high school setting.

In April of 2017, Square Enix aired ''Series/FinalFantasyXIVDadOfLight'' on Japanese television. The series covers the exploits of a young man who aims to reconnect with his estranged father through ''Final Fantasy XIV''. The series was made available for international audiences via Creator/{{Netflix}} in September of 2017. In June of 2019, it was announced that the game will be getting a LiveActionAdaptation via Sony Pictures Television and Hivemind, although details are scarce for now.