Square Enix has announced a wide range of official merchandise for the upcoming Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival 2026, including apparel, collectibles, and lifestyle goods, available for pre-order from December 17, 2025, to January 12, 2026, with limited supplies and made-to-order items to ensure delivery before the event in April 2026.
Toshiyuki Itahana, a renowned character designer, discusses the creation of Sphene in FINAL FANTASY XIV's Dawntrail expansion, sharing insights into her design inspired by themes like 'artificial ghost' and her outfits, along with unseen concept art and personal reflections on the game's story and characters.
Final Fantasy XIV's Live Letter 89 announced that Patch 7.4, titled 'Into the Mist,' will launch on December 16, 2025, introducing new raids, dungeons, trials, system updates, and content expansions, along with reworks to variant dungeons and UI improvements.
Monster Hunter Wilds' third free update launches on September 29, introducing Omega Planetes from Final Fantasy XIV as a huntable monster, along with new quests, gear, and collaboration content. A fourth update will follow in December, adding Gogmazios and more end-game content.
Square Enix banned the popular mod Mare Synchronos for Final Fantasy XIV after legal pressure, despite a generally lenient stance on mods, as explained by game director Naoki Yoshida.
Naoki Yoshida, producer and director of Final Fantasy XIV, emphasizes that while he personally tolerates mods for personal use, they should not impact the core game or other players' experiences. He highlights the importance of responsible modding that respects game design and community fairness, and warns against mods that alter visible game content for others, as they can undermine player achievements and the game's integrity. Yoshida also discusses legal and service implications of certain mods, reaffirming the need for moderation to protect the game's ecosystem.
Tencent Games' LightSpeed Studios, in collaboration with Square Enix, has announced Final Fantasy XIV Mobile for iOS and Android, with playtests starting soon in China and a global launch to follow. The mobile version, supervised by Naoki Yoshida, aims to replicate the original game's story and combat mechanics, while also including non-combat features like crafting and gathering. Players can expect a variety of races, jobs, and social interactions, along with activities like chocobo racing and Triple Triad.
Elden Ring and Fortnite are losing ground in popularity on consoles, with Elden Ring dropping to 7th on PlayStation and 8th on Xbox Series X|S, though it remains top on Steam. The First Descendant, a new free-to-play shooter by Nexon, has surged to 4th place on both PlayStation and Xbox, and 3rd on Steam. Call of Duty HQ has reclaimed the top spot on Xbox Series from Fortnite, and Final Fantasy XIV has re-entered the top ten on Steam.
This week's gaming tips include help with Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, a free game offer for Amazon Prime members, advice on saving money on Xbox Game Pass, and tips for Final Fantasy XIV and Disney Dreamlight Valley.
Kotaku's weekend guide highlights six must-play games, including Dragon Age: Inquisition, Doom Eternal, Final Fantasy XIV, and Starfield. The article provides insights into each game, their current goals, and why they remain favorites among gamers.
Final Fantasy XIV's upcoming expansion, Dawntrail, draws inspiration from Elden Ring, particularly in world design and atmosphere, rather than difficulty. Director Naoki Yoshida assures players that the game's balance will remain approachable, with the new expansion launching on July 2 and Early Access starting June 28.
The author shares their excitement for the upcoming Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail expansion after a preview event, highlighting a memorable cooperative battle against a powerful Queen Bee that underscored the joy of playing within the game's community. This experience has shifted their perspective on the game, making them eager to engage more deeply with other players in the new expansion.
The upcoming Dawntrail expansion for Final Fantasy XIV introduces various job changes and new abilities for high-end raiders. Key updates include standardized raid buffs, additional mitigation for tanks, and new combo actions for several jobs. While some jobs like Monk and Dragoon see significant reworks, others like Sage and Reaper receive minor adjustments. The new jobs, Viper and Pictomancer, offer unique mechanics and playstyles, adding fresh dynamics to the game. All changes are based on an in-development build and may be subject to further adjustments before launch.
Final Fantasy XIV's upcoming expansion, Dawntrail, introduces the vibrant new land of Tural, featuring a graphical update, a level cap increase to 100, and two new Jobs: Viper and Pictomancer. Director Naoki Yoshida discusses the challenges of balancing fan feedback and the shift towards making Jobs more distinct. The expansion promises a bright, adventure-filled experience, contrasting the darker tones of previous expansions.
Square Enix released the Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail benchmark, showcasing graphics improvements and the addition of AMD FSR 1.0 and NVIDIA DLSS 2.0. The game now supports dynamic interaction with grass, denser foliage, improved textures, and enhanced character models. A new anti-aliasing option called TSCMAA has been added, but it cannot be used with DLSS and FSR. Users can set DLSS to "Always On" with a frame rate threshold setting. The expansion will be released on July 2 for various platforms.