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Summary

Final Fantasy XIV takes place in the new world of Hydaelyn.

Final Fantasy XIV is the second MMORPG to be released as a part of of Square Enix's Final Fantasy series, following in the footsteps of Final Fantasy XI. The game was initially announced at Sony's E3 2009 press conference, where it was announced that in addition to its release on PCs, the game would see an exclusive console release for the PlayStation 3.

The game takes place in the fantasy world of Hydaelyn. Players begin their adventures in the region of Eorzea , which is comprised of the continent of Aldenard and its surrounding islands. The region contains several city-states, including Limsa Lominsa, Ul'dah, Gridania, and Ishgard. Limsa Lominsa is a bustling port with a strong naval tradition, Ul'dah is a mining city located in the desert, Gridania is found deep in an ancient forest, and Ishgard is in the high mountains.

Release and Reaction

Final Fantasy XIV began its first stage of alpha testing on March 10th, 2010, and entered the second stage on June 10th, 2010. Closed beta testing began on July 13th, 2010, and the game's open beta started on September 2nd, 2010. The game launched with a Limited Collector's Edition on September 22nd, 2010, and the standard edition launched on September 30, 2010 worldwide on Windows PC platforms. The game was not released as a part of Square Enix's PlayOnline service that Final Fantasy XI operates under, but under a new "Square Enix Account" system planned for use with all future Square Enix online titles.

Upon its release, Final Fantasy XIV was savaged by critics and players alike for dull, tedious, and outdated gameplay. The response was so severe that Square Enix president Youichi Wada publicly apologized for the game's quality. The game's development team was reorganized and the free trial period was extended while the company made efforts to improve the title. The prolonged free-play period came to an end on January 6, 2012. An extended roadmap has been published that describes major changes made to the game prior to its re-release, dubbed "Version 2.0".

Due to the issues surrounding its release, the PlayStation 3 release of Final Fantasy XIV has been delayed until late 2012-early 2013. This release will come at the same time at the game's "Version 2.0" re-release on Windows.

An Xbox 360 release of the game has not been announced, but current director/producer Naoki Yoshida has stated that he would like to try to put the game on the platform, though it is not very high on the list of priorities, and would like to keep the promise of releasing on the PlayStation 3 first and foremost.

The Armoury

A Blacksmith

The Armoury is a system vaguely reminiscent the job system used in previous Final Fantasy games. Rather than gaining experience and levels, however, this class system is tied to weapons. Each weapon type represents a different character class (for example, if your character picks up a sword, he becomes a Gladiator). Selecting a weapon will grant you basic abilities for the class tied to it. As you fight with that weapon and use the class abilities it grants, your skill with the weapon will increase, granting you new abilities. At any time, you can change your weapon, switching classes in the process. For example, you've been carrying a staff since the start of your adventuring career and you've earned powerful skill as a Conjurer. Deciding to learn the way of the sword, you put your staff away and pull out a longsword. Now you can use your sword for basic attacks, and as you increase in skill, learn more powerful sword-based attacks. And, while using your sword, you can still cast the spells you learned as a Conjurer. Put the sword away and take out your staff, and you're once again a Conjurer.

Beginning with Patch 1.21 in February 2012, an evolution of the Armoury system will introduce the classic Job System, where any of the Disciples of Hand or Magic can complete quests to become classic jobs in the Final Fantasy series.

The jobs currently set to be introduced are:

• Warrior - Unlocked through Marauder
• Monk - Unlocked through Pugilist
• White Mage - Unlocked through Conjurer
• Black Mage - Unlocked through Thaumaturge
• Bard - Unlocked through Archer
• Dragoon - Unlocked through Lancer
• Paladin - Unlocked through Gladiator

More jobs are planned to be introduced at the time of the Version 2.0 re-release.

Disciplines

Disciplines are the different paths of activity and skill that an adventurer may devote himself to. Using the Armoury system, one may switch between classes under all disciplines. Currently, only the classes listed here have been confirmed. More classes will likely be added at a later date.

Disciples of War

Archer

Archer

The Archer is a ranged combat specialist, highly skilled with the bow and able to fall back on slings and rocks if they run out of arrows. Traditionally, the Elezen and Miqo'te are considered to be the most skillful Archers. Effectiveness with this class will depend on a player's expertise in positioning and arrow-type selection.

Lancer

The Lancer is a melee fighter skilled at using polearm weapons such as lances and pikes. Able to attack from a relatively safe distance due to the length of their weapon, lancers are also skilled at throwing javelins at long range. These abilities make them an ideal combat support class.

Gladiator

Gladiators are skilled in the use of all one-handed blades, including both melee weapons and throwing knives. They can either use shields in their off hand or focus all their energy on their sword arm. A Gladiator is a great front-line fighter and defender, with the ability to hold an enemy's attention.

Marauder

A combat specialist focusing on the two-handed great-axe, the marauder is a fearsome fighter who is able to supplement their arsenal with throwing axes. Brute force is their greatest attribute, and timing and distance will be essential to their effectiveness in combat.

Pugilist

Pugilist

This master of close-combat is formidable even when unarmed, but they are known to use different types of fist weapons to augment their arsenal. The Pugilist can alter their stance to focus on either attack or defense, and counter their lack of range with excellent maneuverability.

Disciples of Magic

Conjurer

Conjurers use a combination of healing spells and elemental magic attacks. They use wands or canes to focus energy from the world around them and weave it into spells. Their intimacy with all types of elemental energy enables them to easily switch between offensive and defensive magic.

Thaumaturge

A Thaumaturge uses the power of darkness to buff allies and enfeeble enemies along with doing great darkness magic damage. They draw on the energy within themselves and channel magic through scepters and staffs. Their powers of destruction can rival even the Disciples of War.

Disciples of the Land

Botanist

The Botanist is a master of procuring resources from all forms of plant life. They use a hatchet to harvest from trees, grasses, and other plants, and many other disciplines rely on them for supplies.

Miner

Along with being able to harvest valuable minerals, a Miner can also throw rocks and debilitate their enemies with mineral compositions. Their main tool is the pickaxe, and they are able to take on a broad spectrum of jobs, from small- to large-scale.

Fisher

Fishers use a fishing rod to harvest the realm's aquatic creatures, and sell them to those in other disciplines. Many factors influence how successful they will be in different areas, and the dangerous spots they may need to travel to fish necessitates protection from more combat-oriented classes.

Disciples of the Hand

Alchemist

Alchemist

Alchemists are masters of both science and nature, capable of distilling ordinary materials into wondrous concoctions. They use an alembic to distill and combine materials into various powerful and trans-formative substances.

Blacksmith

Blacksmiths smelt metal ingots and use them to craft armor, weapons, and even guns. This work is always in high demand all over Eorzea due to the need for all fighters to keep their weapons in good repair. They have many tools related to crafting and repairing weapons.

Culinarian

Culinarians use a vast array of ingredients to cook delicious meals that help adventurers maintain their strength on the battlefield. Their main tool is the skillet, which they use to fulfill many different recipes.

Leatherworker

Tanners are able to boil and dye pelts and skins, and use them to craft leather armor and clothing. There is a large demand for these products, and the Leatherworker uses a headknife for many of these processes.

Weaver

Weavers make threads and use them to make various types of clothing. Their main tool is the needle, and they must keep up with current trends in clothing to stay successful.

Armorer

An Armorer's main skill is crafting many pieces of metal armor, whether plate or chain, and their main tool is the raising hammer. There is enough specialization in requisite techniques to separate this profession from Blacksmithing.

Carpenter

The Carpenter's main tool is the handsaw, which they use to create various wares. They are attuned to the fine differences between types of wood, and bring these traits out in any craft they produce.

Goldsmith

Goldsmiths use precious metals and gems to craft accessories and decorate weapons, armor, and tools. Their main tool is the chaser hammer, and they must constantly watch economic trends to make sure they get a return on their investment in expensive materials.

Races

Final Fantasy XIV will initially have five playable races to choose from in character creation. Square Enix has stated that the races will have very minor attribute differences, but these differences will not be as exaggerated as in Final Fantasy XI. Square Enix has also stated that the playable races in Final Fantasy XIV also have factions that differ from each other in cultural and physical ways. Players will be able to choose their factions without worrying about conflict or world PVP with other players of different factions (ie. Horde vs. Alliance); the factions in Final Fantasy XIV are peaceful with each other. In regards to gender, there will be no attribute differences between male and female characters of the same race.

Elezen

The Elezen are nomadic people whose race used to lay total claim over the land of Eorzea and predated all the other races on

the lands of Eorzea. Beleiving this prominence to be ordained by the gods, they came to develop an esteemed sense of honor and pride. The Elezen are a characteristically tall, sporting slim physiques and large ears, which are so sensitive they can discern the squeak of a field mouse from several malms out.

Elezen players will be able to choose between the "Wildwood" and "Duskwight" factions.

Elezen are essentially Elves.

Lalafell

The diminutive Lalafell were originally a group of agriculturalists that used to live in the south seas. Thanks to transmarine commerce they found their way through the trade routes of Eorzea." Their race now is one of the most populated races in the region of Eorzea. Lalafells are extremely agile and are able to travel long distances due to their legs. Many of the Lalafells are also very intelligent and highly developed individuals. This race continues to be one of the friendliest races welcoming any outsider.

Lalafell players will be able to choose between the "Plainsfolk" and "Dunesfolk" factions.

Lalafell are similar to the Tarutaru race from Final Fantasy XI.

Hyur

The Hyur traveled across the sea to Eorzea from neighboring continents. Three massive migratory waves gave this race the highest population in the land of Eorzea. The Hyur brought massive amounts of technology to Eorzea and drove the cultural and technological progress for all those that reside in Eorzea. They also brought a very complex ethos. The Hyur are extremely focused on the individual and this initially caused a large conflict with the Elezen. Hyur can be found mainly among the Highlanders in the mountainous areas and the Midlanders who live in the lower elevations.

Hyur players will be able to choose between the "Midlanders" and "Highlanders". Players who choose the Highlander faction will only be able to play as a male character.

Hyur are Human in all but name.

Roegadyn

The Roegadyn are found in the northern areas of Eorzea. This is where they came from when they landed on the shores of

Eorzea and remain maritime people. The race is physically built, very enormous and muscular built. Culturally this race is has a very high emphasis on competition and unflinching courage. Most Roegadyn remain seaman located in Limsa Lominsa area. However many have adventured out into the world to become bodyguards, mercenaries and even pirates by trade. Though some Roegadyns have moved high up into the mountains of Ul'dah known as the Hellsguard and said to have mastered the magical arts.

Roegadyn players will be able to choose between the "Seawolf Tribe" and the "Hellsgaurd Tribe" factions.

Roegadyn are similar to the Galka race from Final Fantasy XI.

Beginning in "Version 2.0", female Roegadyn characters will be introduced, and will be a playable variation of the race.

Miqo'te

The Miqo'te originated from hunting tribes that found Eorzea's seas turning the "Age of Endless Frost". At that time the land was covered by ice and passage between the islands was possible, which lead to an influx of foreign fauna which were hunted by the descendants of the Miqo'te. The Miqo'te belong to two different groups, the Seekers of the Sun and the nocturnal Keepers of the Moon. Both groups share an olfactory sense and powerful leg musculature which evolved from their past hunting and

predation. This race chooses to be very isolated and avoids contact with the other races even when they reside in the large populated cities.

Miqo'te players will be able to choose between the "Seekers of the Sun" and "Keepers of the Moon" factions. Players who play as Miqo'te will only be able to play as a female character, however, Square Enix has stated that male Miqo'te do exist in the lore of Final Fantasy XIV.

Miqo'te are basically nekomata, popularly known outside of Japan as "catgirls".

Beginning in "Version 2.0", Male Miqo'te characters will be introduced, and will be a playable variation of the Miqo'te race.

City-States

Ul'dah

Far to the South, in the deserts of Aldenard, lies the bustling commercial hub of Ul'dah. Many walls and fortifications have been built up around

Ul'dah banner

the characteristic dome-shaped citadel at its center. The city is a well-known center of wealth, and as such, gambling and recreational activities form a large part of daily life. The sultan serves as a sort of figurehead for the city's leadership, but it is the Syndicate, a group of six powerful merchants, who wield the real political power.

Limsa Lominsa

Limsa Lominsa banner

Limsa Lominsa is located off the southern coast of the island of Vylbrand, under the shadow of ancient cliffs carved by the relentless Rhotano Sea. The city is actually placed on many different islands or man-made formations known as sea stacks. Bridges span across each island in a kind of latticework pattern; a sight so beautiful, bards have named it "The Navigator's Veil." The goddess Llymlaen is said to have blessed Limsa Lominsa because she took pity on the sailors of a great armada that had to flee from battle. The rocks destroyed their ships and with no means to travel and no home to return to they settled in the islands using the remaining vessels that they had to begin construction. The people of Limsa Lominsa did not forget their old ways, but merely gathered strength to rebuild and adventure out again. Their influence soon

spread throughout the five seas of Eorzea. These legends formed the backbone of their society and their country's leader is referred to as "Admiral."

The shipping industry is key to Limsa Lominsa's financial success. The Knights of the Barracuda secure the safety of mariners and ensure the safety and reliability of shipping route's. However, piracy, reaving and pillaging still runs rampant and other nations believe that the Knights of the Barracuda are actually working with local bandit pirates and are trying to make a profit off unwary travelers.

Gridania

Gridania banner

Gridania is located in the Eastern reaches of the continent, and is nestled among the great woodlands of the area. The architecture blends seamlessly with the surrounding natural beauty, and the inherent natural harmony of the setting has lead to Gridania's prominence in trades such as forestry, carpentry, and agriculture. Gridania is also home to many skilled leather-workers, and the fate of the city is governed by the

will of the forest's elementals.

Ishgard

Bastion atop the mountains. A forest city-state located in Eorzea. A story in Eorzean history, "Tales of Bridges," describes Ishgard.

Travel

Aetheryte

The Aetheryte is the name placed upon the large crystal shards found in the crystallized aetheric mist. They were precisely cut and fused to arcane machinery. These crystals are at the backbone of all everyday teleportation and are found throughout the realm, mainly in the individual city-states in which they are managed and operated. The origins and functions of these crystals is still very much a mystery. It is not known who constructed these crystals or what they were originally used for. Even though they are commonly used for teleportation, the actual process remains unknown. However, some have theorized that when a sentient presence approaches the crystal, it triggers the aether of the crystal and the body resonates with the crystal, breaking down into simple mass which then flows through the invisible aetheric streams of the planet. The person's soul is what actually guides the particles to the pre-determined destination and the crystal reconfigures the mist back into its original form. This is all instantaneous and this make easy travel to the far reaches of the world. However, one may only use the crystal so much as when the body is broken down to the aetheric level, a great toll is taken on one's body. Distance and use is the biggest factor when using the Aetheryte to travel and if one uses it too much in a sort span of time, irreversible damage can take effect.

Chocobo

One of the character mascots of the Final Fantasy series, Chocobos are available as player mounts within the word of Eorzea. A prerequisite quest must be completed before you are allowed to ride these "horsebirds", which upon completion, will allow you to call personal chocobo companions, or rent them from the appropriate NPCs within City-States.

There are plans in motion to allow players to engage in combat while on your chocobo. A release date for this content has not been announced.

Goobbue

Hulking giant monsters with dozens of teeth, these mounts see the player sitting atop them on a rug, legs crossed, while traversing the environment. These beasts run at the same speed as chocobos. Available to players in January 2012, the Goobbue mount is a thank you gift given to all players who play during the period from billing start on January 6, 2012, until the Version 2.0 release. This mount will not be made available after the Version 2.0 relaunch.

Character Creation

Making a character involves selecting one's race, physical appearance, and world server. Among the options for customizing are various face and hair styles, eye color adjustments, and characteristics such as battle scars or a limited selection of tattoos. Each character must be equipped with a first and last name, the latter of which is mandatory.

Leveling System/Character Growth

At release, there were essentially two gauges of character growth in FFXIV: Physical Level and Class Rank, and a character improved not only by experience points, but also skill points for individual weapons, and class rank.

However, in Patch 1.19, the idea of physical levels were abolished. In it's place skill points became experience points, and all levels became based on your class level, much like they do in Final Fantasy XI.

Fatigue System

The game included a fatigue system, similar to WoW's rest system, designed to level the playing field for players without as much available play time. The average experience a player would earn in a week is broken up into eight tiers, and once a player has exceeded that amount of experience with one class in a week, returns will begin to diminish. Players will be able to roll back this counter by using their time in-game to craft or gather, playing with classes that have not yet reached this threshold. However, any experience earned past this threshold will not just disappear, it will be dropped into a pool of bonus skill points for the player to utilize.

The fatigue system was abolished in Patch 1.18 due to player feedback.

Minimum and Recommended PC System Requirements & Settings

The following are the current PC specs required for FINAL FANTASY XIV. Upon the release for Version 2.0, an entirely new game client is going to be introduced, and the expected specifications are set to be significantly lower.

Minimum PC Requirements :

* On a 64-bit OS, the software will run via WOW64 ( Windows 32-bit On Windows 64-bit ).

Recommended PC Spec :

* On a 64-bit OS, the software will run via WOW64 ( Windows 32-bit On Windows 64-bit ).

The following PC specifications are required to run the game smoothly with the stipulated in-game settings.

Subscription Information and Pricing

Final Fantasy XIV is a pay-to-play MMORPG, in much the same way as Final Fantasy XI and World of Warcraft. With the purchase of FFXIV, players receive a thirty-day free trial.

The following pricing structure will go into effect at Version 2.0 launch:

Note: Pricing for other features, including longer billing cycles and Retainer Characters, have not yet been decided.

Legacy Membership

This is a program which provides several benefits for those who have subscribed for at least 90 cumulative days since January 6th, 2012.

1. Legacy members will be able to play at a specially discounted subscription price post-launch of version 2.0.
2. Legacy members will receive an exclusive in-game Chocobo mount at the launch of version 2.0.
3. Legacy members can request that their name be displayed in the credits for version 2.0. One name per service account can be listed in the credits.

PAYMENT METHODS

The following methods can be used to pay FFXIV subscription fees.

Direct Credit Card Payment

Players can pay with Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover, or American Express cards directly to Square Enix through the Square Enix Account System.

SQUARE-ENIX CRYSTA

Crysta can be added to an account using a credit card, and then used to pay service or subscription fees. Crysta may also be used to add options, and can even be designated as a means of automating regularly scheduled payments. Crysta also allows you the opportunity to pay with a PayPal account, or Ultimate Game Cards through PlaySpan/UltimatePay.

Credit Card /Debit Card (ClickandBuy Account Required)

ClickandBuy is an account-based billing system provided by ClickandBuy International Limited. An account can be acquired for free and used to add options to an account or automatically pay service fees. It is possible to register multiple credit cards and debit cards to a single ClickandBuy account. Payment methods differ per country. To learn more about ClickandBuy, please refer to the ClickandBuy official site. http://clickandbuy.com

Limited Collector's Edition

The Collector's Edition, released a full eight days prior to the release of the standard edition, contained the following in addition to those items included with the standard edition:

• Early Access
• Behind-the-Scenes DVD
• Security Token
• Travel Journal
• Right of Passage - A personalized certificate with a unique serial number
• Buddy Pass - Lets a friend play free for a limited time

Links

Official Players Website: http://lodestone.finalfantasyxiv.com/pl/index.html

Official Promotional Website: http://www.finalfantasyxiv.com/