In what is definitely one of the biggest surprises of the E3 2009 show, Square Enix announced Final Fantasy XIV: Online exclusively for the PS3!
As the title states, this is Square’s long-awaited MMO follow-up to Final Fantasy XI: Online. Square has actually been in development with an MMO for quite a while, and this is reportedly the “code name Rapture” project that they have been working on.
They didn’t announce a ton of details nor show gameplay footage of the title but they did release a brief CG trailer (at least it’s assumed that it is not in-game) that gives gamers they’re first glimpse at the upcoming title.
Here are the official stats on the project:
*Confirmed for PS3 and PC. They are currently considering other platforms like “Microsoft Hardware” but nothing has been decided.
*There will be no character transfers from FFXI to FFXIV, but you will be able to transfer your Friends List.
*PlayOnline will not be used.
*Races will be “similar” to the ones in FFXI.
*There will be a “job system” but this is undefined and will be different from FFXI.
*FFXI (Vana’diel) and FFXIV (Eorzea) are completely different game worlds, there is no relation.
*FFXI will not be canceled with the release of FFXIV. There is another year of content for FFXI planned currently.
*FFXIV will be more casual friendly.
*FFXIV will have solo content. Battles will range from many vs. many to many vs. one.
*There will be a simultaneous worldwide release, with English, Japanese, German and French language versions at launch. No plans for Spanish in the short-term.
*The trailer had both CGI and in-game rendering. No confirmation of any in-game combat or actual in-game content.
*Job system will be “fairly different” from FFXI. “The player can grow & develop in a more natural way without putting too much weight on the player.”
*Content will range from solo to what very large groups, and range from casual to hardcore.
*There is absolutely no concrete information about the Beta.
*No pricing structure has been decided.
Here is the E3 2009 trailer for Final Fantasy XIV: Online
Platforms: PLAYSTATION(R) 3 & Windows(R)
*Details on required PC specifications to be announced
at a later date
Languages: Japanese, English, German, French (simultaneous release)
Genre: MMORPG
Release: 2010
MSRP: TBD
ESRB: RP (Rating Pending)
Copyright: (C) SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved.
Development Staff
Producer: Hiromichi Tanaka (FINAL FANTASY I, II, III, XI)
Director: Nobuaki Komoto (FINAL FANTASY IX, XI)
Art Director: Akihiko Yoshida (Vagrant Story(R), FINAL FANTASY XII)
Music: Nobuo Uematsu of SMILE PLEASE (FINAL FANTASY series)
Via NeoGAF