Final Fantasy XIV So, So Pretty
June 9, 2009 by Amy Tucker
Filed under Gaming
Final Fantasy XIII [13] isn’t even out yet and here we have the announcement of Final Fantasy XIV [14] Online. The teaser site for this sweet looking MMORPG is now live and includes screenshots, the trailer and a place for you to register for the mailing list.
The game will be available on PC and PS3 with the possibility of Final Fantasy XIV coming to Xbox 360 not being ruled out. So much for PS3 exclusivity. Regardless, the screens look absolutely breathtaking and I figure that FFXIV will appeal to a broader audience than most MMORPGs.
Look for FFXIV in 2010.
Images|Square Enix
Who’s Working on the Game?
It is produced by Hiromichi Tanaka (Final Fantasy I, II, III, and IX) and directed by Nobuaki Komoto (Final Fantasy IX, XI), with art direction by Akihiko Yoshida (Vagrant Story, Final Fantasy XII) and a musical score from Nobuo Uematsu (Most Final Fantasies ever). Yoshitaka Amano has designed the logo and is pulling additional art duties as well.
Uematsu only did a few tracks in FFXI, how much is he doing for XIV?
Square Enix revealed to IGN that Uematsu will be doing all the music for Final Fantasy XIV and that it will be composed in a range of different styles and genres.
What modern day MMOs have influenced the design and direction of FFXIV?
In addition to the team’s original work on Final Fantasy XI, World of Warcraft, Age of Conan and Warhammer Online have been three recent games that have had some pull, but the FFXI community’s feedback has been the most important factor in its design.
Are Chocobos back?
Yes, they will return. But Square Enix has told IGN that it is looking at using them in a completely different way than they were used in Final Fantasy XI (where they were used as riding steeds).
When is it coming out and when is the beta?
The game will come out in 2010, and after Final Fantasy XIII which is scheduled for spring of the same year. Beta plans are still being finalized, but that the plan is to have a longer beta period than that of FFXI (which had a beta of about 3-4 months).