Game Changer: Final Fantasy 14 Director Reveals Future Plans - Will It Go Free-to-Play?

Highlights

Final Fantasy 14 has seen great success since its reboot in 2013, with four expansions released and a fifth on the way in 2024.

Although the free trial now includes two expansions, director Naoki Yoshida does not envision the game becoming completely free-to-play.

Instead of venturing into a new game, the development team intends to focus on rebuilding Final Fantasy 14 as they believe creating something entirely new could pose greater challenges.

The director of Final Fantasy 14, the popular MMORPG, shares his thoughts on the possibility of the game becoming free-to-play. Square Enix is celebrating the 10th anniversary of Final Fantasy 14 this year, following its successful relaunch in 2013 as "A Realm Reborn." Initially plagued by issues after its 2010 release, the game underwent a complete overhaul three years later, thanks to the efforts of director Naoki Yoshida, who transformed it into a thriving title that continues to be played today.

The impressive success of Final Fantasy 14 has resulted in the release of four expansions over the past decade, with the fifth expansion, Dawntrail, set to arrive in Summer 2024. Additionally, the game's free trial has been expanded to include not only the base game but also two of its substantial expansions at no additional cost. While the MMO's free trial has expanded significantly, some may question whether the game might eventually transition to a fully free-to-play model. However, Yoshida promptly addresses such speculation, stating that the game's future is unlikely to follow that path.

In a recent Eurogamer interview, the director was asked about the potential for the Final Fantasy 14 free trial to include the entire game. Yoshida clarified that this is not currently possible, but he did mention that the trial may evolve and expand over time. He explained that the expansions require a substantial amount of time and investment, and the revenue generated from sales is necessary to recoup these costs. Additionally, Yoshida emphasized that the development team is dedicated to creating top-quality content that caters to player enjoyment, while still considering the business aspect.

Square Enix's MMO has been a tremendous triumph, however, Yoshida was recently queried about the future possibilities for the game. The director revealed that, for now, the development team has no intentions of moving on to a new project, acknowledging that constructing something entirely new might prove more challenging than rebuilding Final Fantasy 14 from the ground up. However, he did mention that if inspiration strikes, he may consider pursuing it.

Yoshida takes great pride in Final Fantasy 14's remarkable turnaround from a flawed endeavor to a resounding success. He also appreciates the opportunity to continually bring fresh experiences to both veteran players and newcomers within the genre. He expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support received, which has allowed the team to constantly add excitement for gamers.

Final Fantasy 14 is available now for PC, PS4, and PS5 with an Xbox Series X/S version coming in Spring 2024.

Source: Eurogamer