The Final Fantasy 14 Fan Festival was a weekend of celebration amidst the effects of the pandemic delaying a year's worth of plans for the development team. The Fan Fest was originally scheduled for 2020, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was ultimately delayed for an online-only 2021 event. Progression in the latest Final Fantasy 14 patch was also halted for several months due to changes in how work was accomplished.

Due to the regulations involving social distancing and the changing office environment, the development of Patch 5.3 had seen many challenges, requiring the series director Naoki Yoshida and the rest of the Final Fantasy 14 development team to adjust accordingly. The ever-changing work conditions delayed the next major patch to a late summer release. Behind the scenes, however, the long-awaited Final Fantasy 14 patch had taken an unexpected turn for the worse involving a very important member of the team.

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Among the closing ceremonies, series composer Masayoshi Soken revealed that he had spent the majority of 2020 fighting cancer while working on music for Patch 5.3. During a scheduled concert performance with the Final Fantasy 14 band The Primals, the Coronavirus pandemic forced the cancelation of concert plans, Soken received news that he was diagnosed with cancer and spent the next seven months in the hospital until October. During his stay, he worked on the music for the then-upcoming 5.3 patch until he was well enough to be discharged from the hospital.

What was once a well-kept secret, became public knowledge during the closing speech as many heartfelt words were shared from the development team to the audience watching the stream at home. The translator, Michael-Christopher Koji Fox struggled to keep composure as Soken expressed the fans' reaction to the theme song of 5.3, "To The Edge," which was one of several contributors to help him fight cancer. Soken is currently in almost full remission as he stood, supported by his fellow colleagues, thanking the fans for their long-term support.

Of those who knew, series director Naoki Yoshida and Square CEO, Yosuke Matsuda were among the very few who knew of Soken's situation, citing that if the others on the development team knew, it would put a halt on his work progress. Yoshida broke into tears, giving an emotional speech on how no one was able to visit Soken due to the Coronavirus, and expressed joy that his "best friend was back together with him." Even after his discharge, Soken played a vital role in Patch 5.4 onwards, picking up right where he left off while in the hospital.

Soken's will and dedication to continue his work "for the fans," which ultimately led to his remission, was more than enough to issue a positive response from fans of Final Fantasy 14, causing "#WelcomeBackSoken" to trend. The development team continues to work their hardest during unprecedented times, even through personal hardships and health, all for the fans who, in turn, give the development team their biggest support. This relationship is one of many reasons why Endwalker is a highly anticipated expansion to the already overwhelmingly positive Final Fantasy 14.

Final Fantasy 14 is now available on PC, PS4, and PS5.

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