For Final Fantasy 14, 2021 was a year of unprecedented success. Naoki Yoshida, Producer and Director of Final Fantasy 14, shared a letter to players wishing them a happy new year and thanking them for their support while reminiscing on their journey–and giving a few clues as to what could be coming next.
The letter itself speaks directly to players, thanking them again for their patience and support in light of the delay of Endwalker and the temporary suspension of game sales over congestion. Yoshida celebrates his 12 years working on the Final Fantasy 14 team and seeing the epic saga of Hydaelyn and Zodiark to its conclusion in the climactic story of Endwalker.
However, midway through the heartfelt letter, Yoshida shared an excerpt from a poem he “found” on his desk. The message mentions the moon waning “before the sun,”–a reference to the conclusion of the lunar-themed Endwalker story and the Warrior of Light, represented by the sun. Most intriguing, however, is when Yoshida refers to the Warriors of Light, only to correct himself and refer to them simply as “adventurers” instead–a title used in regards to player characters less as their legend grew.
Yoshida has shared similar poems with players in the past after an expansion pack’s story is concluded; each of them containing hints as to what came next. In Endwalker, a certain character not-so-subtly accuses the player of being unaware of so many mysteries hiding under their noses, such as what lies within the New World far to the west, the status of the storied southern continent of Meracydia, or the true nature of the Twelve–the Eorzean pantheon that will be explored further in Endwalker’s 24-man raid series. Yoshida’s letter seems to indicate players will lay down the mantle of Warrior of Light to return to their adventuring roots to explore these mysteries.
While obviously touched by Yoshida’s kind words and well-wishes, Final Fantasy 14 players were relieved by this implication. Final Fantasy 14’s story reached epic heights and cosmic proportions in Endwalker–to immediately try to outdo such an epic story without a palette cleanse would feel forced and would likely fall flat. Players are excited to take a few steps back to explore and learn more about the world they just spent 8 years saving.
Conversely, some players are worried nothing that comes next could compare to the journey they’ve finished–a sentiment Yoshida reflects in his letter. Yoshida ensured players he and the rest of the development team are committed to building upon the experience and emotions they have explored and continue to tell critically-acclaimed stories, no matter how big or small. After all, players had the same concerns after Shadowbringers, and Endwalker’s staggering success has proven those fears fruitless.
Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker is currently live on PC, PS4, and PS5, but is temporarily unavailable for purchase due to server congestion.
Source: Final Fantasy 14