Final Fantasy 14 is gearing up to release Patch 6.2, its second major patch after the Endwalker expansion. During an interview, Final Fantasy 14 confirmed its patch content would look a little different from previous expansions in that the patches would tell its own self-contained story: the exploration of the Void.
Famitsu recently interviewed Final Fantasy 14 director and producer Naoki Yoshida about the upcoming patch, titled Buried Memory. This interview served as a prequel to the next Final Fantasy 14 Letter from the Producer LIVE scheduled for August 12th, which will reveal more information about the patch, including a trailer and release date.
Though he spoke on many topics, one of the most interesting parts of Yoshida's interview is his discussion on the narrative direction of the Endwalker patches and beyond. Patch 6.1 set players on an exploration of the Void–the ruined thirteenth reflection of Final Fantasy 14’s world which now acts as the home of demons. The main scenario of Patch 6.2 and subsequent entries through Patch 6.5 will focus on exploring and concluding this story arc. According to Yoshida, players can expect to see a “glimmer of the next expansion’s story” in the final 6.5 patch.
This format is a bit different from previous expansion cycles. Final Fantasy 14’s normal method of storytelling is to set up major plot points in the expansion itself and then tie up loose ends by the third major content patch. It then uses the next two patches to set the stage for the next expansion. This time, because Endwalker told a complete story with few loose ends, the 6.X series of patches will feel different and will tell a full story itself before quickly setting the stage for what comes next.
Players are both excited and curious as to what Final Fantasy 14 has in store for them in the following patches. If Yoshida’s hints and Newfound Adventure are any indications, players can expect to confront the Four Archfiends from Final Fantasy 4–Scarmiglione, Cagnazzo, Rubicante, and Barbariccia–as well as Golbez himself, over the patches, likely as this expansion’s Trial series.
If Final Fantasy 14 is able to stick to its 4-month development cycle, players can expect 6.3 in late December, 6.4 in April 2023, and 6.5 in August of next year. Final Fantasy 14 will probably announce its next expansion pack sometime early next year, and players can expect it to release in late 2023 or early 2024.
Final Fantasy 14 is available now on PC, PS4, and PS5.
Source: Famitsu