Final Fantasy 14 just released Patch 6.2, which added new raids and trials as well as a continuation of the Main Scenario Quest. Titled Buried Memory, Patch 6.2 also introduced the Island Sanctuary to Final Fantasy 14–and players are loving it so much that the instance servers are struggling to keep up.
The Island Sanctuary is a new type of casual content Final Fantasy 14 players can unlock after they beat Endwalker. With elements reminiscent of Animal Crossing and Pokemon, players can explore their island to gather resources, capture creatures, and spend hours away relaxing at their leisure.
The new Island Sanctuary sounded like a dream come true for many. Droves of players disregarded the Main Scenario and other challenges in favor of beginning to cultivate their own Island Sanctuary in Final Fantasy 14–so many, in fact, that the servers could barely keep up. The way Final Fantasy 14 runs instances unfortunately meant many players found themselves unable to enter their island or personal housing instances, all of which are linked to the same servers.
Final Fantasy 14 quickly addressed the concerns in what ways it could, but unfortunately, there is only so much it can do to expand the capacity of these servers in such short notice. While it may figure out ways to do so in the future, it has currently exhausted all of its options. Final Fantasy 14 Director and producer Naoki Yoshida simply asks players to be patient until the hype calms and the instances become more reasonably populated.
Players lucky enough to break through the congestion and access the Island Sanctuary have been having a great time, however. Though designed as casual and relaxing content, Final Fantasy 14 fans did the opposite and began optimizing their experiences and grinding out their Island Sanctuary rank as quickly as possible. Guides and maps for rare resources and critter spawns are already abundant on the web as players rush to create their perfect hideout.
Of course, the Island Sanctuary is not without its limitations. Right now, the amount of customization available in a player’s Island Sanctuary is minimal, and while it helps to scratch the itch of private instanced housing, players must still wade into the difficult housing market of Final Fantasy 14 to acquire a truly customizable space. Many fans hope Final Fantasy 14 rides the popularity and success of the Island Sanctuary and continues to develop the mode in the future–possibly even by allowing them to fully customize their island with decorations and furniture as they can in their houses and apartments.
Final Fantasy 14 is available now for PC, PS4, and PS5.
Source: Final Fantasy XIV