Final Fantasy 14 fans will have to wait until next year to play the next expansion for the critically-acclaimed MMORPG. According to Square Enix’s financial report for 2022, Final Fantasy 14 has no plans for an expansion release in 2023.
In early January, Final Fantasy 14 released Patch 6.3, Gods Revel, Lands Tremble. This patch was the third major update after the release of Endwalker and was a major milestone on the path to Final Fantasy 14’s next expansion. With a four-month interval between each major release, some Final Fantasy 14 players hoped to see the next expansion release in late 2023.
However, it seems Final Fantasy 14 players may have to wait a little longer for the next expansion. In the Square Enix 2022 financial briefing, the company confirmed it would not see an expansion for Final Fantasy 14 in 2023. That said, it plans on “retaining users through a variety of operational initiatives,” which means additional content patches, holiday events, and other attractions.
This is not a huge surprise for most Final Fantasy 14 fans. The earliest the next Final Fantasy 14 expansion would have been released would have been December during the height of the holiday season, so it is no surprise director and producer Naoki Yoshida sought to avoid a crunch right before Christmas. Likewise, Final Fantasy 14 has its final in-person Fan Fest date scheduled in early 2024–an event that will probably take place just before the expansion’s launch.
Final Fantasy 14 has a lot on its plate for its next expansion pack. In addition to picking up where the epic Endwalker expansion left off, Final Fantasy 14 is getting a graphic overhaul in 7.0. This massive undertaking will improve the lighting, textures, and character models of the decade-old MMO.
While Final Fantasy 14 fans are sad to hear they may have to wait a little longer to play the next expansion, most understand more development time means a better game and a healthier development team. Yoshida himself has a reputation for stretching himself beyond his limits while trying to give his team the time they need to make a quality product. With Yoshida also helming Final Fantasy 16, releasing this June, the legendary developer could be running himself ragged balancing the two major projects. At the end of the day, most Final Fantasy 14 players won’t mind waiting an extra month or two if it means letting Yoshida and his team take care of themselves and enjoy the holidays.
Final Fantasy 14 is available now on PC, PS4, and PS5.
Source: Square Enix