History Videogame / FinalFantasyXIV

->''Our journey will never end''

->''Thy Life is a riddle, to bear rapture and sorrow\\
To listen, to suffer, to entrust unto tomorrow\\
In one fleeting moment, from the Land doth life flow\\
Yet in one fleeting moment, for anew it doth grow\\
In the same fleeting moment,\\
Thou must live\\
Die\\
And know''

[[folder:List of Releases and Expansions]]

* ''A Realm Reborn'' (2013): Five years have passed since what has become known as the Seventh Umbral Calamity. Eorzea has largely recovered from the apocalyptic catastrophe that threatened it, but its rebirth is threatened by the machinations of the Garlean Empire and the shadowy Ascians. The only ones standing between the realm and damnation are the Scions of the Seventh Dawn and their champion, the destined Warrior of Light.

* ''Heavensward'' (2015): Following the shocking conclusion of the events of ''A Realm Reborn'', the Warrior of Light travels to Ishgard, an isolationist theocracy embroiled in a ForeverWar with the dragons of Dravania -- a war which must be resolved, lest both sides destroy one another. Along with the addition of flying mounts and a new playable race in the form of the [[HornedHumanoid Au Ra]], ''Heavensward'' also introduces three new jobs: Dark Knight, a seemingly-sinister tank wielding [[{{BFS}} greatswords]]; Machinist, a magitek-empowered gunslinger; and Astrologian, a healer using the power of astrology to manipulate fate and heal or empower their allies.

* ''Stormblood'' (2017): In the hopes of routing the Garlean Empire's attempts to invade Eorzea, the Warrior of Light and the Scions must travel abroad to bolster their ranks, their journey leading them from their neighbors in occupied Ala Mhigo to the far eastern land of Doma, on a mission to help the conquered nations throw off the yoke of Imperial rule. Along with a new housing district situated in the Hingashi neighborhood of Shirogane, ''Stormblood'' introduced two new jobs at launch: TheRedMage, a MagicKnight mixing swords and sorcery; and Samurai, a [[KatanasAreJustBetter katana-wielding]] master of the blade. Later updates also add the Blue Mage, a special solo-based class that learns spells by [[PowerCopying copying the abilities of monsters]].

* ''Shadowbringers'' (2019): Worlds collide as a new threat from beyond Hydaelyn threatens the planet, forcing the Warrior of Light to travel across space and time to "The First", a parallel world in danger of [[LightIsNotGood being consumed by the overwhelming power of light]]. A number of additions and changes were included, from the removal of Tactical Points to streamline combat to the "Trust" system allowing players to tackle dungeons with a party of NPC companions, as well as two new races in the form of the female-dominant Viera and the male-dominant Hrothgar. Two new jobs are also included with this expansion: Dancer, a ranged DPS class that uses the power of complex dance routines to assail enemies while aiding allies; and Gunbreaker, a tank that uses unique [[MixAndMatchWeapon Gunblades]] to both attack and protect.

* ''Endwalker'' (2021): A sinister plot has been set into motion that threatens the whole of Hydaelyn. It is up to the Warrior of Light to face this new menace head-on, travelling to the island nation of Thavnair and the scholarly settlement of Old Sharlayan, going behind enemy lines in Garlemald, and even travelling beyond the planet itself in the GrandFinale of an epic tale several years in the making. While the plotline at launch marks the definitive conclusion of this story, post-launch updates will begin a brand new tale. Additions include a new housing district in Ishgard, male Vieras, an Island Sanctuary where players can raise crops, an overhaul of the combat system, and two new jobs: Sage, a healer who uses [[AttackDrone nouliths]] to aid allies and assail enemies with lasers; and Reaper, a SinisterScythe-swinging menace that can harness the PowerOfTheVoid.

->''Yet stand tall, my friend''\\
''Our journey will never end''

->''"And so you venture forth unto the unknown... A fate beyond the horizon that cannot be divined. A future undefined and in flux... That which lives is destined to die. Love leads to loss. Every beginning has an end... Treasure every moment, every step of your descent. And there in the depths where souls and stars rest find your truth."''

* ''Endwalker'' (2021): A sinister plot has been set into motion that threatens the whole of Hydaelyn. It is up to the Warrior of Light to face this new menace head-on, travelling to the island nation of Thavnair and the scholarly settlement of Old Sharlayan, going behind enemy lines in Garlemald, and even travelling beyond the planet itself in the GrandFinale of an epic tale several years in the making. While the plotline at launch marks the definitive conclusion of this story, post-launch updates will begin a brand new tale. Additions include a new housing district in Ishgard, male Vieras, female Hrothgars, an Island Sanctuary where players can raise crops, an overhaul of the combat system, and two new jobs: Sage, a healer who uses [[AttackDrone nouliths]] to aid allies and assail enemies with lasers; and Reaper, a SinisterScythe-swinging menace that can harness the PowerOfTheVoid.

The game was initially met with mixed-to-bad reactions from players and reviewers alike, citing [[ObviousBeta numerous glitches and bugs, poorly implemented features]] and an unbalanced in-game economy as the game's main problems. Creator/SquareEnix responded by [[https://www.pcgamer.com/square-enix-say-sorry-for-final-fantasy-xiv-announce-staff-changes-and-free-trial-extension/ apologizing for the state of the game]], and [[YouHaveFailedMe replaced]] several key members of the development team. The team then had to decide if they wished to try to fix and salvage what they could or rebuild the game from almost the ground up. They ultimately opted for the latter.

-->-- Lyrics from "Answers"

->''"And so you venture forth unto the unknown... A fate beyond the horizon that cannot be divined. A future undefined and in flux... That which lives is destined to die. Love leads to loss. Every beginning has an end... Treasure every moment, every step of your descent. And there in the depths, where souls and stars rest, find your truth."''

->What the ''kupo'' do you think you're doing?!

''Final Fantasy XIV'' is the fourteenth game in the [[GroinAttack groin-grab]][[WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons bingly]] [[RunningGag popular]] ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' series. It is an {{MMORPG}}, similar to ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXI'', and was timed exclusively to the PC in its first release, and was a simultaneous PC & [=PS3=] release in its second iteration (see below). In both its 2010 and 2013 releases, it had both a Standard and a [[LimitedSpecialCollectorsUltimateEdition Collector's Edition]], whose buyers were able to start the game 8 days early (in the 1.0 CE's case), get exclusive in-game items, [[{{Feelies}} a themed journal (in 1.0) or an artbook (2.0), and some other bells and whistles]].

A UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 version, originally scheduled for a March 2011 release and initially put on indefinite hold, was finally released alongside the ''Realm Reborn'' client in August 2013. An UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}} version was also in development, but has been canceled after they failed to come to an agreement with Xbox Live and Microsoft. The UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 version was announced in E3 2013 and was released in April 2014. A smartphone app called ''Libra Eorzea'' was also released as a reference for quests and such, though it has since been rendered defunct and replaced by the ''FFXIV Companion App''. Talks are still ongoing with Microsoft and there is potential for an Xbox One version.[[note]]Though it appears contingent on two things: one, the Xbox version absolutely must be allowed to talk to the same servers as the PC and [=PS3=] & 4 versions, which Microsoft was opposed to at the time; and two, the game should ideally not require an Xbox Live Gold subscription to access online functions, since it's already a subscription-based game and the additional fee would be unfair for Xbox players who otherwise don't use the Gold services for much. Microsoft has reversed their stance on cross-platform play, ironically leaving that requirement in Sony's hands. It is unclear if they will budge on the Xbox Live requirement, however.[[/note]] It has also been recently hinted that Square Enix would like to publish the game on UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, but Sony's current refusal to allow for cross-platform play likely makes this difficult. In February 2021, an open beta for a UsefulNotes/PlayStation5 version was announced to launch on April 13, 2021.

[[folder:List of releases & expansions]]

Archives of cutscenes from the first version of the game exist on [=YouTube=] (such as [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU5N24_5VIk this one]]), and much of the text is preserved on various wikis; none of it may be found any longer in game. An excellent video with a condensed summary of 1.0's lore may be found [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjZgp8mUrog here]].

!!This game provides examples of:

** [[GameplayAndStoryIntegration/FinalFantasyXIV Gameplay And Story Integration]]

* ''Final Fantasy XIV'' (2010): Also colloquially referred to as "1.0" and the "Legacy" version of the game. The peace and prosperity Eorzea has known for over a thousand years is threatened when mysterious beings known as the "Ascians" begin to manipulate the Garlean Empire and the realm's beast tribes. Things come to a head when the artificial moon of Dalamud is brought down, resulting in the release of the elder primal Bahamut and the near-ruination of Eorzea.

* ''Heavensward'' (2015): Following the shocking conclusion of the events of ''A Realm Reborn'', the Warrior of Light travels to Ishgard, an isolationist theocracy embroiled in a ForeverWar with the dragons of Dravania -- a war which must be resolved, lest both sides destroy one another. Along with the addition of flying mounts and a new playable race in the form of the [[HornedHumanoids Au Ra]], ''Heavensward'' also introduces three new jobs: Dark Knight, a seemingly-sinister tank wielding [[{{BFS}} greatswords]]; Machinist, a magitek-empowered gunslinger; and Astralogian, a healer using the power of astrology to manipulate fate and save their allies.

* ''Stormblood'' (2017): In the hopes of routing the Garlean Empire's attempts to invade Eorzea, the Warrior of Light and the Scions must travel abroad to bolster their ranks, their journey leading them from their neighbors in occupied Ala Mhigo to the far eastern land of Doma, on a mission to help the conquered nations throw off the yoke of Imperial rule. Along with a new housing district situated in the Hingashi neighborhood of Shirogane, ''Stormblood'' introduced two new jobs at launch: RedMage, a MagicKnight mixing swords and sorcery; and Samurai, a [[KatanasAreJustBetter katana-wielding]] master of the blade. Later updates also add the Blue Mage, a special solo-based class that uses spells based on [[PowerCopying the abilities of monsters]].

The first major expansion to the game, ''Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward'', was initially stated for a Spring 2015 release, but got delayed in order to polish the content and launched in June of the same year. It's set in the formerly closed off country of Ishgard, home of the Dragoons, as well as the nation's long-time [[OurDragonsAreDifferent draconic]] opponent, Dravania; its main story shines some light on the history of fierce war between humanity and dragonkind that has been raging in Eorzea's north for centuries. Among its gameplay-related features, it includes flying mounts (much like those in [[VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft World of Warcraft]]) as well as the introduction of a new playable race known as the [[DraconicHumanoid Au Ra]] and three new classes that start at level 30 as full jobs, the classic [[BlackKnight Dark Knight]], stargazing [[{{Astrologer}} Astrologians]], and [[TheGunslinger gun]]- and [[TheEngineer machine]]-wielding [[TheTurretMaster Machinists]].

In October 2016, the second major expansion, ''Stormblood'', was announced with the first [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAobb8_SzHY teaser trailer]] at the Las Vegas Fan Festival, and released on June 20th, 2017. The expansion focuses on the city-state of Ala Mhigo and the country of Doma, which were conquered 20 years prior to the events of ''A Realm Reborn'' by the Garlean Empire and detailing the fight of the respective countries' resistances in their attempt to liberate their homes from the Empire's control. Much like the previous expansion putting a focus on the Dragoon job hailing from Ishgard, the expansion puts a focus on the Monk fighting style which originated from Ala Mhigo, but also brings along two new classes, the classic {{Samurai}} and the [[MagicKnight rapier-wielding and spellslinging Red Mage]]. In addition, new housing districts were set up in [[{{Wutai}} Hingashi]].

In November of 2018 at the North American Fan Festival, the game's third expansion ''Shadowbringers'' ([[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tyuIh12_HU trailer here]]) was announced, released on July 2nd, 2019. The expansion's main story takes place in "The First", one of several alternate realities and home to a world that is being rapidly overrun by a flood of uncontrolled Light, with the Warrior of Light now instead taking the mantle of the Warrior of Darkness in order to bring balance back to the stagnant, dying world. Other major additions include Dancer and Gunbreaker Jobs, the Viera and Hrothgar races, the "Trust" system that allows for clearing story dungeons with your NPC allies, and several major gameplay revamps such as the standardization of MP and removal of TP as resources.

In February of 2021, the next expansion was announced: ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZsh53YDLf8 Endwalker]]'', which will be released on November 23rd of the same year, bringing with it the highly-demanded male members of the Viera race as playable characters (with female Hrothgar announced for later), along with two new jobs; the healing [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASTGVJLBX14 Sage]], and scythe wielding [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfqi_ow02rE Reaper]], the latter being a unique class to FFXIV. As the GrandFinale of the tale of Hydaelyn and Zodiark, players will journey far and wide, from the island nation of Thavnair to the Garlean Empire and beyond to prevent TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt. The development team confirmed that the story at launch will represent the end of an epoch ten years in the making, but a new story will begin to unfold in the following updates. Other additions and changes include new housing districts in Ishgard, an "Island Sanctuary" that will allow players to raise animals and crops, a new data center for players in Australia and surrounding regions, and an overhaul of stats to streamline combat.

In February of 2021, the next expansion was announced: ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZsh53YDLf8 Endwalker]]'', which will be released on November 23rd of the same year, bringing with it the highly-demanded male members of the Viera race as playable characters (with female Hrothgar announced for later), along with two new jobs; the healing [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASTGVJLBX14 Sage]], and scythe wielding [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfqi_ow02rE Reaper]], the latter being a unique class to FFXIV. As the GrandFinale of the tale of Hydaelyn and Zodiark, players will journey far and wide, from the island nation of Thavnair to the Garlean Empire and beyond to prevent TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt. The development team confirmed that the story at launch will represent the end of an epoch ten years in the making, but a new story will begin to unfold in the following updates. Other additions and changes include new housing districts in Ishgard, an "Island Sanctuary" that will allow players to raise animals and crops, a new Data Center for players in Australia and surrounding regions, and an overhaul of stats to streamline combat.

%% Administrivia/ZeroContextExample entries are not allowed on wiki pages. All such entries have been commented out. Add context to the entries before uncommenting them.

%% Image selected per Image Pickin' thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1572055381090477200
%% Please do not replace or remove without starting a new thread.

[[quoteright:349:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ffxivsb2.png]]
[[caption-width-right:349:''"Past the far edge of fate ring blades dark and light, tolling the coming of the end."''[[note]]Clockwise from bottom: [[TheHero The Warrior of Light/Darkness]], [[BadassBookworm Alphinaud]], [[LadyOfBlackMagic Y'shtola]], [[TokenEvilTeammate Emet-Selch]], [[MysteriousWaif "Minfilia"]], [[PapaBear Thancred]], [[BigGood the Crystal Exarch]], [[EccentricMentor Urianger]], [[ActionGirl Alisaie]]]][[/note]]

In October 2016, the second major expansion, ''Stormblood'', was announced with the first [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAobb8_SzHY teaser trailer]] at the Las Vegas Fan Festival, and released on June 20th, 2017. The expansion focuses on the city-state of Ala Mhigo and the country of Doma, which were conquered 20 years prior to the events of ''A Realm Reborn'' by the Garlean Empire and detailing the fight of the respective countries' resistances in their attempt to liberate their homes from the Empire's control. Much like the previous expansion putting a focus on the Dragoon job hailing from Ishgard, the expansion puts a focus on the Monk fighting style which originated from Ala Mhigo, but also brings along two new classes, the classic {{Samurai}} and the [[MagicKnight rapier-wielding and spellslinging Red Mage]].

In February of 2021, the next expansion was announced: ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZsh53YDLf8 Endwalker]]'', which will be released on November 23rd of the same year, bringing with it the highly-demanded male members of the Viera race as playable characters, along with two new jobs; the healing [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASTGVJLBX14 Sage]], and scythe wielding [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfqi_ow02rE Reaper]], the latter being a unique class to FFXIV. As the GrandFinale of the tale of Hydaelyn and Zodiark, players will journey far and wide, from the island nation of Thavnair to the Garlean Empire and beyond to prevent TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt. The development team confirmed that the story at launch will represent the end of an epoch ten years in the making, but a new story will begin to unfold in the following updates.

[[quoteright:349:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ffxivsb2.png]]
[[caption-width-right:349:''"Past the far edge of fate ring blades dark and light, tolling the coming of the end."''[[note]]Clockwise from bottom: [[TheHero The Warrior of Light/Darkness]], [[BadassBookworm Alphinaud]], [[LadyOfBlackMagic Y'shtola]], [[TokenEvilTeammate Emet-Selch]], [[MysteriousWaif "Minfilia"]], [[PapaBear Thancred]], [[BigGood the Crystal Exarch]], [[EccentricMentor Urianger]], [[ActionGirl Alisaie]]]][[/note]]

In February of 2021, the next expansion was announced: ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZsh53YDLf8 Endwalker]]'', which will be released on November 23rd of the same year, bringing with it two new jobs; the healing [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASTGVJLBX14 Sage]], and scythe wielding [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfqi_ow02rE Reaper]], a unique class to FFXIV. As the GrandFinale of the tale of Hydaelyn and Zodiark, players will journey far and wide, from the island nation of Thavnair to the Garlean Empire and beyond to prevent TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt. The development team confirmed that the story at launch will represent the end of an epoch ten years in the making, but a new story will begin to unfold in the following updates.

In February of 2021, the next expansion was announced: ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZsh53YDLf8 Endwalker]]'', which will be released in Fall of the same year, bringing with it two new jobs; the healing [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASTGVJLBX14 Sage]], and scythe wielding [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfqi_ow02rE Reaper]], a unique class to FFXIV. As the GrandFinale of the tale of Hydaelyn and Zodiark, players will journey far and wide, from the island nation of Thavnair to the Garlean Empire and beyond to prevent TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt. The development team confirmed that the story at launch will represent the end of an epoch ten years in the making, but a new story will begin to unfold in the following updates.

In February of 2021, the next expansion was announced: ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZsh53YDLf8 Endwalker]]'', which will be released in Fall of the same year, bringing with it two new jobs; the healing [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASTGVJLBX14 Sage]], and a yet to be announced melee DPS. As the GrandFinale of the tale of Hydaelyn and Zodiark, players will journey far and wide, from the island nation of Thavnair to the Garlean Empire and beyond to prevent TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt. The development team confirmed that the story at launch will represent the end of an epoch ten years in the making, but a new story will begin to unfold in the following updates.

The first major expansion to the game, ''Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward'', was initially stated for a Spring 2015 release, but got delayed in order to polish the content and launched in June of the same year. It's set in the formerly closed off country of Ishgard, home of the Dragoons, as well as the nation's long-time [[OurDragonsAreDifferent draconic]] opponent, Dravania; its main story shines some light on the history of fierce war between humanity and dragonkind that has been raging in Eorzea's north for centuries. Among its gameplay-related features, it includes flying mounts (much like those in [[VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft World of Warcraft]]) as well as the introduction of a new playable race known as the [[DraconicHumanoid Au Ra]] and three new classes that start at level 30 as full jobs, the classic [[BlackKnight Dark Knight]], stargazing [[{{Astrologer}} Astrologians]], and [[TheGunslinger gun]] and [[TheEngineer machine]]-wielding [[TheTurretMaster Machinists]].

[[caption-width-right:349:''"Past the far edge of fate ring blades dark and light,\\
tolling the coming of the end."''[[note]]Clockwise from bottom: [[TheHero The Warrior of Light/Darkness]], [[BadassBookworm Alphinaud]], [[LadyOfBlackMagic Y'shtola]], [[TokenEvilTeammate Emet-Selch]], [[MysteriousWaif "Minfilia"]], [[PapaBear Thancred]], [[BigGood the Crystal Exarch]], [[EccentricMentor Urianger]], [[ActionGirl Alisaie]]]][[/note]]

[[caption-width-right:349:''"Past the far eddge of fate ring blades dark and light,\\

[[caption-width-right:349:Embrace the darkness and forge a new fate![[note]]Clockwise from bottom: [[TheHero The Warrior of Light/Darkness]], [[BadassBookworm Alphinaud]], [[LadyOfBlackMagic Y'shtola]], [[TokenEvilTeammate Emet-Selch]], [[MysteriousWaif "Minfilia"]], [[PapaBear Thancred]], [[BigGood the Crystal Exarch]], [[EccentricMentor Urianger]], [[ActionGirl Alisaie]]]][[/note]]

In February of 2021, the next expansion was announced: ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZsh53YDLf8 Endwalker]]'', which will be released in Fall of the same year, bringing with it two new jobs; the healing [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASTGVJLBX14 Sage]], and a yet to be announced melee DPS.

A UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 version, originally scheduled for a March 2011 release and initially put on indefinite hold, was finally released alongside the ''Realm Reborn'' client in August 2013. An UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}} version was also in development, but has been canceled after they failed to come to an agreement with Xbox Live and Microsoft. The UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 version was announced in E3 2013 and was released in April 2014. A smartphone app called ''Libra Eorzea'' was also released as a reference for quests and such, though it has since been rendered defunct and replaced by the ''FFXIV Companion App''. Talks are still ongoing with Microsoft and there is potential for an Xbox One version.[[note]]Though it appears contingent on two things: one, the Xbox version absolutely must be allowed to talk to the same servers as the PC and [=PS3=] & 4 versions, which Microsoft was opposed to at the time; and two, the game should ideally not require an Xbox Live Gold subscription to access online functions, since it's already a subscription-based game and the additional fee would be unfair for Xbox players who otherwise don't use the Gold services for much. Microsoft has reversed their stance on cross-platform play, ironically leaving that requirement in Sony's hands. It is unclear if they will budge on the Xbox Live requirement, however.[[/note]] It has also been recently hinted that Square Enix would like to publish the game on UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, but Sony's current refusal to allow for cross-platform play likely makes this difficult.

In February of 2021, the next expansion was announced: ''Endwalker'', which will be released in Fall of the same year, bringing with it two new jobs; the healing Sage, and a yet to be announced melee DPS.