Final Fantasy XIV director Naoki “Yoshi-P” Yoshida has been quite busy lately. In addition to prepping the forthcoming 1.23 update, the team is busily working towards the 2.0 version update — the culmination of many changes over the past year and changes yet to come. A brand new CG trailer by Square Enix Visual Works will debut this summer, prefacing a cascade of new information about 2.0 that will lead into the alpha and beta testing phases.
Yoshi-P provided a screenshot of the trailer to tease:
During E3, the team released some screenshots of the Version 2.0 client — of which Yoshi-P commented that in-game graphics are continually being improved. The game will feature a brand new graphics engine and interface, as well as being highly optimized for many different PC configurations. This also inclues the PlayStation 3 version, and Yoshi-P was quick to point out that they will be releasing screenshots of the PS3 version soon.
The point that the team wishes to get across with players disappointed with the game, and Final Fantasy fans in general is that they want to make Final Fantasy XIV 2.0 worthy of the Final Fantasy name and caliber.
“…The most important thing to us is ensuring that the customers feel once again that the Final Fantasy franchise is amazing, and making sure that they understand – well, feel – that Final Fantasy is a great game.” Source
Yoshi-P shared a message he found in a fortune cookie when he was at this year’s E3 in Los Angeles:
Pre-2.0 updates are still in full swing, and the next major patch, 1.23, will include more content revolving around the Seventh Umbral Era storyline that will further continue the plot to the climactic 2.0 event. New storyline quests, and questing content in Eorzea will comprise the bulk of the update, and further improvments to the game’s battle system, interface, and crafting.
It’s also important to note that if you plan on getting a goobbue mount, you will need to level a class to 30 before Patch 1.23a hits — after that point the Wandering Minstrel NPC will no longer award them.
To read the full Letter from the Producer, click here.
