The FINFAL FANTASY XIV FAN FESTIVAL 2024 in Tokyo kicked off today with a reveal of the full Dawntrail trailer, as well as a first look at the game’s newest race: Female Hrothgar. We also got an extensive look at character model upgrades using 7.0’s updated graphics system, a sneak peek at more areas of Tural, and the second Dawntrail job: Pictomancer. We also received confirmation that the Xbox Open Beta Test is expected to take place near the end of February.
During his keynote, FFXIV Director and Producer Naoki Yoshida reintroduced players to the land of Tural, where there appears to be a conflict involving succession to the throne. The Warrior of Light and the Scions will need to take sides in this conflict, and in the process travel across the lands of Tural, as well as a new area introduced at the Tokyo Fanfest: Solution Nine. Yoshi-P kept the details sparse, but this new area is a wide departure from the wide plains and watery jungles we’ve seen thus far, leaning pretty heavily into neon-soaked high rises and paved streets. We also got to see some more concept art of local tribes, including the Hanuhanu, which appear to be close cousins to the Vanu Vanu.
Pictomancer takes its queues from that same job originating in FINAL FANTASY VI, with job gear mirroring the character Relm from that game. The job will begin at level 80 in Gridania. Pictomancers wield brushes to bring their drawings to life, including monsters, weapons and landscapes. As with other spellcasters, the job will use a mix of instant and long cast abilities to both attack and buff the party. It’s not a “full support” job but not as attack focused as a Black Mage, according to Yoshi-P. (He also assured the audience that you don’t have to personally be good at art to play Pictomancer!)
The keynote touched on several other updates coming in 7.0, including the much-requested female Hrothgar, as well as updated graphics. Yoshi-P spent more than 30 minutes highlighting those updates, showing off the changes to racial models and how the new system provides higher detail and more clarity to racial features. He also discussed the upcoming raids, including the 24-man raid based off FINAL FANTASY XI, and the new eight-man raid, The Arcadion, which is an FFXIV original storyline. The upcoming Ultimate will be based on Eden. Yoshida-san was only able to show off some concept art, but for the Echoes of Vana’diel raid, we at least have confirmation the Shadow Lord will be in it (which just so happens to be one of the fights fellow oprainfall contributor and FFXIV player Quentin wrote about last year!) Along with the raids, Yoshi-P also confirmed new lifestyle content, including Cosmic Exploration, which will find Warriors of Light planet hopping, as well as the return of largescale field content similar to Eureka and Bozja.
FINAL FANTASY XIV Online: Dawntrail is currently slated for a Summer 2024 release, though Yoshida-san would not pinpoint an exact date to avoid a similar fate to Endwalker, when he had to delay that expansion’s release. FINAL FANTASY XIV FAN FESTIVAL in Tokyo will continue tomorrow. You can find the schedule here.
What was your favorite announcement of the Keynote?
What are you most excited to explore in Dawntrail?
Let us know in the comments below!
