ffxiv Letter from the Producer LIVE Part LXVII Coverage

[Alhena 221]

In just a few moments, the Letter from the Producer LIVE Part LXVII will begin, featuring new information about the new small-scale PvP mode, changes to crafters and gatherers, and more coming in Endwalker! If you can't catch the broadcast, you're in luck - we'll be watching the show and updating this post with live coverage of all the new features coming in 6.0.

You can watch the Live Letter via the following platforms:

• YouTube
• Twitch
• Niconico

Endwalker Delayed

The Live Letter began with the announcement of the delay of Endwalker. Due to the development team wanting to make the expansion the best it can be, they have made the hard decision of delaying its release to December 7, with early access now releasing on December 7.

Regarding the delay, the following comments were translated from Yoshida:

Quote

I noticed some comments asking if two weeks would be enough. From that standpoint, we're okay. We just want to do thorough QA at this point. We want to test for stability [of the data centers], and we want to have support for the patch schedule following the expansion.

Quote

My emotions have grown attached to this expansion, and it was unexpected to feel so much about this. Players, especially those who have been here since the start, can understand that this is not just a finale, but this expansion is looking at the entire saga and seeing all loose ends come to a conclusion. I have maybe been too nitpicky about all going into this expansion, but considering that we're going to continue and move on with the story after this milestone, I needed to make sure that we were giving it our all and doing all we can for this expansion.

Next, the dev team announced the upcoming schedule regarding Endwalker's release, along with the raid patch.

The team then assured that all of the content for Endwalker has been created and that the delay was only caused to allow more room for quality assurance. Yoshida mentioned that the dev team is also currently working on testing the upcoming Ultimate encounter.

Endwalker Launch Trailer

Next, the team presented the new Endwalker launch trailer:

After discussing the trailer, the team moved on to providing a brief overview of what's to come during tonight's broadcast.

First, they took a look at the new areas coming in 6.0, starting with Old Sharlayan. As noted by the dev team, this area will is notably relevant to Alphinaud and Alisaie.

New Areas

Old Sharlayan

Labyrinthos

Radz-at-Han

Thavnair

Garlemald

As noted by the dev team, Garlemald has been closely tied to FFXIV since the original version. To avoid spoilers, not much else was revealed about its location.

Mare Lamentorum

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Key Characters

After providing screenshots of the upcoming locations, the team reintroduced the key characters of FFXIV's main story, in addition to providing a bit of insight on what players can expect from them in the expansion.

Thancred

Y'shtola

Urianger

Alphinaud

Alisaie

Estinien

Tataru

Zenos

Lady of the Light

The team then announced a new feature in which NPCs follow players throughout their journey. When completing a main scenario quest in 6.0, relevant NPCs may follow the player and make comments about what is happening around them.

New role quests were also announced, with extra quests for completing all role quests to be added in 6.1 or later.

In Endwalker, completion of role quests is not required to complete the main scenario questline.

Additionally, there will be no level 90 job quests in Endwalker. According to the dev team, the existing stories for job classes have concluded, but this doesn't mean that job-related scenarios won't be added in the future.

Studium Deliveries, DoH/DoL Questlines

New Dungeons:

Pandæmonium: Asphodelos

Although the team is keeping details surrounding the game's upcoming trials a secret, they provided a first look at the new 8-man raid coming in 6.0.

New PvP Mode: Crystal Conflict

As anticipated, the Live Letter gave players new insight on the upcoming small-scale PvP mode, Crystal Conflict. 

The idea behind Crystal Conflict is to provide players with a low-pressure PvP mode, allowing for casual and fun play for all who wish to PvP.

Crystal Conflict maps feature a central objective that teams fight over. To win, you must push this objective - a large crystal - into the opponent's goal. The new mode will feature short 5v5 matches, and there will be no role-based matchmaking requirements or actions.

The following screenshots show additional Crystal Conflict maps:

The following information was provided regarding rankings and rewards for the upcoming mode:

Crystal Conflict will be available as of Patch 6.1.

Next, the team introduced a feature still in development, tentatively named the "Calling Card" System. With this new feature, players will be allowed to customize their profile and choose a profile picture. In addition to showing up before PvP matches, this profile will display in the player search window.

The Feast will become unavailable as of Patch 6.1. However, preseason play will still be available from Patch 6.0 to Patch 6.1. 

Disciples of the Hand / Disciples of the Land Updates

After the introducing the new PvP mode, the team went on to detail upcoming changes to crafters and gatherers.

Upon 6.0's release, gatherers will no longer be able to obtain HQ items. Crafters, however, can still create HQ crafts.

Due to the HQ gathering change, perception will now heighten the chance of triggering Gatherer's Boon, which increases yield by one. Regarding fishing, "large-sized fish" will now appear in place of HQ fish.

There will also be adjustments to Spearfishing, including new mini-games.

In effort to balance leve rewards, the following adjustments are being made:

System Adjustments

Come 6.0, required and earned EXP will be downscaled. 

With 6.0's release, more hairstyles will be available to Viera and Hrothgar. 

There is also an upcoming UI update for achievements:

The following system adjustments were also announced:

Next, Soken joined the broadcast to discuss Embody's "Immerse Spatial Audio," a sound add-on that provides 360-degree spatial audio to FFXIV.

Housing Updates: Empyreum

Next, the team moved on to discuss upcoming Housing changes and the addition of Empyreum. The new housing area will be available to visit in 6.0, and players will be able to buy plots in 6.1. Additionally, a lottery system will be implemented for those purchasing land.

Oceanian Data Center: Materia

The new Oceanian Data Center, Mana, is planned to open in February. Worlds in the new Data Center will have New World bonuses! 

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