Letter from the Producer, XXX (06/21/2012)

Hello again, all you FFXIVers out there! Yoshi-P here, with my thirtieth Letter from the Producer.

We’re back from showcasing version 2.0 at E3! Gaming sites around the world have put up their FFXIV articles...and after answering questions for twenty-four or so interviews during the exhibition, my throat sure is sore…

As I mentioned in the interviews, 2.0 will be prioritizing the development schedule. This means we’ll be focusing on getting to alpha and beta testing as soon as possible. There’s still some work to be done tweaking the graphics, but otherwise it’s all about optimization.

As for the in-game footage, we’ll be bringing you the CG trailer and various other tidbits sometime around midsummer!

<center><img src="http://static.finalfantasyxiv.com/topics/images/3b/e2/5043_0.jpg">
(Well...okay. Here’s a sneak peek of the CG!)</center>
We released some in-game screenshots at E3, but the graphics are still undergoing adjustments—expect to see higher quality at release. We’re working on dusk/night lighting and post processing as we speak. The key to getting the best graphic quality out of current gen machines is by tweaking the lighting and shaders, post processing, etc., and (while keeping a close eye on optimization) we’ll be pushing the envelope as far as it will go! (They won’t be ready for a little while yet, but we’re also working on getting out some screenshots for the PS3!)

Here’s a random moment from my adventures at E3:

<center><img src="http://static.finalfantasyxiv.com/topics/images/3b/e2/5043_1.jpg"></center>
“Don’t look back, always look ahead.” I got this fortune during a lunch meeting we had after E3. The phrase was so perfect for me—I really got a kick out of it. :)

Alrighty, time for some news on the current version of FFXIV. Here’s a list of the updates we have scheduled for patch 1.23 and beyond.

Quests

<table width="600" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="1" align="center" class="ta01"><tr valign="middle" align="center" class="th01"><td width="12%" bgcolor="#f5cca2">Patch</td><td width="25%" bgcolor="#f5cca2">Planned</td><td width="32%" bgcolor="#f5cca2">Current Tasks</td><td width="31%" bgcolor="#f5cca2">Notes</td></tr><tr valign="middle" align="left" class="td01"><td bgcolor="#f8dfc5" align="center">Ongoing</td><td bgcolor="#f6efe5">Seventh Umbral Era quests</td><td bgcolor="#f6efe5">Seventh Umbral Era quests</td><td bgcolor="#f6efe5"><font color="red">* Implementation of quests related to the Seventh Umbral Era finale</font></td></tr><tr valign="middle" align="left" class="td01"><td bgcolor="#f8dfc5" align="center">Ongoing</td><td bgcolor="#f6efe5">Storylines and world quests</td><td bgcolor="#f6efe5">Development and release of supplemental storylines and world quests</td><td bgcolor="#f6efe5"><font color="red">* Implementation of multiple subquests</font></td></tr><tr valign="middle" align="left" class="td01"><td bgcolor="#f8dfc5" align="center">1.23</td><td bgcolor="#f6efe5"><font color="red">-NEW-</font><br>Seventh Umbral Era battle quests (tentative)</td><td bgcolor="#f6efe5"><font color="red">-NEW-</font><br>Implementation of quests for Seventh Umbral Era-related battle content</td><td bgcolor="#f6efe5" align="center">-</td></tr><tr valign="middle" align="left" class="td01"><td bgcolor="#f8dfc5" align="center">1.23</td><td bgcolor="#f6efe5"><font color="red">-NEW-</font><br>New seasonal events</td><td bgcolor="#f6efe5"><font color="red">-NEW-</font><br>Implementation and hosting of new seasonal events</td><td bgcolor="#f6efe5" align="center">-</td></tr></table>

New Content

<table width="600" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="1" align="center" class="ta01"><tr valign="middle" align="center" class="th01"><td width="12%" bgcolor="#f5cca2">Patch</td><td width="25%" bgcolor="#f5cca2">Planned</td><td width="32%" bgcolor="#f5cca2">Current Tasks</td><td width="31%" bgcolor="#f5cca2">Notes</td></tr><tr valign="middle" align="left" class="td02"><td bgcolor="#f8dfc5" align="center">1.23</td><td bgcolor="#fffaf3"><font color="red">-NEW-</font><br>Seventh Umbral Era battle content (tentative)</td><td bgcolor="#fffaf3"><font color="red">-NEW-</font><br>Implementation of Seventh Umbral Era-related battle content</td><td bgcolor="#fffaf3"><font color="red">* Details not to be released until patch day</font></td></tr><tr valign="middle" align="left" class="td02"><td bgcolor="#f8dfc5" align="center">1.23a onwards</td><td bgcolor="#fffaf3"><font color="red">-NEW-</font><br>Seventh Umbral Era battle content (hard difficulty)</td><td bgcolor="#fffaf3"><font color="red">-NEW-</font><br>Implementation of Seventh Umbral Era-related battle content (hard difficulty)</td><td bgcolor="#fffaf3" align="center">-</td></tr><tr valign="middle" align="left" class="td02"><td bgcolor="#f8dfc5" align="center" rowspan="2">1.23</td><td bgcolor="#fffaf3" rowspan="2"><font color="red">-NEW-</font><br>NM challenge (tentative)</td><td bgcolor="#fffaf3"><font color="red">-NEW-</font><br>Implementation of NM-related battle content (A-type)</td><td bgcolor="#fffaf3" align="center">-</td></tr><tr valign="middle" align="left" class="td02"><td bgcolor="#fffaf3"><font color="red">-NEW-</font><br>Implementation of NM-related battle content (B-type)</td><td bgcolor="#fffaf3" align="center">-</td></tr></table>

Guildleves

<table width="600" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="1" align="center" class="ta01"><tr valign="middle" align="center" class="th01"><td width="12%" bgcolor="#f5cca2">Patch</td><td width="25%" bgcolor="#f5cca2">Planned</td><td width="32%" bgcolor="#f5cca2">Current Tasks</td><td width="31%" bgcolor="#f5cca2">Notes</td></tr><tr valign="middle" align="left" class="td01"><td bgcolor="#f8dfc5" align="center">1.23a onwards</td><td bgcolor="#f6efe5"><font color="red">-NEW-</font><br>Implementation of new faction levequests</td><td bgcolor="#f6efe5"><font color="red">-NEW-</font><br>Implementation of new faction levequests</td><td bgcolor="#f6efe5" align="center">-</td></tr></table>

Enemies and Non-Instanced Areas

<table width="600" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="1" align="center" class="ta01"><tr valign="middle" align="center" class="th01"><td width="12%" bgcolor="#f5cca2">Patch</td><td width="25%" bgcolor="#f5cca2">Planned</td><td width="32%" bgcolor="#f5cca2">Current Tasks</td><td width="31%" bgcolor="#f5cca2">Notes</td></tr><tr valign="middle" align="left" class="td02"><td bgcolor="#f8dfc5" align="center">1.23 onwards</td><td bgcolor="#fffaf3"><font color="red">-NEW-</font><br>Addition of Seventh Umbral Era monsters</td><td bgcolor="#fffaf3"><font color="red">-NEW-</font><br>Addition and adjustment of Seventh Umbral Era-related monsters</td><td bgcolor="#fffaf3" align="center">-</td></tr><tr valign="middle" align="left" class="td02"><td bgcolor="#f8dfc5" align="center">1.23 onwards</td><td bgcolor="#fffaf3"><font color="red">-NEW-</font><br>Addition of map objects</td><td bgcolor="#fffaf3"><font color="red">-NEW-</font><br>Addition of Seventh Umbral Era-related objects</td><td bgcolor="#fffaf3" align="center">-</td></tr></table>

Battle System

<table width="600" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="1" align="center" class="ta01"><tr valign="middle" align="center" class="th01"><td width="12%" bgcolor="#f5cca2">Patch</td><td width="25%" bgcolor="#f5cca2">Planned</td><td width="32%" bgcolor="#f5cca2">Current Tasks</td><td width="31%" bgcolor="#f5cca2">Notes</td></tr><tr valign="middle" align="left" class="td01"><td bgcolor="#f8dfc5" align="center">Ongoing</td><td bgcolor="#f6efe5">Class/job action effect adjustments</td><td bgcolor="#f6efe5">Ongoing adjustments based on player feedback</td><td bgcolor="#f6efe5" align="center">-</td></tr></table>

Items, Synthesis, and Gathering

<table width="600" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="1" align="center" class="ta01"><tr valign="middle" align="center" class="th01"><td width="12%" bgcolor="#f5cca2">Patch</td><td width="25%" bgcolor="#f5cca2">Planned</td><td width="32%" bgcolor="#f5cca2">Current Tasks</td><td width="31%" bgcolor="#f5cca2">Notes</td></tr><tr valign="middle" align="left" class="td02"><td bgcolor="#f8dfc5" align="center">Ongoing</td><td bgcolor="#fffaf3">Ongoing adjustments to items, synthesis, and gathering</td><td bgcolor="#fffaf3">Plans for ongoing adjustments that include changes based on player feedback</td><td bgcolor="#fffaf3" align="center">-</td></tr></table>

User Interface (UI)

<table width="600" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="1" align="center" class="ta01"><tr valign="middle" align="center" class="th01"><td width="12%" bgcolor="#f5cca2">Patch</td><td width="25%" bgcolor="#f5cca2">Planned</td><td width="32%" bgcolor="#f5cca2">Current Tasks</td><td width="31%" bgcolor="#f5cca2">Notes</td></tr><tr valign="middle" align="left" class="td01"><td bgcolor="#f8dfc5" align="center">Ongoing</td><td bgcolor="#f6efe5">Ongoing adjustments to UI</td><td bgcolor="#f6efe5">Plans for ongoing adjustments that include changes based on player feedback</td><td bgcolor="#f6efe5" align="center">-</td></tr></table>The reason this list has fewer entries than usual is because we’re finally approaching the big Seventh Umbral Era finale. I’ve also cut out any spoilerrific details, which shortens the list even more.

As far as updates to the current version of FFXIV go, this 1.23 series of patches will be the last. There are no more large-scale additions or adjustments planned, and all of your feedback will be applied to 2.0—along with the combined efforts of the entire dev team. We thank you for your continued support and understanding!

Information regarding the suspension of subscription procedures will be posted on <i>The Lodestone</i>, as well as sent to you via e-mail.

There have also been rumors making the rounds concerning the “wandering minstrel” and his imminent departure from Eorzea. We don’t know if he’ll simply disappear into the void, or set off for some other distant shore... In any case, the quest to obtain a goobbue mount will only be available until patch 1.23a hits, so be sure to grab yourself a goobbue before then! This news will be mentioned again in an upcoming Topics article.

With regards to the update schedule, patch 1.23 itself is slated for release at the end of July, with the lettered patches (1.23a, 1.23b, etc.) to follow.

From here on out, you’ll be seeing a lot more 2.0 info in my letters. Both teaser and promo sites are also due to go live very soon, so please look forward to a constant barrage of updates!

Lastly, here’s another excerpt from my E3 trip: The day after E3 ended, I had the opportunity to visit one of my most admired game studios—Blizzard Entertainment! I was able to speak with the <i>World of Warcraft</i>, <i>DIABLO III</i>, and cinematic teams about CGI techniques, and game development and operation in general. The Blizzard guys were extremely friendly and open, and I’d like to take this chance to thank them for a very valuable exchange! I hope to visit them again with tales of how well version 2.0 turned out. :)

<center><img src="http://static.finalfantasyxiv.com/topics/images/3b/e2/5043_2.jpg">
(I also got this super rare souvenir! I just wish I had time to play the game... /cry)</center>
E3 taught me a lot of things, not the least of which was the scale of the industry and the high level of competition we face. Now more than ever, we’ll be throwing ourselves heart and soul into making version 2.0 the best that it can be.

See you in the next letter, on the forums…or maybe even at Japan Expo! :)