Letter from the Producer LIVE Part XVIII Q&A Updates

[Bayohne]

Q19: Are there any plans to implement an inventory specifically for fishing lures/bait?

A19: Unfortunately, it is very difficult to add inventory. In order to add inventory, we will need to increase the character data and if the character data is increased, more data must be transmitted to the servers. This may cause increased loading times when you move to a different area as well as lag.

We are very much aware of the inventory issues caused by fishing lures/bait so we are currently looking into ways to alleviate the problem after the expansion is released by decreasing the type of lure/bait used in the new fishing spots and making the item management aspect of the retainer more user friendly.

[Bayohne]

Q20: Can you add a lot more hairstyles, facial hair, and other types of face paints?

A20: When it comes to hairstyles, we have to make very fine adjustments to the graphics for portions that stick out of equipment and those that do not, and we do our best to release 1-3 hairstyles in each patch. We previously added new face paint in the past, but we didn’t really receive much feedback as to whether they were good or bad, so we’ve been allocating our resources to adding hairstyles. Finally, facial hair is connected to the amount of character date transmitted, so it’s difficult at the moment.

However, we are actually adding a fake moustache for the Starlight Celebration…
Ladies will also be able to wear this!

We’re also currently making an afro hairstyle.

[Bayohne]

Q21: A new playable race will be introduced in the expansion, but are there any plans to introduce additional character creation options for the existing races?

A21: Unfortunately, it is very difficult to add more character creation options. We will try to increase the amount of character options via glamour (i.e. using hair extensions introduced in the upcoming Starlight Celebration event, etc.).

[Bayohne]

Q22: Are there any plans to remove restrictions on the glamour system (unable to glamour gear that the job/class cannot equip)?

A22: Unfortunately, there’s a certain image that we would like to sustain for FINAL FANTASY XIV. We feel that it would confuse the new players if they see casters in heavy armor and tanks in mage gear.

However, if there’s any specific gear you would like to glamour, we will consider those requests individually so please request them through our official forums.

[Bayohne]

Q23: In the expansion we will be going to Ishgard, but will you be implementing housing areas in Ishgard as well?

A23: The war between humans and dragons is still being fought in Ishgard and it’s not really a safe place to live, so we will not be implementing housing areas at the beginning of the expansion. While we may implement it at some point in the 3.0 series, we aren’t at the point where we can promise any kind of time frame.

[Bayohne]

Q24: Will you be implementing the Free Company alliance feature that you mentioned some time ago?

A24: We’re currently altering the programs related to Free Companies in preparation for the content that is planned for the expansion as well as Free Company crafting.

Once this work has been completed, we are planning to add an alliance feature for the content planned for the expansion.

[Bayohne]

Q25: I was planning to purchase a PlayStation 4 next year, but the upgrade campaign ends at the end of this year. Are there any plans to extend the campaign?

A25: While we originally planned to end the upgrade campaign on Dec. 31, 2014, we received numerous requests about extending the campaign. Therefore, we discussed the matter with Sony Computer Entertainment.

Sony Computer Entertainment accepted the request and therefore will be extending the campaign until Mar. 31, 2015!

Additionally, we are planning to introduce a free trial service for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. PlayStation Plus members will be able to participate from Dec. 11, 2014. If you are not a PlayStation Plus member, you will be able to participate from Dec. 24, 2014. (Note that dates are tentative)

[Bayohne]

Q26: Large size houses feel kind of empty. Can you increase the limit on the amount of furnishings that can be placed in houses?

A26: We had been prioritizing the addition of land and since we do not know exactly how much of a demand there is we have not been able to do anything with this. This is not to say that we will stop adding land in the future; however, I feel we’ve filled the demand with the expansion areas, so I’m thinking it’s about time to enhance the utilities for each house. The team in charge of this, however, is currently working on the Gold Saucer and Free Company crafting, so implementation would take place after this.

[Bayohne]

Q27: Could you implement a kettle as an indoor furnishing? Even better, how about the kettle that Gerolt created?

A： Unlike our usual questions, someone brought this question to my question directly so I decided to take this to the development team.

A: Someone mentioned this interesting question beforehand, so I decided to take this to the development team. They said that it’s already being made, and gave the following response:

"As you may know, Gerolt repairs kettles to pay off his debts at the bar. He enjoyed this so much that now he's on a mission to make the "Ultimate Kettle." But, it's no easy task to forge the Ultimate Kettle suitable for this legendary weaponsmith. We have rumors of it making its way to implementation, but given that it's the Ultimate Kettle tinged with soulglaze, it's like not going to easily obtained… We hope you look forward to it!"

[Bayohne]

Q28: After the expansion is released, will we still be able to play Patch 2.x content if we do not have the expansion? This is my first time playing an online game, so could you please tell me what an expansion entails?

A28: Yes, you will be able to play that content.

Even without the expansion you’ll be able to play all the content from A Realm Reborn. It’s not like you will not be able to see players who have become the new race or are playing as the new job. If you do not install the expansion you will just not be able to become the new race or switch to the new job.

Put simply, the expansion will add new maps, a new race, and new jobs on top of what is already there in A Realm Reborn.