Post of the Living Dead

Hey guys!

First off, allow me to apologize for maintaining radio silence for the past...sheesh, has it already been a month!? /sigh... All those rumors you've hear about crunch time in the software industry?

Lies! Lies, I Tell you!

It's like 20,000,003 times worse than that

Most of my team has been pulling 12+ hour days for the past month an a half to get ready all of the stuff the other teams are spending 12 hours a day creating. But! It does finally look like there is an end to this tunnel (though it's still about 2 and a half weeks away) and it does like we'll make it out (I'd like to say unscathed, but our sanity is already in a pretty sorry state). I try to think of it as one of those Zen exercises where the master dumps a pile of sand in front of me and I have to move each grain with a pair of chopsticks...that are on fire.

We have little time to do much other than deal with the mountain before us, but every now and again, we do get on the forums and try to read over what you guys are talking about. There are some things I'd love to answer, but the team is pretty much on lock-down until the game is done, so I ask you to be patient for another few weeks. Once our chains have been cast off, I hope to drop in and chat about a bunch of stuff like song lyrics, cryptic text, beastman & dragonspeak, hidden lore, and other odds and ends. Do I dare say, please look forward to it!?

Anywho, thanks again everybody for the continued support and the sprawling speculation. We're almost there!

So, Voidsent can also be undead (ashkin) at the same time? *mind blown* :p

I just want to say a big thank you to you Ferne and the rest of the writing and lore/translation teams for all your hard work - I was utterly blown away by the big twist at the end of 2.55 (although I guess part of me is a little surprised about how dumb my character was walking into an obvious trap like that so willingly! ;)), and to say I am eagerly awaiting Heavensward's story is an understatement of Calamity proportions.

So once again, thank you lore and writing teams for such an amazing narrative! :D

Hope all it going well Lore Master. I've personally enjoyed your work as I know Enkidoh and Moose Sensei have as well. Keep up the great work and know that we're all backing you no matter how some may complain.

Here's to your next masterpiece and, Twelve willing, many more to come.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fernehalwes

I try to think of it as one of those Zen exercises where the master dumps a pile of sand in front of me and I have to move each grain with a pair of chopsticks...that are on fire.

---

Wait. Are the grains of sand on fire or are the chopsticks on fire?

It's important.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Wolfandre

Wait. Are the grains of sand on fire or are the chopsticks on fire?

It's important.

---

No doubt it's both.

Looking forward to the amazing and informative posts in the future, and thanks for all the hard work you do, Fern!

Thought was a Dark Knight thread O.o

And the scholars say he's in the fourth or fifth rung of the voidsent hierarchy; obviously pure top-down speculation.

Moving grains of sand with flaming chopsticks is clearly third rung credentials. </bubblepipe>

Thought was a Dark Knight thread O.o

No worries; patience is my strong suit. I am very much looking forward to it with bated breath.

:)

Everybody working on XIV deserves some big congratulations for giving up their social lives and their sanity to get this expansion out the door. thank you!

Closing deadlines are always the most hectic so I totally understand where ya coming from.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fernehalwes

Most of my team has been pulling 12+ hour days for the past month an a half to get ready all of the stuff the other teams are spending 12 hours a day creating. But! It does finally look like there is an end to this tunnel (though it's still about 2 and a half weeks away) and it does like we'll make it out (I'd like to say unscathed, but our sanity is already in a pretty sorry state). I try to think of it as one of those Zen exercises where the master dumps a pile of sand in front of me and I have to move each grain with a pair of chopsticks...that are on fire.

---

Christ on high, I can only imagine the stress. And honestly, I'm actually upset about it; everyone on the FFXIV team does excellent work and I always worry about the job burning some or all of you guys out, and if it did that would break my heart. :( I hope you guys are finding a little time to live, or at least get a little time off come the 19th or so, at least!

Still looking forward to all those lore-posts. Forget names, I'd love to learn more about dragonspeak and all this crypticness that's been dropped on us the last few patches.

Anyway, Ferne, がんばれ～！ And I hope everyone is at least getting some sleep and time to eat and whatnot. :(

The fact that you're dropping by just to say what's-up, amidst all the mayhem, speaks volumes as to your investment. :)

In turn, speaking for myself, makes me feel damn good about mine as a player and, dare I say, a fan. And I wouldn't be surprised if others here feel the very same way.

You do some fine work, and we are most pleased indeed to look forward to it!

Also, I hope they give you some good vacation time for all those hours you're sinking.

Hope all you folks at the FFXIV dev team take a well deserved break once you can! No doubt those hellish work hours have really put a load on you guys! Good luck wrapping the final bit up, and I'm sure all of us here are incredibly grateful for your hard work.

Thank you for your hard work! I love the English translation ^^!

Be sure not to work yourselves to death.

Despite some of the grumblings, I think we all really do appreciate the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. I know what it's like to work to a deadline, and I imagine it's far tougher with every detail being scrutinized before you're even finished! So, just try not to stress yourselves out too much. There will be plenty of time for that when the surge of players hits and you're dealing with a huge amount of extra traffic :)

Look, knowing the naming conventions in advance of the release of Heavensward is VERY IMPORTANT and you should know that. THe sooner we can start naming our Au Ras the better.

I understand the struggle Fernehalwes, I'm in a similarly industry were crunch times can get just as bad at times.
I'm not gonna lie to you, I have been pretty upset at the lack of a response to some stuff I have been waiting for over the past month but I'm glad you took the time to post about why it's been a bit quiet and its calmed me down.
The internet makes people mad sometimes but know that your hard work is appreciated along with everyone else working hard.
I'm still really waiting for a response on some things but I'm glad to hear something at least. Hope you guys finish quick and get some rest

looking forward for another lore bomb ferne

Mega thanks to Ferne and friend for the hard work. I don't know of many games where the team pays attention to the fan base when it comes to lore!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rina_inverse

looking forward for another lore bomb ferne

---

Don't you mean.... loregasms? :3

Love you, Ferne! I'll read everything when you can finally spill your guts to us!

Your hard work is appreciated.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Grayve

No doubt it's both.

Looking forward to the amazing and informative posts in the future, and thanks for all the hard work you do, Fern!

---

I'm pretty sure he forgot to mention the blindfold while doing this as well ;P

Thanks for everything you do Ferne, Living Dead clearly refers to Niellefresne confirmed~

It could be because of the DRK name, or because he feels like he is dead because of all this work.

Wooh! Working 12+ hours a day is certainly not fun, but hopefully being in the know of all the hype makes it worth it. :) Know that many people are suuuuuper envious of your position, and you can count me among them! I don't think anyone feels particularly neglected... we've received a lot of fun and exciting information lately. Of course... when that feedback starts rolling in... then they'll be banging down the doors for answers. (Answer... answer together...)

Man, grinding MGP for Fenrir is turning my brain to mush.

Just want to say thank you to the development team, your tireless work has me so very excited for Heavensward. The implementation of Dark Knight was truly not something I expected for the first expansion. Everything i have seen from the look, the animations, and most importantly the lore so far shown seem near perfect. i realize there is so very much more on the way, but as a fan i just wanted to show my appreciation to everyone working so very hard. I finally get to stand among my brother and friends as my favorite job of the series, thank you so very much.

I was thinking that while watching the last stream; Koji is probably working his bum off while we get to enjoy the new teasers. I hope you all get some time off after it's out and done. :eek:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BunnyChain

I was thinking that while watching the last stream; Koji is probably working his bum off while we get to enjoy the new teasers. I hope you all get some time off after it's out and done. :eek:

---

Yeah. People are asking why the cute girl is translating instead of Koji? Well maybe because he has his hands full with Heavensward.

On a side note: Interpreting for over 3 hours straight is something I wouldn't wish for my enemies. As a translator and interpreter I think she is doing a great job considering the circumstances. And it's not like words like Adoloquium are fun to work with.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fernehalwes

Do I dare say, please look forward to it

---

I love that Kojisan knows this is as much of a meme to us as it is. I mean, this kind of post is him walking up to an angry rampaging bear; and instead of approachin calmly or taking steps backwards, he prances up, and starts tickling the bear. I, for one, am now Winnie the Pooh.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mishini_Dracoto

I love that Kojisan knows this is as much of a meme to us as it is. I mean, this kind of post is him walking up to an angry rampaging bear; and instead of approachin calmly or taking steps backwards, he prances up, and starts tickling the bear. I, for one, am now Winnie the Pooh.

---

It's a shame he didn't dare to say to look heavensward to it.

*hides*

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lololink

It's a shame he didn't dare to say to look heavensward to it.

*hides*

---

Inb4 next expansion title is announced to be: Forward

Thank you so much for your hard work Ferne, you have no idea how much this one post calmed people who had anxiety building up in expectation and the lack of info.

I hope you get a nice vacation after this and enjoy e3 if they let you go there.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Balipu

Inb4 next expansion title is announced to be: Forward

---

Koji, this is your thread, you see this post.

Make it happen. Somehow.