Letter from the Producer LIVE Part XXIX Update Thread

At the start of the broadcast, we'll be using this thread to post the summary from the Letter from the Producer LIVE Part XXIX!

Watch the stream live on Twitch and YouTube.

As we'll be updating this thread throughout the show, make sure to reload every so often! We'll be posting the event summary exclusively in the thread and posting reminders occasionally on Twitter. However, please keep in mind that updates won't be occurring in real-time and there may be a delay.

After we create the full summary, it will be posted in the "Letter from the Producer LIVE" forum.

See you here at 12:00 a.m. (PDT) / 3:00 a.m. (EDT) / 7:00 (GMT)!

Attachment 2785

The show is set to begin in 30 minutes! Be sure to tune in for part one of the Patch 3.3 preview!

YouTube Live (http://sqex.to/gRd)
Niconico Live (http://sqex.to/K63)
Twitch (http://sqex.to/htj)

Attachment 2741

Prepare for Patch 3.3, Revenge of the Horde!

Attachment 2742

Attachment 2743

We'll be continuing the main scenario quest series and we've got a teaser screenshot for you!

This patch will include the final chapter of the Dragonsong War!

Attachment 2744

Attachment 2745

Patch 3.3 will see the introduction of new beast tribe quests that involve moogles and dragons!

Where will the quest area be? It's a secret for now!

Attachment 2746

Attachment 2747

New side quests such as the continuation of the Anima weapon series and more Hildibrand adventures!

Attachment 2748

Two new dungeons coming in patch 3.3 (and shown off briefly in a video). Apparently Soken finished the new music just two days ago!

Sohr Khai will be part of the main scenario quest series. Who will you face inside...?

As for Hullbreaker Isle (Hard), it seems that the Maelstrom has taken it over and converted it into a training ground of sorts. Don't worry, you won't fight the octopus again!

Attachment 2749

New trials (including an Extreme version) will be added. Against who? If we told you that...

Attachment 2750

The next phase of the Void Ark alliance raid series is...The Weeping City of Mhach!
The deeper you explore, the more the environment will differ. Magic is being used as an energy source here and you'll need to ascend this unique pyramid.

Attachment 2751

Attachment 2752

Introducing the Aquapolis! This is what was referred to internally as the "treasure hunt dungeon." The entrance will appear randomly when uncovering dragonskin maps. The structure and layout isn't random, but you may need some luck to make it to the final room. Keep in mind this is battle content and not gathering-related, so you'll need to defeat enemies!

Clearing out the enemies will earn you some nice material rewards!

Attachment 2753

Attachment 2754

Attachment 2755

Attachment 2756

Attachment 2757

The Deep Dungeon - The Palace of the Dead!

As mentioned at PAX East this is a new type of content making its debut in FFXIV.

As you go deeper into the dungeon, the environment will look different. As you can see in the images, the weapon is glowing and that's the weapon you will be upgrading as you challenge this dungeon. There are items which can only be used inside this dungeon.

There are some items that can only be used in this content. Transforming monsters, all sorts of interesting stuff. Not something unique to the dungeon that you can take away, more things that only have effects in the dungeon. You'll also face off against bosses as well!

It can be played solo; however, it's balanced based on four players, so going in solo from the beginning will most likely get you killed if you're not prepared. There will be some challenge for going solo.

There will be duty finder matchmaking for this, too.

If you don't reach the next check point/auto save before being defeated, you'll return to the last one. The final glowing, special weapons can be taken out of the dungeon to be used in other content!

Also there will be some "special" bosses appearing on multiple floors!

Attachment 2758

Attachment 2759

Attachment 2760

A new map will be introduced for Frontlines, known as Field of Glory (shatter)! The rules will be similar to those of Seal Rock.

Attachment 2761

New housing additions and features planned for Patch 3.3.

We'll be introducing quite a lot of additional plots and will be releasing the prices of the land on the Lodestone.

We'll also be releasing flowerpots that you can use to grow flowers. There will be new flowers that can only be grown this way as well. You'll be able to change their colors as well, but this isn't gardening so there won't be things like cross breeding by placing pots next to each other.

Attachment 2762

The raid finder will allow you to set various requirements to join. Whether you want to go to a raid as practice, or clear, you will be able to enter more specific details, such as which phase you want to practice/clear for that specific raid.

Now a few questions from Akihiro Hino, the president and CEO of the Japanese video game developer Level-5!

Hino: I really want a cross world party finder. Can you make this happen? I want to challenge Savage with people I know from other Worlds.

Yoshida: I would really like to make this happen.

Hino: Well, you're the producer...you can't just say you want to do it!

Yoshida: Alright, we'll find a way to make it happen! It will be tricky since you'd want to chat beforehand and discuss strategies, drops, and such. I think we can make it happen for Patch 3.5 based on the work that would need to be done for it. We're currently creating lobbies for cross-world Triple Triad and other Gold Saucer games to make them more accessible.

A Savage/endgame content question from Hino

Hino: I want a flow that's similar to Bahamut from the 2.x series where you enter a raid and don't know what you're fighting initially. Over time, you uncover the story as you clear it once you've overcome the challenge.

Yoshida: The problem is that if we have the highest level content for the very select few who can defeat it... We also have to invest all the story into it, which isn't ideal for such a select few either.

Hino: Since Savage is really hard, I almost want a special cutscene specifically for it as a reward. Well, how about making the equipment for Savage look completely different?

Yoshida: We'll really need to look into this carefully.

A housing-related comment from Hino.

Hino: No one comes to my house. I would really like something similar to the Animal Crossing series where if someone visits my place, they can obtain special fruits, or something like that.

Yoshida: Adding something like that would have to be balanced. If there's too much motivation to do this, people will feel they need that they must take part. If there's not enough motivation, then it could end up feeling a bit weak.

Attachment 2763

Attachment 2764

FINAL FANTASY XIV will have a special collaboration with Yo-Kai Watch!

With thirteen jobs in FFXIV and thirteen Yo-Kai shown here... There will be special weapons that resemble the yo-kai introduced to FFXIV!

Here's a closer look at the awesome Yo-Kai weapons that will debut in FFXIV!

Attachment 2765

Attachment 2766

Attachment 2767

Attachment 2768

Attachment 2769

Attachment 2770

Attachment 2771

Attachment 2772

Attachment 2773

Attachment 2774

Attachment 2775

Attachment 2776

Attachment 2777

Attachment 2778

There will also be a new mount as part of the collaboration!

Take a look at the behind-the-scenes making of the weapons! Level-5 provided the artwork and designs and the FFXIV team created the weapons based on them!

Attachment 2779

Attachment 2780

Attachment 2781

Attachment 2782

Attachment 2783

Attachment 2784

In addition to the Yo-Kai Watch themed weapons, there will also be Yo-Kai Watch minions to collect!

You'll be able to earn all of the minions somewhat easily, but the weapons will be tough to get.

Yoshida: We wanted to make it so people could get as many of the weapons as possible, but Hino had some thoughts on this.

Hino: We wanted to make it so you have to put some thought into which weapon you want to aim for.

Yoshida: We still need to confirm all the final numbers though!


So...when does this all take place? Currently planned for summer! Since the new Yo-Kai Watch game is also coming out this summer.