Covid-19 and FFXIV Fan Festival

I am curious what Square Enix intends to do with Fanfest 2020-2021.
The dates for the festivals are quickly approaching and with covid-19 not showing much signs of slowing across the world and with 5.3 delayed now, how will this affect fanfest?

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Originally Posted by Vespar

I am curious what Square Enix intends to do with Fanfest 2020-2021.
The dates for the festivals are quickly approaching and with covid-19 not showing much signs of slowing across the world and with 5.3 delayed now, how will this affect fanfest?

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Considering how shady Japanese government is on covering up their own infection prior to March because they don't want to cancel the Olympic; the medical system of Tokyo is nearly collapse
For S/E where their headquarter and their staffs all located in Tokyo, it is not too bright for them.
Patch 5.3 is already on halt because of this, you pretty much can forget about the fanfest

Its probably to early to say and not only Ses call here - depending on the country there might be laws against large gatherings and events like the FanFest and no one can say wether or not those will be lifted until the schedulde dates.

I could imagine them switching at least part of it to a stream - they've already been streaming the FanFests (or parts of those) anyways, so maybe they'll expand on those to at least cover the "information parts". Having been to two Fanfests myself I know that something like this wont make up for not being there, meeting up with your friends, playing silly minigames etc. but it might end up being the best they can do under the circumstances...

Still to early to tell, though. I dont know about other countries, but in germany you can hold events until the end of august - so we probably need to sit tight for a few more months and see what developes.

I feel like it will probably be canceled or moved. With the next patch already delayed by up to a month they probably won't even make the deadline to have enough to even show at the first one.

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Originally Posted by Vaer

I feel like it will probably be canceled or moved. With the next patch already delayed by up to a month they probably won't even make the deadline to have enough to even show at the first one.

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Thats a very valid point. Who knows how long it will take to get all the assets ready. From the CG trailer thats usually shown, to smaller materials. A lot of this stuff is also reliant on outsourced companies so who knows.

I'd be surprised if the events weren't delayed or canceled. Though the information intended to be revealed will be likely just be uploaded onto FFXIV's official social media pages instead.

I can see them pushing it back. If the fanfest isn't going to happen, I was wondering if they would consider something else such as streaming the reveal of the next expansion. Then again, it's unclear to me how much of that is feasible. From what Yoshi-p mentioned, I can only assume that production has halted in its entirety so streaming might be out of the question, too.

I don't even have a firm guess on when restrictions will be lifted in my own area, so I definitely can't speak for Japan. That dosen't mean they are not baking their brains trying to figure out how they can make it happen. I just have no idea how they could if it's only supposed to be weeks away.

Even when the day comes that restrictions are lifted, some things will be changed forever. Social distancing will remain and will change how things are done.

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Originally Posted by Gemina

I don't even have a firm guess on when restrictions will be lifted in my own area, so I definitely can't speak for Japan. That dosen't mean they are not baking their brains trying to figure out how they can make it happen. I just have no idea how they could if it's only supposed to be weeks away.

Even when the day comes that restrictions are lifted, some things will be changed forever. Social distancing will remain and will change how things are done.

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Social distancing is the dumbest term ever. I hate it. And it's not really going to change much. Unless they start forcing people to move to rural areas and out of big cities.

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Originally Posted by Vespar

I am curious what Square Enix intends to do with Fanfest 2020-2021.
The dates for the festivals are quickly approaching and with covid-19 not showing much signs of slowing across the world and with 5.3 delayed now, how will this affect fanfest?

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The first FanFest is still almost 7 months away. I doubt a decision would need to be made until June or July.

Let's focus on world recovery first before we worry about a FanFest that really doesn't mean anything.

Very likely to be postponed or even canceled. US should be recovering by then but a lot of doctors expect another wave to happen fall/winter, so yeah, possible well see restrictions and such put back up if so.

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Originally Posted by Valkyrie_Lenneth

Social distancing is the dumbest term ever. I hate it. And it's not really going to change much. Unless they start forcing people to move to rural areas and out of big cities.

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Well, they've got to call it something. It's not a great term but it's specific, doesn't carry another meaning and people understand the instruction it entails.

And it's got to be making a difference. This is a virus that spreads through close contact with others, so getting people to not touch or breathe on each other and keep to themselves has to be helping to slow the spread of it.

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Originally Posted by Iscah

Well, they've got to call it something. It's not a great term but it's specific, doesn't carry another meaning and people understand the instruction it entails.

And it's got to be making a difference. This is a virus that spreads through close contact with others, so getting people to not touch or breathe on each other and keep to themselves has to be helping to slow the spread of it.

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Yeah, but that's not being socially distant, it's being physically distant lol...

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Originally Posted by Valkyrie_Lenneth

Yeah, but that's not being socially distant, it's being physically distant lol...

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True. I guess the original intent (when they still hoped they wouldn't have to do anything drastic to stop it) might have been that you can still go out and be social, but at a distance?

Or "social" as meaning "in society", I guess. Don't need to keep distance from family, just from people you deal with when out and about.

Whatever the intent, we're stuck with it as the situation has evolved into something else.

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Originally Posted by Iscah

True. I guess the original intent (when they still hoped they wouldn't have to do anything drastic to stop it) might have been that you can still go out and be social, but at a distance?

Or "social" as meaning "in society", I guess. Don't need to keep distance from family, just from people you deal with when out and about.

Whatever the intent, we're stuck with it as the situation has evolved into something else.

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I have a feeling it just meant "don't go hang out in groups" and now it's used for "keep physical distance between everyone"

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Originally Posted by Valkyrie_Lenneth

I have a feeling it just meant "don't go hang out in groups" and now it's used for "keep physical distance between everyone"

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It’s actually being used for both, at least here in New Zealand. Don’t go out in public if you can help it, don’t go to social gatherings, don’t visit other people’s houses, and when you do go out, keep your distance from others.

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Originally Posted by NessaWyvern

It’s actually being used for both, at least here in New Zealand. Don’t go out in public if you can help it, don’t go to social gatherings, don’t visit other people’s houses, and when you do go out, keep your distance from others.

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That's what I mean tho, it's being used for everything when I don't think it was originally meant for that.

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Originally Posted by Jojoya

The first FanFest is still almost 7 months away. I doubt a decision would need to be made until June or July.

Let's focus on world recovery first before we worry about a FanFest that really doesn't mean anything.

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You would think this, but Covid-19 has been a thing since December. It's now half way through April. That means its been around for atleast 4 months. So thinking a bit more long term right now is a valid thing considering SE has to plan for this, AND the attendees would as well. I agree we need to be focused on recovery, but there's not a lot else we can do other than wait, follow CDC guidelines and social distance. That said, it doesnt hurt to see if Squeenix may have some thoughts to share on the potential issues and future FFXIV will soon face.

If I took a guess, a lot of the logistics need to start being planned 6-8 months at the very least in advance for sizeable events such as these. My guess is they will make a decision in June based on what the outlook is at that time.

We could have a vaccine by then. Or Yoshi P could be delivering the live letters and more from his home while we are all still isolating.

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Originally Posted by Vespar

You would think this, but Covid-19 has been a thing since December. It's now half way through April. That means its been around for atleast 4 months. So thinking a bit more long term right now is a valid thing considering SE has to plan for this, AND the attendees would as well. I agree we need to be focused on recovery, but there's not a lot else we can do other than wait, follow CDC guidelines and social distance. That said, it doesnt hurt to see if Squeenix may have some thoughts to share on the potential issues and future FFXIV will soon face.

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I wouldnt be surprised if they cant really plan right now - as I mentioned: Goverments arent planning that far ahead now. I can only use germany as example again, but as of right now you cant hold a large event until the end of august, it would simply be illegal - after that... no one knows. I expect something similar is the case in other countries.
The first FanFest in november and right now no one - including SE - has any idea whats going to be the case then. I can understand if they dont want to make any rushed decisions right now that may or may not lead to disapointments - yes, people need to plan ahead, but right now planning is difficult. And planning a FanFest might not be a top-priority thing.

They also shared some insight on the future of FFXIV - which is: They're working on 5.3 as best as they can from home, but there will be a delay: https://eu.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodes...a54966f48c2938

I dont think its even possible to say anything about FanFest yet - I doubt they want to cancel the whole thing prematurely, but they cant excatly say "Yeah, its all going according to plan" either right now.

Even if it's able to go ahead, I would expect it to be very toned down - on top of the logistical issues, companies are probably going to be wary about putting on big events. Distancing/capacity requirements may still be in place to some degree, affecting how many attendees they can allow and therefore affect costs vs revenue. And on top of it all, they certainly don't want the reputation of irresponsibly holding an event that turned into a virus cluster.

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Originally Posted by Valkyrie_Lenneth

That's what I mean tho, it's being used for everything when I don't think it was originally meant for that.

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Let me try to clear something up. "Social" is literally synonymous with gathering. As an example, it is the word most commonly used to describe species that are gregarious. It is more closely related to human and animal gathering, while "eusocial" tends to be used to describe socialism in kingdoms outside animal such as with insects and marine life.

The term "social" has been derived from its original meaning to encompass any kind of socialism, including interactions that doesn't require people to be in proximity of each other. My space, Facebook, Skype, Facetime, Snapchat, Tik Tok, and even the regular 'ol telephone and snail mail are all methods we all recognize throughout the years that contribute to being able to communicate with others while not being physically close to them. So in contrast to your statement, it was actually originally meant to describe what you feel it shouldn't. In fact, I am of the mind that all of this "social networking" of today has made personal interactions a thing of the past, and all of us have become more and more 'socially distant' by pure happenstance.

If you can think of a better term, I'm all ears. But we as a species, are the least amount of social we have ever been, and that was before Covid hit.

I can see them moving the first Fan Fest to January. So instead of them being 2-3 months spaced out for each venue, it will be 1-2 months spaced out.

I can see them cancelling the 1st Fan Fest because it's a lot of work/pressure and for presentating the new expansion, it's always the last Fan Fest which matter the most (in Japan).
I will not even be suprised to see the 2nd cancelled too.
They can do Live Letter as they always do, it will not change too much from "normal" live letter.

Very likely this will be cancelled if nothing change with the current situation around the globe.

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Originally Posted by Gemina

Let me try to clear something up. "Social" is literally synonymous with gathering. As an example, it is the word most commonly used to describe species that are gregarious. It is more closely related to human and animal gathering, while "eusocial" tends to be used to describe socialism in kingdoms outside animal such as with insects and marine life.

The term "social" has been derived from its original meaning to encompass any kind of socialism, including interactions that doesn't require people to be in proximity of each other. My space, Facebook, Skype, Facetime, Snapchat, Tik Tok, and even the regular 'ol telephone and snail mail are all methods we all recognize throughout the years that contribute to being able to communicate with others while not being physically close to them. So in contrast to your statement, it was actually originally meant to describe what you feel it shouldn't. In fact, I am of the mind that all of this "social networking" of today has made personal interactions a thing of the past, and all of us have become more and more 'socially distant' by pure happenstance.

If you can think of a better term, I'm all ears. But we as a species, are the least amount of social we have ever been, and that was before Covid hit.

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OK, but in all of your examples, people are still communicating, which makes the term social distancing make even less sense. Everyone is still being social. We just can't be within 6 feet of each other.

Its literally a physical distance being imposed. Just frigging call it a personal bubble or something. We already use that term anyway.

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Originally Posted by Valkyrie_Lenneth

OK, but in all of your examples, people are still communicating, which makes the term social distancing make even less sense. Everyone is still being social. We just can't be within 6 feet of each other.

Its literally a physical distance being imposed. Just frigging call it a personal bubble or something. We already use that term anyway.

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"We all need to start practicing personal bubbling" just doesn't quite have the same ring, does it? We can make this about semantics, but telling people to be socially distant gets the message across whether or not if people choose to comply. I'm not fond of the term any more than you are, and always use quotation gestures when I say it to others. But going back to my original point, you can expect it to stick around long after restrictions are in place. If you don't think so, you're giving people too much credit. People will remain scared for a very long time, many businesses that were already struggling to stay afloat that require people to be close to each other will very likely not survive. I don't have a crystal ball to foretell all the things that will never return to normalcy (another word I am sick of hearing), but I do know that not everything will.

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Originally Posted by Divinemights

Considering how shady Japanese government is on covering up their own infection prior to March because they don't want to cancel the Olympic; the medical system of Tokyo is nearly collapse

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Wut?!? https://twitter.com/Tokyo2020/status...40149310435328

Well for the EU one at least in London.. Depending on how long this lasts for, the building they would have had, Excel Center London, is currently being used as a temporary hospital for 4000 patients/beds. So if this progresses into next year, it's not looking likely they can go there.

https://www.excel.london/news/nhs-ni...t-excel-london

Yeah here in California they're thinking about keeping the 'no large gatherings' order up till like next year. >.<

Los Angeles mayor yesterday said likely no large gatherings until 2021. You know if LA goes, Governor Gavin Newsom will follow statewide.

As the days go by another shoe drops, it's just a matter of time until this entire year is canceled anyway.

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Originally Posted by technole

Los Angeles mayor yesterday said likely no large gatherings until 2021. You know if LA goes, Governor Gavin Newsom will follow statewide.

As the days go by another shoe drops, it's just a matter of time until this entire year is canceled anyway.

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Are they going to send the population of LA out into the country? Lol...

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Originally Posted by technole

Los Angeles mayor yesterday said likely no large gatherings until 2021. You know if LA goes, Governor Gavin Newsom will follow statewide.

As the days go by another shoe drops, it's just a matter of time until this entire year is canceled anyway.

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What is los angeles? Somekind of food? :D

San Diego convention center is currently being used as a homeless shelter. I expect fanfest to be canceled unless the development cycle is delayed enough that they just move everything back 6-12 months.

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Originally Posted by Nedkel

What is los angeles? Somekind of food? :D

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The home of Square-Enix NA. San Diego is two hours south of Los Angeles.

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Originally Posted by Brill_

San Diego convention center is currently being used as a homeless shelter. I expect fanfest to be canceled unless the development cycle is delayed enough that they just move everything back 6-12 months.

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Yep, and you need a lot of prep time, combine with the fact that the London Fanfest venue Excel Center is currently a 4000-bed temporary hospital and morgue. A lot of progress needs to happen to even consider early 2021 for that matter.

I think people in this thread forgot when YoshiP and his team cancelled their appearances at PAX East Boston in February, they were not taking any chances.

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Originally Posted by Nedkel

What is los angeles? Somekind of food? :D

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California can more or less be split into four major cities/counties for the sake of this kind of discussion. The capital Sacramento and San Francisco up in the north, and Los Angeles and San Diego down south. Speaking as a pharmacy tech living in the Los Angeles region, people here are taking the social distancing measures very seriously, though I noticed over the past week that more and more people have been going out again (though with masks and gloves). That and our requests for medication deliveries shot up by like 10x right when the measures started. Enough that my boss bumped me up to full time and I had to quit raiding in this game as a result.

If one region goes into lockdown mode, everyone else follows. People recognize that we're populous enough that if even one region falters against this kind of threat that works on a 2-3 week timeframe, the efforts of all the other regions will be for naught. It won't matter if SE for whatever reason doesn't want to shut down or reschedule the fanfest in San Diego. The state will stop it from happening in the first place.

A month ago I might have said "yeah, we should have this under control in a few months, so Fanfest should be fine!"

Now? Yeah, not so much. The more we learn about the virus, and with how many places are either postponing or cancelling their events altogether...I'd have to say NOW that Fanfest is likely screwed. I'm still expecting a "social distancing" version of it though, aka live streaming from SE's HQ in Japan.

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Originally Posted by Ceasaria

I can see them cancelling the 1st Fan Fest because it's a lot of work/pressure and for presentating the new expansion, it's always the last Fan Fest which matter the most (in Japan).
I will not even be suprised to see the 2nd cancelled too.
They can do Live Letter as they always do, it will not change too much from "normal" live letter.

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Last fanfest wasn't scheduled to be in Japan this time, though. It should be in Europe, London.

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On topic, there's still 7 months before first fanfest, so it's hard to say right now how it will go. Even so, there's a good chance that all three fanfests will be delayed for a later time or cancelled, unless they will decide to hold them in a liveletter format. Consideting the situation, livestream probably would be the best option.

Just for the record its California State Governor that said no large scale gatherings till 2021
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/ca...rds-2020-04-14

The biggest fan convention San Diego Comic Con already

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com...se-of-covid-19

I am expecting Anime Expo next and since the governor said till next year this should be a dealbreaker for Fan Fest, and considering the current economic situation it would probably be in best interest to postpone till next year.

Well they might always defer the San Diego FF into 2021 if they have to, not sure what the situation with Japan might be at that stage but the EU FF is in February so it might be OK at that point theres a possibility of a vaccine being available by the autumn as well so heres hoping.