2.5 release jan 20th.

[Tyrn]

http://jp.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodest...65e7bcafe36866

My Japanese is kinda terrible but I think it says part 2 is scheduled for late March?

[KerenRhys]

fixed that for you

Oh yeah, sorry, I messed up the two... -_-

[AzakaTonnerre]

http://jp.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodest...65e7bcafe36866

My Japanese is kinda terrible but I think it says part 2 is scheduled for late March?

Well the translator (though not always overly accurate) says... "BEFORE THE FALL Part2, we plan to publish in late March 2015."

So you may be right.

My Japanese is worse (since it's Google's), but it sounds like it's saying that 2.5 will be out Jan 20th with Part 1 of the 2.5 MSQ, and Part 2 of the MSQ will be out in late March. Between the two (sometime in late Feb?) is 2.51. So, Part 2 of the 2.5 MSQ seems to be in 2.55, not 2.51.

It says what I quoted after what you referenced, that part two of Before the fall was planed to be published late March (not sure what published means... but translators can use that to mean released). So I am reading that as part 2 of the "Before the Fall" patch is out in late March because that what it says, and 2.55 has never been called part 2. Either way I hope you are right (and you very well could be).

[Nyalia]

My Japanese is kinda terrible but I think it says part 2 is scheduled for late March?

My Japanese is worse (since it's Google's), but it sounds like it's saying that 2.5 will be out Jan 20th with Part 1 of the 2.5 MSQ, and Part 2 of the MSQ will be out in late March. Between the two (sometime in late Feb?) is 2.51. So, Part 2 of the 2.5 MSQ seems to be in 2.55, not 2.51.

"さらに2.5シリーズ第２弾は、Part1とPart2の中間にあたる「パッチ2.51」です。" = "Also, 2.5 Series's number 2 piece: Part 1 and Part 2's middle will be 「patch 2.51」" = "Also, patch 2.51 will be released between Part 1 and Part 2 [of the 2.5 story] as the second part of the 2.5 series."

[Nyalia]

Here's my translation of the article (http://jp.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodest...65e7bcafe36866):

[Title] New Years Greetings

Happy New Year! This is Final Fantasy XIV's producer and director, Yoshida Naoki.

Thank you to everyone for your support over the last year. It encourages us as we continue to work throughout the next year [weak trans]. The anniversary of FFXIV's rebirth was successfully welcomed [well-received?] and we carried out fan-festivals all over the world. Really, "2014: the Year of FFXIV" was our slogan, and we were able to deliver a variety of content. Because of this past year, we're all fired up for the coming year, so thank you very much!

Well, I finished the Final Fantasy XIV Fanfestival in Tokyo, and I'm out of breath from speaking [weak trans]. During the short New Year's holiday, the development team is preparing for the grand finale of the A Realm Reborn with the release of the FFXIV 2.5 patch series: "Before the Fall." This is the last adjustment before the release of the first expansion, "Final Fantasy XIV: The Blue Skies of Ishgard."

First is the 2.5 patch series, and as we reported in the Letter to the Producer LIVE XIX, we will be releasing it in three big sequential updates. [note: 3 parts]


[Image: 2.5 splash screen]


The first installment will be "Before the Fall: Part 1" and it will be released between mid and late January 2015. In this update, we will be implementing about two thirds of the main story quest of the patch 2.5 series. There will also be a lot of battle content, including three new instanced dungeons, the final chapter of the Crystal Tower (the World of Darkness), and the conclusion (?)! of the popular "Hildebrand" sub-story. Also, as featured at the Fan Festivals, you will be able to challenge the infamous Elder Primal Odin. With new equipment for gatherers and crafters and a large number of new craftable items, we will deliver content appropriate for the imminent finale.

Next, between part 1 and part 2 will be "patch 2.51." Here, the biggest theme is the Gold Saucer. By the way, the full name in FFXIV is "The Manderville Gold Saucer"... As to why it has that name, please keep eye out. In 2.51, we will also be implementing chocobo racing, the creation and development of racing chocobos, and the FF card game masterpiece "Triple Triad." こちらもこだわった仕様山盛りですので、ごゆっくりお楽しみください。 [I can't translate this last sentence, it's something like, "Because there are a lot of particular specifications heaped together, please enjoy it slowly." but that makes no sense in context]

Rounding it out, we plan to release "Before the Fall: Part 2" in late March 2015. This patch will be the "A Realm Reborn" chapter finale. What trials await the Warrior of Light, and how will the large, imposing gates of Ishgard finally open..... well, please look forward to it! [well, it's closer to "Please wait for it!"]

Now, as is tradition, to give you a sense of what the future holds, Yoshida gives you this four-line poem (it's quite deep this year):


[Image: quatrain (four-line poem)]

黒き鎧貫きたくば　鋭き槍を求めよ
然れど　その矛先は　黒き鱗に向けられん
汝今こそ　昔日に目を向けよ
聖には邪　光には闇　常に相対する者ありと知れ
賢人ルイゾワの遺文集より

Translation attempt:

To penetrate the black armor, find the spear of Surudoki [name? or is it "find the sharpest spear"?]
Naturally, direct the spearhead to the black scales
As in the olden days, aim for the eye
The holy and the wicked, the light and the darkness, have always been opposed
- The collected writings of the wise man Louisoix

Another possibility:

To penetrate the blackest armor, find the sharpest spear.
Be that as it may, aim not for the blackest scales,
But as in the days of old, aim for the eye.
The saint and the devil, the light and the dark - there is always an opposite.
- The collected writings of the wise man Louisoix

[Please let me know if you have a better translation of the poem! I find such things really interesting, but my Google-Fu translation skills only go so far.]


The wishes of the reborn world are scattered and entrusted to the Warrior of Light by the wise Ruizowa's poem. What will you see at the end of the reborn world.... By all means, please look out for "Final Fantasy XIV: The Blue Skies of Ishgard."

Last but not least, this year as the last [?], thank you!!


[Image: Yoshida sleeping on a pile of sheep]


Final Fantasy XIV Producer and Director,
Yoshida Naoki

[Remus]

I find it funny how they didn't even mention the new relic quest in 2.51 but mentioned gold saucer. Just shows no love for the relic quest and you know its gonna be another grind!

[Nyalia]

Last year's four-line poem (did I miss it or do these not get officially translated?), btw, was something like:

暁導きたるは　輝ける陽光なり
然れど　光き強は　深き闇をも招かん
闇が光と交わりて　色失いし剣
白き地に　黒き影を落とさん
賢人ルイゾワの遺文集より

Translation attempt:

The guiding dawn is coming, radiant in the sunlight
Be that as it may, the strong light invites the deep darkness.
As the light works with the dark, color drains from the sword.
Upon the white earth, the black shadow falls.
- The collected writings of the wise man Louisoix

The first line, to me, hints at the formation of the Crystal Braves. The rest seems to talk about the Ishgardian rebels and the circumstances surrounding the summoning of Shiva. I don't quite get that third line, about a sword losing color, but maybe that's a reference to the Crystal Tower plot?

[Tyrn]

Translation attempt:
Another possibility:

The poem seems to refer, at least partly, to Nidhogg. Guess he might be waking up again in Heavensward.

[Dyvid]

Last year's four-line poem (did I miss it or do these not get officially translated?), btw, was something like:



Translation attempt:


The first line, to me, hints at the formation of the Crystal Braves. The rest seems to talk about the Ishgardian rebels and the circumstances surrounding the summoning of Shiva. I don't quite get that third line, about a sword losing color, but maybe that's a reference to the Crystal Tower plot?

http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodest...a609881ccfdfb3

[Nyalia]

The poem seems to refer, at least partly, to Nidhogg. Guess he might be waking up again in Heavensward.

Yeah, "the black scales" (黒き鱗) definitely refers to Nidhogg. His eye was stabbed out by the Azure Dragoon according to the DRG plotline, right? Maybe the 3.0 MSQ involves finding the spear of that Azure Dragoon and using it to stab out Nidhogg's other eye :P

(poem image)
http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodest...a609881ccfdfb3

Thanks! Much better translation than my pathetic attempt <_< Also, I fail at realizing that "ルイゾワ" is Louisoix :P Names in katakana are hard.