2.0 New Era? New Dimension? Time Disturbance Backward? Fast Forwarded X Millenia?

[HiirNoivl]

We have one!

But we don't hear it enough. ; ; I think it only appears in a single cut scene...

[AdvancedWind]

My main point really is that the Final Fantasy franchise has a rich history and lore to draw from. Yoshida already mentioned he will be drawing from Final Fantasy history.

Totally am excited to see the Crystal Tower appear in game. Why not add in the Great Mana Tree from Secret of Mana as well...Can you imagine the awesomeness of climbing the Mana Tree and weaving through it's crooks and crannies to rise to the top to meet Dodo Cho...the last great Fat Chocobo...okay that's also a lil carried away.

I wish they did take some roots of Final Fantasy old...protecting the elemental crystals...fighting the elementals gone out of control....So many rich stories to expand from. I hope this current chapter of FF14 closes well and I hope 2.0 has an epic storyline worth remembering for ages to come.

We also need a memorable theme to hum...Like the infamous FF7 Aerith theme...

Wait wait wait.

I'm a FF purist. I love references to the old games.

But, there's making a dungeon or two that resembles a classic one or naming a random NPC "Faris", and there's downright copy pasting everything from previous games and calling it a day.

[HiirNoivl]

Well if you read the GC pages and other info on the lodestone we already have a huge potential to draw on...

They're probably just waiting until You-know-What to be released to really let it appear in the game.

[Arcell]

I don't think we're going to see anything outright from other FF games. Generally the games aren't connected in any way, except for the direct sequels/prequels. We may see references, and that's fine, but anything more than that would be a bit ridiculous IMO.

Let FFXIV create its own memorable cast and story instead of just borrowing 100% from other FF games. They've already started hinting at other nearby land masses that we could use. Also I want them to finish Limsa's storyline. What's the deal with Seal Rock? Are the Sahagins controlling Leviathan? Who was that evil Elezen dude that stole the key and what is he really after?


As for speculation on the true future of FFXIV:

The moon Dalamud is going to come down and wreck our shit which explains the environmental changes in 2.0, which may or may not be caused by the Garlean Empire.

[Sephrick]

Let's start a campaign to make this the XIV theme song:

In West La Noscea, born and raised
Bloodshore cliffs is where I spent most of my days
Chillin' out, maxin', relaxin' all cool
And all pullin' some Dark Bass from a Grade 3 school
When a couple of Garleans who were up to no good
Started makin' trouble in my neighborhood
I got in one little fight and my mom thought hard
She said your movin' with your auntie and uncle in a town called Ishgard

I boarded a ship called the Fare Thee Well
It was filled with adventurers with a Maraurder at the helm
Maybe I could join those pirates as a bard
But I thought "nah, forget it. Yo ho, to Ishgard!"

I walked up to the gates around 7 or 8
And the guard said "Sorry son you're a little too late"
So I sat at the entrance, officially a ward
Of that grand Kingdom known as Ishgard

If that can play each time I log in, I'd love SE hardcore.

[Agoven]

Epic poem/story chap.

Though Ew!!!! The Dark Shroud man...that's where it's at.

[Agoven]

I don't think we're going to see anything outright from other FF games. Generally the games aren't connected in any way, except for the direct sequels/prequels. We may see references, and that's fine, but anything more than that would be a bit ridiculous IMO.

Let FFXIV create its own memorable cast and story instead of just borrowing 100% from other FF games. They've already started hinting at other nearby land masses that we could use. Also I want them to finish Limsa's storyline. What's the deal with Seal Rock? Are the Sahagins controlling Leviathan? Who was that evil Elezen dude that stole the key and what is he really after?


As for speculation on the true future of FFXIV:

The moon Dalamud is going to come down and wreck our shit which explains the environmental changes in 2.0, which may or may not be caused by the Garlean Empire.

Dalamud, Deaspected Crystals, Dragons, Beasts, Garleans, Adventurers, and the land...they will all come together for a climax of the current storyline.

[Aenarion]

Dalamud, Deaspected Crystals, Dragons, Beasts, Garleans, Adventurers, and the land...they will all come together for a climax of the current storyline.

I'm sure a giant lalafell robot will be involved... I don't know how, but it WILL happen!

[Zantetsuken]

I don't think we're going to see anything outright from other FF games. Generally the games aren't connected in any way, except for the direct sequels/prequels. We may see references, and that's fine, but anything more than that would be a bit ridiculous IMO.

Let FFXIV create its own memorable cast and story instead of just borrowing 100% from other FF games. They've already started hinting at other nearby land masses that we could use. Also I want them to finish Limsa's storyline. What's the deal with Seal Rock? Are the Sahagins controlling Leviathan? Who was that evil Elezen dude that stole the key and what is he really after?


As for speculation on the true future of FFXIV:

The moon Dalamud is going to come down and wreck our shit which explains the environmental changes in 2.0, which may or may not be caused by the Garlean Empire.

Yeah, everyone has a good idea of how will happen, but there is more beyond that.

I think the question is: How are they going to explain not only the geographical changes but the the sudden appearance of certain ancient ruins, townships, and other large constructed features in the landscape?

Those things certainly can't appear overnight as a result the catastrophe in question. So what are the options?

I'll try expanding on the OP's options in the title (before he/she went crazy with FF7 tie-ins), as well as adding my own ideas:

1. Cataclysm occurs and players wake up 300~1000 years later (perhaps Atomos sends us there?)... All current NPCs are gone, the cities are different and a new story begins.
2. (variation on #1) The entire 7th Umbral Era experience was a result of the Echo. Players return the the 'present time' (2.0 era) and begin a new storyline in a new world with new NPCs etc...
3. Cataclysm is triggered but occurs in the past and splits the timeline creating a parallel universe. Players awake from it to realize that the history of the world has been altered. Geography has changed, and current NPCs remain with no memory of what happened.
4. Cataclysm seals off current areas of the world and opens others (think the differences in the WotG zones in FFXI). Cities change slightly but not much. This may be accompanied by a 5~10 year jump forward in time (player in a coma?) Current NPCs remain and the story progresses.

We've been told that all the maps are going to be rebuilt. This includes the main cities as well, but to what extent, we don't know. If there is a full rebuild, it would lend itself better to options 1, 2 and 3. If the team is trying to keep the cities as they are for the most part, then options 3 or 4 are more likely.

[grandm]

you want to recreate summoner vs machina war from FF10. (but live though it this time) while taking inspiration from FF3/6/7. well there is nothing wrong with a bit of imagination i guess