Covid-19 and FFXIV Fan Festival

[Hanayumi]

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.

[Iscah]

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.

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.

[Valkyrie_Lenneth]

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.

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

[Iscah]

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

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.

[Valkyrie_Lenneth]

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.

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"

[NessaWyvern]

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"

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.

[Valkyrie_Lenneth]

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.

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

[Vespar]

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.

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.

[Ash_]

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.

[Vidu]

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.

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.