I'm finally back in the game and can post on the forums again, so let's have some fun.
As you all know in about a month the Las Vegas Fan Fest will be heald and Yoshie-P will reveal the next expansion. Details are scarce, hints are plenty.

So the question is: What do you think will be in it?
  • We have several hints pointing towards Ala Mhigo being the setting.
  • As the first design question for 3.01 was swimming or flying it is safe to say that swimming is next.
  • The Rising and the Hildibrand questline puts a lot of focus on Mammets (perhaps another hint.)
  • The Wandering minstrel sang about swords cleaving the ocean floor, so plus for water features and maybe a sword wielding class.
  • Viera were planned to be the new race in Heavensward.

With these in mind here is what I think 4.0 could be. Bare in mind that this is what I think is most likely. Not what I personally want. I would pick Othard as the setting and have Samurai and Dancer as the new jobs and a storyline involving Odin and his more japanese inspired variations (Raiden and Yojimbo).

So without further to do:

Final Fantasy XIV: Forward (please look forward to it.)

Emperor Varis wants to launch an offensive against Eorzea. The Eorzean Alliance wants a strong region between them and Garlemald to hold off the invasion. Nero wants some Ala Mhigan magitech to show that he is better than Cid. The refugees still won't shut up about retaking Ala Mhigo. Ilberd is still not dead yet. Yugiri does not want another rebellious city state to share the fate of Doma. So in a nutshell everyone and their grandmother has a reason to travel to Gyr Abania for a nice free for all to determine the future of the region and perhaps all of Aldenard. The Ascians will of course be there to make things worse somehow.

New Region: Gyr Abania

New city state: Ala Mhigo

New playable race: Viera

New job(s):

- Red Mage:
  • Wields a rapier
  • Has very nice hats that rival those of bards.
  • melee and short range disciple of magic using intellect.
  • Uses mix of black and white magic.
  • Must balance between the two or a debuff will temproraily block access from one magic type after excessive use.

- Puppet Master:
  • Wields whatever that crossbar looking thing is with the puppet strings.
  • Doesn't really have combat abilities besides summoning, healing and equipping puppets (mammets).
  • You can summon one of several mammets with different strengths and weaknesses (e.g: Slow but strong, lot of HP but lower attack, glass cannon, ranged, melee)
  • When you have a summoned mammet you get a whole bunch of abilities on the pet hotbar that directly control the mammet.
  • The various equip skills give your active mammet additional gear to augment or change its abilities.

New Primals: Doomtrain

New feature: Ships.
  • Not airships, but actual naval ships.
  • Many different types wih different looks and characteristics.
  • Captain's quarters as your own room if you can't get any other form of housing.
  • Can be used for sea travel of course.
  • Customizable ship weapons.

New Free company feature: Free company ships.
- Very big with many guns.

New PVP feature: Naval combat.
- The reason for the ship weapons.

New feature: Free company PVP
- With the free company ships.

New duty type: naval duties.
Like dungeons or guildhests but with ships.
Enemy ships and sea monsters to kill. Maybe even Leviathan returning.

New Gold Saucer attraction: Blitzball.
Same as in Final Fantasy X but with 100% more catgirls.

Aaaand that's it from me. Now I'd love to hear your predictions. The one who gets the closest to the truth wins an internet cookie. Development team members cannot participate cause that would be cheating but they are more than welcome to comment.