Letter from the Producer LIVE Part XL Digest (1/15/2018)

[Fazraye]

We are pleased to present the full digest of the Letter from the Producer LIVE Part XL!
If you missed the live stream, or if you just want to watch it again (and again), check it out below!


http://sqex.to/Qim

*Don't forget to select the 720p option to watch the video in HD!

Patch 4.2 Special Part I
0:05:02


0:07:47

Patch 4.2—Rise of a New Sun will debut in late January 2018!
The patch illustration was created by Toshiyuki Itahana, known for Chocobo’s Dungeon!




The main scenario of Patch 4.1 took place in Gyr Abania. This time, the next chapter in the story will lead us back to Doma.

New Sidequests

0:10:36

Hildibrand Quests
Patch 4.2 will mark the beginning of the next chapter in the Hildibrand storyline. We noticed that players tend to play through the Hildibrand quests after they completed all other new content. For this reason, we’ll be implementing the Hildibrand series in the .x5 patches moving forward. Therefore, the next Hildibrand story will be implemented in Patch 4.25.

Beast Tribe Quests – Ananta
The Ananta beast tribe quests will begin in Patch 4.2.



New Dungeons

0:13:27

Since this is an even numbered patch, we’ll be introducing two new dungeons, the Hells' Lid, and the Fractal Continuum (Hard).




New Trial

0:16:17

A new series of trials known as the Four Lords will kick off with the release of 4.2. The first in the series will see adventurers doing battle against Byakko in the Jade Stoa and the Jade Stoa (Extreme). Those of you who have played a certain title may find these trials nostalgic, so please look forward to further details!



New Raids

0:18:41

Omega: Sigmascape and Omega: Sigmascape (Savage) will be introduced in Patch 4.2. We'll go over more details on these in the next Letter from the Producer LIVE.

The Forbidden Land of Eureka - Anemos

0:20:08

The Forbidden Land of Eureka is a new series of content, which will be released as we continue through the patches. The content involves some leveling aspects as well. As we would like many players to enjoy the content together, we’ll implement this in Patch 4.25, so that everyone can focus more on this content when it's released.

Eureka introduces various new and unique system for players to enjoy, such as upgradeable weapons and gear, and notorious monster encounters. We hope to release more information regarding Eureka in the Letter from the Producer LIVE scheduled for February. For now, we’ll leave you with the following concept art.



Job Adjustments
0:22:51
Job adjustments are planned for black mage’s DPS and their gameplay, and the usability of warriors. Other jobs will be receiving job adjustments as well. We’ll go over more details in the next Letter from the Producer LIVE.

Housing Updates

0:29:48

As mentioned before, additional plots for housing will be added. In order to avoid issues such as the patch taking too long to download, or being unable to login due to server congestion, additional housing plots are scheduled to be made available a week after Patch 4.2 is released.

Additionally, Patch 4.2 introduces a new feature that allows you to teleport to your friends’ estates, and exterior and interior fixtures will now be retained upon removal. Please look forward to these changes as well!

Furthermore, we'll be making changes to how plots are purchased. We’ll announce the changes right before additional plots are made available.

Subaquatic Voyages

0:32:18

As a continuation to airship voyages, we will now be exploring under the sea. More details regarding subaquatic voyages will also be introduced in the next Letter from the Producer LIVE.

[Fazraye]

Performance Actions Updates

0:33:46

A new user interface for both keyboard and gamepad will be added. With this, you will no longer have to place performance actions on your hotbar.



Originally, we were unsure if we needed to expand the performance action feature this far, as it was intended as a feature for role-play; however, since we’re adding such a feature, we have decided to go all out with this update. Currently, because the sounds are played in sync with the animation, there is a slight lag until the sound is played, but this will be adjusted as well. We are also planning to add more sounds. We were thinking to implement new sounds around Patch 4.3, but the Sound Team led by Sound Director Masayoshi Soken worked hard to create three new stringed instrument sounds, which matches the current performance animation, for Patch 4.2!

Additional Updates

0:37:38

The main scenario dungeons will be adjusted so that new players can experience them at their own pace. It may extend the duration of the dungeon; however, we have increased the rewards as well.

In addition to the above, we'll also be making adjustments to the Hidden Canals of Uznair, and the efficiency for leveling Disciples of the Hand from level 50 to 60.

PvP Updates

0:55:50

Several updates will be made to the Feast.

Introduction of a New Map

0:56:08

As we are considering holding an official tournament, we have prepared a new map, which really offers up a FINAL FANTASY vibe.

In the above image, the right image shows what it would look like during Culling Time.

Rule Revisions

0:57:35

As you can see above, various changes will be made to the Feast to increase the overall tempo of the match. In addition to this, in order to facilitate more strategic matches, we have added role-based medal caps. The pre-season will begin the same time the Patch 4.2 goes live.

We will be considering further adjustments as we move forward and receive more feedback regarding these changes.

PvP Team Registration

1:01:22

We’ll be implementing ranked team matches, where players can register as a team and challenge their skill together. Players may use the team registration feature simply as an additional chat channel between other players who enjoy PvP as well. Rated matches that involve rewards and tournament qualifiers based on the teams ratings will not be constantly open. These will be held in coordination with tournament schedules.



As we are looking into tournament participation, players cannot be members of multiple teams.



Players are able to join other PvP content which doesn’t affect their team ratings together as well.

We’re planning various updates for PvP post Patch 4.2, such as further improving the spectator mode user interface so that it’s visually easier to see, and changing the display for the solo PvP rankings based on the rating scores.

[Fazraye]

Glamour System Update

1:10:35

We will introduce a new glamour feature, called aglamour dresser.




The description in the above images may be a bit complicated, but think of the glamour dresser as a dresser in which you store equipment by converting them into glamour. Once stored inside, you can setup different glamour ensembles, which can be applied to your character at once. On top of this, you can apply items stored inside the Armoire directly to the ensembles, so you will not need to remove the item from the armoire or convert them to glamours.

In addition, dyes can be applied per ensembles, so you can use the same equipment across multiple jobs and apply different colors to them. The ensembles can be applied via a macro, so you can combine this with your gear set macro to change the looks based on the job.

As this feature is data heavy, in Patch 4.2, the commodes will be available only inside inn rooms to limit the numbers of access points. In the future, we’re planning to make the system accessible outside of inn rooms.

Furthermore, all glamour prisms will be converted to a single type. So if you’re a glamour enthusiast, be sure to give this feature a try!

Duty Recorder

1:23:59

During the live stream, we displayed gameplay footage that showcased the Duty Recorder feature, so be sure to check out the video to see it in action.



The Duty Recorder feature will allow players to record up to three replays and revisit their adventures in instanced duties. You’ll be able to view the battle from the perspective of the other party members, as well as any battle objects, so you can enjoy the view from the boss as well. Various features are available during the replay, such as pausing and fast-forwarding; however, slow-motion function was not included, as it would desync with the packet information it uses to replay the footage.



The Duty Recorder feature will not be applied to all duties when first implemented in Patch 4.2; however, we hope to gradually add more duties as we consider the amount of data, and resources required for debugging. We’re sure some players may not want to be recorded so this feature will not be available in a matched party. Please form a party first through means such as using the Party Finder. We plan on making it so that players can check to see if the recording will be allowed or not through the Party Finder as well.

To begin a recording, players must first use the record ready check, in which other players must first consent to, and then the countdown timer will begin. This will place an anchor point in the recording so you can watch the fight from this point forward. An anchor point is created on each countdown, so it will place one after each attempt made during the fight. The recording will resume until the duty is completed.

The recording will only display your own character information. For other players, it will only display their job names.

Since these replays are not actually recording video, there isn’t any concern of storage space running low.



Please note that you will not be able to view past recordings after patch updates. This is because the feature is replaying the battle itself using the battle system, and not actually recording a video. Therefore, when there are job adjustments and such, it will not be able to play with those previous statuses as they were. Additionally, recreating the battle log has not been implemented, as this would take up too much data.



There are more functions in addition to the features listed in the image above, so please look forward to it!

Inventory Update


1:50:53

As you can see in the images above, with the changes made to the stackable item limit, and the addition of chocobo saddlebags, the amount of items you can carry around has been greatly increased!

Chocobo saddlebags can be accessed even when your companion chocobo is not summoned, or when the chocobo is stabled.

We’re sure some players would like to be able to craft items using materials stored inside the chocobo saddlebags, so we would like to consider this gradually.