Ever since FFVII, gorgeously rendered FMVs have been one of the defining staples of the FINAL FANTASY franchise. Since the days of the PS1, each new game in the series has brought with it a multitude of breathtaking cinematics and beautiful, pre-rendered cutscenes using the latest in CGI technology. These dazzling videos have always helped to draw players into the narrative of the game and its world, not to mention worked wonders as unparallelled promotional material to catch the eye of potential customers...
FFXIV has its share of impressive cutscenes using the in-game engine, but sadly we have been graced with only one pre-rendered FMV. I know FFXIV is an MMORPG, but why should that mean the game be limited to just one of these amazing videos? All of the offline FF games have multiple pre-rendered FMVs, and I see no reason why FFXIV, if it is to be branded with a number and stand as part of the main series, should not as well.
SE's first MMO, FFXI, only ever had a single solitary FMV, and that was always something that made me just a little sad whenever I thought about it. I don't want that same thing to happen to FFXIV. I want FFXIV to rise above FFXI and be a bigger, better, and bolder experience. I want to see FFXIV soar to magnificent heights, the likes of which FFXI could only dream of. And a new pre-rendered FMV is one of the things that will help get us there.
At the very least SE should do what Blizzard does with WoW, and give us one new pre-rendered FMV for each expansion pack that comes out, as well as a special one specifically for Version 2.0.
After all, once FFXIV relaunches with Version 2.0, SE is going to need some powerful imagery to make people forget the original launch and help pull in new sales. A new FMV is just what Version 2.0 is going to need to help cement in the mind's of customers that FFXIV has been reborn, that it has been given new life.
Besides, the old FMV puts the spotlight on Guildleves, which are officially no longer the central focus of the game. Version 2.0 needs a new FMV that really emphasizes what makes FFXIV a unique and exciting experience. Version 2.0 needs to provide a new window into Eorzea for the whole community -- not just the FFXIV community, but the entire gaming community at large.
Version 2.0 needs to have a fresh and exciting new face that can wash away the bad taste that the original launch left in the mouth of the general public. Version 2.0 needs to have something that critics can point to and say, "Look at that! Isn't that amazing? The game really does look different now! It's not the same as it was at launch! Maybe I should give it a second chance after all..."
And a new, pre-rendered FMV that prominently displays all the new features and improved gameplay of Version 2.0 will be able to do just that.
Please do this, SE. The game needs it too much not to.