FFXVI and XIV connection theory

[Iscah]

The Interdimensional Rift is just the area of non-space between space.
There isn't really multiple Rifts, nor is it a singular area. It's all encompassing in the same way "space" is.
The Void is used interchangeably with it, but I think refers more to the primordial energy aspect of it.
It is the capital N Nothingness like Chaos is in Greek Mythology.
Everything, including Space itself, was born from it, and everything will return to it.
In the beginning, there was only the Void, and the non-area it existed in, is the Rift, and the bubbles of existence it birthed are "not the Rift".

The void and rift not interchangable in FFXIV.

The void is the Thirteenth shard. The rift is the nowhere-space between shards.

[SilverArrow20XX]

The void and rift not interchangable in FFXIV.

The void is the Thirteenth shard. The rift is the nowhere-space between shards.

I was referring to general FF lore terminology as it relates to the multiverse. Not XIV specifically.
Though I will be surprised if the concept of the primordial energy often called the Void isn't introduced eventually.

[Catwho]

4. Shantotto specifically mentioned she was researching interdimensional travel. She got to XIV's dimension on her own power in her crossover event. In XI, her expansion was all about how she was chasing Domino Shantotto from the dimension where she'd found her in the first place.

[Theodric]

And personally I hope the rewards are skippable because I don't like XVI, but that's me.

That's interesting because the game isn't even out yet as of the time of this post! From what I recall you've claimed to be a fan of the Ivalice games in the past, so you may be pleasantly surprised given that the development team have set out to design FFXVI as something of a love letter to those games in particular.

I do agree that they'd be better off waiting for the dust to settle before putting a crossover event into FFXIV but I don't get the impression that they'd struggle with potential rewards. A mount and/or minion of Torgal is something they could offer alongside Clive's hairstyle and outfit - which would have rather broad appeal, I believe. Following established trends, they'd also have ample room to add a Triple Triad card for Clive as well.

If we're really lucky, now that FFXVI is basically complete we'll see the developers who left FFXIV to work on FFXVI make a triumphant return. I think that'd be delightful, personally.

Though they may simply be assigned to a new, different project instead. Time will tell, I suppose.

[Cleretic]

That's interesting because the game isn't even out yet as of the time of this post! From what I recall you've claimed to be a fan of the Ivalice games in the past, so you may be pleasantly surprised given that the development team have set out to design FFXVI as something of a love letter to those games in particular.

First of all: no, you don't recall, because I haven't played most of the Ivalice games. I played XII, and am mostly lukewarm on it; it looks nice, and there's some decent ideas in the writing, but it probably says something that I remembered about five plot beats and four locations (and incidentally, the only one of those locations I remembered that actually gets referenced by Dissidia, XIV, and SoP was Rabanastre, so clearly I forgot what the developers expected me not to). I like what Matsuno wrote in XIV, and as proper research to understand Nybeth Obdilord I did a lot of research into Tactics Ogre back before we knew Reborn was happening, but I mostly haven't touched the Ivalice stuff. Blame Tactics only being currently available on iOS and Android with touch controls, while having an awful UI for it.

Second of all: at this point we've had more trailers than I can count, several gameplay previews, a solid handful of character descriptions and windows into the story, and a whole demo. At what point am I allowed to look at all this and say 'I don't like this' in a way that will be accepted? Because personally, I feel like we passed that point quite a long ways back when we found out the gameplay was basically Devil May Cry, a series that I hate. (And if you're the type to say 'actually it's more like Dragon's Dogma', I hated that game even more.) So I'm a little annoyed that people just keep acting like I'm weird or irrational for already having made a decision about if I'm interested in this game based on exactly the things they put out to help you decide if you're interested in this game.

[Theodric]

Fair enough. I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing to not care for any given game but with FFXIV being a love letter to every other game in the franchise as well as various games outside of the franchise I think it's inevitable that at least some of what makes FFXVI into FFXVI is going to make its way into FFXIV. I suppose it's just a case of 'how' and 'when'.

I'm personally very curious to see where Clive's journey ultimately takes him and if the game does do well, what it'll mean for FFXIV's storylines and characters moving forward if many of the players who enjoy FFXVI decide to check out FFXIV.

[Tehmon]

I've seen the trailers, the gameplay, the leaks, and it's like all my worst fears realized in terms of what I DON'T want Final Fantasy to be, so I can only hope that Yoshi-P realizes that the audience of XVI is very different from the audience of XIV. Or at least I hope that's the case lol. XIV expansions will be the only Final Fantasy releases this century I'm going to be enjoying, so I'd rather there be no spillover from XVI in regards to its tone and setting, which is more or less in a perfect spot for me currently.

Either way, I'll be rooting for my men Dion and Barnabas, as they are the only characters that slightly intrigue me.

I'm also fine with having a crossover event, I think it'd be fun to hang out with Clive in a more jovial, whimsical setting.

[Cilia]

I understand the genre shift from RPG to action, but... from what I played in the demo I've already seen other games do the similar things and do them better, so that didn't hold my interest. The story, likewise, doesn't grab my attention; it wears its inspirations on its sleeve, and neither of those really interest me. The problem with taking so much inspiration from other works is that it can end up feeling derivative, and I got that feel from the demo.

Nothing against the people who are interested in and hyped for it, but it's just not a game that was made for me... and I mean that in the nicest way I can.

I'mma just wait for Armored Core VI and VII: Rebirth. (I'm still betting on Tifa dying in this continuity instead of Aerith.)

[Cleretic]

(I'm still betting on Tifa dying in this continuity instead of Aerith.)

I was previously hoping for Cloud, because that'd be basically the only death that would be genuinely as shocking and 'now all bets are off' as Aerith was in the original.

Now my money's actually on it, because with Zack not dying in this continuity they've now got a spare lying around. It's a much less interesting twist because of that, but also much more plausible.

[Alleluia]

I was previously hoping for Cloud, because that'd be basically the only death that would be genuinely as shocking and 'now all bets are off' as Aerith was in the original.

Now my money's actually on it, because with Zack not dying in this continuity they've now got a spare lying around. It's a much less interesting twist because of that, but also much more plausible.

Some FF7 talk:

I could see the series ending with his death, cus his memory is what anchors Sephiroth to existence. (Well, JENOVAroth, really.) And this is theoretically gonna be the last story in the compilation so they have to solve that somehow.

But I doubt it'll happen before the final act of the final installment. Though Rebirth could fake us out on it, I suppose?

I'm personally hoping the whole issue gets circumvented by Sephiroth regaining his sanity and basically 1v1ing Jenova. A girl can dream. lol