Question to devs about map availability

[Akujin]

When ARR releases, how much of the map will actually be avaiable come retail release?

In 1.0 we couldn't access Dravania, Ala Mhigo, Pagith'an or Xelphatoi. The latter two being the Xoili and Lizard guys (can never remember their names) homelands I realize. I know the maps have been completely redone and seperated and all, which is nice, I'm just curious to, as far as exploration goes, how much further we'll be able to go right away or will we need to wait for later patch updates to unlock those places?

Just idle curiousity really.

[Zenaku]

Most of the years you said wont be open to they release a expansion ala mhigo and ishgard being one they said it would take i think 1year to make both areas.

So it save to say only the current areas was remade with added areas but still part of the same area. Each city have a few zones i think they said anywhere from 3-5 and each area is diff. So there a lot of exploration to do in 2.0

[Akujin]

Oh no doubt and I'm looking forward to checking everything out, just curious to how far they're looking to open upon retail.

[Zenaku]

Oh no doubt and I'm looking forward to checking everything out, just curious to how far they're looking to open upon retail.

I think all the current areas only maybe we get something new but i don't see anything big happening it would take longer so we have to wait for expansion sadly.

[AniseTatlin]

I think all the current areas only maybe we get something new but i don't see anything big happening it would take longer so we have to wait for expansion sadly.

To add to this: (Live Letter III)

Q: Will it be possible to visit Sharlayan, Ala Mhigo, Ishgard and the Garlean Empire from launch? Will new areas be added later?
A: Ala Mhigo and Ishgard won’t be available at launch. I know that people have been asking to see other new areas, since we’ve only shown Gridania so far, but we’ve completely remade all the maps. In that sense, all areas are completely new.

There are new settlements, monsters, and dungeons—some which are three times the size of current ones. Frankly, when you consider that it’s only been fifteen months since we started writing code and creating assets...if we wanted to include Ishgard and Ala Mhigo at release, it would take another year of work. The development teams wouldn’t like that very much.

Again, allow me to reiterate that all areas have been fundamentally rebuilt and should be considered new. We’d like players to enjoy this content first. We’re thinking of adding Ishgard, Ala Mhigo and other areas with our first expansions, so please look forward to it! In the meantime, I’m certain there will be enough content for players to enjoy.

This is the only thing i can find on the subject, and like Zenaku is saying, we're unlikely to see any "new" areas until the next expansion. However, SE want's us to treat all the remade areas as new as they have been completely rebuilt.

Sadly this means we won't see Ishgard for awhile.

[Duuude007]

Based on re-watching the Main storyline cutscene where the Amal'jaa summon Ifrit... Broken water and surrounding areas, including Zaharak and the Cauldron, are all considered part of Pagith'an.

[Munba]

In the last letter yoshi-p mentioned there will be 40 areas in ARR. But dunno if he intented only open-areas or also dungeons included.

[Zenaku]

In the last letter yoshi-p mentioned there will be 40 areas in ARR. But dunno if he intented only open-areas or also dungeons included.

Remember in 2.0 there now Zones so let's say ul'dah there west ul'dah and so on are now areas and be cut and look diff. So they be a lot of zones in many areas. What i do like about the zone vs open world is they could make each zone look 100% diff and awesome like ffxi