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Article: Final Fantasy XIV: Letter from the Producer Live Part V (updated)
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn producer Naoki Yoshida recently had his fifth Letter from the Producer Live earlier this weekend. In case you understand Japanese or just want to follow along, an unofficial recording of the presentation without subtitles has been uploaded on youtube (we'll update you once the official, subtitled version is released). Here is a breakdown of the significant updates:
Yoshi-P confirmed that the summoner class will be available with the launch of A Realm Reborn! And with all of the changes to stat bonuses, 1.0 players will be able to re-spec all of their attributes.
Housing will likely not be available at launch, but is planned for the first “major update.” After housing will come chocobo raising, where players can set up a chocobo stable and purchase baby chocobos. Then interested players can train and breed chocobos.
ARR will allow players to go fishing. This will require the use of a fishing pole to match the type of water the character is nearby, as well as the selection of particular bait. Yoshi-P said that there will be “no actions during the fishing process” (according to the unofficial translation posted immediately on the forums), so it doesn’t look like there will be any reeling in that requires manual controls.
Yoshi-P also discussed the item binding system that has been implemented. All items that generate one spiritbond will become bound to that player. The purpose behind this system is that so “used” gear does not flood the market and make it difficult for crafters to generate any business.
There have also been major changes to the materia system, including the types of materia and how to affix multiple materia. Yoshi-P would not go into details, but said a more detailed announcement will be forthcoming.
A Realm Reborn will also feature a new treasure map system. While gathering, Disciples of the Land will have a chance of obtaining treasure maps. Each treasure map will provide a hint regarding one specific location. Once the player goes to that location, monsters will spawn, and there will be a reward after the enemies are defeated.
Players will be able to have pets (or “minions”) that tag along with them. Remember the baby behemoth artwork? Yoshi-P seemed to imply baby behemoths will be one possible minion.
Current plans for the first major expansion includes the introduction of a new race(s). The expansion will likely be released within two years of ARR’s launch. Additionally, after the relaunch of FFXIV, the current plan is for there to be a major update every 2.5 months (approximately).
Quick hits:
• Players will be able to make their characters change clothes before bathing. There was no mention to players who might prefer skinny dipping.
• SE is currently focused only on releasing FFXIV for the PC and PS3, though Yoshi-P did not rule out a PS4 release in the future.
• Yoshi-P mentioned a “lack of scout and caster type of classes,” but did not say that there are any current plans to introduce a ninja or samurai class.
• There will be trains across Eorzea for players to ride on.
• ARR will also introduce fall damage, though it will not be possible to die from it.
• Because gatherers have stealth, they will be able to avoid aggressive monsters and triggering FATEs. The developers are also looking into changes to FATEs to ensure they don’t trigger where there are too few people.
• The retainer system is being overhauled, and retainers will be able to perform certain tasks on the player’s behalf, such as gathering.
• There are currently plans for the series-favorite Gilgamesh to have an appearance through a series of quests.
• There will be various unlockable achievements related to forming and maintaining Free Companies, but there will be no rewards, so that players don’t feel obligated to make/join one.
Whew, that’s a lot of info. The beta version is set to begin tomorrow, meaning the launch could be as soon as early summer 2013. Who’s excited?
[Source: http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...-V-Q-A-Updates]
