Famitsu: Interview With Yoshida For Patch 5.4!

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Interview with Yoshida for FFXIV’s Patch 5.4

Creating a suitable toughness to the end of a chapter that is “Eden’s Promise”. As well as inquiring more details on the next battle content like the Save the Queen quests and Unreal Trials.

Source Article

『FF14』パッチ5.4吉田氏インタビュー。”希望の園エデン:再生編”はラストにふさわしい歯ごたえが感じられる作りに。セイブ・ザ・クイーンや幻討滅戦などバトルコンテンツについて訊く

Famitsu Article Staff

Famitsu
Famitsu

The next major update Patch, which is Patch 5.4 for Final Fantasy XIV (Henceforth known as “FFXIV”) will be released in early December, 2020. It’s been 7 years since the release of patch 2.1 in 2013 that the so-called major update that is released around the near end of the year, and there should be a lot of players who would plan to take advantage from the end of the year break to enjoy all the new content.

So we conducted an interview with producer and director Naoki Yoshida as the pre-release patch information reveal. We managed to inquire about the content for Emerald Weapon trial and Eden’s Promise, and many of its circumstances will be relayed to all our readers here. We hope you can properly feel the charm from this large scale update and its series of info, which Yoshida mentioned that the patch will be “by far the biggest in volume”.

FFXIV's Producer

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida Producer | JP | Square Enix
Famitsu
Famitsu

Naoki Yoshida

The Executive Director on the Board of Directors for Square-Enix and Head of the Third Business Division. Worked as the game designer and director for “Dragon Quest Monster Battle Road”, the first arcade title for the “Dragon Quest” series. He took over the duties of Producer and Director for “Final Fantasy XIV” in December 2010 and has maintained the position since then. Currently working on “Final Fantasy XVI” as the Producer of the game as well.

Famitsu
Famitsu

The latest patch, helmed as the biggest in volume

Currently we are going to have an uptick of players who are thinking of applying for paid leaves in order to make time playing the latest patch, do we have an actual release date for Patch 5.4 yet?

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

Currently we can’t tell you when the official date will be, but I think we can safely say that, in terms of the general public and not some standards from Square-Enix, that we can release the patch in early December…

Famitsu
Famitsu

I see. I take it that you have roughly settled on the standard then (laughs).

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

Not saying a word here! (Laughs).

The “early of the month” should be around the same as how everyone thought of it, and I think it should be fine for you to think the same as them as well. Though everyone may say this is some sort of preventive measure and whatnot, but the volume of patch 5.4 is abnormally huge, so this is the only thing of concern.

In actuality I have been told by the development team in a tone that says “Are you aware of the volume here right now? I take that you all are ready to go through all these checks, right?” (laughs).

On top of that, once Patch 5.4 is released, there is Patch 5.41 and Patch 5.45 to go through….Thanks to that my schedule is currently a great mess right now.

Famitsu
Famitsu

Considering the series of updates overall it will be an update that is very fulfilling.

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

Around the release timing of patch 5.4 will be where we enter the state of completing the rest of the additional content for the patch. Since we are going with the flow of releasing them in order based on the dates decided, the development team has to ensure that all work will be done at early december.

In all likelihood, I think by considering the series of major updates as one huge block, it will be the biggest update in terms of content volume.

Famitsu
Famitsu

Although it’s understandable that it’s meant to hype things up, to actually create them would be a dreadful thing.

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

The other day, when I had a meeting with Soken (Masayoshi Soken, the Sound Director of FFXIV) on Zoom, he told me “Naoki-san, aren’t you a bit out of mind with the volume of Patch 5.4?” and he said that half jokingly…

Famitsu
Famitsu

It’s a volume that would even Soken-san half smile…(laughs).

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

For reference, the total amount the sounds created and used for VFX (visual effects) that are utilised in battle mechanics whenever a new expansion is released would be somewhere around 1000. This would mean only the battle mechanics would have around 1000 different types of sound effects.

However, this time, while not being an expansion, and even though it is a usual major update, the sound team has created 600 different sound effects for battle mechanics alone. That is why Soken told me “What is going on here?” (laughs).

Famitsu
Famitsu

How did Soken get past this hurdle then?

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

Currently, Square-Enix just released other of their major titles and it was right around this time that they were released from the burden, so he told me that the staff members who are free are currently helping him out. A lot of people have always wanted to work on the sound of FFXIV, so various Square Enix sound staff have been involved in the development of Patch 5.4.

On top of that, while we did deliver on our promise and are scheduled on releasing the patch in early December, Patch 5.4 is, as mentioned, really dense in volume and we are still in the situation where we can be unpredictable on this, even if barely. So for those who plan on applying for leave, it would be wise to just wait a little before doing that (laughs bitterly).

Famitsu
Famitsu

The Story That Revolves Around The Stars Finally Enters its Final Chapter

The Main Scenario for Patch 5.3 was really dense in content not just in its story but also on the aspect of its battle content. The Scions’ farewell scenes taking place on the First was fantastic as well. With that process they finally returned to the Source, but will we proceed with the story that centers around Ascian Fandaniel and Zenos Yae Galvus?

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

Before I answer this question, as I have often felt through interviews via emails from international media that everyone may have that strong impression that Shadowbringers, which is set on the First, is beautifully “over” in many ways.

Moreover, you may also have the impression that the story centered around Ascians who had been existing since the legacy days of FFXIV have been brought to a close with the previous scenario.

Famitsu
Famitsu

Since the story on the previous patch was really impactful, I am aware of that too.

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

But for us, it doesn’t feel like we’ve reached a point of no return, nor that it’s over; Patch 5.3 was just reaching the goal of the “Shadowbringers” story.

The narrative throughout FFXIV so far has revealed the reasons for how Zodiark and Hydaelyn came into existence, and those who created them… and particularly Zodiark’s side of the story, but the other elements have not been fully explored.

For example, Who is Hydaelyn, for one? Or what is the condition of Zodiark who was created using Ascian Elidibus himself as the heart? Moreover, what exactly was “The Final Days”? … There are still so many questions to be answered.

Instead of saying “The story that centers around a certain person”, it is more of “The story that revolves around the stars is finally, in the true sense of the word, entering its final chapter”, and that’s a more suitable image.

Famitsu
Famitsu

Indeed during the last scene of the main quest, there was the narration that speaks “Into its domain shall the hero set forth, for the final tale in the tale of this star”.

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

I believed I mentioned this in the interview before Shadowbringers was released, but Shadowbringers was meant to be created with revealing around 80% of the entire foreshadowings laid throughout FFXIV. In reverse, you could say we still have around 20% left of the foreshadowed plots that we haven’t revealed yet. You can actually say that from there on it’ll be the climax of the “Hydaelyn and Zodiark” arc, and while we can say anymore from here, I would like all of you to find out how the story is going to unveil from there on with your own two eyes.

Famitsu
Famitsu

Would that also mean it’ll involve the Garlemald empire as well?

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

Although it’s a story that tends to be told with ties to the main scenario no matter what, the Garlemald Empire as an existence itself is currently told as the story for Southern Bozja Front for it’s portion of the story about the empire, and the Sorrow of Werlyt also fills the gap as another side of the empire story as well.

Of course, I can also say that Zenos yae Galvus who takes up the residence of the Garlemald Empire and his movement is part of that overall as well. So regarding how the Garlemald Empire will move in the future is something that won’t be a story that will be left behind, basically. However, if you are talking about whether it will become a story that everything is going to be centered around it, that is something I cannot talk about for now, so we hope for your understanding on the matter.

Famitsu
Famitsu

Emerald Weapon Changes Its Color!

Let us know how difficult the upcoming Emerald Weapon Trial Extreme will be?

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

We’re exactly in the battle content check right now, so the development team is currently doing checks as well as adjustments just as we speak. I took a glimpse on the team’s condition and I don’t think the difficulty can be boiled down just yet. Since I saw many wipes and deaths, to put it very vigorously (laughs).

Famitsu
Famitsu

Oh dear (laughs)

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

The color of Emerald Weapon seems to be changing throughout the content, and that’s the extent I can tell for now (laughs bitterly).

Famitsu
Famitsu

I assume that Emerald Weapon will be imbued with Synthetic Auracite System similar to Ruby Weapon and Sapphire Weapon. Considering there will be alternative personalities that will appear during the Oversoul mode, since it’s already something that’s known to us on the last battle I can predict that it’ll be the same for this upcoming battle. Can you give us a few hints on the matter.

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

It’s indeed an existence that contains various elements like the Oversoul Mode, and “something that the pilot does not intend to utilise”. Though we cannot reveal the details right now but there is indeed something that will trigger the system this time as well.

We would want the players to find out what will happen beyond this, or who would be the one that will trigger the system. I have a feeling that it will be a story that deals quite a painful blow to the players…

Famitsu
Famitsu

We have already lost 2 pilots in the story. Anyway, since Emerald Weapon was originally a boss that first appeared in Final Fantasy VII International (abbreviated as “FFVII International”, Japan release only), So which are the parts we should be paying attention to?

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

Of course a certain amount of skills used in the battle will have its motif based on what was used in FFVII International. Even so, it will of course be skills that fit the lore setting of Sorrow of Werylt in FFXIV so it’s alright to think of the story as something you can see in a robot anime, like what you’ve seen previously.

For example, things like “Oh this thing happened in this situation again!” can still be seen during battle and you’ll see them implemented. We are also including some new, experimental elements like having yourself reached a point and you enter some sort of a special mode and “that thing!?” happened despite it being a boss battle content.

Famitsu
Famitsu

Looks like it’s going to have a different type of story than what we had in the Ruby Weapon trial and that’s something we can look forward to.

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

Since we’ve properly ended the Ruby Weapon trial as a single boss battle on a high note, I’m sure the following one would be slightly different. There will be many phases prepared this time, so I’m sure we can expect some extravagant movements as well.

Famitsu
Famitsu

This is a question that I’m sure it’s being asked every time but are weapons the reward after defeating Emerald Weapon Extreme?

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

Weapons will be the reward we’ll prepare for this content.

Famitsu
Famitsu

On the subject of item levels, will it be 5 item levels above the new crafted weapons that will be added for patch 5.4 as well?

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

While I won’t make it clear on whether it’ll be 5 item levels above the new crafted weapons, just imagine it to be the same as usual and you’ll be fine.

Famitsu
Famitsu

Gaia’s Mystery and the Truth About Eden Will Finally Be Clear

Since the story for Eden’s Promise will revolve around after the Warrior of Light and the Scions returning to the Source, we do look forward to how the main scenario from the First will come to play in terms of its position.

Will the density of its story and its volume be larger than the previous tier?

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

It is true that Eden’s Promise will be the final chapter of the series that has continued up to this point. Like previous tiers released before, we’re planning to consolidate the story into a considerable amount of volume while considering the costs, like we’ve done before. But since it’s something the staff put their best efforts here, the volume ended up bloating no matter what.

So as a result the content itself became rather dense. Since the staff members assigned worked their very best to end the Omega storyline from Stormblood and delivered such a wonderful story, I’m certain that they are doing their very best as well for the story this time.

Famitsu
Famitsu

With the return of the Scions, Ryne and Gaia will be the center of the storyline this time, but Gaia still remains a mystery compared to Ryne here.

Will all the mysteries surrounding Eden who was labelled the very first Sin Eater, as well as everything about Gaia be made clear this time?

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

Everything will be made clear. With that in mind, if you ask “if the whole story is created as part of the main story in mind”, then it is indeed close to that. Ryne aside, it isn’t clear on why Gaia is called the Oracle of Darkness… and eventually there will be some shocking developments in the story, so we want you to pay attention to it.

Famitsu
Famitsu

Thank you. Then we would like to ask about the contents of the battle next. We know that patch 5.4 will see an increase of item level, will the basic system of so-called crafted equipment and drop rules of Eden’s Promise Savage remain the same ?

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

That’s correct. It will be the usual and the same as before.

Famitsu
Famitsu

The same applies for crafted equipment and its difficulty as well.

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

Rest assured that it will safely remain as is. Currently the necessity for the new and current crafted equipment for FFXIV tends to lean really high during the first few weeks no matter how you see it. Despite that, making the crafting difficulty to be drastically hard may possibly create cases where players will clear the 1st and 2nd floor before the supply catches up with the demand.

Famitsu
Famitsu

That’s true.

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

We saw some daring adjustments to the battle system for each role in order to improve the ease of use during the release timing for Shadowbringers, and thanks to that we saw a huge increase of players willing to challenge Savage right now. Actually, we saw quite an increase of players who have cleared Eden’s Verse Savage as of Patch 5.3, compared to the previous tier.

I assume that there will be many players who will do the same this time so I want it to be content that accomodate the needs of those players. Therefore this is why we won’t drastically increase the difficulty of producing new crafted equipment.

Famitsu
Famitsu

That is definitely reassuring (laughs).

So regarding bosses for our next question, we get that all the elements involved are already evoked as of Patch 4.2, so we definitely couldn’t predict what kind of opponents we will go against for Eden’s Promise. So on that part, will we get some words from you regarding that?

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

It’s about time for the Warriors of Light to fight opponents that they have never fought up until now…that’s the image here. On the other hand, the keyword of “imagination ability” still plays a strong role in the story and its flow this time, continuing from before.

Considering the Eden series is made with the theme of gradually exhausting all the possibilities in predictions, we also deliberately have the current story developed up till this point. If everyone goes “No I can’t predict any further!”, then our plan will be a success. In any case, I think we should be able to deliver the surprise factor to everyone here.

Famitsu
Famitsu

With the development of Promise: Savage here, I’d like to know did Yoshida-san issue orders to the staff members to “tune the content to be somewhere around this difficulty”, or “I want the image of this content to be really tuned close to that content”, and so on?

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

On the aspect of content creation, currently I did not conduct any discussions with the FFXIV development team on the difficulty or its image prior to the development. Or rather, to begin with, I have never issued any instructions on the boss’ image nor the degree of the difficulty at all. It’d be a different story if I get approached for consultation or advice though, and there is a firm reason why.

Famitsu
Famitsu

What is the reason behind it then?

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

First of all, on the topic of difficulty setting, the main staff members have been working on many raid dungeons and developed themselves to the point where they can work on consolidating their image without having me to give them orders. So speaking of this series, even if Eden’s Gate Savage had a broader scope due to the adjustments made last minute, since it was the beginning where player’s rotation wasn’t completely settled down, we’ve created them with the goal of ensuring various players can clear them.

When the next tier after Eden’s Gate arrived, which is Eden’s Verse Savage, we made sure the content was made to make the player feel challenged after reflecting over previous issues.

Famitsu
Famitsu

From the player side, it really feels that way.

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

And with the conclusion of the series, the difficulty will gradually increase as we climb further up on the floors, and proportionally the content gradually gets tougher as well. So for the direction of Eden’s Promise Savage, the point of “making each floor feel progressively tougher and make sure the player feels that way compared to what they had gone through for the past 2 tiers” is already a sentiment that all staff members share and are aware of. On the other hand, despite us producing the content based on the direction we’ve decided upon, the invisible factor that is player skills increasing simultaneously as well.

Hypothetically, and I’m not sure if this is a suitable thing to say: … Even if we were to say, release Eden’s Verse Savage 10% harder than Eden’s Gate, and then we make Eden’s Promise Savage 20% harder in total. From there, even if we made Eden’s Promise Savage generally 20% harder, the overall toughness would feel the same considering player skill is higher than before… Perhaps this is ideal.

Famitsu
Famitsu

So you had to take in consideration the increase in player skills too.

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

However, I do think it’s better to gradually intensify the thrill felt during play by a little, so if we can make the game just a little bit more exciting than the increase in player skill, I think people will probably appreciate that “it’s a great raid dungeon with a great level of difficulty”. That’s why there is no need for me to go out of my way to say “let’s make it this good this time” because the development staff are all aiming for that line.

As for the rest, once we perform our final adjustments and frantically play test them, and confirm its toughness as well as applying slight adjustments, I think we’ll be able to land on the good spot. In any case, I think we’ll be able to settle on the usual spot…where players can feel the sweet spot of the reaction as well as the toughness, and once they pour in their effort they’ll be able to clear. And then to answer your next question, the reason why I don’t say things like “it would be nice to have this boss”, is purely due to me doing so would just restrict the creativity of the one who is assigned to work on this content, and this is something I’d like to avoid.

Famitsu
Famitsu

I see.

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

And if I told them so, they will end up following the examples of what others did and end up utilising mechanics that appeared in the past. Especially if I were to specifically them those young members who are doing their best and experiencing continuous growth to do exactly what I say, they may end up going “Since Yoshida-san said so, then let’s do according to what he says!”.

In return, I’d participate in the test play and I’d explain to them how I feel like “oh, this is bad”, or “wow, this is good”, along with the reason why I felt that way. However, this will only happen once we reach the level where the young ones work really hard with their seniors to create content and deal with the situation of having to go through me for approvals.

Famitsu
Famitsu

I can understand the flow of how Savage content took shape and how all the staff members have such high awareness over this very well now.

Though this is just a hypothetical question here but let’s say once FFXIV enters patch 6.x, will Savage still retain its current element and continue as it is? Can we assume what sort of changes will it have on the form?

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

Hmmmm, form you say…?

Famitsu
Famitsu

For example, a 4 floor structure raid or a new raid dungeon implemented on the so-called even patch. Is it possible for that to be looked into?

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

On the subject of raid dungeon designs, I think it’s pointless to assure any form of definitive commitment at this point.

For example if another idea comes out after I spoke of my idea here, it’ll be likely that I’ll be told “this is completely different from what you said before!”.

I think the good thing about FFXIV here is that it is steadily evolving, but forcefully changing just for the sake of changing it does not necessarily lead to positive results….

Famitsu
Famitsu

I guess you’re right.

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

It is a good idea to find a balance between the way you play and the way you use your time, and as a cycle of high-level raiding dungeons for 8 players, the current form is perhaps the best… if you would take it as it is.

If we can create an even better cycle then I think we should definitely change the aspects that need to be changed. Whichever it is, right now it isn’t the right situation for us to judge on the matter so saying “nothing has been decided” would be the correct answer. To begin with, we haven’t even announced whether 6.x series will exist or not anyway (laughs).

Famitsu
Famitsu

The question itself was just hypothetical anyway (laughs).

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

I mean it is possible for FFXIV to welcome its end after we reach the end of Patch 5.4…and that in our upcoming new information release event (scheduled to be held on February 2021) we may even end up with a development like “We’re starting on FFXIV-2!”, and that can be a possibility (laughs).

Famitsu
Famitsu

Job Adjustments That Even Out The Roughness of Each Role

On the previously held 60th FFXIV Producer Letter LIVE, you announced that Monk’s Grease Lightning will be converted into a trait. With that announcement, you also mentioned that other actions will also be adjusted.

Can you tell us what kind of skills will be modified or looked into?

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

On top of building it up to be the way we expect it to and after actually giving it a play test, along with going through some plus and minus, it’s hard to say right now. However, your understanding on the modification of actions that used to have the effect of “granting self Grease Lightning” is basically correct and you’re fine to think that way.

As for others, stacking Perfect Balance as a buff is now possible so you can now stack them prior and use it on situations that deemed necessary. The adjustments around those parts should feel the same as the adjustments for Samurai.

Furthermore, the meaning behind fixing its structure is similar to Ninja during patch 5.1, where the play feel is retained as much as possible despite having its inner structure changed drastically, and this is the goal we are aiming for.

We are working on it to ensure we can make it to delivery for Patch 5.4 so we hope you can wait just a little bit more.

Famitsu
Famitsu

What kind of job adjustments will we have aside from Monk?

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

As of this interview, we are still adjusting on the numbers over here as well it’s still too early for us to talk about this.

Due to the release of new high difficulty raid dungeons along with the increase of item levels this time, we are mainly working on number adjustments to ensure the rough parts within each role is evened out….this has been the overall direction we’re taking and also our policy here.

Famitsu
Famitsu

So it has been similar to the adjustments implemented for even numbered patches up until now.

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

While it’s too early to mention individual jobs right now, just an example…just to give an example here, when looking at the healer roles, the adjustments on Astrologian we made greatly improves the usability of the job. And then White Mages still have their popularity retained with their high healing and firepower capabilities. On the other hand, on Scholar there is still “roughness on some parts” that is mentioned above so I think some slight adjustments will be necessary here.

On the subject of melee DPS, since we have made modifications on Monk here, we think it’ll be nice to apply some slight increase to the potency numbers for Dragoon.

With that, we made sure to consider the mechanical difficulty of each job, and work our best to ensure the number balance within each role is maintained.

However, what we’ve mentioned right now is just an example so we want you to understand that this is just an example so I hope you’ll understand that what I’ve mentioned above is just to provide an image of things.

Famitsu
Famitsu

What Could Be The Next Boss That Will Appear In Unreal Trial?

Next we would like to touch on the subject of Unreal Trials, particularly on the next Primal.

You’ve mentioned before that the next one would make people go “oh yeah here it comes!”.

So if you can kindly provide some hints on what the actual boss will be?

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

I will be participating in the final adjustments tomorrow but I think it’s fine for you to think that Black Mage’s Meteor (LB3) will have its role to play after a long while.

However, in the case of rebalancing the content for level 80, the firepower required for this content as well as the same strategies used in the past may be required for this content so…for now this is the extent I’ll say about the matter.

Famitsu
Famitsu

Meteor, you say. I see now.

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

Even though I’ve reached this age, I’m sure that the player skills today have drastically increased compared to the boss battles of that time, so I personally am really looking forward to that. Since we can now use Triple Cast and Ley Lines, and those skills didn’t exist at that time, I think the part where you’ll have to consider the usage timing of those skills, and think “where should I use them” is the selling point of Unreal trials.

Unlike the content before, there aren’t any additional nor taking away mechanics in Unreal trials…oh, I think I better stop here. If I continue I’ll end up delving into the conversation of Meteor usage (laughs bitterly).

Famitsu
Famitsu

I think I have an idea on what the content is (laughs).

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

Currently the wall doesn’t exist, you may be able to escape without firing any Limit Breaks (laughs).

Famitsu
Famitsu

Previously, you’ve mentioned that the rewards for Unreal Trials can be a little bit “underwhelming”, in which direction are you thinking of strengthening the rewards offered?

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

Since Patch 5.4 offers a huge amount of content here, we’ve prepared loads of item rewards in advance but considering we have a lot more of other contents where we have to set rewards for…and even if the players don’t go all their way to think “I need to clear this each week!”, we do indeed plan to add only a small amount of existing items that are previously hard to obtain as rewards for Unreal trial.

At the very least the additional reward lineup will contribute more to the motivation compared to what we had before. Plus we have also prepared an option for players to select on “Cleared Unreal Trials” in our Party Finder feature so it should be easier to recruit players for the content than before.

Famitsu
Famitsu

Previously we have Matoya’s Relict announced (as the new dungeon) for Patch 5.4, may I know what will be the lineup for Duty Roulette: Expert this time?

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

Nothing unusual and it will be the same as before. It will include only two dungeons: The Heroes’ Gauntlet and Matoya’s Relict.

Famitsu
Famitsu

And Anamnesis Anyder will be moved to Duty Roulette: Level 80 Dungeons instead.

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

Yes. That is correct.

Famitsu
Famitsu

Save The Queen Continues Beyond Patch 5.45

We see the Save the Queen content will be getting an update for patch 5.45, I’d like to know the exact release timeframe of the content?

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

While it is not finalised yet, we plan to release the content 2 months after the release of patch 5.4, so it’s safe for you to think it that way. The timing of release for this content will be slightly after the release of a major patch, which serves as a middle ground before the next major content comes.

Famitsu
Famitsu

While we know the Resistance Weapons will be upgraded further on this patch, will we have random factors implemented for the parameters of the weapon?

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

It’s true that we plan on implementing that factor somewhere throughout the series, but whether it’ll be the next one is…well, during the Eureka series, we had added Baldesion Arsenal during that time in order to conclude the storyline. So continuing this trend, the upcoming Delubrum Reginae that is scheduled to be released on patch 5.45 would end the Save the Queen storyline…is what people may think, but of course it’s not the case.

Famitsu
Famitsu

So that means there is more beyond this.

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

Yes, although I’d say it’s an anomaly, but this is where it becomes different from the Eureka series. Even for us here, the Critical Engagement system is not something we plan to utilise just once here so we do plan on preparing something big beyond this. To that end, it’s also natural to think that the Resistance Weapon will head into that direction.

Famitsu
Famitsu

I guess it’s related to the part where we have not yet exhausted the Critical Engagement system. Indeed, considering contents like Delubrum Reginae is predicted to be released later into the patch so I always wondered what will happen in the next iteration.

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

It looks like a lot of people thought that the next update would be the end of everything, but this is definitely not the case.

Famitsu
Famitsu

Then I’d like to inquire about Delubrum Reginae next.

I’d like to know what kind of mechanical difficulty we can expect for this content?

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

To begin with, Delubrum Reginae will offer two difficulty modes: Normal and Savage.

It’ll be fine for players to progress on Normal mode if they want to progress only the scenario. The difficulty for Normal mode is somewhere around the level of a 24-man alliance raid, but they will be able to utilise various Lost Actions in this content.

The interesting thing about Baldesion Arsenal in the Eureka series is that each party will be given their individual role to play, so this time it’ll be similar where it’s necessary to have the party play out the role given. While this bears a repeat please think of it as a new type of raid dungeon that requires 24 players to challenge.

Famitsu
Famitsu

On the other hand, what about Savage?

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

The division of roles becomes even more intense, and each member will need to be aware of the things they need to do or they’ll never be able to solve the battle, and the methods will be slightly different…I can’t say more than that (laughs bitterly).

I don’t mind if players would think this mode is overall similar to Baldesion Arsenal as well. For the time being, a new type of raid dungeon that consists of 2 different patterns: Normal and Savage, and will require 24 to 48 players to challenge will be released. This is something I want the players to be aware of. The Party Finder feature will also include a new UI that is made for 48 players so it’d be nice if the players would use this feature to recruit members for this content. This will be an NPC request, but we will also provide a match-making feature for this content as well.

Famitsu
Famitsu

Will challenging Delubrum Reginae be easier if we get our Bozja equipment fully upgraded and ready beforehand?

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

For players who plan to tackle Savage mode, having them fully prepared will definitely be more beneficial.

For Normal mode though this won’t be necessary.

Famitsu
Famitsu

By the way in regards to the rewards, will there be differences in reward prepared for Normal and Savage?

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

There will of course be rewards that you can obtain only in Savage.

Similar to how you obtain the demi Ozma mount in Baldesion Arsenal, we thought that it would definitely be nice to have a mark of proof that you’ve cleared the content, which also benefits the psychological aspect as well, so of course we’ve prepared some rewards for it.

Famitsu
Famitsu

So as our closing note, we’d like you to give your message to our readers who are looking forward to the release of Patch 5.4

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

Due to implementing measures on dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, it ended up ultimately delaying the release of Patch 5.3 by around 2 months. As I’ve mentioned in previous interviews, we used this as a positive period of time to evolve our development environment, rather than trying to make up for the delay.

As a result, we are able to release Patch 5.4 close to the end of the year, with an unprecedented schedule compared to the past. With a great amount of content, as well as the start of a new high difficulty raid tier, I think everyone will be able to slowly enjoy their time in this year’s end and new year season while taking their time to challenge all these contents that we’re going to offer.

Famitsu
Famitsu

It’s going to be a great way to end the year.

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

In terms of storytelling, the main scenario is about to undergo a major transformation, and what kind of fate awaits both Ryne and Gaia who remained on the First…players will be able to experience another climax that is in a different pattern than Patch 5.3.

As for the others, while I wasn’t able to mention anything for today’s interview, we also have new routes added for Ocean Fishing, as well as new rules for Triple Triad making its debut, all the non-combat related contents that will receive all forms of upgrades.

We would want all players to think that the patch will not lose out to games that are scheduled to be released at the end of this year, while delivering a game that contains such high density in content.

We really want the players to look forward to it.

Famitsu
Famitsu

With the increase of new players who would look into starting their adventure, all of this content is definitely something to look forward to.

Naoki Yoshida
Naoki Yoshida

With the major changes applied to the free trial since the release of Patch 5.3, we are lucky to have many new players continue playing our game.

We hope that all newcomers of the game, as well as our veterans of the game will be able to enjoy FFXIV together and have a great time living the remaining time of the year as well as welcome the start of the new year in Eorzea.

Please look forward to it!

Closing Words From AkhMorning

We hope, with the PLL for 5.4 airing later today, that you have enjoyed this thorough translation covering Yoshida’s interview about the upcoming Patch 5.4

Part 2 of “How Eden’s Verse Was Made!” is still in the works, however, with the timing of this article’s release we wanted to prioritise something a little more current to whet the appetite for the new content we are all excited to play!

Please look forward to it!

Let us know what you think about this segment in the comments below.