Like many games, Final Fantasy XIV suffered from a few delays and bumps in the road with regards to the content roadmap (understandably) because of the COVID outbreak across the world in 2020.
It's hard to see the 2021 content roadmap fully returning to normal, but we will hopefully still see a regular cadence of content come to the game throughout the year.
As we've seen in the past, new FFXIV expansions have typically been revealed at the annual Fan Festivals which take place around the world.
Read More - Final Fantasy XIV 5.5: Release Date, Leaks, Live Letter Update, and Patch Notes preview
With Square cancelling all Fan Festivals in 2020-2021 due to the pandemic, you might be wondering when we'll actually learn about the game's next big expansion.
However in their place, Square plans to hold a special announcement showcase in February 2021 where we might hopefully learn what is coming next. Although based on past comments from FFXIV Director Naoki Yoshida on Discord, it didn't sound as though he's quite sure what new info will be revealed.
The team at GamerEscape was lucky enough to speak with Final Fantasy XIV’s director Naoki Yoshida in a new interview.
Whilst a lot of the interview focuses on the game's recent 5.3, 5.4 patches, it does also touch on what fans can expect to see at the upcoming FFXIV Announcement Showcase in February.
The question put to Yoshida read: "In February you’ll be hosting the Final Fantasy XIV Showcase, and of course we’re expecting something special. Given that Fan Fest was not able to happen, should we expect something similar to that in terms of announcements? Might we see three Fan Fests worth of new information, or might we see things a bit more spread out?"
In response Yoshida had some good news, replying "The Announcement Showcase is meant to be a platform for a large announcement, so feel free to have high expectations. Although we will be revealing a significant amount of information at the Announcement Showcase, we do have a digital Fan Festival planned in May, where we’ll have even more information to announce."
So it sounds as though we'll get a significant announcement, but potentially not all the information in one go, with Square holding some details back for the digital Fan Festival in May.
For the time being, here's everything we know so far about the game's next big expansion.
FFXIV 6.0 Expansion Name - Endwalker
Way back in August 2018, just before the year's next big Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival, a trademark appeared online from Square Enix for a new Final Fantasy product.
That trademark was for “Shadowbringers“.
As we now know, Shadowbringers eventually released in July 2019.
Fast forward to October 2020 and a new trademark from Square Enix appeared online which some believe could be the name of FFXVI 6.0.
For those curious, that name was 'Forspoken'.
There's a very interesting write-up by MassiverlyOP for those who want some mind-bending speculation on what this name could mean in the wider context of the game.
UPDATE - The new FFXIV expansion is called 'ENDWALKER' and it has been confirmed that it has a "Fall 2021" release date.
FFXIV 6.0 Release Date
As mentioned before, the development process has been thrown into chaos due to the pandemic so it would be understandable if the FFXIV 6.0 release date is delayed somewhat.
That being said, in the past we've typically seen the game's large expansions released two years apart in June or July of each year.
You can see the dates and version numbers for each major expansion just below:
- FFXIV Heavensward - Update 3.0 - June 23, 2015
- FFXIV Stormblood - Update 4.0 - June 20, 2017
- FFXIV Shadowbringers - Update 5.0 - July 2, 2019
With this in mind, until Square Enix announces otherwise, it's likely we'll see the next expansion released in June or July 2021.
UPDATE - The new FFXIV expansion is called 'ENDWALKER' and it has been confirmed that it has a "Fall 2021" release date.
FFXIV 6.0 New Features
For the time being it's impossible to say exactly what the game's 6.0 update could introduce to the game.
Typically at this stage, we'd have some idea since historically, the new expansion would have been announced at the game's November Fan Fest.
As mentioned though, with the Fan Fests put on ice, we'll have to wait until the digital February event for our first details for the next FFXIV expansion and various 6.0 changes.
We'll be sure to add full details as they become available but some of the key details we've spotted:
- Sage is the new healer job debuting in Endwalker.
- New jobs: Healer and Melee DPS
FFXIV Endwalker Latest News - Fan Festival 2021
The Final Fantasy XIV 2021 Digital Fan Festival is almost here! The event will be held May 14th and 15th at 06:00 p.m (PDT) and it’ll have interviews, cosplay contests, musical performances, and more importantly, new updates on the upcoming expansion, Endwalker. Accompanying the occasion, commemorative items will show up in the MogStation store as well.
FFXIV Fan Festival 2021 - Schedule & Activities
Several different activities will happen across the two days this event will last. We will update these soon so stay tuned!
Day 1
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (PDT) - Keynote Address
8:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (PDT) - Opening Ceremony
9:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. (PDT) - How Do You Like Hydaelyn?
10:30 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. (PDT) - Development Panel
12:30 a.m. - 1:30 a.m. (PDT) - Welcome to Naoki's Room
2:30 a.m. - 3:50 a.m. (PDT) - Piano Performance
3:50 a.m. - 4:00 a.m. (PDT) - Closing
Day 2
6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. (PDT) - Opening
6:50 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (PDT) - Letter from the Producer LIVE Part LXIV
9:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. (PDT) - Glamoured to Life Showcase
10:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. (PDT) - Live Q&A
11:45 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. (PDT) - Flashback with the Cast
1:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m. (PDT) - Who Wants to Be a Gillionaire?
2:30 a.m. - 3:50 a.m. (PDT) - Band Performance
3:50 a.m. - 4:00 a.m. (PDT) - Closing Ceremony
FFXIV Fan Festival 2021 - Commemorative Items
The MogStation Store is now displaying the commemorative items for the 2021 Fan Festival. These are the following:
- Mount - The Lunar Whale
The first 8-person mount in the entire game, the Lunar Whale will be able to take you and your party wherever you want to go! - Minions - Rosa, Edge, and Rydia
These Chibi minions depicting the beloved characters from Final Fantasy IV now can be added to your collection! - Orchestrion Sets - Pulse, Scions & Sinners: Piano, and Scions & Sinners: Band
You can obtain these Orchestrion sets with 5 songs each, which will enable you to listen to these banger tracks in your house or room of choice!
For more info on these items, check the store page. Keep in mind they’re on sale right now so hurry up!
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