At Gamescom in Cologne this week, I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Naoki Yoshida, the producer and director of Final Fantasy 14, to discuss the newly released Dawntrail expansion. One area that particularly captivated me was Living Memory—a breathtaking environment that I’ve previously explored in my writings, speculating on the deeper significance of our Warriors of Light dismantling this vibrant world into a hollow shell. With Yoshida himself in front of me, I couldn’t pass up the chance to dive deeper into this intriguing topic.
Yoshida explains that the goal was for players to truly experience the story, not just read it. When developing the concept of searching for the City of Gold, the team focused on how to integrate that idea into the gameplay. They envisioned a place where souls and memories are preserved, offering a form of eternal existence. While this place may seem like an ideal sanctuary, it carries an unsettling aura when viewed through a realistic lens. Yoshida emphasizes the importance of authenticity in their work, ensuring that the experiences of those living in the “ninth reflection” are fully and accurately conveyed.
Yoshida explains that the team intentionally included characters tied closely to the storyline in this area to create a deeper emotional connection for players. For example, players encounter Erenville’s mother, and Krile meets her parents for the first time. The experience then shifts as players are tasked with shutting down these cherished memories. The contrast between the once vibrant, extravagant setting and the emptiness that follows was a key element the team wanted to convey in the “Living Memory” segment. This stark transition was designed to leave a lasting emotional impact on the players.
Although the inhabitants of “Living Memory” are not physically present—being digital memories of those who have passed—Yoshida aimed to highlight the significance of their memories and the special moments they represent. By doing so, he sought to add deeper meaning to the act of shutting down this area, emphasizing the emotional weight of letting go of these cherished memories.
Notes
Creating a place of such stunning beauty only to shut it down was intended to evoke a deep sense of catharsis and sadness in players. Yoshida explains that the team invested significant effort into achieving this emotional, theatrical effect within the environment. When the concept was first presented to the artists, they were surprised, asking, “We put so much effort into this area, and now we’re going to shut it down?” This reaction underscores the depth of the emotional impact the team aimed to deliver.
Yoshida explains that “Living Memory” required an immense amount of work, equivalent to creating two separate zones, due to its dual appearances. This made the project particularly challenging for the team. He acknowledges, “The team told me that it was an incredibly tough experience for them.”
In “Dawntrail,” players must navigate through “Living Memory” to deactivate areas and delete the digital manifestations of its citizens. This is necessary because maintaining these digital forms requires aether from living individuals. As the expansion progresses, Sphene plans to invade other worlds to extract this aether and ensure the survival of her digital citizens. As the Warrior of Light, your mission is to prevent her from carrying out this plan.
I inquired whether an alternative source of aether could have been found to sustain Living Memory if not for the time constraint imposed by Sphene’s imminent attack. Yoshida responded that this scenario mirrors potential real-world challenges. Instead of focusing on finding a different power source, he suggests we should contemplate how humanity would respond when confronted with such a dilemma.
Yoshida reflects on the rapid technological advancements humanity has achieved and anticipates further breakthroughs in science. He believes that the development of mecha and the digital recreation of memories and the brain are plausible future innovations. This raises profound questions about the nature of existence: If someone exists in a digital world, can they be considered truly alive? Yoshida suggests that these are the kinds of issues humanity may confront in the next century.
We continued to explore the fascinating concepts of the Endless and digital recreations of once-living people. Fans have been speculating about the identities of the Dawntrail characters and their possible connections to the sundered ancients. For instance, some believe that Otis and Hildibrand might be shards of the same ancient person. In the final scene of Dawntrail, Sphene’s crown is shown against a black backdrop, which bears a striking resemblance to the Ascian glyphs. This has led to theories suggesting that Sphene could also be a shard of an ancient.
When I asked Yoshida about this theory, he pointed out that the Sphene we encounter in Dawntrail is merely a reproduction of the original Sphene from the Ninth Reflection, who perished during the Calamity of Lightning. Yoshida encouraged me to consider various possibilities and anticipate future developments, hinting that there is a significant meaning behind the crown. He suggested that we should reflect on the identity of the Sphene appearing in 7.0 and the discussions involving her. This opens the door for fans to dive into theories and discussions about all aspects of Sphene.
In Dawntrail, our Warriors of Light encountered numerous parallels to past expansions, facing familiar challenges but with fresh twists, which made me curious about what lies ahead. In both the 6.X series and 7.0, we ventured into another reflection, yet several reflections remain unexplored. However, Yoshida reminds me that the team has even more possibilities to consider beyond just the remaining reflections.
Yoshida also hinted at the possibility of time travel, suggesting that we could venture into the past or future. He emphasized that the team isn’t limited to exploring reflections alone; there are countless other avenues to explore. For instance, in 4.0, players traveled to Kugane, but this city is only a part of the larger Hingashi. Beyond its gates lies the rest of the country, where a war is currently raging between different Shoguns and the Shogunate of Hingashi. Yoshida suggested that the Warrior of Light might one day journey to Hingashi, potentially taking on the role of Shogun to influence the outcome of this conflict. Additionally, he teased the possibility of incorporating a multiverse into the game’s future.
The idea of a potential multiverse raises the intriguing possibility of fan favorites like Emet-Selch returning. However, Yoshida cautions that this would introduce complexities similar to those encountered when discussing digital memories and the Endless. He posed a thought-provoking question: “Would the Emet-Selch we meet in another universe be the same person we once spoke to and fought alongside?” Yoshida suggests that this could spark significant debate, especially considering that in a multiverse, the Emet-Selch we encounter might have taken Elidibus’s place as the core of Zodiark.
The idea of resurrecting characters who have died in the past might seem appealing, but it comes with a significant risk of altering them into versions we may no longer recognize. However, Yoshida expresses a strong dislike for diminishing the impact of these sacrifices. He explains, “When we consider the fates of characters who made difficult decisions to sacrifice themselves for the Warrior of Light, I’m not fond of plot developments where they can just return. It feels like an easy way out, and I wouldn’t want to pursue such a straightforward and unchallenging approach in storytelling.”
Yoshida highlights the endless possibilities for Final Fantasy XIV’s future, assuring players that his main focus is on delivering enjoyment and surprises. He reassures fans not to worry about what’s coming next, as he is already planning ahead. “As for the story in FF14 moving forward, I’ll be outlining the requirements for the new expansion’s trailer this December, so I already have a clear vision of what the next adventure will look like,” he shares.
“Dawntrail” marks the beginning of a new chapter after “Endwalker” concluded the decade-long Hydaelyn and Zodiark saga. Yoshida reveals that this extensive storyline wasn’t fully planned from the start. He explains, “It wasn’t until the development of version 5.0 that we realized this could evolve into a full saga. While I have a general idea of where the story is headed, the specifics of its progression will depend on player feedback and our own creative direction. So, if you’re wondering whether the next ten years of the story are already mapped out, the answer is no.”
When asked for a one-word hint about the next big patch, Yoshida responds with “Encounter.” He then elaborates, explaining that the word carries multiple meanings. “It could be interpreted as a meeting point,” he says. “It involves coming into contact with various elements, characters, and content.”
The team aimed to introduce a “different style of character” in the raid series, but one fan-favorite didn’t resonate as much with Yoshida. Referring to the character Honey B. Lovely, Yoshida admits, “I’m not particularly fond of characters like her. It’s not really my thing,” he says, making heart gestures with his hands. “But it’s great to see that everyone else seems to really like her.”
As a dedicated minion enthusiast, I couldn’t resist asking one last question: Will we see a minion inspired by the Greatest Serpent of Tural, the final boss from the Dawntrail Tender Valley dungeon? This formidable serpent bears a striking resemblance to the Great Serpent of Ronka, and it would be fascinating to see if a minion based on this creature will make an appearance.
As a devoted minion enthusiast, I couldn’t help but wonder if we might see a minion inspired by the Greatest Serpent of Tural, the final boss from the Dawntrail Tender Valley dungeon. This imposing serpent closely resembles the Great Serpent of Ronka, and it would be intriguing to find out if a minion based on this creature is in the works.
After leaving Gamescom, I’m filled with more questions than answers about Final Fantasy XIV, but in the most thrilling way. My mind keeps returning to our conversation with Sphene, and I’m eagerly pondering the implications of a potential multiverse. I’m also eagerly anticipating an expansion that might have our Warrior of Light stepping into the role of a Shogun.