Excitement is building as the highly anticipated Dawntrail expansion for Final Fantasy XIV is set to launch in just a month. To give a sneak peek of what’s to come, developers recently hosted an exclusive event for journalists and bloggers to get a hands-on experience with the game and chat with producer Naoki Yoshida.
The previous expansion of the iconic “Final Fantasy” series wrapped up a decade-long story arc, making way for Dawntrail to kick off a fresh chapter. Yoshida expressed how the team felt more liberated this time around, unburdened by past expectations. However, he stressed the importance of maintaining a cohesive narrative as the plot progresses. “We’re reaching new heights and feeling more creative,” Yoshida shared.
In preparation for the upcoming expansion, Creative Business Unit III learned from the launch of Endwalker and ensured the servers were ready for the influx of players. Yoshida boasted about the improved network infrastructure and the team’s ability to handle high player traffic seamlessly. They also implemented measures to protect against potential DDoS attacks, learning from a previous incident that impacted data centers globally.
Early impressions from the event attendees were positive, with participants exploring new locations, dungeons, and trying out the new professions of Pictomancer and Viper. The stunning visuals of the Thural region showcased the graphical enhancements, impressing many with the level of detail and realism.
The lush and inviting environment of Thural, set in perpetual summer, reveals its true beauty with the upgraded graphics. Armor textures and fur details now appear more lifelike, enhancing the overall visual experience.
Excerpt from Eurogamer article
The new professions received praise for their unique gameplay mechanics. The magical artistry of the Pictomancer and the swift dual-wielding skills of the Viper offer players exciting new ways to engage with the game world. With the launch of Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail on July 2nd, players can look forward to reaching level 100, engaging in thrilling raids, and much more.
Original source: stopgame.ru