heavenswardWith the Fan Festival for FFXIV over now for a couple days, I’ve finally been able to go back through all the exciting things that were released during these two hectic days. I did not get a chance to sit and listen to every panel from start to finish, but I did manage hear about all the exciting points in each of them. A lot of the stuff talked about is coming out in the next couple of patches (2.4 and 2.5) along with some exciting things being released about the expansion that now has a time frame and official title. The list of panels include the opening keynote, a music panel, lore, and dev panels.

 

The most exciting information released was about FFXIV 3.0, which is the only way the expansion has been mentioned so far. The original release has been called 1.0 and the release of A Realm Reborn being 2.0. FFXIV 3.0 finally has a name and its FFXIV: Heavensward. There have been hints of traveling to Ishgard for awhile, but now it is confirmed. In Heavensward, we will get to learn about the endless war that Ishgard has been going through along with the conflict between Wyrmking and Throdan with his Knights Twelve.

ishgard

The Holy See of Ishgard is a city closed off to outsiders and ran by Nobles and Archbishops. The setting for this city is dark and resembles a somewhat gothic and holy setting. If the city was not stuck war, it would easily stand grander than any city in Eorzea, but is instead stuck in an endless cycle of rebuilding. The lower level of the city is for the poor and exact details were not given, this can only mean it is part taking the most damage from the war. Players will get to play their part in the war, starting with the fact that you will be welcomed here as much as your help was welcomed when you first go to Coerthas.

 

throdanWe also got to see a glimpse of Throdan. He seemed to walk into the trailer as a warrior, and then dressed himself in dragoon armor to match his knights. There was little detail about the details of how we will be effecting this part of the story, but we did get his of Throdan and his Knights having something ‘round’. Not sure Eorzea or Ishgard need a round table, but hey, cannot say a round table would be out of place to the other references that have been made through fates and levequests.

 

Now for the other content being added with these two great storylines. There was talk about the new race being added. Again a joke about Viangaa. Unfortunately Las Vegas was told that some of the exciting details would be held until the other two Fan Festivals happen in London and Tokyo. The only thing we were told about the new race is that there will be a female and male version of the new race. We were also lucky enough to get confirmation of the not so secret that Yugiri is this new race. We can look forward to seeing her face in one of the patches before the expansion is released at least. There will be a raise in the level cap from 50 to 60. There will be the addition of multiple Jobs, Primals, Dungeons, Gear, Recipes, Raids and explorable Areas. Among the new primals being added, we can look forward to an original primal being created for FFXIV. As for the raids, they will be endgame raids to replace both Coil and Crystal Tower coming to a close before the expansion is released. Another thing confirmed that everyone was excited to have a date for is Airships. There has been talk about Free Companies putting them into their basements or somewhere on their estate, and while that was not talked about, the fact that Free Companies will be able to build an Airship was. With the title of the expansion being Heavensward, bringing attention to the Heaven of multiple gods, there is no doubt these Airships will be one of the many ways to reach the Heavens that wait to be explored. For those not in a Free Company with a personal Airship, there was mention of mountainous areas reaching up to the skies or I am sure the Airships in the main cities will be able to lend a hand in making your way Heavensward. Aside for the mountains that are being added, a new forested area will also being included in the expansion. Something resembling a name sounding like Choco Forest. I am personally leaning towards this being more Chocobo oriented than the Chocolate Forest Koji was so nice to imply from Yoshi’s hints.

 

This information is only what is going to be included in the expansion to FFXIV with a release date of Spring 2015. I am more than happy to dedicate a little more time to keeping up with content based on the expansion alone, and there is still more to come before that in the patches and sub patches coming before that (2.4 and 2.5).