In the 82nd Letter from the Producer Live broadcast conducted by the Final Fantasy XIV team, director/producer Naoki Yoshida and global community producer Toshio Murouchi provided a final preview of the upcoming Dawntrail expansion set to release on July 2nd, 2024 for Windows PC, Steam, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Mac. Early access will begin on June 28th for players who pre-order the game.
Diving right in, the team debut the expansion’s launch trailer, which provides an overview of the next chapter in the main scenario.
Dawntrail Launch Trailer
Moving on, the team went over the places you’ll visit in Dawntrail. Tural, a continent far across the sea to the west of Eorzea, is the setting for the next adventure.
Tuliyollal is the first city you’ll encounter when you arrive in Tural. It’s a culturally and racially diverse city where its denizens coexist despite their differences. At night, the cityscape is illuminated by many lanterns hanging over the streets.
Urqopacha is a mountainous region with high peaks in the distance. The topography of this zone is extreme and some of the textures may have appeared stretched in earlier builds, but the graphics update implementation has improved this. As you travel through this area as part of the main scenario quest, you will be heading towards the mountain. Another region of this area depicts what appears to be a ruin of stone structures.
Kozama’uka is a region with prominent waterfalls. In the distance, they flow from looming peaks, and as it flows through the area, they fall again into a muddy river below. In another screenshot, we see a settlement of round blue buildings surrounded by a variety of colorful foliage.
Yak T’el is a warm and tropical jungle that is dense with foliage. In another region of this area, a thick forest canopy blocks out much of the sun’s light.
Shaaloani is in the northern half of Tural, and is far more arid than previous zones depicted in the expansion. Here we see a town resembling the American old west, replete with wagon wheels, railroad tracks, and a saloon. It’s very dusty here, and clear skies are more rare. What appears to be a windmill is shown, but is it extracting water or something else?
The next area shown is Heritage Found, and appears to be shrouded in ceaseless thunderstorms and tall edifices lined with glowing purple light. In another image, a town with cobblestone roads and steepled buildings appears — it seems the team is particularly coy about details regarding this area.
Lastly, Solution Nine is the second city you’ll visit, and it will be the endgame player hub similar to Radz-at-Han in Endwalker. This city features a futuristic cyberpunk aesthetic, with glowing billboards and sleek vehicles. There’s a large gulf in appearance between this area and previous areas in the game, but the team assures you that it’s still Final Fantasy XIV.
Of course a cast of new and returning characters will arrive in Dawntrail. The team shares a closer look:
Wuk Lamat
With the help of her childhood friend Errenville, this beloved member of Tuliyollal’s ruling family has recruited the Warrior of Light to aid her in the rite of succession.
Wuk Lamat must win the throne if she wishes to preserve a peaceful nation for her people, and so has joined the contest against rival claimants of formidable ability.
Erenville
A member of the gleaners’ guildship in Sharlayan, Erenville hails from the continent of Tural, and has taken on the role of guide for the Warrior of Light during the rite of succession.
Though he appears to harbor reservations after learning the contest involves the fabled city of gold, the source of his misgivings is unclear.
Krile
Belonging to both the Scions of the Seventh Dawn and the Students of Baldesion, this steadfast Lalafell possesses the Echo, allowing her to sense the intent of others.
Eager to put her newfound pictomancy skills to the test, Krile sails westward in pursuit of answers, hoping to uncover the truth of her grandfather Galuf’s dealings in Tural.
Thancred
Thancred is an Archon in the Scions of the Seventh Dawn who specializes in survival and subterfuge, and a mysterious petition now beckons him to Tural to leverage these very skills.
His compatriots have pledged their aid to Wuk Lamat, but will he join them, or perhaps walk an altogether different path?
Urianger
An Elezen student of prophecy known for his cryptic utterances, Urianger is considered one of the Scions’ most erudite Archons.
Although he joined Thancred on a journey to the distant continent of Tural, his reasons for doing so are as enigmatic as the man himself.
The Dawnservant
Gulool Ja Ja
Gulool Ja Ja is both founder and current ruler of the nation of Tuliyollal.
A two-headed Mamool Ja possessed of impressive strength and shrewd sagacity, the Dawnservant is also known by the twin titles of the Vow of Resolve and the Vow of Reason. He appears to have a past connection with Krile’s grandfather Galuf.
Zoraal Ja
The First Promise of Tuliyollal, Zoraal Ja serves as the commander of the Landsguard, the redoubtable warriors who preserve the nation’s peace.
His martial prowess is rumored to rival even that of the Dawnservant, with many regarding him as the foremost candidate in the rite of succession.
Koana
Respected for his brilliant mind and practical attitude, this adoptive son of Tuliyollal’s ruling family hopes to usher his home into a new age of prosperity.
It remains to be seen if technology and innovation will prove sufficient allies to overcome his fellow claimants in the rite of succession.
Bakool Ja Ja
Lacking direct ties to the Dawnservant, this vainglorious two-headed claimant earned his place in the rite of succession by triumphing in a martial tournament.
He is loudly contemptuous of other peoples—his derision of “inferior” one-heads extending even to his fellow Mamool Ja.
The Enigmatic Maiden
In the course of their journey, the Warrior of Light will encounter this maiden shrouded in mystery.
What secrets lie behind that tinge of melancholy in her gentle gaze?
New role quests will be added for each combat role at Level 92: tank, healer, melee DPS, ranged physical DPS, and magical ranged DPS. Completing all five questlines will unlock the final quest when it is implemented in patch 7.1 or later. Viper and Pictomancer will also get their own job questlines.
Gatherers and crafters will also have new questlines via Wachumeqimeqi Deliveries. They’re split into five different stories revolving around the different tribes unifying under Tuliyollal and a common currency: pelu.
New Gear Set
New dungeons will be added in Dawntrail. One of them was featured in the recent media tour: Ihuykatumu. Other dungeons can be seen with varying appearances, especially the last dungeon pictured. The team worked hard on the aesthetics to convey a rich history behind each location.
The dungeons in the main scenario quest shouldn’t deviate too far from the difficulty you’ve come to expect from them, and you can survive them if you have a vulnerability stack and step in an AoE or two.
New trials will be added, including a trial versus Valigarmanda. The team shared a sneak peek. In the video footage you can see a square platform that has no fence. During the battle, a warning message is highlighted in red for key encounter mechanics. This will be a feature that you will see going forward, and the team will apply it retroactively to previous duties but it will take time to implement them all.
A new eight-player raid The Arcadion will arrive in Dawntrail with the release of Patch 7.01. Taking place in what appears to be Solution Nine, this series appears to have a theme of a tournament. In the footage below, the player character is matched with the “Black Cat”, a character who is voiced alongside an announcer during the fight.
The Savage difficulty version of the raid will be implemented in Patch 7.05.
A new treasure map dungeon: Cenote Ja Ja Gural will be added in Patch 7.05 shortly following the expansion’s launch. This dungeon was formed by groundwater eroding limestone creating a natural pit.
In Dawntrail, gatherers will have new actions and traits with the new level cap of 100. New gathering points, regional folklore, and a new Orange Gatherers’ Scrip currency will be added. Additionally, Integrity will be displayed on the gathering interface above the items you are able to extract.
The Fish Guide will now display the type of hook required for a catch when you select the entry from the log.
For crafters, they will also gain new actions and traits with the increased level cap of 100. New recipes, master recipes (patch 7.05), and new Orange Crafters’ Scrip currency will be added.
New Allagan tomestones will be added in Dawntrail to use as currency to trade for high item level gear. Allagan Tomestones of Aesthetics will be available to collect right away while Allagan Tomestones of Heliometry will be available to start collecting in Patch 7.05.
The maximum amount of bicolor gemstones that can be held will increase from 1,000 to 1,500 in Dawntrail.
Gear – Allagan Tomestones of Heliometry
Another gear set was shown – where to obtain it is still a secret:
New Gear Set
For system and UI updates, there will be an option to hide nearby players when close to an NPC or object with a quest icon. This will be useful for expansion and patch days should players wish to declutter the space around a NPC to more easily see and interact with them. There will be an option to toggle whether or not this applies to party members or not.
The duty list will now allow you to select emotes and recipes associated with a given quest.
The team also showed off how two dye channels will work in Dawntrail. Each channel has a page in the interface, and you can select and match colors how you choose. You can swap the colors in each channel and it will also save the dyes you used so that you don’t have to re-select each dye channel for a set of gear you want to match. Specific dyes can also be favorited too. The team says gear added to the game from 7.0 onward will be compatible with two dye channels and that older gear will gradually be updated to support this expanded feature — they estimate their work will complete in patch 7.4.
Face accessories are a new slot in the character menu below the feet slot. Fashion accessories that were placed on the face are now moved to this slot. By selecting a face accessory, you will also be able to select the default coloration and 11 variants.
Of course, many new mounts, and minions and fashion accessories will be added:
In Patch 7.0, when you consume a phial of Fantasia, you will have up to 60 minutes of in-game play time to adjust character’s appearance before it finalizes. The team says that if you log out or disconnect the timer stops.
The companion app will be updated where additional customization options to the main menu and wallpaper settings will be added. Hunting, mining, botany, and fishing retainer ventures will be able to be assigned, but require the in-app currencies kupo nuts or mog coins – one of which is a paid currency.
A new housing exterior has been added (pictured below.) Housing will see updates to the amount of items you can place and have the options to bulk change items will be coming in the patch 7.x series.
Regarding announcements related to promotional campaigns and merchandise:
- Final Fantasy × Uniqlo collaboration returns this Summer. Collaboration T-shirts will be available in all Uniqlo stores and their online store. The launch date is June 17, 2024. While only Japan and North America are listed, Europe will be included but each respective region will release their information separately. FFXVI shirts will also be available.
- Final Fantasy XIV × Gong cha collaboration will run from July 17 to August 28, 2024 in North America, Europe, and Oceania. Purchase any three drinks in one transaction to receive the Porxie King mount.
- (Japan Only) Samsung × Final Fantasy XIV collaboration features an internal solid state drive with collaborative storage box.
- Dollfie Dream Alphinaud and Alisaie dolls will be available for pre-order on August 12, 2024.
- Final Fantasy XIV × SecretLab collaboration gaming chair and pillows are now available for pre-order.
- The Final Fantasy XIV TTRPG Starter Set is now available. North America and Europe are now accepting pre-orders for the second wave.
- The Free Login Campaign continues through June 20, 2024. Log in and play for 96 hours even if you’ve unsubscribed.
- The Endwalker expansion and Complete Edition for Xbox Series X|S are currently 60% off through June 17, 2024.
- A pop-up store in Paris, France will run from June 21-23, 2024.
- Director/producer Naoki Yoshida will be attending Japan Expo Paris 2024 for two stage shows and signing sessions.
- Final Fantasy XIV will be at gamescom 2024 in Cologne, Germany from August 21-25, 2024.
- Final Fantasy XIV will be at PAX AUS in Melbourne, Australia from October 11-13, 2024.
- The Patch 7.0 Patch Notes Reading broadcast will are on June 27, 2024 at 3:00am Pacific. Yoshino Nanjo (JP voice of Krile) will be the special guest.
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