Final Fantasy XIV Director Once Considered an Offline Version
Yoshi-P reveals he has heard fans say MMORPG “doesn’t feel like Final Fantasy”
This week has been an exciting time for Final Fantasy XIV Online fans. During this year’s Fan Fest, the game revealed new story content titled Evercold, along with expansion plans to a new platform, Nintendo Switch 2, which is scheduled to launch in August.
However, amid all the excitement, there are still voices from some players that Naoki Yoshida (Yoshi-P), the game’s director and producer, has been listening to closely.
Offline Version Was Considered
According to a report from Mirror, Yoshida stated that while Final Fantasy XIV Online remains a fully online game, he understands that some players would prefer an offline experience. There are also fans who feel that the MMORPG format has made the game lose its identity as a “Final Fantasy” title.
Yoshida admitted that he personally would like to create a premium single-player version, but the current development team is fully focused on the online game and specializes in that format.
Challenges of Making an Offline Version
For such a project to become reality, Yoshida explained that it would likely require the same core development team, as they possess deep knowledge of both the game’s systems and its narrative. However, this presents a major challenge, since the team is currently dedicated to making Final Fantasy XIV Online as strong as possible.
He jokingly added that if any other developers are interested in helping out, they are welcome to reach out. Still, he emphasized that this kind of project would require a great deal of passion and careful consideration, and whether it is worth pursuing would depend on long-term player feedback.
Comparison to Dragon Quest X Offline
Previously, Square Enix successfully adapted another online title into an offline experience with Dragon Quest X Offline. That version underwent major changes, including:
- A shift to traditional single-player gameplay
- A redesigned SD-style visual scale
These adjustments were necessary because keeping the original realistic scale would have made the world feel too empty in an offline setting.
If Final Fantasy XIV Online were ever to receive an offline version, it raises an interesting question:
Would it need similar changes, or could it rely on systems like CPU-controlled party members already present in the main game?
About Final Fantasy XIV Online
Final Fantasy XIV Online is an MMORPG that allows players to explore the world of Eorzea and adventure alongside others from around the globe. Players can:
- Participate in various activities and mini-games
- Explore a vast world with diverse biomes
- Choose from 8 different races, each with unique traits
The game is currently available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with full cross-platform support and seamless save transfer between platforms.
Origin: Mirror
