new Final Fantasy 14 The Deep Dungeon Pilgrim’s Traverse is set to be a groundbreaking moment in a long-term MMORPG. Game Director Yoshida Naoki introduced the feature that will arrive in FF14 patch 7.35. The majority of this is finding ways to make more content appealing to a wider range of players. At Gamescom, I sat down with “Yoshi-P” to discuss the upcoming variant dungeon, Ultimate Raid, and finally saw the work of Beastmaster Limited.
Though I wasn’t able to join Gamescom this year, Jamie put my most pressing Final Fantasy 14 questions on the show on Yoshida. Yoshida quickly realizes that the team is currently not planning to implement difficulty for any kind of variables in previous content, but says that it is certainly an important consideration to move forward.
“In Patch 7.4, we’re working on installing the next variant dungeon,” Yoshida tells me (via Square Enix translator). “The changes we are implementing in Pilgrim’s traverse will implement similar changes based on feedback from the new variant dungeon.” If you do not catch the live letter 88, the GIST will start to have a gentle start and ramp up. In top-end battles, there is a top-end battle where you can fine-tune the challenges by providing to gradually increase enemy statistics and mechanical complexity.
Patch 7.5 brings you a second installment of Forked Tower Raid. The first part is mechanically involved and requires a large number of players. This is exciting when you can organize your high-end teams to organize, but for now, most people experience it just by watching the video. I love the desperate battles of Occult Crescent, but I don’t have the free time to slip into the coordinated raiding group and proceed with the battle, so the forked towers are off the table for me.
When the second forked tower raid arrives, Yoshida says a system similar to the Pilgrim traverse “may be possible,” and “is working to provide some difficulties of that content for players to enjoy. With the content we create in Final Fantasy 14, we can make it difficult for us to make it difficult. Challenge.”
“This is the general direction Final Fantasy 14 set to move forward,” confirms Yoshida. “And because of this new direction, the overall (amount of content implemented in the game could go down. But we hope that by doing so, more players will be able to enjoy the content implemented.”
With the next expansion that has not yet been announced, FF14 8.0, Yoshida is not yet ready to offer any hints, but he is pleased that the team is on the right path to achieving the Dawn Trail objective of providing a more unique battle. He says “there are no goals in mind” as to how this will evolve, but “We always want to provide a unique fighting experience, and with the reaction we had, I think we’re making good progress with it.
As for what will come with the rest of the post-Done Trail patch, Yoshida offers a slightly clear schedule with some important confirmations. “The next raid will be implemented in Patch 7.4 and there will probably be a new ultimate in Patch 7.5. I think that will also be a very unique experience. They were already quite anticipated, but one question that has long been on the lips of players is to play Beastmaster, the second limited job.
“In 7.4, we are very interested in development and we are making good progress in this,” says Yoshida. “For Patch 7.5, a new limited job beastmaster will be implemented. Also, a new ultimate raid will be carried out. This makes it extremely difficult for the development team – the combat team working on development will really be missing!” he laughs. “In the case of 8.0, we haven’t announced anything. So if we’re working on it, it’s smooth.”
Also, upon arrival in October, you will have a crossover with Monster Hunter Wild, bringing Guardian Arkbell to the MMO. Yoshida confirms that the idea came about when he drank with Capcom’s Yuya Tokuda and Monster Hunter team Kaname Fujioka at Gamescom last year. However, he points out that Wilds was released, and the FF14 teams had time to play it, and they had to wait until they estimated the development process would take almost five months.
Yoshida looks back at the Battle of Lazaros, which took place at Stormblood. “Final Fantasy 14 is not an action game, so the development of that battle was very difficult.” He says Arkveld has offered some new opportunities. “We put a lot of work and details into this. The development process for this was very complicated.” We’ll check out the details in September, but “Don’t pay attention to the cast bar, but watch the monsters move.”
Finally, Yoshida really highlights his desire to see players in and try the pilgrim traverse on hits of patch 7.35. “I want to get all the feedback from players,” he says. Whether you’re a deep dungeon veteran, a totally newcomer, a hardcore solo lover, or a savage ultimate assailant who might skip normal features, he wants to hear what you think about change.
If you’re thinking about coming back to check what’s new, the latest FF14 free login campaign is the perfect time to do so. If you’re assembled with your crew and taking on Arkveld, get the best gaming headsets for 2025.
Where do you think the new story in 8.0 will take us? Will we go out to Merasidia or go completely elsewhere? Join PCGamesn Community Discord Server and chat with thousands of fellow readers, including FF14.
Additional reports on Gamescom by Jamie Hore.
