'I want to incorporate more changes, I don't want to take a conservative approach': Final Fantasy 14 game director Yoshi-P expresses a desire to shake things up in the future

GamesRPGFinal FantasyFinal Fantasy 14’I want to incorporate more changes, I don’t want to take a conservative approach': Final Fantasy 14 game director Yoshi-P expresses a desire to shake things up in the futureWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Erenville, a side character in Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail, stands proudly on a ship with the sea breeze in his hair.

Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail has arrived to a bit of a mixed reception, thanks to a middling story that has afew glaring flawsand—despite some excellent improvements when it comes tobosses and dungeons—a few persistent issues that, from what I’ve seen from more critical elements of the community, are frustrating because of how long they’ve been going on.

There’s a perception I’ve picked up on that, if we’re taking the long-view, FF14 is mechanically stuck in a rut—while direct competitors like World of Warcraft are heaping on new experimental mechanics like the Warbands system and doing harebrained modes like MoP Remix, not much has changed on Etheirys.

Questing has remained largely the same for years: Go here, click on two objects, fight an enemy that takes half of your opener before it explodes—and while Dawntrail did have a few good solo duties, they were few and far enough between to make things drag. Patch cadence and content has remained largely the same. Open-world FATEs, aside from getting an optional grind in the Shared Fate system, mostly involve melting the same unthreatening monsters down with area of effect spells.

FF14, simply put, innovates pretty slowly. That’s not to say we haven’t had new ideas come into the ecosystem, but they also had their own share of issues—Island Sanctuaries were cute at first, but wound up becoming a largely passive spreadsheet simulator. Variant Dungeons, meanwhile, were a ton of fun to play the first go around, but they suffered due to poor reward structures.

I sat down and spoke with the game’s director, Naoki Yoshida (Yoshi-P) during Gamescom, and while we talked about thestory’s overall reception, and what to do with theScions of the Seventh Dawn, something he said towards the tail-end of our interview also surprised me: It looks like Yoshi-P really does want to shake things up.

“Yes, when it came to the previous Hydaelin and Zodiark saga, this was something that started before I took charge of project on Final Fantasy 14, and the saga did finish in Endwalker, but it’s with the new expansion that we’ve reached the level cap of 100 and so in that regard, I view 7.0 as a culmination … we’ve been able to carry out various preparations, and now have a stable state of things in the game.”

He’s not wrong here—Endwalker, for all mycomplaints, did genuinely do a lot to incrementally improve the new player experience, with tune-ups to dungeons and duties in the game’s introductory content, A Realm Reborn. Dawntrail has gone on to add a major graphics overhaul, which I don’t doubt was a lot of hard work.

The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals

“So moving forward with the next expansion, I want to incorporate more changes. I don’t want to take a conservative approach, but rather, I want to provide an experience that contemporary gamers can enjoy. To that end, I would like to incorporate various changes. I will also protect things that need to be protected. But we would very much like to try out new things, and we are discussing various possibilities right now in the team, so I’m really excited about that.”

Some important context: This was at the end of our interview, so while I’m sure Yoshi-P was keeping things vague to avoid making any sweeping promises, we were also running short on time for details and follow-up questions.

His words here do, at the very least, track with what he’s said before about reworking the game’s jobs andleaning away from homogeneityand two-minute meta after Dawntrail. Whether his team will be given the actual resources for that is another matter. As wasoutright stated in an earnings report, MMOs made up around 68% of Square Enix’s operating profits, and this is a company that has released alotof other mainstream games. FF14 makes money, but whether that money is going back into it to make it better is unclear.

But just because these are promises further down the line, that doesn’t mean Yoshi-P isn’t excited for what’s coming next: “So of course, in the next expansion, we are planning various changes to the mechanics, but even for the current expansion, from patch 7.1 we have a lot of new content planned.” He brings up the upcoming limited job, Beastmaster, and adds: “I cannot provide any details at this point in time, but it’s shaping up to be very good indeed, so there’s a lot that players can look forward to.”

More about final fantasyFinal Fantasy 14 communities panic as it turns out change to blacklisting, meant to help reduce stalking, also lets players use mods to track their altsFinal Fantasy 14 data sleuth gathers more info on the game’s script, finds Alphinaud is the king of yappers—though Wuk Lamat’s in the top 3 after just 1 expansionLatestIf you’re trying to convince me your ‘companionship’ robot is ‘lifelike’, maybe don’t rip her face off in the demo videoSee more latest►

More about final fantasy

Final Fantasy 14 communities panic as it turns out change to blacklisting, meant to help reduce stalking, also lets players use mods to track their altsFinal Fantasy 14 data sleuth gathers more info on the game’s script, finds Alphinaud is the king of yappers—though Wuk Lamat’s in the top 3 after just 1 expansion

Alisaie, a side character in Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail, folds her arms with a confident smirk on her face.

Final Fantasy 14 communities panic as it turns out change to blacklisting, meant to help reduce stalking, also lets players use mods to track their alts

An image of Alphinaud and Alisaie sitting together at a table. Alphinaud, a studious young elezen, takes a sip of his tea while Alisaie sulks into her chair.

Final Fantasy 14 data sleuth gathers more info on the game’s script, finds Alphinaud is the king of yappers—though Wuk Lamat’s in the top 3 after just 1 expansion

LatestIf you’re trying to convince me your ‘companionship’ robot is ‘lifelike’, maybe don’t rip her face off in the demo videoSee more latest►

Latest

If you’re trying to convince me your ‘companionship’ robot is ‘lifelike’, maybe don’t rip her face off in the demo video

A robot having its face pulled off

If you’re trying to convince me your ‘companionship’ robot is ‘lifelike’, maybe don’t rip her face off in the demo video

See more latest►

Most PopularIs the new RTX 5070 really as fast as Nvidia’s previous flagship RTX 4090 GPU? Turns out the answer is yes. Kinda.Elden Ring: Nightreign is getting a closed network test, and I’m totally not fuming because PC players aren’t invited to the party, or anythingIf you’re a content creator and gamer looking for a CPU upgrade, this Ryzen 9 9900X deal will get you $90 offAMD is now reportedly making all-American Ryzen 9000 CPU dies at TSMC’s Arizona fabI tried a sim racing rig that generates ‘wind’ at CES 2025 and it’s claimed to help keep VR nausea at bayFinal Fantasy 14 communities panic as it turns out change to blacklisting, meant to help reduce stalking, also lets players use mods to track their altsTikTok’s time in the US may be ticking to a close as it makes a last stand in the Supreme Court, though Trump now says he ‘opposes banning’ itMSI intros cheaper ‘back connect’ Project Zero Intel motherboards for super-clean PC builds you might actually be able to affordThermaltake’s new 2000 W PSU is too powerful to be sold in the USA and comes with four PCIe 5.0 GPU power connectorsAMD accuses Intel’s Arrow Lake of being a ‘horrible’ product and implies a lack of options for consumers has caused the Ryzen 7 9800X3D shortageThis Jinx-inspired gaming PC is my favorite of CES 2025 and I’m head over heels for the hardware

Most Popular

Is the new RTX 5070 really as fast as Nvidia’s previous flagship RTX 4090 GPU? Turns out the answer is yes. Kinda.

Elden Ring: Nightreign is getting a closed network test, and I’m totally not fuming because PC players aren’t invited to the party, or anything

If you’re a content creator and gamer looking for a CPU upgrade, this Ryzen 9 9900X deal will get you $90 off

AMD is now reportedly making all-American Ryzen 9000 CPU dies at TSMC’s Arizona fab

I tried a sim racing rig that generates ‘wind’ at CES 2025 and it’s claimed to help keep VR nausea at bay

Final Fantasy 14 communities panic as it turns out change to blacklisting, meant to help reduce stalking, also lets players use mods to track their alts

TikTok’s time in the US may be ticking to a close as it makes a last stand in the Supreme Court, though Trump now says he ‘opposes banning’ it

MSI intros cheaper ‘back connect’ Project Zero Intel motherboards for super-clean PC builds you might actually be able to afford

Thermaltake’s new 2000 W PSU is too powerful to be sold in the USA and comes with four PCIe 5.0 GPU power connectors

AMD accuses Intel’s Arrow Lake of being a ‘horrible’ product and implies a lack of options for consumers has caused the Ryzen 7 9800X3D shortage

This Jinx-inspired gaming PC is my favorite of CES 2025 and I’m head over heels for the hardware

HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review4Ikea Utespelare desk review5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review

HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS

1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads

A bunch of the best Steam Deck accessories on a blue background.

1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads

Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads

2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop

Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop

3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most

Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most

4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands

Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands

5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested

Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested

1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits

Thank Goodness You’re Here review

1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits

Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits

2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback

Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback

3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review

WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review

4Ikea Utespelare desk review

Ikea Utespelare desk review

5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review

Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review

The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals#

The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals