Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker expansion delayed to December 7, launch trailer

A two-week delay.

Square Enix has delayed massively multiplayer online RPG Final Fantasy XIV expansion Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker from its previously planned November 23 release date to December 7. Early access will begin on December 3.

Additionally, Patch 6.01 is scheduled for release on December 21, while Patch 6.05 is scheduled for January 4, 2022.

Here is a message from Final Fantasy XIV producer and director Naoki Yoshida on the delay:

Reasons for the Schedule Change
The biggest factor behind the release date change was my own selfishness as the game’s director. Ever since I was placed in charge of the original Final Fantasy XIV, I’ve continued the development and operations for Final Fantasy XIV over the past 11 years while always endeavoring to balance my position as the producer overseeing the project and the director in charge of development. It was my intention to work in this same manner as we approached the final stages of Endwalker‘s development.
As I have mentioned previously in interviews and during live streams, Endwalker will be the largest expansion pack in the history of Final Fantasy XIV. It has been a huge undertaking, but we proceeded with development following plans that would allow us to make it in time for the originally scheduled release date, although admittedly everything would be down right to the wire.

However, as we neared the end of development and I played through everything—from quests to battle content and the like—I just couldn’t contain my desire to further improve Endwalker‘s quality, specifically because this expansion pack marks the first major culmination of events in Final Fantasy XIV so far. Even as we look beyond Endwalker, the Final Fantasy XIV story will continue for a long time and we hope to deliver many more enjoyable experiences in the game. However, it was precisely because Endwalker concludes the first major saga that I felt our team needed to push ourselves to the “limits” that I envisioned.
As a result, we remained firmly resolved to adjust down to the smallest nuances and ensure our writing covers even the finest points of the vast and intricate story that has spanned these past 11 years since the original Final Fantasy XIV to ensure that everyone can fully enjoy their adventure in Endwalker. Unfortunately, the consequence of this was that we ended up in a situation where we cut into the time required for final quality assurance checks due to this time spent on additional improvements.
At this rate, there was a bigger risk of us reaching the release date without ensuring “stability” as one form of quality, and for that reason, I have decided to postpone the release at this time. As we also anticipate large amounts of congestion across all game Worlds, I felt that even in this respect it wouldn’t be right for us to release the expansion while lacking adequate “stability.” I am truly sorry.
When I look at my own career, up until now I have never postponed a previously announced release date (although I did once shift a release from Spring to early Summer…) and, when I also considered that many players had already made arrangements such as taking days off work in preparation for the original release date, I was incredibly torn between whether or not we should cut down the expansion pack’s volume or even release content in installments. As such, I humbly ask you all to forgive me for the decision I’ve made.
Final Remarks and Looking Toward the Future
While we have postponed the release date by two weeks, I believe we have been able to successfully depict Endwalker‘s story because we set forth on this long journey developing and operating Final Fantasy XIV together with the players. While we will require a little longer until the expansion pack’s release, please rest assured that we will continue investing every ounce of our strength into development and operations in order to deliver an immersive adventure to our players.
Once more I would like to convey my sincerest apologies for the inconvenience caused to our players and colleagues due to my own shortcomings. I sincerely apologize for this decision.
We will continue to do our utmost to bring you the best experience not only in Endwalker but also through further updates and content that will follow, restoring your trust one step at a time.

And here are the latest details, via Letter from the Producer LIVE Part LXVII:

What’s to Come in Patch 6.0
New city
Old Sharlayan
New areas
Radz-at-Han
Thavnair
Garlemaid
Mare Lamentorum
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New main scenario quests
New role quests
Five questlines: Tank, Healer, Melee DPS, Physical Ranged DPS, and Magical Ranged DPS.
Extra quests for completing all five questlines will be added in 6.1 or later.
There will be no level 90 job quests.
Studium Deliveries
Five questlines for Disciples of the Hand & Land, a la Crystarium Deliveries (Blacksmith / Armorer / Goldsmith / Carpenter / Leatherworker / Weaver / Alchemist / Culinarian / Botanist / Miner / Fisher).
Extra quests will be available upon completion of all five questlines.
New dungeons
New Trials
SECRET
New Raid Dungeon
Pandaemonium: Asphodelos (Patch 6.01)
Pandaemonium: Asphodelos (Savage) (Patch 6.05)
New Treasure Dungeon
The Excitatron 6,000 (Patch 6.05)
Key Characters
Thancred – Thancred is an Archon in the Scions of the Seventh Dawn who specializes in survival and subterfuge. Espionage missions have taken him deep within Garlean territory, where he acquired the techniques of the gunbreaker skills he was forced to master when a twist of fate saw him thrust into the role of protector.
Y’shtola – Well versed in arcane and ancient wisdom, Y’shtola’s pragmatism is matched only by her thirst for knowledge. Her relentless studies have revealed the edges of a greater truth, and only time will tell where this new perspective will lead her.
Urianger – An Elezen student of prophecy known for his cryptic utterances, Urianger is considered one of the Scions’ most erudite Archons. He stands resolute even in the face of world-ending calamity, drawing strength from the memory and example of his mentor, Master Louisoix.
Alphinaud – A member of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, he and his sister were the youngest individuals in history to be accepted into the Studium, Sharlayan’s premier academic institution. Leaving his homeland with grand dreams of delivering the world from destruction, a long road of hard experience and personal growth has brought him full circle as he prepares to return to the land of his birth.
Alisaie – A woman of action whose dynamic approach is in stark contrast to that of her more diplomatic twin brother, Alphinaud. She helped achieve the impossible in devising a cure for the tempered, but the trials ahead will test the limits of even her tenacious spirit.
G’raha Tia – A newly added member of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, G’raha Tia possesses a profound understanding of the Allagan civilization and a stubborn drive to defy fate’s design. As such, he is a stalwart ally in the battle to deliver a brighter tomorrow.
Tataru – Not only does this diligent Lalafell single- handedly carry out the clerical duties of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, she is also responsible for their finances, often dabbling in the various trade professions herself in order to save a few coins. Though unsuited to battle, her administrative support is what allows the other members of the organization to operate at full effectiveness in the field.
Krile – This steadfast member of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn possesses the Echo, her gift manifesting as the ability to sense the intent of others. Krile also belongs to the Students of Baldesion, and is the adopted granddaughter of Galuf, the institution’s late founder. In choosing to safeguard the world from peril, it is his legacy that she seeks to uphold.
Estinien – Once heralded as Ishgard’s foremost dragonslayer, Estinien disappeared from the world’s stage following the denouement of the Dragonsong War. With an even greater threat now brewing on the horizon, the erstwhile Azure Dragoon has returned, lance in hand, to fight at the side of the Scions.
Zenos – Zenos took his own life after falling to the hero of Ala Mhigo’s liberation, but even death proved unable to claim his unquenchable soul. He has since arisen, slaying his father, Emperor Varis, and reducing the capital city of Garlemald to ruin in single-minded pursuit of his heart’s one and only desire.
Lady of the Light – This mysterious figure appeared before the Warrior of Light on the shores of Silvertear Lake, bringing with her a warning of impending darkness. Something in her voice as she delivered her portentous message seemed hauntingly familiar…
Player-versus-Player Update
New small-scale player-versus-player content: Crystal Conflict (Patch 6.01)
Concept
New small-scale (five-versus-five) player-versus-player content.
Short matches with simple rules that can be played casually.
Removal of role-based matchmaking and actions.
Addition of distinctive player-versus-player actions and job-specific Adrenaline Rushes.
(Above changes to actions will apply to all player-versus-player content.)
Overview
Five-versus-five team competition.
Each team formed of five different job, with no role restrictions.
Casual, Ranked, and Custom matches available.
Skill-based matchmaking.
Basic Rules
Two teams with bases on opposite ends of the map compete to claim possession of a crystal in the center.
Once a team has claimed possession of the crystal, it will move towards their opponent’s territory.
The team that gets the crystal into the goal wins.
Season Rewards
Ranking rewards (place)
Ranking rewards (tier)
Players will be rewarded with tiles, achievements, and other accolades.
New reward system (Patch 6.01)
“Series” periods will be added (tentative name).
Players may earn series rewards by participating in any player-versus-player content during each series.
Series Rewards
Players can earn rewards by accumulating series EXP and raising their series level.
Special tokens (indicated by a diamond icon) will be awarded for increasing your series level.
Gear, mounts, and other items (indicated by a star icon) will be awarded for reaching certain series levels.
When a new series begins, your series level will be reset to level 1, and the reward lineup will change.
Special tokens
These tokens can be exchanged for various rewards.
Earned tokens will carry over to the next series.
Previous series’ rewards will eventually be available via token exchange.
“Calling Card” system (tentative name)
This feature allows for customization of profiles, displayed before a match begins.
These will be potentially be used outside of player-versus-player as well, as an addition to the profile that displays in the player search window.
Backgrounds and profile customization options will be added as rewards throughout the game (some as player-versus-player season and series rewards).
The Feast
The Fest will be unavailable as of Patch 6.1
Preseason play will still be available from Patch 6.01 to 6.1
Wolf collars will still be obtainable and tradeable, so there is no need to discard them.
HQ Items No Longer Obtainable
Disciples of the Land quests that currently require HQ items will be updated to accept both HQ and NQ items.
HQ item delivery bonuses for Disciples of the Land will be removed, and base rewards improved.
Actions that affected HQ yields when gathering will be adjusted.
The requirements for achievements that involve gathering HQ items will be updated so they can still be completed.
Crafting
New actions will be added and existing actions will be adjusted.
Recipe progress and quality values will be adjusted in accordance with value downscaling across the board.
Along with the above, further adjustments will be made so that the difficulty of carting HQ items will not increase significantly in Patch 6.0
Mining and Botany
New actions will be added and existing actions will be adjusted.
The name of “Perception” will be adjusted in some languages (English unaffected).
Greater perception heightens the chances of triggering Gatherer’s Boon, which increases yield by one.
Actions that increase the probability of obtaining HQ items will be replaced with actions that increase the probability of Gatherer’s Boon.
Fishing
New actions will be added and existing actions will be adjusted.
“Large-sized” fish will now appear in place of HQ fish, and action descriptions will be adjusted to reflect this.
Perception will affect fish collectability.
Spearfishing adjustments.
Upon locating teeming waters, players will now directly utilize their harpoon to catch fish for greater immersion.
Enjoy special mini-game actions, bonuses for successive catches, and more!
Leve Reward Adjustments
The amount of gil rewarded per levequest will be adjusted in light of gil inflation.
The EXP and gil rewarded by tradecraft and fishing leves requiring a large number of items are currently too high, and will be reduced.
The EXP and gil rewarded by certain other leves will be increased.
EXP values may appear reduced in some cases, as EXP downscaling will be implemented concurrently.
System Adjustments
Required and earned EXP downscaling.
All classes and jobs, retainers, and Trust NPCs will be affected.
The time, number of duty clears, etc. required to level up will remain unchanged.
Mid-level EXP reset.
The database must be overwritten to implement the downscaling of values. As a result, any EXP accumulated between levels prior to Patch 6.0’s release will be reset to 0.
All classes and jobs, retainers, and Trust NPCs will be affected.
New Allagan tomestones.
Allagan Tomestones of Aphorism
Allagan Tomestones of Astronomy
Allagan Tomestones of Astronomy will be added four weeks after Patch 6.0’s release.
The number of tomestones needed for weapon exchange will be reduced from 1,000 to 500.
New Scrips.
Purple Crafter’s Scrip
Purple Gatherers’ Scrip
Achievement user interface update.
“Near Completion” and “Recommended” tabs will be added.
Group pose can now be activated while playing an instrument.
The company action “Back on Your Feet” will be replaced with an action that extends sprint duration within cities.
Items containing a random minion or mount will be added to the Grand Company Seal Exchange.
Support for Embody’s “Immerse Spatial Audio” will be added (Windows only).
Immerse Spatial Audio is an original sound add-on produced by Embody that brings 360-degree personalized spatial audio to the world of Final Fantasy XIV.
Immerse Gamepack Final Fantasy XIV Edition
The Final Fantasy XIV sound team and Embody have collaborated to create this exclusive add-on, tuned to offer the perfect spatial audio experience for Final Fantasy XIV. To enable Immerse Spatial Audio, players must first purchase a license from the Embody website and install the gamepack. The add-on can then be enabled from the in-game System Configuration settings.
With Endwalker Early Access
14 days free trial begins.
Pre-purchase begins (with two major benefits):
Save 20 percent on all orders
Early Experience before official release
With Patch 6.05
Official Release
Price: $19.99 / £18.00 / €20.40 (FR) / €20.23 (DE) / 2,420 yen
Housing Update
A new residential district, Empyreum, will be added.
The new area will be based on the Firmament.
24 wards + 24 subdivisions are planned.
Players may tour Empyreum in Patch 6.0; land will be available for purchase from Patch 6.1.
Toward a New Land Purchase System.
Relocation to land that is not yet ready for purchase will no longer be available as of 6.0.
Land devaluation will be removed (Patch 6.1).
It will no longer be possible to grant brand-new FC members authorization to purchase land or the rank of FC Master (Patch 6.1).
A lottery system will be implemented (Patch 6.1).
Land Purchase Lottery System
To enter the lottery for a private plot:
Character must have at least one class or job at level 50 or above.
Character must hold the Grand Company rank of second lieutenant or above.
Another character on the same service account must not own a plot on the same World (though you may enter the lottery fo rthe purpose of relocating to a new plot).
In order to purchase a plot in Empyreum or Shirogane, players must first complete the main scenario quests “Litany of Peace” and “Not Without Incident,” respectively.
To enter the lottery for a free company plot:
Character must be a member of a free company, with authorization to purchase and relinquish land.
Free company must have at least four members, and be rank 6 or above.
Another character on the same service account must not own, as buyer, an FC plot on the same World (though you may enter the lottery for the purpose of relocating to a new plot).
In order to purchase a plot in Empyreum or Shirogane, players must first complete the main scenario quests “Litany of Peace” and “Not Without Incident,” respectively.
Lottery schedule will be shared across all Worlds and housing areas.
Lottery Period (several days) – Players can view a plot’s placard and enter the lottery, receiving an entry number.
Each player may only enter the lottery for one plot of land during each lottery period.
Lottery entry will take place at each empty plot’s placard, where players can view the number of entrants.
Players must pay the full price of the plot upon entry—unsuccessful players will be refunded in full.
Players cannot withdraw after entering a lottery.
Land Acquisition Period (several days) – Winning numbers are decided, and winners must claim possession of the land.
The winning entrant can be confirmed via the plot’s placard.
Winners must claim possession of their land within this period, or it will be forfeit. (Only 50 percent of the purchase price of forfeit land will be refunded.)
Players who did not win the lottery can receive a full refund within a limited time frame.
Next Lottery
Oceanian Data Center
Currently planned to open in February 2022.
Data Center will be called “Materia.”
Worlds in the Materia DC will be treated as New Worlds, with free World transfers and more bonuses available.