This is Producer & Director Naoki Yoshida.

How has everyone been enjoying this special time of year? I imagine many of you are relaxing and playing games, or spending time with friends and family at lively holiday gatherings.

As for the FFXIV team here in Japan, well…we’ve been flat out getting things ready for Fan Festival 2024 in Tokyo. Fast asleep or wide awake, the words “fan festival” and “7.0” have taken up constant residence in our thoughts. (laughs)

Having returned to its world-wide tour format this year, Fan Festival has been bigger and better than ever─it was a huge success in Europe and the U.S., and we’ll be making preparations right up until the last moment to ensure that everyone enjoys the conclusion to the tour in Tokyo. Whether you attend in person or watch events via streaming, we hope to put on an exciting show no matter where you’ll be viewing from. And even though the venue is the magnificent Tokyo Dome, you can expect the same sort of FFXIV shenanigans we always deliver! (laughs)

With the 10th anniversary of FFXIV’s rebirth behind us, we are taking the first determined step towards our next ten years of service. We’ve been accompanied on this epic journey by Warriors of Light from across the globe, and we intend to maintain that partnership by placing an even greater value on communication as we expand the world of FFXIV. This next step is a big one, full of brand new challenges, and I am personally excited to see everyone experience what we have in store this coming year!

…And what do have we here? Even as I look to escape the pressures of the Fan Festival keynote speech, it seems someone has delivered a most curious note to my office…

The saga of Hydaelyn and Zodiark has reached its conclusion, and the stage is now set for new tales of adventure. As the explorer writes, the journey ahead lies to the west, and only time will tell what the coming months and years will bring!

As stated above, challenges abound as we work towards the release of FINAL FANTASY XIV: Dawntrail. Our current tasks─not the least of which is a major update to overhaul ten years’ worth of graphic development─involve making steady improvements to our development and operational processes with an eye towards long-term service. Some of these changes will be felt immediately, while others may only become noticeable after several years. With “haste makes waste” as our mantra, however, we intend to tackle the obstacles before us with a deliberate thoroughness.

FINAL FANTASY XIV is a journey we promise to make alongside all our Warriors of Light. Everything we do is for everyone to enjoy. All of us together.

Again, I wish you a happy New Year, and thank you for your continued support!