Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, the reboot MMORPG that’s keeping Square Enix in the black, is having a dizzying array of events to celebrate its one-year anniversary.
The anniversary events aren’t just focused on August 27, the exact date of A Realm Reborn’s release, either. A developer livestream, multiple in-game events, and online contests are set to entertain players through the months of August and September.
The highlights are a 14-hour anniversary broadcast from Square Enix headquarters, where developers will talk to special guests, give tips and tricks, and answer player questions, and the Moonfire Faire, the return of last year’s late-summer in-game festival. This time around, diligent players can earn yukatas and a new Bomb Dance emote.
Other in-game events, like ‘The Rising’, are yet to be detailed, while some crossover events like Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII will be familiar to veteran players. Dragon Quest X’s Rampaging Golems, Final Fantasy XI’s Shantotto, and Lightning herself will appear in Eorzea to give players a shot at exclusive items.
Online activities include a Moonfire Faire screenshot contest, the One Year Anniversary Movie Contest, a casting call to see a character of your creation appear in-game, a countdown of illustrations to the anniversary itself, a weekly exploration of lore with ‘Tales from the Calamity,’ and daily messages from the developers starting August 27.
It’s a lot to take in, even for hardcore Final Fantasy XIV players, but the message is clear: Square Enix is doing a heck of a lot to retain and engage the playerbase that flocked back to its once-troubled MMO in droves. By my money, this is one of PS4’s best experiences and a truly stellar RPG.