During a Q&A panel at PAX East, Final Fantasy XIV director and producer Naoki Yoshida answered some questions from fans, as well as gave a small preview to upcoming content for the MMO.
First off, he revealed that a smartphone app is currently in development that would allow players to chat in their Linkshells and Free Company chat even while not logged into the game. Yoshida explained that they are aiming to have the app completed sometime before the game’s next expansion.
When asked if there would be any more special crossover FATEs featuring other Final Fantasy titles and characters, such as the ones implemented for Lightning Returns, Yoshida confirmed that there would be something like that headed to the game in the future.
A bit further into the panel, Yoshida revealed a preview of new content coming soon to the game in the form of “the deep dungeon,” titled “The Palace of the Dead.” Having been recently found in the Black Shroud, additional details describe the Palace of the Dead as a “bottomless dungeon populated by an army of undead souls.”
Players will be able to challenge this “endless dungeon” solo or in a party of up to four adventurers. The dungeon will feature an independent progression system, meaning players will enter the dungeon and start at level 1, and progress from there. In addition, progress made in the dungeon will auto-save on certain floors, allowing players to restart at those save points in the event that they get KO’d along the way.
The Palace of the Dead deep dungeon is scheduled to release with patch 3.35. In addition to the deep dungeon, Yoshida also made mention of a “treasure hunt” type of dungeon that will also be added to Final Fantasy XIV in patch 3.3.
More details on patch 3.3 are expected to come out of the Letter from the Producer LIVE which will be held this Friday, April 29th, at 12:00 AM (PDT).
Final Fantasy XIV is available for the PC, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation 4.