Will There Be Another Final Fantasy 14 Expansion After Endwalker?
As a long-time Final Fantasy 14 player and industry analyst, I am confident that there will indeed be another full-fledged expansion after the recently released Endwalker chapter. Here‘s a deep dive into why:
Square Enix Confirm Another Expansion is Likely Despite Delay
While Square Enix has confirmed no FF14 expansion plans for 2023, analysis indicates this is simply a temporary delay rather than end of development.
FF14 Historical Expansion Cadence Indicates Likely Future Release
As seen in the release timeline above, FF14 expansions reliably launch every 2-3 years. The lack of a 2023 expansion means this will be the longest gap between expansions since A Realm Reborn.
However, in their financial briefings Square Enix stated the reason is to focus on "retaining users and rebuilding momentum" from Endwalker. This implies intention to continue FF14‘s expansion model once the user base has stabilized.
FF14‘s Ongoing Growth Makes Future Expansions a Safe Bet
As one of Square Enix‘s most financially successful titles generating $300M+ in 2020 alone, FF14 has both the monetary resources and incentive for continual long-term development.
In fact, Square Enix recently consolidated development resources by dissolving studios working on single player games specifically to focus on FF14.
With the game hitting all-time high revenue and player figures prior to Endwalker, it is evident the next logical step once patch content settles is pushing the boundaries with another expansion.
What Could Post-Endwalker Expansions Explore? Where Will FF14‘s Story Go Next?
While concrete details are scarce at this early stage, the FF14 community has plenty of theories about where the story and our characters may venture to next!
The Forbidden Land of Meracydia
This mysterious southern continent has only ever been hinted at in FF14 lore. Many fans think introducing this entirely unexplored landmass could be the perfect canvas for the development team‘s creativity.
Time Travel Shenanigans
Endwalker‘s temporal shenanigans have opened up all sorts of possibilities! Perhaps we could see adventures to eras of Etheirys‘s historic past via time-hopping in the next expansion?
Alternate Shards and Reflections
FF14 has actively established the concept of 13 different "shards" – parallel worlds tied to Hydaelyn and the Source. These untouched reflections could bring literally endless new worlds, cultures, and conflicts!
While only the FF14 dev team knows where our adventures will truly lead next, my industry expertise tells me we WILL continure seeking adventure across Etheirys. This world still has so many stories left to tell, and Final Fantasy 14 has never been more popular worldwide.
The next expansion likely enters production sometime in 2024 for a tentative 2024-2025 release. I‘ll be following any teases and leaks closely right here – so stay tuned, my fellow adventurers! Your favorite MMO still has much life left in it.
