Final Fantasy XIV Will Introduce New Gold Saucer Addition in 3.1, Change Up Sidequests

Final Fantasy XIV, what will your future be like?

Before you all start wondering if I'm referring to the MMORPG's success or downfall, I'd like to turn your attention to the details of 3.1 and beyond. During an interview with Nova Crystallis, Naoki Yoshida, producer of the Final Fantasy-based MMO, touched upon Gold Saucer's future, new quest types, and the second expansion of the game.

First, 3.1 and Gold Saucer. According to Yoshi P, new attractions will be sure to please players in 3.1. It will be equal in size to Triple Triad and chocobo racing. But what could it be?

My guess is snowboarding, but that's only because it has been mentioned before and is related to the snowy areas of Western Coerthas and Ishgard.

There were originally plans to include a new mini-game for 3.0, which is related to "Pass Through the Rings." This is a common mini-game where players fly through rings in under a certain amount of time (i.e. one minute) to claim the prize. Unfortunately, this mini-game didn't make it to 3.0 release because the team lacked the resources and the costs to create the game, but it is now being finalized. These races could take place in Ishgard, but then again, they could be restricted to an instanced area.

Furthermore, there will be adjustments to the MGP and rewards purchased via MGP. More than likely, MGP will increase, whereas MGP prices of items will decrease.

In regards to new quest types, they will be introduced into response to the complaints of FATEs and weaker side-quests. For instance, the team would like to omit future tedious quests like the Moogle sidequests.

Yoshi P stated that there are two aspects that need to be address in sidequests: a proper storyline attached to sidequests and more variation of said quests.

For example, there could be quests that involve you jumping off the highest building in the area or sneak into a building unnoticed by carrying an item (Similar to Sylph Beast Tribe quests?). The developers are finally listening, understanding that sidequests need to be a lot more fun and engaging. This will definitely happen before 4.0. Additionally, they want to change the flagging system in the future.

Finally, the team is already set on the focus area of 4.0 (money's on Ala Mihgo), and the first task of 4.0 creation will be drawing the storyboard for the opening scene. Fun fact: the storyboard of 3.0's opening was written a year and a half before 3.0's launch. So assuming this, we can expect the next expansion to be a year and a half away. Maybe sooner, but who knows?

Nova Crystallis will be releasing their full Final Fantasy XIV interview within the next few days.

In the meantime, I would love to express my excitement over the thought of varied, fun sidequests and possible snowboarding! Personally, I want a fun culinarian sidequest where I can judge a culinarian competition.