Yoshida says Evercold will move some worldbuilding to side quests

The team behind Final Fantasy XIV’s Evercold expansion plans to move some deeper worldbuilding and depictions of daily life into side quests so the main story moves faster, director Naoki Yoshida said at a Tokyo Fan Festival press conference.

Responding to a question from Simulation Daily, Yoshida said the team spent a great deal of time introducing new lands, cultures and people in the previous expansion, Dawntrail, particularly early in its story. In his account, those explanations slowed the main scenario and conflicted with players’ desire to move forward. He accepted responsibility as director.

For Evercold, he said, the team plans to leave deeper lore and everyday life to side quests, letting players explore those details at their own pace after the main scenario. Yoshida said the team has paid particular attention to the expansion’s narrative flow and pacing.

Evercold is due on February 23, 2027 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series and Switch 2. Our earlier report covers early access and the two new jobs.