Final Fantasy 14 Mobile Takes Off with a Surprising Origin Story

Final Fantasy 14 is gearing up for a return to its roots with a new mobile adaptation, though it’s not quite the start some fans might expect.

Earlier this week, after months of swirling rumors, Square Enix confirmed that a mobile version of Final Fantasy 14 is in development by Lightspeed Studios, the Tencent-owned creators famously behind PUBG Mobile. The announcement came with a sprinkle of details, such as the initial job listings and news that the game will launch in China before hitting the global stage. However, the burning question on everyone’s mind was where it would pick up in the expansive saga of Final Fantasy 14. With five expansions under its belt, starting from the endpoint isn’t an option for newcomers, but thankfully, producer Naoki “Yoshi-P” Yoshida set things straight in a newly released Q&A video.

For those eager to dive into this mobile venture, you’ll start your journey with A Realm Reborn. Yoshi-P mentioned, “Players familiar with Final Fantasy 14 can revisit the story on mobile, while newcomers can dive into a complete narrative adventure.” He went on to highlight that “a substantial amount of content has been crafted,” and Lightspeed Studios plans to steadily roll out this content, adjusting the pace based on how players react. They might even speed things up if the community seems eager for more.

It’s worth noting, however, that A Realm Reborn isn’t truly where it all began. There’s the elusive 1.0 release, infamous for being unplayable now yet integral to the broader storyline. Some fans have been longing for a World of Warcraft Classic-like experience to revisit version 1.0. Although this mobile rendition won’t satisfy that desire, those nostalgic for it can rely on old YouTube footage as a glimpse into the past.

If you’re intrigued about the mobile version, the full Q&A video is definitely worth checking out. It delves into the specifics of its monetization strategy, which, despite being a free-to-play model, doesn’t initially sound too cumbersome—but only time will reveal its true nature.