Episode 205 – See You at the Crossroads

This week, Seyrr and Klauss talk about the news from FFXIV Live Letter 83 from Tokyo Game Show, Yoshida’s thoughts on an FFIX Remake, possible plans for FFXVI to come to Xbox, and an interesting opinion piece asking if SE’s expecations of Final Fantasy games is too high. Enjoy!

Show Notes:
Donate to Phoenix Down Radio’s Extra Life 2024 Campaign: https://www.extra-life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=531318
Yoshi-P thinks a FFIX Remake Will Take More than One Game – by Kat Bailey: https://www.ign.com/articles/yoshi-p-thinks-a-final-fantasy-9-remake-would-take-more-than-one-game
FFXIV Pauses Housing Demolition in the wake of Hurricane Helene – by Kat Bailey: https://www.ign.com/articles/final-fantasy-14-pauses-housing-demolition-in-the-wake-of-hurrican-helene
SE Wants to bring Final Fantasy XVI to Xbox, but can’t say when – by Tom West: https://www.trueachievements.com/news/final-fantasy-16-on-xbox
Are SE’s Expectations For Final Fantasy Too High? – by Matthew Morante: https://www.cbr.com/square-enix-final-fantasy-expectations/
FFXIV Live Letter 83 summary – by Tony Garsow: https://novacrystallis.com/2024/09/final-fantasy-xiv-live-letter-83-summary-patch-7-1-detailed-ffxi-collab-chaotic-alliance-raids/

Episode 204 – Dawntrail SpoilerCast Pt 2

This week, Klauss and Seyrr continue their spoiler-filled discussion of FFXIV: Dawntrail. The pair also discuss a number of news stories from the Final Fantasy universe. Enjoy!

Show Notes
SE Admits Final Fantasy XVI and 7 Rebirth profits ‘Did not meet our expectations’ – by Wesley Yin Poole: https://www.ign.com/articles/square-enix-admits-final-fantasy-16-and-7-rebirth-profits-did-not-meet-our-expectations
Future Final Fantasy games may release day & date on PC and consoles – by Iain Harris: https://www.gamesradar.com/games/final-fantasy/final-fantasy-16-confirms-september-pc-release-date-director-says-its-possible-probably-even-likely-future-final-fantasy-games-launch-day-1-on-pc/
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth PlayStation 5 Pro and Standard Footage Compared by Digital Foundry: by Orpheus Joshua: https://noisypixel.net/final-fantasy-vii-rebirth-playstation-5-pro-and-standard-footage-compared/
Steam users give Final Fantasy XVI a ‘Very Positive’ rating after 900+ review, but suggest you don’t play the game without installing a specific mod – by Iain Harris: https://www.gamesradar.com/games/final-fantasy/steam-users-give-final-fantasy-16-a-very-positive-score-after-900-reviews-but-suggest-you-dont-play-the-action-rpg-without-this-mod/
Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts director Tetsuya Nomura considering retirement – by J Brodie Shirey: https://gamerant.com/tetsuya-nomura-may-retire-after-kingdom-hearts-4/

Episode 203 – Dawntrail SpoilerCast Pt 1

In this week’s episode, Klauss and Seyrr discuss the Dawntrail storyline, spoilers and all. The pair also talk about the latest news around the Final Fantasy universe. Enjoy!

Show Notes
Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters getting wide retail release – by Alana Hagues: https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/08/final-fantasy-pixel-remaster-physical-edition-getting-wide-retail-release
Fan recreates FFVII as a platformer – by Sam Fang: https://www.cbr.com/final-fantasy-fan-reimagines-ps1-game/
– Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49CJLp2uyyE
SE Confirms Queens Blood will be expanded in FF7R part 3 – by Khayl Adam: https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2024/08/queens-blood-confirmed-for-final-fantasy-7-rebirth-sequel-ccg-to-be-expanded
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth PS5 Sales Still a Secret as Square Enix Reports Year-on-Year Decline – by Robert Ramsey: https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2024/08/final-fantasy-7-rebirth-ps5-sales-still-a-secret-as-square-enix-reports-year-on-year-decline
Final Fantasy XIV Moonfire Faire runs until August 26th: https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/special/2024/Moonfire_Faire/vk09iygn4m
Final Fantasy XIV at Gamescom 2024: https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/topics/detail/e377f4a9df0f6e5f75fbef675ec3f32eda8ae3a9
Final Fantasy XIV at PAX West 2024: https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/topics/detail/241d23ac7d08e688da8a9df5e59f5d4a49eafd5c
Final Fantasy XIV is a load-bearing MMO helping to keep SE profitable – by Tyler Colp: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/mmo/final-fantasy-14-is-a-load-bearing-mmo-helping-to-keep-square-enix-profitable/
Final Fantasy XIV responds to Dawntrail Graphics Feedback – by James Ratcliff: https://gamerant.com/final-fantasy-14-dawntrail-graphics-feedback-dev-response/
FFXIV Dawntrail soundtrack releasing in October with Zero minion – by Eliot Lefebvre: https://massivelyop.com/2024/08/06/final-fantasy-xiv-is-releasing-the-dawntrail-soundtrack-on-october-30-with-a-wind-up-zero-minion/
Final Fantasy 16 Leak Suggests PC Version May Be Coming Soon – by Marc Deschamps: https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/final-fantasy-16-nvidia-leak-pc-version-coming-soon/

Episode 201 – Fire & Ice

In this week’s episode, Seyrr and Klauss talk about FFXIV Dawntrail Early access, Final Fantasy IX Remake being accidentally leaked again by Epic Games, and a fun opinion piece on the future of Final Fantasy. The pair then discuss disc 4 of the Final Fantasy XVI soundtrack. Enjoy!

Show Notes
Final Fantasy 9 remake accidentally confirmed early by Epic Games – by Angharad Redden: https://www.gamingbible.com/news/final-fantasy-9-remake-epic-games-store-985095-20240612
Square Enix reveals a special 10th Anniversary edition of Final Fantasy XIV (but only for Europe at the moment) – by Paula Vaynshteyn: https://www.destructoid.com/square-enix-reveals-a-special-10th-anniversary-edition-of-final-fantasy-xiv/
Welcome to Dawntrail Early Access!: https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/topics/detail/a4693aceba7eb738ca301893016f0a14c34db2dc
Patch 7.0 Notes: https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/topics/detail/d7db61f938f9cea65e4c5cd261918edb036b3004
Updated Material Usage License Agreement: https://support.na.square-enix.com/rule.php?id=5382&la=1&tag=authc
Yoshi-P Tempts Fate, Says ‘Almost No Chance’ of Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail Server Woes – by Khayl Adam: https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2024/06/yoshi-p-tempts-fate-says-almost-no-chance-of-final-fantasy-14-dawntrail-server-woes
FFXIV Dawntrail’s graphics update really is a game changer- by Harvey Randall: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/final-fantasy/ff14-dawntrail-s-graphics-update-really-is-a-game-changer-breathing-life-colour-and-atmosphere-into-the-11-year-old-mmo/
Final Fantasy 17 Needs to Buck the Series’ Biggest Trend – by Hayes Madsen: https://www.inverse.com/gaming/final-fantasy-17-comedy
Final Fantasy XVI Original Soundtrack – Disc 4: https://finalfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Final_Fantasy_XVI_Original_Soundtrack#Disc_Four_(1:14:03)

Episode 200 – Press On!

In our 200th episode, Klauss and Seyrr discuss the fallout from the Square Enix Investors meeting held in May, including the weaker than expected sales of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Final Fantasy XVI and their 3-year restructuring plan which includes a number of layoffs in the NA and EU sectors. The pair then delve into the 3rd disc from the Final Fantasy XVI Soundtrack. We hope you enjoy!

Show notes:
Square Enix changes name of Creative Business Unit III, Yoshi-P’s job title – by Daniel Bueno: https://www.siliconera.com/creative-business-unit-iii-name-and-naoki-yoshida-job-title-changed/
SE President bemoans weak Final Fantasy sales – by Rich Stanton: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/square-enix-president-bemoans-weak-final-fantasy-sales-and-says-his-restructure-is-existential-our-winning-formula-is-no-longer-effective/
SE announces “Aggressive” shift in multiplatform strategy – by Wesley LeBlanc: https://www.gameinformer.com/news/2024/05/13/square-enix-will-aggressively-pursue-multiplatform-strategy-in-company-reboot
SE confirms layoffs are part of the restructuring plan – by Andy Robinson: https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/square-enix-confirms-us-eu-layoffs-as-part-of-restructuring/
Final Fantasy VII Remake team wants to give players more freedom and new gameplay in series finale – by Ayuo Kawase: https://automaton-media.com/en/news/final-fantasy-7-remake-team-wants-to-give-players-more-freedom-and-new-gameplay-in-the-trilogys-final-part/
Leaker reports FFIX Remake currently in Development – by Lance Gose: https://gamerant.com/final-fantasy-9-remake-in-development-leak/
Final Fantasy XVI Original Soundtrack, Disc 3: https://finalfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Final_Fantasy_XVI_Original_Soundtrack#Disc_Three_(1:13:44)

Episode 199 – Too Bloody Quiet

In this week’s episode, Klauss and Seyrr talk about FFXIV Producer Live Letter 80, the new FFXVI DLC that was just released, and delve into disc 2 of the FFXVI Original Soundtrack. We hope you enjoy!

Show Notes
Multiple Final Fantasy games leaving Playstation Plus Extra in May – by Dalton Cooper: https://gamerant.com/ps-plus-extra-games-leaving-may-2024-final-fantasy/
FFXIV Dawntrail benchmark demo is out: https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/benchmark/
FFXIV Dawntrail Benchmark Screenshot sweepstakes: https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/topics/detail/d7dedfecba5d6db3afa08d2473b88d478e979285
FFXIV Live Letter 80 coverage – by Tony Garsow: https://novacrystallis.com/2024/04/final-fantasy-xiv-live-letter-80-summary-graphics-update-new-blacklist-features/
FFXVI DLC The Rising Tide is live: https://na.finalfantasy.com/news/2532
Final Fantasy XVI Original Soundtrack – Disc 2: https://finalfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Final_Fantasy_XVI_Original_Soundtrack#Disc_Two_(54:12) 

Episode 198 – A Land of Eikons

This week, Seyrr and Klauss delve into the first disc of the Final Fantasy XVI Original Soundtrack along with all the news happening in the Final Fanatsy world. Enjoy!

Show Notes
FFVII Remake part 3 “Off to the races” according to director, who also wants to be “Done with this marathon of projects” – by Hope Bellingham: https://www.gamesradar.com/final-fantasy-7-remake-part-3-is-off-to-the-races-already-according-to-its-director-who-also-wants-to-be-done-with-this-absolute-marathon-of-projects/
Nobuo Uematsu would be honored to make the main theme for the FFVII Remake Trilogy finale – by Isaiah Colbert: https://www.ign.com/articles/final-fantasy-composer-nobuo-uematsu-would-be-honored-to-return-for-remake-trilogy-finale
FFVII Director promoted to SE Executive Staff – by Wesley LeBlanc: https://www.gameinformer.com/news/2024/04/03/final-fantasy-vii-rebirths-director-has-been-promoted-to-square-enixs-executive
The Struggles of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth – by Christian Angeles: https://www.comicsbeat.com/the-struggles-with-final-fantasy-7-rebirth/
FFXIV x FFXVI Crossover is live, features Clive’s outfit, and best boy minion and mount – by Wesley LeBlanc: https://www.gameinformer.com/news/2024/04/03/the-final-fantasy-xiv-and-xvi-crossover-event-is-live-and-features-new-storyline
FFXIV Xbox players getting banned for recruiting for their Free Companies – by Kenneth Shepard: https://kotaku.com/final-fantasy-14-xbox-ban-free-company-recruitment-1851378576
FFXVI’s April update will fix the game’s most annoying flaw – by Lee Brady: https://www.truetrophies.com/news/final-fantasy-xvi-free-update-april-2024
Final Fantasy XVI Original Soundtrack Disc 1: https://finalfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Final_Fantasy_XVI_Original_Soundtrack#Disc_One_(1:01:25)

Episode 197 – Rebirth in the Other World

In this episode, Klauss and Seyrr discuss recent news in and adjacent to the world of Final Fantasy, including the passing of Akira Toriyama, creator of Dragon Ball and how FFXIV players have held vigils to honor Toriyama’s legacy in-game, the upcoming FFXIV 14-hour broadcast, the Xbox Series X/S version’s release date, Little Ladies’ Day and Hatching-tide, and how FFXIV and FFXVI will be at PAX East. Enjoy!

Show Notes
Famous Manga author Akira Toriyama passed away at age 68 – by Thao Nguyen: https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2024/03/08/dragon-ball-akira-toriyama-death/72892266007/
FFXIV Players hold in-game vigils for Akira Toriyama – by James Ratcliff: https://gamerant.com/final-fantasy-14-players-akira-toriyama-vigils/
FFXIV 14-hour broadcast schedule for April 12th at 8PM PT: https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/topics/detail/44e1f77e68c4ab007b3ca552717875082fdc77c0
FFXIV Little Ladies’ Day and Hatching-tide starts March 14th: https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/special/2024/Little_Ladies_Day_Hatching_tide/fnvycqn3ol
FFXIV/FFXVI at PAX East: https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/topics/detail/ecb99281d7e5767c937060e29a88aee7c743a98d
FFXIV confirms controversial Endwalker endgame activity is changing in Dawntrail – by Eric Law: https://gamerant.com/final-fantasy-14-dawntrail-relic-weapon-quests-changing-endwalker/
Possibility of additional FFXVI DLC is not zero, but you shouldn’t really expect more – by Wesley LeBlanc: https://www.gameinformer.com/news/2024/03/08/final-fantasy-xvi-the-possibility-of-more-dlc-is-not-zero-but-you-really-shouldnt
One fan spent 3 years saving a Final Fantasy game before it shut down – by Ash Parrish: https://www.theverge.com/24094441/final-fantasy-opera-omnia-mobile-game-preservation-square-enix

Episode 194 – Over the Waves

In the first episode of 2024, Klauss and Seyrr discuss the 3rd disc of the Final Fantasy XV Original Soundtrack, as well as the latest news from FFXIV Fan Fest Tokyo, updates on Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and more! Enjoy!

Show Notes
Final Fantasy XVI, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth win at the Game Awards – by Eddie Makuch: https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/all-the-game-awards-2023-winners-revealed/2900-4977/#1
FFVII Rebirth teases new story developments for returning character – by J Brodie Shirey: https://gamerant.com/final-fantasy-7-rebirth-biggs/
Final Fantasy XIV FanFest Tokyo introduces new Magic DPS, female Hrothgar, and more! By Tony Garsow: https://novacrystallis.com/2024/01/final-fantasy-xiv-dawntrail-reveals-pictomancer-job-female-hrothgar-and-new-areas/
Full Trailer: https://youtu.be/kgiuQwzB6aU
Final Fantasy XIV Producer would still play the game even if SE fired him – by Dustin Bailey: https://www.gamesradar.com/if-square-enix-fired-him-final-fantasy-14s-yoshi-p-says-hed-still-play-the-mmo-and-just-complain-to-the-development-team/
Final Fantasy XVI’s First DLC Adds a Feature the Game Sorely Needed – by Hayes Madsen: https://www.inverse.com/gaming/final-fantasy-16-dlc-echoes-of-the-fallen-review-opinion-impressions
FFXVI on PC Shows signs of life, producer says it will run best on SSD – by Ted Litchfield: https://www.pcgamer.com/final-fantasy-16-on-pc-shows-signs-of-life-with-producer-yoshi-p-saying-it-will-run-best-on-an-ssd/
Final Fantasy XVII should be handed over to the younger generation, says Yoshida – by Jordan Gerblick: https://www.gamesradar.com/yoshi-p-floats-ideas-for-final-fantasy-17-a-real-time-turn-based-hybrid-and-a-return-to-pixel-art/
Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia Ending in 2024- by Arielle Haddad: https://www.siliconera.com/dissidia-final-fantasy-opera-omnia-ending-in-2024/
Final Fantasy XV Original Soundtrack – Disc 3: https://finalfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Final_Fantasy_XV:_Original_Soundtrack#Disc_Three_(1:16:08)

Episode 192 – Broken Down

This week, Seyrr and Klauss talk about the news coming from FanFest 2023 in London, new stage shows in production in Japan based on FFXVI and FF:Brave Exvius, and we reminisce while listening to disc 1 of the Final Fantasy XV Original Soundtrack. Enjoy!

Show Notes
SE is producing stage shows for FFBE and FFXVI – by Liv Ngan: https://www.eurogamer.net/square-enix-is-producing-another-final-fantasy-stage-play
All Saints’ Wake starts Oct 27th in FFXIV: https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/special/2023/All_Saints_Wake/gtjs3j7xq6
Fall Guys crossover coming to the Gold Saucer: https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/special/fallguys/
FFXIV x FFXVI Crossover coming soon – by Tony Garsow: https://novacrystallis.com/2023/10/final-fantasy-xvi-collaboration-coming-to-final-fantasy-xiv/
FFXIV FanFest Keynote coverage – by Tony Garsow: https://novacrystallis.com/2023/10/final-fantasy-xiv-dawntrail-reveals-viper-job-new-locations-and-ffxi-collab/
Extended Dawntrail teaser trailer: https://youtu.be/2ISoqghadkE