The Director of Final Fantasy XIV Would Love to Channel Ultima Online’s Chaos and Freedom, but It Could Break the Community
Final Fantasy XIV director, Naoki Yoshida, expressed his admiration for the chaos and freedom found in Ultima Online, the iconic MMO from the 90s. He revealed this during the Final Fantasy Fan Festival in London, where he discussed his inspirations for the game. However, Yoshida acknowledged that implementing the same level of chaos in FF14 would not work and could potentially “break” the existing community.
Looking for Inspiration
Yoshida shared that every MMO has its unique appeal, and simply transplanting that appeal into Final Fantasy XIV would not yield the desired result. The team behind FF14 needs to carefully arrange and tune the game to incorporate the elements they draw inspiration from. While Yoshida did not mention any specific MMOs he looks to for inspiration, he highlighted one that would not fit within FF14’s framework: Ultima Online.
The Chaotic Freedom of Ultima Online
Yoshida reminisced about his early experiences with Ultima Online, recalling a sense of both chaos and freedom. Ultima Online, created by Richard Garriott, is hailed as one of the first true MMORPGs and was renowned for its groundbreaking features. Players had the ability to commit crimes, including assassinating each other. In fact, Lord British, Garriott’s own character, met his demise during the game’s beta test when players used a Fire Field spell. The game allowed players to engage in criminal activities without penalty, marking their characters as criminals who could be openly attacked by other players.
A Desire to Recreate the Sense of Chaos
Yoshida expressed his desire to create a game that captures the same sense of chaos and freedom as Ultima Online. However, he acknowledged that implementing such mechanics in the established community of FF14 could fracture it. Yoshida admitted that creating a game similar to Ultima Online would require a fresh start, as integrating it into FF14 might not be well-received.
The Appeal of Chaos
Despite the popularity of lawless survival games like Rust and Ark: Survival Evolved, Yoshida questioned the appeal of an MMO where complete chaos reigns. He believed that if such a game were developed today, it might not sell well. This perspective shows a level of caution towards the implementation of chaotic gameplay elements.
The Final Verdict
In conclusion, Yoshida’s admiration for Ultima Online’s chaos and freedom is evident. However, he acknowledges the challenges of incorporating similar mechanics in Final Fantasy XIV without disrupting the existing community. While Yoshida’s desire to capture the essence of Ultima Online remains strong, it seems unlikely that FF14 will adopt such extreme gameplay elements. As the director continues to shape and refine the game, players can expect a unique experience that draws inspiration from various sources, carefully adapted to suit the Final Fantasy XIV universe.