Final Fantasy 14 Mobile Launches with an Unexpected Starting Point

Earlier this week, after much speculation, Square Enix confirmed that a mobile version of Final Fantasy 14 is in the pipeline. Developed by Lightspeed Studios, a Tencent-owned company known for PUBG Mobile, this new mobile iteration promises to take players back to the roots of this beloved MMO. However, not everyone might find it meets their nostalgic expectations.

Details shared during the announcement mention that the game will initially launch in China before rolling out globally. Players will have access to a selection of jobs from the start. But the burning question for fans is where this mobile voyage will begin. Final Fantasy 14, after all, has expanded through five major updates. Fortunately, producer Naoki “Yoshi-P” Yoshida answered this question in a recent Q&A video, explaining that the journey will start with A Realm Reborn.

Once the much-anticipated mobile version is released, both veteran and new players will find themselves beginning with A Realm Reborn. As Yoshi-P elaborates, this lets existing fans revisit cherished storyline developments, while newcomers can step into the epic narrative fresh. The developer, Lightspeed Studios, promises to deliver a wealth of content and stories at a steady and player-responsive pace, adjusting updates based on community feedback.

That being said, it’s important to note that A Realm Reborn isn’t truly the starting point. The long-gone 1.0 version remains unplayable, despite its relevance to the main storyline. This missing piece leaves some enthusiasts wishing for a revival akin to World of Warcraft Classic, but for now, they’ll have to rely on nostalgic YouTube clips to reminisce.

For those intrigued by Final Fantasy 14’s mobile debut, a full video dives into more specifics, particularly about its monetization plans. It’s set to be free-to-play, which sounds promising, although we’ll have to wait and see how it pans out.