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There’s arguably no “redemption arc” within the historical past of the gaming business as epic and as uplifting because the demise and rebirth of Last Fantasy XIV and the fan competition hosted not too long ago in Tokyo, Japan, is actually additional proof of that.
13 years in the past, the unique Last Fantasy XIV 1.0 had simply been launched, and a comparatively unknown developer named Naoki Yoshida had not too long ago been positioned on the helm of what by all means gave the impression to be a sinking ship.
Again then, I’d have by no means imagined even in my wildest fantasies that over a decade later, I would be sitting amongst tens of 1000’s of fellow Warriors of Gentle at a venue as prestigious as Tokyo Dome to rejoice the success of that very same recreation which appeared on its final legs.
But, it occurred.
![Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival in Tokyo](https://techraptor.net/sites/default/files/styles/content_inline_mobile/public/images/final-fantasy-xiv-fan-festival-tokyo.jpg?itok=1fZlVbun)
With its 55,000 seats and site in Central Tokyo, Tokyo Dome is likely one of the most necessary venues on the earth, employed each as a stadium and as a live performance and occasion corridor for a lot of prestigious occasions and well-known stars. A fan competition in such a venue felt like the right coronation for an extended and profitable journey.
It is not shocking that Sq. Enix picked this particular occasion to announce the 30 million accounts milestone achieved by the sport. There was most likely no higher place and time for such a reveal.
I’ve been to a lot of the Fan Festivals hosted for the sport, however none felt as particular just because the venue was particular, and being surrounded by so many fellow followers who’ve traveled the identical path as I did through the years was an expertise I would possible always remember.
Now that I am making ready to enter a brand new chapter in my life (this can regrettably be the final report I write for TechRaptor), I actually really feel joyful that I am ending this expertise by sharing such an unforgettable second as my farewell.
![Gowsticks at the Final Fantasy XIV Tokyo Fan Festival](https://techraptor.net/sites/default/files/styles/content_inline_mobile/public/images/final-fantasy-xiv-tokyo-fan-festival-glowsticks.jpg?itok=RGToY737)
Last Fantasy XIV fan festivals historically characteristic a piano live performance and a efficiency of the sport’s official rock band, The Primals. They’ve all the time been nice, as you could have presumably learn on my report of the earlier occasion on London, however nothing compares to what I witnessed at Tokyo Dome.
Whereas the setlist could have been related and the performers could have been the identical, experiencing these beloved songs whereas surrounded by tens of 1000’s of glowsticks dancing within the darkness created an environment worthy of the very best live shows carried out by the most important stars like Taylor Swift or Girl Gaga.
Taylor Swift herself carried out at Tokyo Dome many occasions, alongside many extra stars together with Madonna, Michael Jackson, Weapons N’ Roses, Mariah Carey, and plenty of, many extra huge names.
Amanda Achen, who supplied a divine efficiency as normal, didn’t fail to say simply how particular it was for her to sing at Tokyo Dome, and I am fairly optimistic that everybody on stage felt the identical approach. It is simply that form of venue that feels just like the excessive level of a profession for an artist.
![Naoki Yoshida at Tokyo Fan Festival](https://techraptor.net/sites/default/files/styles/content_inline_mobile/public/images/naoki-yoshida-at-tokyo-fan-festival-.jpg?itok=cd_qEVuc)
But, the Pageant supplied far more than music. The event staff, with Naoki Yoshida himself on the helm, donned particular baseball jersey (which very acceptable since Tokyo Dome additionally hosts baseball matches) to current the most recent information in regards to the recreation.
We heard a lot in regards to the subsequent enlargement Dawntrail (which is releasing in July), and we acquired to satisfy extra of the individuals who work onerous day-after-day to make and preserve the sport we love.
There have been severe competitions just like the Crystal Battle match, and extra light-hearted moments, just like the quiz or the panel with the voice actors. The cosplay exhibition was predictably unbelievable as Japanese followers actually take their cosplay severely.
If there’s one level of criticism that I really feel the necessity to carry up, it is the truth that whereas the entire occasion was livestreamed, solely the preliminary keynote featured English interpretation.
I can perceive that the “information” section was given precedence, and that translating from Japanese is just not an easy exercise, neither is it low-cost. But, as somebody who was fortunately in a position to perceive most of what was stated, I felt unhappy for my Western compatriots who had been unable to benefit from the occasion as a lot as I did.
![A familiar shield at the Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival in Tokyo](https://techraptor.net/sites/default/files/styles/content_inline_mobile/public/images/final-fantasy-xiv-fan-festival-tokyo-shield.jpg?itok=ci24GX4o)
Whereas volunteer followers on the sport’s unofficial Discord server kindly supplied a translation serving to many who didn’t perceive Japanese, I believe Sq. Enix may have performed a little bit higher on this entrance.
Admittedly, western followers had their very own fanfests in Las Vegas and London, however neither felt as particular as this one. Do not get me improper. They had been nice, and that is on no account criticism to those that organized them, however Tokyo Dome is Tokyo Dome, and an occasion hosted there felt like such an achievement and a milestone that that I really feel it ought to have been shared with the neighborhood as an entire.
Private gripe apart, there was a lot to get pleasure from even off stage, together with many minigames, the Asura battle problem, exhibitions, cubicles, and a mess of picture spots to snap photos together with your favourite characters.
One in every of them supplied an opportunity to take a selfie with the dual swords of the Viper job that Naoki Yoshida sported at London Fan Pageant, and it was significantly common for apparent causes. The strains had been lengthy, however that solely reveals how extremely common this occasion was.
![the golden ribbons at Final Fantasy XIV Tokyo Fan Festival](https://techraptor.net/sites/default/files/styles/content_inline_mobile/public/images/final-fantasy-xiv-tokyo-fan-festival-ribbons.jpg?itok=9mUrbWbO)
As all the time, making buddies was the most effective a part of the celebrations, and I am grateful to the native Warriors of Gentle who put up with my horrible Japanese and made me really feel welcome. I even met a few outdated buddies from the period of 1.0 (when the servers weren’t divided by area) and that actually made my day.
Few issues are as memorable as sharing this type of occasion with so many avid gamers who love the identical recreation as I do no matter nationality and tradition, and whereas I will not get to play with lots of them except Sq. Enix lastly removes the limitations between areas, I am glad to have established some lasting contacts with like-minded individuals.
It is maybe unsurprising that a couple of emotional moments had been had as nicely, particularly through the live shows, however not restricted to them. The ultimate ceremony ended with an explosion of golden ribbons that stated “let’s benefit from the subsequent 10 years collectively,” and I am actually able to just do that.
Last Fantasy XIV began as a failure, however unbelievable dedication, effort, and self-sacrifice turned it into a hit worthy to be celebrated in some of the prestigious occasion venues on the earth. We have actually come far, fellow Warriors of Gentle.
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