- Release: June 23rd, 2015
- Publisher: Square Enix Co., Ltd.
- Platform: PC, PS4
- Genre: MMORPG Expansion Pack
- Developed using: C++, Lua
- Team: Business Division 5 (200+ people)
- Period: August 2013 – August 2015
- My Role: Crafting, Gathering and Item Programmer
- Relic Weapon Upgrade System
- Desynthesis System
- Collectability System
- Housing Furniture
After the release of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, we went straight to work on Heavensward, the first expansion pack for the game, which introduced new areas and new features. At the same time, we also provided monthly updates and large-scale content updates every 3 months for A Realm Reborn.
Below are some of the features I worked on in the many updates to A Realm Reborn and leading up to the release of Heavensward:
Relic Weapon Upgrade System
Relic weapons are powerful job-specific weapons which require many steps and tasks to complete in order to upgrade. Each step in the quest line is designed specifically for that step, so players will always have a new and unique way to upgrade their weapons every time we add a new step in the upgrade process. I worked on all of the steps of the Zodiac Weapons in A Realm Reborn leading up to the Anima Weapons in Heavensward.
Item Desynthesis
In the game, players are able to level up many different crafting classes which can synthesize items and equipment from materials. Desynthesis is the reverse process, where an item can be broken down into the materials it was made from. At the time, Desynthesis had its own skill point leveling system and involved a risk of losing the item if your skill level is below the recommended level.
Item Collectability
In A Realm Reborn, crafting and gathering could only yield items of either normal or high quality. This proved to be a limitation when trying to come up with different challenges and quests for crafters and gatherers to do in the game, so we developed a gameplay mechanic to add collectability value to items, where the challenge of crafting / gathering the same items at a higher collectability would net better rewards upon delivery.
Housing Furniture
Player housing allows players to own and customize a home to live in. Of course, no home would be complete without decor and furniture in it. I helped to work on the system for placing furniture and moving them from your inventory to your home.
Head to my Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn post to see more of what I worked on for the game.
Below is the opening cinematic for Heavensward, where the player travels up to the land of the Dragoons and fights alongside them in the Dragonsong War.
