SPOILERS Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail

[Dionysos]

It is official. We have a new upcoming expansion slated for release summer 2024!

Here is the trailer, but some (out of context) spoilers for those who have not played the other expansions, obviously.

Essentially... The setting is the New World! I somehow guessed it would be.

I shall avoid plot spoilers from previous expansions here, and this one is quite separate anyway, so the below is general background not really tied to recent expansions.

What we know about FFXIV's New World so far is that Admiral Merlwyb Bloefhiswyn and fellow pirates once voyaged there and spent time over there (because of course, Golden age of Piracy in the Caribbean, which is what Limsa is steeped in too, minus the tropical climate that the presumably piratey areas of the New World will have instead).

We also know that Blue Mage magic comes from Native American-themed Whalaqee tribe there, as well as the Mamool Ja species (that we also see in this trailer), some of whom have emigrated to Eorzea and can be encountered there.

Like many real-world foodstuffs (speaking from a European perspective), a number were discovered in the New World and brought over to Eorzea and other continents. Things like popotoes (analogues of the potato) and species of tomato, etc.

So it is therefore unsurprising that some of the areas that we see in the trailer also have a relatively untouched (by colonisation, European diseases, etc) American feel to them. A lot of Mesoamerican and south American aesthetics (even the double-headed serpent motif, although double-headedness is also a feature of Mamool Ja lore), and codices of Aztec/Mayan flavour, etc.

Now for a few mild Shadowbringers and Endwalker spoilers:
Emet-Selch once said that there are cities of gold in the New World, on his to-do list of things to do in Endwalker. This is likely inspired by the legendary El Dorado, and we might guess that we'll go to wherever he meant.

The name of the expansion, Dawntrail, can mean many things. For one, the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. But also notably the sun/dawn gods Azeyma (of the Twelve) and Azim (of the steppes) which both might derive from or have some connection with the Ancient Azem (and it is implied that the player-character might themselves be part of the sundered soul of Azem).



I have no real inkling of the plot from this yet, beyond fun vacationing and exploration, but I like the look of the setting for sure.

I also called this setting a few years back!

Another place which is referred to but never seen is a continent out to the west. I think it may even be called the 'New World' and is a clear America parallel (the Blue Mages learned their trade from native tribes there, iirc).

I really should enter the lottery.

 

[Paddy McGee]

It's nice to see us going to a new area that feels like it's rather untouched by previous FF's! I think the setting mixed with the "FRIENDS ON VACATION" vibes I'm getting from the leitmotif for Dawntrail is real refreshing - like a cool lemonade after a whopper aul Carvery dinner in the form of Endwalker.

I also might actually be caught up (and this time, not burnt out) by the time it comes out EXCITEMENT

 

[Osmium]

I am fairly excited for the release of Dawntrail and, as a latecomer, I am excited for the Collector's Edition. I am a bit curious about the direction of the merch, following the polarity of Shadowbringers and Endwalker (i.e. Darkness and Light), and even the vaguely European fantasy flavor of Heavensward and the more Asian-focused Stormblood. I don't think that Stormblood or Heavensward are the best reflections of the Collector's Edition rollout, since Shadowbringers especially showcased a bit of consistency across the Pre-order/Collector's Edition mount, in-game bonuses, and figures (e.g. Dark Knight as the promo job for ShB and Endwalker's Paladin).

I'm anticipating some early announcements by this Saturday for the EU Fanfest, although, it may be too early in the cycle for some of these announcements.