Final Fantasy XIV fans are eagerly awaiting the upcoming Dawntrail expansion, and recently, game director Naoki Yoshida shared some insights into the new jobs that were initially planned but ultimately canceled. In a conversation with PCGamesN, Yoshida discussed the design of the new classes, future job prospects, and the weapons that didn’t make the cut.
As the community gears up for the journey to Tural in FF14 Dawntrail, PCGamesN had the chance to chat with Naoki Yoshida, affectionately known as ‘Yoshi-P’ among fans. The introduction of the Viper and Pictomancer classes in Dawntrail promises a fresh take on gameplay in the MMORPG world. The Viper offers a fast-paced combat style with intricate combo chains, while the Pictomancer wields colorful high-damage attacks through painting artworks that come to life. These classes introduce new control layouts that enhance player experience by streamlining actions and combos with fewer button presses.
During the Dawntrail media tour, Yoshida was asked about the challenge of incorporating new jobs into a game that already boasts 21 classes (excluding the Blue Mage and the upcoming Beastmaster). While the Pictomancer draws inspiration from Final Fantasy 6, the Viper is a unique addition to FF14, influenced by FF9’s Zidane. Yoshida highlighted the importance of introducing original classes that offer distinct mechanics and enhance multiplayer gameplay.
Yoshida emphasized the significance of creating jobs that bring a fresh dynamic to the game while ensuring they align with the multiplayer experience. While there are iconic jobs from previous Final Fantasy titles, not all of them can seamlessly integrate into FF14 due to gameplay considerations. The decision to introduce the Pictomancer stemmed from the need for a magical ranged DPS class, making it a natural fit for the game’s evolving landscape.
Yoshida also touched on the concept of a Time Mage, a job that was previously considered but ultimately sidelined. The Time Mage’s unique abilities, such as Haste and Stop, presented challenges in aligning with FF14’s gameplay mechanics. This deliberation underscores the thought process behind job selection and the importance of maintaining gameplay diversity and balance in the evolving world of Final Fantasy XIV.
