While in attendance at the Final Fantasy 14 Shadowbringers preview event in London, I was given an overview of the content coming to the MMO. In addition, I had the opportunity to speak with the Director and Producer Naoki Yoshida.
With the addition of the Gunbreaker to Shadowbringers, it’s clear that the design and inspiration has come from Final Fantasy 8 and its protagonist Squall.
As a fan of Final Fantasy 8, I asked Yoshida about the inclusion of the Gunbreaker and if there’s a chance fans could see a Final Fantasy 8 & 14 crossover.
Final Fantasy 8 & 14 Crossover
Yoshida said that he doesn’t ” want to deny any sort of possibility for it” but that it’s more difficult to create a crossover between Final Fantasy 8 & 14 than other crossovers in the past.
We did one for Lightning Returns, Final Fantasy XIII. We’ve done one for Final Fantasy XI, and then, of course, Final Fantasy XV.
We actually have a reason behind why those titles were chosen in that those were still in development or still being in development when we were talking about the ideas.
Yoshida mentioned that in Lightning Returns, part of her narrative sees her travel to an alternate realm to complete a trial. That’s the leeway that he needed to have her logically and canonically included in Final Fantasy 14.
When it came to the Final Fantasy 15 crossover, in the DLC Noctis jumps over to the realm of Final Fantasy 14. Yoshida’s logic is “We’ve kind of made sure that we’re not breaking canon. We’re making sure that it’s kind of contained in the scenario.”
However, he went on to say;
We are not able to say whether or not the character will make his appearance in Final Fantasy 14, but if you search for information within Shadowbringers, you might recognise potentially a name that might show some kind of connection.
He was, of course, referring to the Raid titled ‘Eden.’
For the unintiated, Eden is the name of Final Fantasy 8’s Ultimate Summon. It is able to break the game’s damage limit and is thought to be related to the game’s ‘Gardens.’
Yoshida didn’t go into any more details on a potential crossover but did end our conversation on the ominous, “That’s as much as I can say right now.”
While he certainly didn’t confirm a Final Fantasy 8 & 14 crossover, he was careful to avoid ruling it out. Additionally, by making mention of Eden, it certainly sounds like a crossover is in the cards.
Leo Stevenson travelled to London, UK as a guest of Square Enix. Flights, Meals and Accommodation were provided by Square Enix.
