Final Fantasy XIV Online

Development began in 2005 under the code name "Rapture". FINAL FANTASY XIV ONLINE was announced for Windows and PlayStation 3 in 2009. It ran on Square Enix's middleware engine Crystal Tools, which was adapted to the game's specifications. During development, the team adopted numerous aesthetic elements from FFXI while creating something unique. Due to various factors, the development was plagued by problems that would later have a drastic impact on the game. Attempts to bring the game to Xbox 360 consoles failed due to disagreements with Microsoft over the use of Xbox Live. After alpha testing and a delayed beta test, the game went live on September 30, 2010 and remained active until the servers were closed on November 11, 2012. Upon release, the game received mixed to negative reactions: While the graphics and music were generally praised, other aspects were unanimously criticized, including the gameplay, the user interface and the general impression that the game was unfinished at release. The criticism and fan reaction prompted Square Enix to cancel subscription fees, postpone the PlayStation 3 version indefinitely, and eventually develop an entirely new version of the game called FINAL FANTASY XIV ONLINE: A REALM REBORN. The poor response had a serious impact on the FINAL FANTASY series, with both employees and company representatives saying that the brand had been damaged.

Story

Eorzea. A land embraced by gods and forged by heroes. Seeking control of this realm and its rich crystal deposits, the Garlean Empire sends out a vast army to conquer its southern neighbor. Driven by madness, the leader of the invading forces quietly plans to rip the moon from the sky and hurl it down upon the land. The people of the kingdom soon learn of this evil plan and join hands in prayer to implore the help of the gods at the last minute, but their efforts fail. From within the moon emerges Bahamut, an ancient terror bristling with rage after countless generations of imprisonment. A powerful magus senses the pull of fate and sends the heroes of Eorzea into a temporal rift with the last of his power. There they wait, untouched by the flames of destruction, until they are needed again. These heroes are you, and the hour of awakening is now. Come and experience a reborn kingdom.