Today Square Enix sent in a media kit giving the full rundown on the upcoming Final Fantasy XIV expansion dubbed "Stormblood."
The expansion will include the following elements:
Story
New tales of daring and adventure await as the Warrior of Light prepares for a journey beyond the borders of Aldenard. Yet what new dangers await in Gyr Abania and Othard in the Far East? Behold the beauty of these distant lands and the beastmen and primals that threaten to plunge them into chaos.
New Adventures
From the mightiest of mountains to the darkest of depths, adventurers have braved all manner of dangers for want of spoils and glory. In an endeavor to bring ever richer experiences to the intrepid heroes of Eorzea, two esteemed guest creators have been invited to partake in creating harrowing new challenges for the realm's bravest adventurers. Adventures in Eorzea will never be the same again.
New Features
Everything from inventory space to battle mechanics have been fine-tuned to improve day-to-day life as the Warrior of Light. Together with new jobs and new features such as swimming, a brand new gaming experience is just on the horizon.
Journey to the East
Ala Mhigo
An occupied city-state located in a mountainous region of eastern Aldenard. The nation was plunged into chaos twenty years ago when its masses rose up in rebellion against the tyranny of the mad king Theodoric. However, unbeknownst to many, it was none other than the Garlean Empire that had been pulling the strings from the shadows the entire time. They quickly set about moving in to take control of Ala Mhigo as anarchy reigned, and have remained in control of the nation for the past twenty years
Gyr Abania ＜Ala Mhigo＞
A region formerly controlled by the city-state of Ala Mhigo. Located in the eastern reaches of Abalathia’s Spine, surrounded by perilous mountains, the area was known for its strict devotion to the deity Rhalgr. This changed, however, after the occupation as the area’s temples were laid to waste.
Doma
Upon the eastern banks of Othard lies Doma, the lands from which the ninja and samurai hail. Invaded twenty-five years ago by the Garlean Empire in their relentless effort to expand their borders, this oncepeaceful nation now struggles under the imperial yoke. In the wake of a recent large-scale uprising that ended in failure, a majority the civilians have been stripped of even their most fundamental freedoms.
Azim Steppe ＜Doma＞
A vast expanse of grassland that stretches across the far reaches of northern Othard, the Azim Steppe is said to be the ancestral home of the Au Ra, and remains to this day the home of the nomadic Xaela clan. Devout worshipers of the Dawn Father and the Dusk Mother─Azim and Nhaama─the Xaela are known for their unique set of beliefs. They are divided into fifty different tribes, all of which are very territorial and are engaged in a constant and fierce battle for land.
Yanxia ＜Doma＞
Through Yanxia flows the One River, upon whose shores the city-state of Doma has been built. Having fallen to Garlean rule, the nation's once proud and mighty Doma Castle is now occupied by the imperial viceroy and her host of brutish men. Citizens here struggle to eke out a living in the face of oppression, which comes in the form of punishing taxes and grueling physical labor.
Ruby Sea＜Doma＞
Through Yanxia flows the One River, upon whose shores the city-state of Doma has been built. Having fallen to Garlean rule, the nation's once proud and mighty Doma Castle is now occupied by the imperial viceroy and her host of brutish men. Citizens here struggle to eke out a living in the face of oppression, which comes in the form of punishing taxes and grueling physical labor.
New City
Kugane
A city across the Ruby Sea from Othard, Kugane stands as the only port in Hingashi whose docks remain open to foreign vessels in the era of occupation. Here, ships from all corners of the world can be found, and it is not uncommon to even see Eorzean galleys and Garlean warships docked side-by-side. The bustling center of trade boasts a beautiful cityscape and also serves as a den of espionage and political intrigue.
Beast Tribes/Primals
Susano
Lord of the Revel, summoned by the Kojin tribe in an act of desperation. From the myriad of deities housed within the three sacred treasures of the Kojin, Susano stepped forth to answer their pleas for deliverance. This divinity of the sea sees battle as a celebration, but challengers will find no revelry nor mercy at the edge of his fabled blade, Ame no Murakumo.
Kojin
An aquatic beast tribe commonly found on and near the Ruby Sea. Their settlements lay beneath the waves, where they thrive on the endless bounties of the deep. Unlike other beast tribes, they do not worship a single deity, for they believe gods exists in all things. Perhaps in part due to this conviction, they have a penchant trading and collecting all manner of effects.
Lakshmi
The Lady of Bliss, beloved deity of the serpentine Ananta tribe. Legends tell of a beauty without equal, a benevolent goddess whose coming brings the promise of halcyon days and bountiful harvests. Some believe she has imparted her life-bestowing powers to her most fervent followers─the Ananta. Lakshmi, in her infinite mercy, would shelter them from harm, granting them succor with her alluring embrace. B
Ananta
A serpent-like people who inhabit the mountains of Gyr Abania. Consisting solely of women, this tribe has existed since the time of the Allagans, and is famed for their proficiency with gemcraft, employing age-old magicks handed down through generations.
New Adventures: Eight-Man Raid
Interdimensional Rift─Omega
From the question of its origin to the very nature of its existence, much about Omega is shrouded in mystery. Employed by the Allagan Empire to capture Bahamut, it remained in an eras-long stasis until recently, when it was roused to contend with the threat of another primal. In the course of this mission, however, it vanished within the rocky expanse of Gyr Abania...
New Features
New Job: Samurai
Far across the rolling waves, towards the rising sun, there lies the island nation of Hingashi. In the distant past, the realm's great lords vied for supremacy over its sea-girt confines in a long and bloody conflict. And taking to battle in their lieges' names were noble swordsmen whose art was forged in the crucible of war: the samurai. Eventually, the nation was unified under one banner, and these warriors came to wield their katana not upon fields as part of an army, but upon streets as protectors of the peace. But as a neglected blade grows dull with rust, so too do men forget their purpose. Amidst waning memories of the old ways, a determined few hold fast to their convictions, hands by katana grips, awaiting the moment for steel to sing.
New Job: Red Mage
On the eastern edge of Abalathia's Spine lies the mountainous region of Gyr Abania. It is in these elevated lands that people took shelter, when a burning star guided them away from the Sixth Umbral Calamity's treacherous floodwaters. The survivors gathered from near and far, and amongst them were refugees of the sorcerous cities of Mhach and Amdapor. These sworn enemies buried their history for the sake of the future, and cast aside their vestments of black and white. Upon the remnants of their arts a new discipline was built, and the first red mages stepped forward with rapiers in hand to fight back against the rising tides of destruction.
New Features
Swimming and Diving
Ever fancied going for a dip in Eorzea's pristine waters, or wondered what lies beneath the ocean depths? Wonder no longer because swimming is coming to FFXIV! What’s more, players will even be able to explore under the sea once they complete a certain quest. Finally, an excuse to dust off that bathing suit lying in the back of your cupboard!
Fourth Residential District: Shirogane
The new residential area you've all been waiting for is finally here! Shirogane is an island belonging to the Far Eastern nation of Hingashi that will be opened up to adventurers who frequent the port of Kugane. Those with a fondness for Far Eastern aesthetics are sure to find it the perfect place to call home.
Increased Level Cap
The level cap for jobs and classes is going to be raised from 60 to 70! Players will need to make full use of all the new powers at their disposal in a fresh batch of exhilarating job quests.
Increased Furnishing Limits
Hoarders rejoice! The number of indoor furnishings that can adorn your dwellings is going to double. Players will soon be able to fill cottages with two hundred items, houses with three hundred, and mansions with a whopping four hundred items! New Features
Together with all the info, we also get a large batch of screenshots and artwork, showcasing all the elements above. You can check them out in the gallery.
Final Fantasy XIV just received a recent update implementing the climax of the Heavensward story, introducing that of Stormblood.
In case you missed it, check out our interview with Producer and Director Naoki Yoshida, who teased exactly that.
Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood will release on June 20th exclusively for PC and PS4, with the PS3 version of the game getting discontinued. PS3 users are eligible to a free upgrade to the PS4 version, and you can find out how to get it here.