Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival - Final Fantasy
The “Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival” refers to a fan festival that is based on the popular massive multiplayer online role-playing game Final Fantasy XIV, which was developed and produced by Square Enix and originally released in the year 2010. The festival has been hosted in North America, Japan, and Europe and was an event that enabled visitors to experience playable activities, costume contests, art contests, and music all about Final Fantasy. The most recent event was held at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas and was scheduled from November 16th to November 17th, 2018. The fan festival is a great way for fans of Final Fantasy XIV (also Final Fantasy in general) to connect and becomes an incredible community-building event. Fans are able to submit art, cosplay, cast votes to designate winners, and enjoy some incredible performances by renowned artists.
About Final Fantasy XIV
Final Fantasy XIV is the fourteenth title of the flagship Final Fantasy series and is the second MMORPG released under the franchise. The game was directed by Nobuaki Komoto and Naoki Yoshida, produced by Hiromichi Tanaka and Naoki Yoshida, and its music was scored by series veteran Nobuo Uematsu, though others composed tracks as well.
The original version of the game was shut down in 2012 due to poor quality and negative reception. However when Naoki Yoshida took over production for the remake and Hiromichi Tanaka was dropped from the role they Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn was released worldwide for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 3 in August 2013, with clients for PlayStation 4 and macOS following later.
Final Fantasy XIV Plot
Final Fantasy XIV takes place in a region of the world known as Hydaelyn called Eorzea. At the end of the original game, the dragon Bahamut escapes from its lunar prison and begins the Seventh Umbral Calamity, a destructive event that leaves much of Eorzea in ruins. Thanks to a blessing from the gods, the player character escapes the devastation through time travel, resulting in the character traveling five years into the future. As Eorzea recovers from the devastation, the player must address the impending menace of invasion by the northern Garlean Empire. The game follows the classic RPG experience system, whereby players gain experience and become stronger. The main sources of experience include quests, exploring dungeons, participating in Full Active Time Events, and slaying monsters. In addition, the game offers a variety of PvP content. In the Armoury System, the weapon a character wields determines the character’s class.
Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival
The festival has been hosted in North America, Japan, and Europe in the past and was an event that gathered Final Fantasy fans from around the world. Visitors were able to experience playable activities, costume contests, art contests, and music all about Final Fantasy.
Music and Merchandise
Official apparel and merchandise from Square Enix was offered at the event and fans were able to get some of their favorite products or, at the very least, left the event with a memorable souvenir. Renowned music groups performed at these festivals, such as the popular pianist Keiko and the acclaimed singer Susan Calloway. The Primals, a Final Fantasy XV-themed rock band also made an appearance for the Las Vegas 2018 Festival. These groups performed a variety of Final Fantasy themed music for fans.
Art Contest
The festival offered a chance for artists to “take up their pencils, brushes, styluses and tools to create works inspired and themed after FINAL FANTASY XIV!” However, the art contest was not only limited to those attending the festival, as everyone was welcome to submit and display their pieces of art. There were two categories of work available, “Illustrated Works” and “Physical works.” The attendees of the festival were allowed to submit votes for the winner of each category.
Costume Contest
The festival gave a chance for Final Fantasy Cosplay enthusiasts to showcase their work and outfits. The show selected a total of 50 entrants for the contest and a panel of judges narrowed the list down to 20 qualifying finalists that presented themselves onstage at the festival for a final round of judging, where the winner of the cosplay show was selected. A recent list of winners: 1st Place, Grand Prize Winner, Xehn’a Hmyr as Balmung, Sir Davidbowie as Ultros, and 3rd Place M'linda Chan as Balmung.
Playable Activities
The playable activities listed below were listed as being either multi-player or single-player. According to the official website, “Fan Festival 2018 brings fun playable activities for everyone to enjoy! This is the perfect opportunity for FFXIV fans to gather together and play on the same team, in the same room, for great fun in a variety of unique activities! Strategize with your fellow players, outline your battle plan, and emerge victorious in a number of specialized challenges throughout the event!”
- Yojimbo Special Battle
- Challenge Roulette
- Eureka Survival Challenge
- Kugane Tower Climb
- The Dueling Circle
- Fashion Leader LIVE
- Chocobo Racing
- Crystal Tower Striker
- Monster Toss