To have fun the launch of Closing Fantasy XIV‘s upcoming enlargement Dawntrail – and coinciding with the tenth anniversary of the launch of FFXIV 2.0 A Realm Reborn – Sq. Enix not too long ago held the London Fan Pageant 2023. Earlier than I am going any additional, I need to lengthen my due to the tremendous of us at Forty Seven and Sq. Enix for offering me with a ticket to the occasion this 12 months; tickets have been very restricted and locked behind a lottery, although should you have been unable to see the occasion in individual it was streamed free on-line for everybody to get pleasure from.
The stream coated every thing besides the 2 live shows on the finish of the evening. Final Fan Pageant the occasion was totally digital and you possibly can pay to see the live shows; I believe this could have been a pleasant option to have once more for this 12 months’s Fan Pageant, so perhaps this might be an possibility for a future occasion.
The largest fear I had in regards to the occasion was the queue occasions, as they will typically be fairly tough at these occasions. Nevertheless, I discovered this 12 months, even with my fear in regards to the tickets, entering into the occasion gave the impression to be comparatively bother free. I used to be anticipating that people may choose up the ticket the day earlier than the conference, and easily have it scanned to realize entry. Luckily, I discovered that although the road to get in was fairly massive, navigating around the excel centre moved at a fairly first rate tempo and I believe practically everybody was capable of get in for the keynote. This was a very good signal for issues to return for the occasion.
The road formally began at 8am BST, with the doorways purported to open an hour later, although it appeared like as a consequence of how lengthy the road was they have been slowly letting individuals via the primary gate a little bit earlier, which was good to see. There was a bag examine to undergo each time you went out and in the occasion; once more this was welcome and gave everybody peace of thoughts with reference to venue security. As soon as contained in the occasion, it was gorgeous and so nicely deliberate out with loads of area to stroll round even with the quantity of people who have been there. You by no means actually felt squashed or claustrophobic, which is one thing I all the time fear about particularly these days after all of the well being issues we now have simply gone via – private area is vital.
One of many massive causes for the Fan Pageant is the brand new enlargement bulletins, and Sq. Enix had a beautiful arrange this 12 months with a very good quantity of incapacity seating to assist folks who want it to sit down down in the course of the numerous panels. As all the time there was a dwell letter, strolling with Yoshida-san, and the always-impressive cosplay stroll. I believe my favorite panel this 12 months was the PvP panel with Lythi and Rookuri. Rookuri is among the main pillars within the Closing Fantasy neighborhood and Lythi has performed so many cool esport occasions that there was a lot good vitality coming from the stage that even should you disliked PvP, likelihood is you walked away with a need to present it a shot. Hell, a pal despatched me a textual content message in the course of the PvP panel saying he’s going to be doing extra PvP now.
The venue was break up up into totally different areas based mostly on the sport, similar to Thanalan, La Noscea, and Black Shroud. Thanalan for instance had a Gold Saucer space, with totally different actions similar to bowling, and a bomb dodging mini sport. This was most likely one of many high three highlights for me: You stand on a large flooring display screen panel, which was break up into sections, and also you then needed to transfer round for a short while earlier than bombs seem on the display screen and blow up the panels. I didn’t final lengthy nonetheless; RNG was not blessing me, however after the bombs exploded the ground disappeared on the display screen and you would need to bounce or step throughout to remain on a secure platform. Nevertheless, you weren’t allowed to travel in the identical space. In fact, being a Closing Fantasy occasion there have been Chocobos concerned with the Chocobo Racing mini sport. Right here, you needed to throw balls into holes, which might transfer at a sooner tempo relying on the color of the Chocobo.
Every space actually did really feel distinctive, and I don’t know anybody who had sufficient time to have the ability to do all of the totally different actions on the occasion, which is an efficient downside to have. When it comes to points of interest, Black Shroud was a beautiful forest-style space with archery; it included a gathering/crafting sport wherein you needed to discover sure elements to craft a meals from a card that you got as you entered the world for the exercise. A few of these have been group-based duties that you possibly can both include your pals to do or use responsibility finder to compete with random individuals within the queue. The queues for many of those video games appeared to maneuver at a fairly quick tempo and I don’t assume there was an enormous subject with any of them. A number of the extra well-liked ones similar to Archery and Axe Throwing took a bit longer than others however this was as a consequence of giving directions and security recommendation to attendees. That is completely cheap, as you need to be sure that everyone seems to be secure and having essentially the most enjoyable they will. I heard the workers in command of archery have been additionally in character which is beautiful to see.
I believe the one subject that I heard about from others was that the crafting occasion had run out of gold cash. Everybody acquired one coin of their bag, and you’ve got the prospect to buy as much as 9 extra to have 10 cash. These cash would allow you to then craft sure issues similar to a bracelet, keyring or a pouch. Sadly, the occasion ran out of them on the primary day. Personally, it might have been good if that they had applied methods to earn the cash free of charge, together with internet hosting totally different occasions across the venue. Moreover, as a few of them had leaderboards it might have additionally been good if folks acquired rewarded with a coin or two for being within the High 3, maybe. Having stated that, this could even be a ache conserving monitor of who acquired what so I perceive why they didn’t go down this route.
In case you discovered the venue a little bit demanding and wanted a break, the organisers added a quiet room to take a load off. I used to be getting a little bit exhausted by the top of the primary day so I went in for a short while, and was happy to seek out it had some enjoyable music and good seating. The one subject I had was the door was saved open, letting in noise from outdoors. It wasn’t too unhealthy however it isn’t precisely tremendous quiet. In the event that they do that once more, which I counsel they do, that they maintain the door shut if doable or perhaps have a quiet room barely outdoors the venue.
Total the occasion was most likely one of the best Fan Pageant they’ve ever hosted. I’ve been to a few totally different Fan Festivals up to now, and this newest occasion had extra total mini video games, was higher organised and workers have been extremely useful. I’d have appreciated to have seen some rewards be earned from doing actions around the occasion, although you do nonetheless get free stuff for attending. It might have been cool to have quests to get some free items whilst you have been there. Nevertheless, as all the time this occasion is in the beginning in regards to the neighborhood, and there was a lot love and laughter available this 12 months. I acquired to fulfill some previous associates and made loads of new ones alongside the best way.
In case you get pleasure from Closing Fantasy XIV and even the Closing Fantasy franchise normally, I actually do advocate attempting to go when the subsequent Fan Fest rolls round. On the finish of the day, despite the fact that it’s technically about asserting new content material for FFXIV, Fan Fest is in actuality only a room filled with like-minded individuals gathering to speak in regards to the issues they love, and lengthy might it proceed.
Closing Fantasy XIV Fan Pageant passed off within the UK on the London ExCel October 21 — 22, 2023.