Fortnite and, later on, Call of Duty, have made unique collaborations less surprising over the years. Even so, a partnership comes every so often that can still surprise you. Case in point is the gaming crossover between the epic fantasy MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV worlds and the vibrant, action-packed battle royale, Fall Guys.
Announced at this year’s Final Fantasy 14 Fan Fest, this unlikely collaboration is set to blend the grandeur of Final Fantasy XIV with the effervescent charm of Fall Guys.
To contextualize, Final Fantasy XIV didn’t have the most illustrious of beginnings. When launched in 2010, it was met with widespread criticism and disappointment. But like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the original game was overhauled and reborn as Realm Reborn in August 2013. The revamped version resonated much better with fans and critics, and since then, it’s continuously evolved through updates and expansions, becoming a titan among MMOs worldwide.
The news of the Fall Guys content being integrated into FF14 comes as an odd surprise. Naoki Yoshida, FF14’s producer, and director, known online as Yoshi P, made this groundbreaking announcement during the keynote at Square Enix’s Fan Fest in Las Vegas. Fans were treated to several intriguing screenshots showcasing Fall Guys-like obstacle courses, indicating a sizeable shake-up of the MMORPG’s usual gameplay dynamic.
This delightful divergence from tradition will not be inserted haphazardly into missions or the open world. Instead, it’ll find a fitting home in the Gold Saucer, a pre-existing amusement park teeming with mini-games for players to indulge in. Up to 24 players can simultaneously navigate the lively arenas, further elevating the communal experience that Final Fantasy XIV champions.
The crossover won’t be confined to the realm of FFXIV, however. Starting from August 22, a Warriors of Light Fame Pass will be up for grabs in Fall Guys. This pass will remain available for six weeks, until October 3, offering players a chance to acquire a host of FFXIV-themed outfits, emotes, and other enthralling rewards.
The roster of FFXIV-themed skins promises to enthrall players, with iconic characters and creatures making their foray into Fall Guys. Expect to see the vibrant twins Alphinaud and Alisaie in their eye-catching uniforms, alongside the ever-popular Dragoon. For those favoring creatures over characters, the famed Chocobo also makes an appearance.
In terms of when this crossover content is coming, the Fall Guys-themed mini-games are expected to arrive as part of Final Fantasy 14’s 6.5 update, scheduled to release sometime in September.
This extraordinary alliance marks a novel venture for both games, with fans anxiously awaiting to explore these unique new adventures. Between navigating Fall Guys-inspired obstacle courses in the MMORPG or donning a vibrant Chocobo skin in Fall Guys, players are sure to find themselves immersed in a delightful mishmash of two distinct gaming worlds. As always, the question remains: which adventure will you embark on first, and which skin are you looking forward to wearing in Fall Guys?
If we’re being honest, we’re surprised Square Enix didn’t tap Epic Games (which actually owns Mediatonic, the developers of Fall Guys) or Activision Blizzard (the soon-to-be-part of Microsoft Gaming) for a collaboration with either Fortnite and/or Call of Duty.
Who knows? Maybe this is on the table. If not, then we’re hoping we’ve spoken this into existence.
For now, Final Fantasy XIV players have plenty of reasons to celebrate. After several years of trying, Xbox finally convinced Square Enix to bring Final Fantasy 14 to the Xbox platform. Aside from this, the free trial of Final Fantasy 14 now extends to Stormblood.
