Final Fantasy 14 gets a new paint job. Better lighting, shinier models, and an overall tune-up for a game that has already passed its 10th anniversary. In an interview with Play magazine (thanks, GamesRadar!), Naoki Yoshida (a.k.a. Yoshi P.) reveals to readers the reasons for the upgrade.

First and foremost, Yoshida wants to reassure long-time players that the game has a bright future ahead of it: "With Endwalker, we were able to end one big saga: ...... I think they are happy to see that ending, but I think they must also be a little concerned, perhaps, about what happens next." Pouring resources into a new look for the modern age, though,' it's proof that your favorite game is still going to get some love." Players will know Final Fantasy 14 is still going to be around when they see the graphic updates: ...... I think it will give players peace of mind, so there's no need to worry."

The second reason is a bit more specific: Yoshida is worried that players (especially younger players) will compare FF14 to other newer games and "think it's an old game."

MMOs are expensive, constantly updated, and must somehow keep the lights on. But it's not just the players that Yoshida is looking out for.

"A Realm Reborn was released in 2013, but if you look at the graphics pipeline, it's already two generations old. We wanted to give the artists working on 'Final Fantasy 14' a better environment."

While an older engine and a few polygons can do just fine, the decade-old technology of "Final Fantasy 14" is likely still getting in the way of the artists' vision. early previews of the 7.0 graphics overhaul show a familiar area The difference in lighting in familiar areas was startling.

"In short, it benefits both players in the sense that they benefit from better quality and graphics, and the artists and engineers on the team benefit from the use of more advanced technology, which can enhance their careers." ... Yoshida said that overhauling graphics is "a very challenging endeavor ...... It is because of those benefits that we want to do our best and get it done."