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‘Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker’ release date: Director Naoki Yoshida takes full responsibility for expansion’s two-week delay

From the "Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker" launch trailer | Photo credit: FINAL FANTASY XIV / YouTube screenshot

Video game delays became more common this year as developers continue to deal with the effects of the pandemic in their projects' schedules. The latest game to be delayed is the highly anticipated "Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker" expansion. Even though the adjustment only pushed the launch by two weeks, producer and director Naoki Yoshida were extremely apologetic about the changes.

Developers conducted a livestream presentation for the "Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker" over the weekend that lasted for nearly seven hours detailing the expansion. But one of the most important topics tackled was the change of the expansion's release date. At one point during the stream, Yoshida became emotional while discussing the delay.

The developer has also apologized for announcing the "Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker" delay close to its original release date, which was supposedly on Tuesday, Nov. 23. During the stream, Yoshida recognized that some players have been looking forward to the expansion to the point of taking time off from work to play the game.

Yoshida explained further (transcription via VGC) that they were only able to finalize the 'Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker" delay "last Friday." "I know I may have been too nit-picky about all of what's going into this expansion," the director admitted. But he also explained, "Understand that this is not just a finale, but looking at the entire saga's story and seeing those loose ends come to a conclusion."

The same tone was also apparent in a blog post Yoshida wrote, saying his "selfishness" was the "biggest factor" for the release date adjustment. "There are several reasons for the postponement, but as I'm the one overseeing all aspects of the title as the head of the project, the responsibility falls solely on me," the "Final Fantasy 14" producer and director said. "Allow me to convey my sincerest apologies to our players."

"Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker" will not launch on Tuesday, Dec. 7 — a day before "Halo Infinite." The early access was also delayed by two weeks and will now begin on Friday, Dec. 3.

The developers will also release two patches after the 'Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker" launch. Patch 6.01 is scheduled on Tuesday, Dec. 21, and will be followed by patch 6.05 on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022.

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