Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers

Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers, the third expansion for the massively multiplayer online role-playing game Final Fantasy XIV, launched on July 2, 2019, two years after Stormblood. Developed and published by Square Enix for macOS, PlayStation 4, and Windows—and later for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S—it was directed and produced by Naoki Yoshida, with a soundtrack by Masayoshi Soken. Existing players could purchase it as a standalone product, while newcomers received the updated "Complete Edition," which bundled all expansions. The story unfolds on the First, a parallel dimension nearing total collapse, where the player character is summoned to save and rebuild it. Several comrades accidentally stranded there join the effort, alongside Emet-Selch, an immortal antagonist aiming to use the world's apocalypse to revive his deity, Zodiark. Emet-Selch accompanies and tests the player, confident despite their interference. Beyond new areas, the expansion raised the level cap, introduced two character classes and two playable races, and added the ability to explore dungeons with non-playable "Trust" companions. Critically and popularly acclaimed, especially for its writing and accessibility improvements, Shadowbringers had amassed over 18 million registered accounts by December 2019. Major content patches arrived every three months, expanding the main story, adding features, and premiering secondary storylines like a Yoko Taro–written crossover with Nier: Automata and the "Restoration of Ishgard," a long-term campaign to rebuild the embattled nation after the Dragonsong War. The third major patch was delayed two months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gameplay remained largely unchanged, with players interacting in a persistent, responsive world. The maximum level rose to 80, with adjustments to improve flow and preserve job identity. Tank jobs lost their damage penalty while holding enemy attention, responding to player feedback. Resources like magic points were rebalanced for ease of use. Two new jobs debuted: Gunbreaker, a tank wielding gunblades inspired by Final Fantasy VIII, and Dancer, a ranged damage-dealer using chakrams and drawing from real-world folk dances, emphasizing "encouraging allies." The team added a tank to balance main and secondary tank numbers, and a ranged damage dealer because none had been added in years.