With the announcement of a model new Ultimate Fantasy 14 growth that is giving everybody large Ultimate Fantasy X vibes, followers are clamoring for the addition of Ultimate Fantasy’s favourite sport: Blitzball. Sadly, recreation director Naoki Yoshida (Yoshi-P) has a message to everybody begging for the bizarre, underwater soccer recreation: “No Blitzball!”
That is what Yoshi-P instructed followers throughout at this time’s Ultimate Fantasy Fan Fest 2023, when whereas discussing updates to the Golden Saucer in upcoming patches, followers started to eagerly shout “Blitzball” from the viewers. Nope, sorry! No Blitzball!
The viewers in Las Vegas wasn’t alone in wanting Blitzball, both. On-line, the Ultimate Fantasy 14 neighborhood has reacted dramatically to Yoshi-P’s dismissal of their sport of alternative:
THE STATE OF BLITZBALL WANTERS pic.twitter.com/jsAAF1pEmN
— Ray @ Deryk fanclub (@ONTHEBIGBRIDGE) July 28, 2023
One fan referred to Blitzball’s considerably checkered repute, which has break up followers because it’s introduction in Ultimate Fantasy X.
Hoping my days of utilizing this are restricted however as a result of no blitzball, I gotta preserve spreading it pic.twitter.com/rz8gTLVcQq
— Native Man Too Indignant To Die ? (@SwervoT3k) July 28, 2023
And different followers are simply unhappy.
Yoshi P. “No blitzball”
Me: pic.twitter.com/2hK2wEtAC6
— Dravion #FFXVI spoilers (@Umbral_Ice) July 28, 2023
Yoshida: We will likely be updating The Gold Saucer.
Viewers: Its Blitzball! pic.twitter.com/dGlMEqzxCz
— Zimeization (@Zimeization) July 28, 2023
Blitzball was first launched in Ultimate Fantasy X, dividing followers with its deep however generally complicated tackle water sports activities. It supporters cheered its roster recruitment, league play, and diversified methods, however its detractors derided it as clunky and tough to study. Nonetheless, it is an indelible a part of Ultimate Fantasy X’s legacy — the final word expression of Ultimate Fantasy’s many PS2-era minigames.
Whereas this seems like a bunch of followers being goofy, it isn’t solely with out precedent for followers to count on Blitzball may be on the horizon. Ultimate Fantasy XIV has a wealthy historical past of grabbing content material, concepts, and references from different Ultimate Fantasy titles, so together with Blitzball would hardly be unprecedented. However throughout at this time’s reveal of the brand new Dawntrail growth, we additionally bought a take a look at a brand new allied race, the Pelupelu, which appeared in Ultimate Fantasy X and X-2. The Pelupelu reveal, mixed with the brand new area Tural being very beach-forward, led many to count on that Blitzball may make an look. Sadly, no.
It has been an enormous day for Ultimate Fantasy 14 followers. The strong new growth reveal at this time offers them loads to chew on for some time, however we additionally realized that the MMO is lastly coming to Xbox consoles subsequent spring after years of fan requests. Sadly, Blitzball will not be there to welcome it, however there’s all the time subsequent growth, Warriors.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Acquired a narrative tip? Ship it to rvalentine@ign.com.