To have fun the launch of Last Fantasy XIV‘s upcoming enlargement Dawntrail – and coinciding with the tenth anniversary of the launch of FFXIV 2.0 A Realm Reborn – Sq. Enix not too long ago held the London Fan Pageant 2023. Earlier than I am going any additional, I wish to lengthen my due to the positive of us at Forty Seven and Sq. Enix for offering me with a ticket to the occasion this 12 months; tickets had been very restricted and locked behind a lottery, although in case you had been unable to see the occasion in particular person it was streamed free on-line for everybody to get pleasure from.
The stream coated all the things besides the 2 live shows on the finish of the evening. Final Fan Pageant the occasion was totally digital and you might pay to see the live shows; I feel this may have been a pleasant option to have once more for this 12 months’s Fan Pageant, so possibly this might be an choice for a future occasion.
The largest fear I had concerning the occasion was the queue instances, as they will typically be fairly tough at these occasions. Nonetheless, I discovered this 12 months, even with my fear concerning the tickets, moving into the occasion appeared to be comparatively bother free. I used to be anticipating that people might choose up the ticket the day earlier than the conference, and easily have it scanned to achieve entry. Happily, I discovered that although the road to get in was fairly huge, navigating around the excel centre moved at a reasonably first rate tempo and I feel practically everybody was in a position to get in for the keynote. This was a very good signal for issues to come back for the occasion.
The road formally began at 8am BST, with the doorways speculated to open an hour later, although it appeared like because of how lengthy the road was they had been slowly letting individuals via the primary gate somewhat earlier, which was good to see. There was a bag verify to undergo each time you went out and in the occasion; once more this was welcome and gave everybody peace of thoughts with reference to venue security. As soon as contained in the occasion, it was beautiful and so properly deliberate out with loads of area to stroll round even with the quantity of those that had been there. You by no means actually felt squashed or claustrophobic, which is one thing I at all times fear about particularly these days after all of the well being issues we have now simply gone via – private area is essential.
One of many huge causes for the Fan Pageant is the brand new enlargement bulletins, and Sq. Enix had a beautiful arrange this 12 months with a very good quantity of incapacity seating to assist people who want it to sit down down throughout the varied panels. As at all times there was a stay letter, strolling with Yoshida-san, and the always-impressive cosplay stroll. I feel my favorite panel this 12 months was the PvP panel with Lythi and Rookuri. Rookuri is likely one of the main pillars within the Last Fantasy neighborhood and Lythi has achieved so many cool esport occasions that there was a lot good vitality coming from the stage that even in case you disliked PvP, chances are high you walked away with a need to present it a shot. Hell, a pal despatched me a textual content message throughout the PvP panel saying he’s going to be doing extra PvP now.
The venue was cut up up into totally different places primarily based on the sport, similar to Thanalan, La Noscea, and Black Shroud. Thanalan for instance had a Gold Saucer space, with totally different actions similar to bowling, and a bomb dodging mini sport. This was most likely one of many high three highlights for me: You stand on an enormous flooring display screen panel, which was cut up into sections, and also you then needed to transfer round for a short while earlier than bombs seem on the display screen and blow up the panels. I didn’t final lengthy nevertheless; RNG was not blessing me, however after the bombs exploded the ground disappeared on the display screen and you would need to bounce or step throughout to remain on a protected platform. Nonetheless, you weren’t allowed to shuttle in the identical space. In fact, being a Last Fantasy occasion there have been Chocobos concerned with the Chocobo Racing mini sport. Right here, you needed to throw balls into holes, which might transfer at a sooner tempo relying on the color of the Chocobo.
Every space actually did really feel distinctive, and I don’t know anybody who had sufficient time to have the ability to do all of the totally different actions on the occasion, which is an effective downside to have. When it comes to points of interest, Black Shroud was a stunning forest-style space with archery; it included a gathering/crafting sport during which you needed to discover sure substances to craft a meals from a card that you got as you entered the realm for the exercise. A few of these had been group-based duties that you might both include your mates to do or use obligation finder to compete with random individuals within the queue. The queues for many of those video games appeared to maneuver at a reasonably quick tempo and I don’t suppose there was an enormous subject with any of them. A number of the extra common ones similar to Archery and Axe Throwing took a bit longer than others however this was because of giving directions and security recommendation to attendees. That is completely affordable, as you wish to make certain everyone seems to be protected and having probably the most enjoyable they will. I heard the workers in command of archery had been additionally in character which is beautiful to see.
I feel the one subject that I heard about from others was that the crafting occasion had run out of gold cash. Everybody obtained one coin of their bag, and you’ve got the prospect to buy as much as 9 extra to have 10 cash. These cash would allow you to then craft sure issues similar to a bracelet, keyring or a pouch. Sadly, the occasion ran out of them on the primary day. Personally, it might have been good if that they had carried out methods to earn the cash totally free, together with internet hosting totally different occasions across the venue. Moreover, as a few of them had leaderboards it might have additionally been good if people obtained rewarded with a coin or two for being within the High 3, maybe. Having mentioned that, this may even be a ache protecting monitor of who obtained what so I perceive why they didn’t go down this route.
If you happen to discovered the venue somewhat disturbing and wanted a break, the organisers added a quiet room to take a load off. I used to be getting somewhat exhausted by the top of the primary day so I went in for a short while, and was happy to search out it had some enjoyable music and good seating. The one subject I had was the door was stored open, letting in noise from exterior. It wasn’t too dangerous however it’s not precisely tremendous quiet. In the event that they do that once more, which I counsel they do, that they preserve the door shut if potential or possibly have a quiet room barely exterior the venue.
General the occasion was most likely the most effective Fan Pageant they’ve ever hosted. I’ve been to a few totally different Fan Festivals previously, and this newest occasion had extra total mini video games, was higher organised and workers had been extremely useful. I’d have favored to have seen some rewards be earned from doing actions around the occasion, although you do nonetheless get free stuff for attending. It will have been cool to have quests to get some free presents when you had been there. Nonetheless, as at all times this occasion is at the start concerning the neighborhood, and there was a lot love and laughter available this 12 months. I obtained to fulfill some previous buddies and made loads of new ones alongside the best way.
If you happen to get pleasure from Last Fantasy XIV and even the Last Fantasy franchise on the whole, I actually do advocate making an attempt to go when the following Fan Fest rolls round. On the finish of the day, though it’s technically about saying new content material for FFXIV, Fan Fest is in actuality only a room stuffed with like-minded individuals gathering to speak concerning the issues they love, and lengthy might it proceed.
Last Fantasy XIV Fan Pageant occurred within the UK on the London ExCel October 21 — 22, 2023.