The long-awaited graphical update to Final Fantasy XIV is coming in version 7.0 with the Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail expansion. During the Final Fantasy XIV Fan Fest, Director and Producer Naoki Yoshida confirmed the new graphical update would include enhancements that push FF14‘s engine even further.
Square Enix has teased that some visual upgrades were coming as we reach a decade since the release of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. As part of the update, several graphical systems will be getting improvements that will be visible in the new expansion as well as throughout previous expansions.
Eorzea 2.0
Plenty of enhancements are coming as part of the update, including improvements to the screen-wide aesthetic appeal. Higher-resolution textures and shadows will be used for the new assets in the expansion, and over time the team plans to go back and update previous expansions starting with FF14:ARR.
Furthermore, various materials are getting a big quality improvement. Yoshida pointed out that metals will look more metallic and have an improved shiny luster to them.
Yoshida wanted to be clear that the goal is to preserve the overall look and feel of Eorzea while providing some enhancements when available. This isn’t some sort of big overhaul, but rather subtle improvements across the board.
Finally, the enhancements have allowed Square Enix to ramp up the foliage in the game. Plants have more detail than ever before, which will be noticeable in the Dawntrail.
New textures & dye system
The new textures will help bring every race to life with more definition. Skin will look more realistic rather than overly smooth. Of course, the Viera looks the most improved. Roegadyn and Hrothgar both looked a lot more detailed as well, though.
Also, the dye system is getting a big upgrade as well. In the new system, gear can now have two separate dyes applied to them. However, this upgrade will take some time to roll out to existing equipment, once again focusing on new content and then working its way through previous expansions.
System requirements are changing with the upgrade
With the improved graphics, the system requirements for the game have increased slightly.
As you can see from the provided image, the minimum system requirements still aren’t that hefty. That being said, if you’ve been able to scrape by on an older system you may have to make some upgrades for the Dawntrail expansion.
