The fantasy MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV might break free from the conventional class structure in the future and try something new.
In an interview with one of the world’s most significant media outlets, Time Magazine (or at least its online edition), the mastermind of Final Fantasy XIV, Naoki Yoshida, spoke about new plans for the classes.
With the Dark Knight, Astrologian, and Machinist one will classically introduce a Tank, Healer, and DPS with Heavensward . However, it shouldn’t remain that every future class conforms to the Holy Trinity and fits 100% into one of the three roles. For the future, they also do not want to rule out “Hybrid” classes like the Dancer from Final Fantasy XI. However, care must be taken that these do not become too powerful, too difficult to play, or disrupt the balance. Through the current system, players can anyway take on any role.
Yoshida therefore mentions the idea of introducing a “skill tree” through which players can determine the orientation of their class themselves. Depending on what they choose, the role would be established. In Final Fantasy, it has always been about letting players play what they want. If something is changed in the existing system, it will be done in a very typical “Final Fantasy” way.
After all, Yoshida says, the “Red Mage” is one of his favorite classes …
The Red Mage is considered a jack-of-all-trades in the Final Fantasy franchise, able to wield both White and Black magic and still do some fencing.
