Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
final fantasy ix sword fight minigame
Image via Square Enix

Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail’s Digital Bonuses Keep Hope Alive for Final Fantasy IX Remake

Warriors of Light everywhere received great news at PAX East today when Yoshi-P announced the long-awaited release date for Final Fantasy XIV‘s next expansion Dawntrail. With pre-orders opening on March 26, things are suspiciously Final Fantasy IX-themed.

Recommended Videos

First off, those who pre-order any edition of Dawntrail will receive a Zidane minion, and those who pre-order either the Collector’s Edition or Digital Collector’s Edition will also receive a Garnet minion and an Ark mount, resembling the summon/eidolon from FF IX. Now, you might be thinking it’s all coincidence, and I would too if Yoshi-P hadn’t made a remark during the presentation that this was intentional and the reason for it is still being kept a “secret.”

dawntrail physical and digital pre-order bonuses
Image via Square Enix

Could all of these references to Final Fantasy IX be leading up to a remake of the iconic title? Will we see Vivi, Steiner, Freya, and more in the Dawntrail expansion? Who knows, honestly. Even the new Viper Job seems Zidane-inspired, so there must be some reason why we’re leaning heavily into IX.

Of course, not every reference has to mean something. Yoshi-P called out the upcoming Elden Ring DLC in the same presentation, and we’re not speculating about the potential for a Final Fantasy 14 and Elden Ring crossover. But could you imagine? In any case, everyone has their favorite Final Fantasy title, and with the widespread success of Rebirth, hopefully fans of IX will get their time in the sun. And in the meantime, we can continue to hold onto the beautiful Memoria project.

If you’re looking for more details about the different Dawntrail editions, we’ve got you covered. The new expansion is set to release this summer on July 2, 2024.


The Escapist is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission.Ā Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Alyssa Payne
Alyssa Payne
Alyssa Payne is the Weekend Editor for The Escapist. Her first-ever video game was Super Mario World back in the '90s, and these days, you'll find her playing World of Warcraft and chipping away at her backlog of indie horror titles and cozy games. Alyssa got her start in the games journalism industry in 2022 and in March 2024, she joined The Escapist. Her previous work can be seen at GameGrin, The Punished Backlog, TheGamer, and GameSkinny.