Final Fantasy 16 Website Launches With New Information On Its Characters And World

Square Enix has launched a new website detailing the characters and world of Final Fantasy XVI. The upcoming JRPG was announced in September as part of Sony's PlayStation 5 Showcase event.

Firstly, the three main characters are Clive Rosfield, his younger brother Joshua Rosfield, and their trusted confidant Jill Warrick. Producer Naoki Yoshida revealed some additional information on the PlayStation Blog, explaining that Clive is the main protagonist of the game and is both the young knight and the older tattooed man seen in the game's debut trailer.

The game takes place in a world called Valisthea, which the website describes as a land blessed in the light of the Mothercrystals. These crystals take the form of glittering mountains that tower over the realms around them, blessing them with aether that Valisthea's denizens flock to in order to conjure magicks that let them live lives of comfort. Six kingdoms are scattered throughout the land, including the Grand Duchy of Rosaria, where Clive, Joshua, and Jill hail from.

The website also details a powerful force called Eikons that reside within a Dominant, described as a single man or woman who is blessed with the ability to call upon their dread power. Dominants are treated as royalty in some kingdoms--with Joshua being a key example--while others are fearful of them and force them to serve as weapons of war.

"From the establishment of an all-new development environment, to learning the ins and outs of the PS5, the team and I have taken upon countless challenges during our journey to bring you the sixteenth chapter in the storied Final Fantasy franchise," said game director Hiroshi Takai. "And though we're pouring our hearts and souls into this project each and every day, it may still be some time before we can get it into your hands. However, I promise, the wait will be worth it!"

Producer Naoki Yoshida also mentioned that the next big information reveal is scheduled for 2021. Final Fantasy XVI will launch exclusively on PS5, with a timed-exclusivity deal between Sony and Square Enix. The reveal trailer initially mentioned PC as a release platform too, before it was removed shortly after. This is similar to the deal with this year's Final Fantasy VII Remake, which will apparently come to other platforms once the deal has expired.