The popular MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV has just released its latest major update, bringing with it a host of new emotes for players to express themselves in-game. Emotes have long been a popular way for FFXIV players to add personality and humor to their interactions, and this new update adds over a dozen new options to choose from.
As Final Fantasy XIV continues to grow its subscriber base, now claiming over 25 million registered players globally, the development team at Square Enix has been working hard to give fans more ways to enjoy their time in the game’s vast and immersive world. This includes expanding the emote system, which allows players to trigger animated motions and poses using text commands.
“Emotes have become such a big part of the Final Fantasy XIV experience and culture,” said Naoki Yoshida, director and producer of FFXIV. “We want to celebrate that by continuously adding new and fun emotes that let our players express themselves in new ways while adventuring across Eorzea and beyond.”
Some highlights from the new emotes added in this patch include:
- /lookout – strikes a vigilant pose while scanning the horizon
- /zigzag – zigzags back and forth comically
- /prayreturn – drops to one knee in a gracious bow
- /vpose – strikes a bold v-shaped pose
- /crossarms – crosses arms sternly
- /boggle – expresses confusion with a bubble over their head
- /laugh – throws head back for hearty laugh
- /read – opens a book and pretends to read intently
The emote system has been hugely popular since first being introduced years ago. Emotes help facilitate role-playing interactions, coordinated dance routines at in-game events, recreating popular meme images, and just general casual fun between friends or strangers. This latest update brings the total number of available emotes closer to 200, providing near endless options.
FFXIV players have already begun putting the new emotes to creative use across the game’s servers. The Stone, Sky, Sea training area has seen raucous laughter ringing out as players test the hilarious new /laugh emote, while populated cities like Limsa Lominsa and Ul’dah host impromptu games of charades as players try interpreting each other’s emoted actions.
This emote update is the feather in the cap of the massive Patch 7.35, which also introduced a new Mystic Race tribal questline, fresh furniture items for the island sanctuary, a new treasure huntdungeon, and a variety of job adjustments.
Patch 7.35 underscores the incredible post-launch support the FFXIV development team provides, continuously expanding features and content years after the initial release. Over the past decade Square Enix has nurtured FFXIV froma disastrous launch into the MMO powerhouse it is today, aiming to keep players entertained for many years to come.
But it’s updates like these emotes that generate a special excitement in the player base compared to hardcore battle content and story progression. The lighthearted nature and roleplay connections allow casual players to enjoy the update right away without grinding progression.
“I love when new emotes arrive in game,” said a player on the Chaos data center named Mint Dew. “It breathes fresh life into my everyday interactions and roleplay events. I can’t wait to use the new /prayreturn emote at the stately weddings my Free Company hosts!”
With emotes being so beloved by Final Fantasy players, many are already speculating what future additions could be on the horizon. Yoshida commented that they keep a running list of player suggestions and monitor which emotes get popular usage to determine priorities.
Only time will tell what expressive flourishes get added next to the game’s burgeoning emote lexicon. But one thing is for sure – emotes will continue to drive community connections and adorable virtual antics across Eorzea for years to come.
