In the world of MMORPGs, visual enhancements and new jobs are always highly anticipated by players. Square Enix plans to roll out a major graphical update and New jobs in the upcoming 7.0 expansion, Dawntrail. During the recent keynote presentation on July 28, 2023, fans got their first glimpse of the improvements to character models and scenery. In this article, we'll delve into the changes and comparisons, analyzing how the beloved races have been reimagined, as well as the stunning visual overhaul of in-game environments.

• Character Models
• Scenery Enhancements
• New Jobs

↖ Character Models

The graphical update brings character models to life with improved textures and lighting effects. While it's important to note that the update is still a work in progress and not final, the improvements are already impressive.

• Hyur and Elezen: The human-like races, Hyur and Elezen, display subtle yet noticeable enhancements in their facial features and skin textures. The eyes, in particular, look stunning, with more realistic reflections and depth. The attention to detail on Ellison's ears, where the skin texture is vastly improved, is especially commendable.
• Miqo'te: Miqo'te characters show significant refinement in the eyes and nose regions. The eyes appear more vibrant and captivating, while the nose retains the iconic Minecraft style but with slight adjustments, making it more appealing.
• Lalafell: Lalafell characters now exude a shiny appearance, giving them a charming yet distinct feel. Although some players may find this new effect intentional or not, the graphical update overall enhances the characters' adorable nature.
• Au Ra: Au Ra race receives the most noticeable glow-up, especially for males. The scale texture on their horns looks remarkably realistic, adding depth and authenticity to their appearance.
• Viera and Hrothgar: Despite being relatively recent additions to the game, the Viera and Hrothgar races also receive impressive updates. Viera's hairline and skin texture show remarkable improvements. As for the Hrothgar, the effort to make their appearance more rugged, resembling actual fur, is praiseworthy.

↖ Scenery Enhancements

Beyond character models, the 7.0 graphics update significantly enhances the in-game environments. The demonstration showed a remarkable comparison between old and updated scenery, promising a visual feast for players.

• Striking Ill Meg: The Striking Ill Meg, a vibrant location in the game, highlights the remarkable improvements brought by the new scattering technology. The ground texture, reflective surfaces, and lighting create a jaw-dropping transformation, making players eager to explore this updated world.
• Existing Zones: While not all zones will receive updates in 7.0, the development team plans to roll them out gradually over the 7. x series. The team acknowledges that there may be moments where updated NPCs coexist with non-updated ones. Nonetheless, players can expect environments that feel more dynamic and lifelike, featuring improved lighting, shadows, and textures.

↖ New Jobs

The revelation of new jobs is always an exciting event for players. The anticipation builds as fans analyze various hints and clues dropped by Yoshi-P, the game's director, during events like FanFests. In the upcoming 7.0 Dawntrail expansion, Yoshi-P dropped hints about potential new jobs by wearing a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle t-shirt at the Vegas Fan Fest. So we explore the top three possible jobs, as well as some wildcard theories based on the clues provided.

• Corsair - The Pirate Gambler: Yoshi-P's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle t-shirt could be a subtle nod to the Corsair job. Corsair has a history in Final Fantasy XI as a job with a gambler-like playstyle. The ongoing debate between pirates and ninjas in the gaming community influenced this choice. Additionally, the Spanish word for Turtles is Tortuga, an island famous for piracy in the 17th century, which further supports the Corsair theory. The Corsair could potentially be a dual-wielding sword-user with some ranged pistol attacks, fitting the melee and caster/range job hints dropped by Yoshi-P.
• Pictomancer - The Artistic Spellcaster: Another possible job hinted at by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reference is the Pictomancer. The names of the four turtles, Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo, are tied to famous Italian artists. The Pictomancer could be a magical ranged caster who materializes abilities from sketches or paintings. The job's name might be a placeholder, but the concept of an artist-like spellcaster has been seen in other games, making it a credible theory.
• Geomancer - The Nature-based Spellcaster: Genbu, one of the four Lords from Final Fantasy XIV's Stormblood expansion, was a Geomancer. The South American-inspired visuals in the teaser trailer also align well with the nature-centric theme of Geomancers. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles could symbolize the adaptability of Geomancer's magic, mutating or adapting based on environmental energy. This job would fit the range caster role and resonate with elemental and nature-based themes.
• Time Mage - Inspired by Turtles in Time: The title of a popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle video game, Turtles in Time, could hint at the inclusion of a Time Mage job. While the connection might be loose, Yoshi-P has previously used indirect hints like this to reveal jobs. The Time Mage could manipulate time and support allies with time-based magic.
• Chemist - The Alchemical Specialist: While there have been discussions about the inclusion of the Chemist job in FFXIV, Yoshi-P previously mentioned they explored the idea but ultimately decided against it. However, the reference to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles being a product of a chemical reaction raises some interest in the Chemist's inclusion. The Chemist could be a job that specializes in alchemy, providing potent potions and buffs to allies.

Conclusion:

FFXIV 7.0 Dawntrail expansion brings a visual feast for players with its impressive character model updates and breathtaking scenery enhancements. The introduction of three new jobs adds excitement and anticipation to the already thriving world of Eorzea. As fans eagerly await the official release, they can rest assured that Square Enix's dedication to quality and innovation will ensure a captivating and thrilling gaming experience.