Hivemind and Sony Pictures announced that the live-action Final Fantasy XIV TV show has the green light. Avid gamers know Final Fantasy as a legendary role-playing video game where players become immersed in a world incorporating science fiction and fantasy elements. Thirty years ago, the game was a last-ditch effort by its developers to save their company. Today it’s a world-renowned franchise that has spawned a series, side games, and numerous spin-offs.
Inspired by the fourteenth installment, Final Fantasy XIV is set in the world of Eorzea. Chris Parnell, Sony Pictures TV’s Co-President, commented to Inquirer.net, “This show is about embracing and embodying all of the elements that have made the mythos such an endlessly captivating phenomenon, and it’s an immense honor to be bringing all of Eorzea’s iconic characters, settings, and concepts … to a television audience.”
While specific plotlines have not been released yet, the Final Fantasy XIV TV show features the game’s most beloved characters and introduces new friends. As with the game, the plot revolves around the hallmarks of the series: magitek, airships, beastmen and chocobos. Jason Brown, Hivemind Entertainment Co-Founder and Co-President, is bringing artists from around the world to work on the project. In a press release from PR Newswire, he states, “Television is the ideal medium to capture the extraordinary depth, sophisticated themes and unparalleled imagination of Final Fantasy.”
Final Fantasy History
Final Fantasy was created in 1987 for the Nintendo Entertainment System by SquareSoft, a Japanese game manufacturer. It is set in a Tolkienesque land filled with volcanos, elves, robots and underwater temples. The game designer allegedly called it Final Fantasy because he thought it would be the last game he ever created. Unlike previous creations, this game catapulted the company, now Square Enix, Inc., to international success.
While each installment requires different strategies and mechanics, the world in which it is set remains the same. It has familiar components, plots, and themes, weaving a tale centered around good vs. evil. These common elements make it easy to move from one game to the next without playing them in order. Each sequel has its own unique storyline, hero and apocalyptic events. Throughout the games, obstacles become increasingly difficult, and character development more complex.
As technology advanced, so did the graphics and sophistication of the game. Twisted plots, exotic settings, and alternate realities give players a sense of embarking on an adventure. Along with sequels featuring a variety of characters and storylines, the game creators expanded the platforms from Nintendo to Microsoft’s Xbox, Sony PlayStation, and Windows-based computers.
Franchise Spinoffs
With a cult following, the Final Fantasy franchise encompasses not only online games but a stand-alone, sub-franchise anime series. In addition, there have been several animated movies and a multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG).
For those unfamiliar with role-playing games, they take place in a world all their own. Players take the role of the hero or another main character. The champion must face death-defying odds and battle a throng of monsters to save the universe. Along the way, the fearless leader fights epic battles with an armory of new skills, weapons, and friends.
Final Fantasy XIV TV Show – Sources
‘Final Fantasy XIV’ is coming to TV
Iconic Video Game FINAL FANTASY XIV Being Developed for Live-Action Series with Hivemind and Sony Pictures Television