RandomNPC – Video Game RPG Reviews, Editorials, and Features

Final Fantasy XIV has been plagued by a number of problems since its launch two months ago: lag, gameplay that was found lacking by many players, and a slew of negative reviews. Square Enix laid out an extensive plan for improving the troubled game and extended the free trial period twice in hopes of retaining the increasingly disillusioned playerbase.

Now the big boss has stepped in. CEO Yoichi Wada announced on Lodestone, the official Final Fantasy XIV site, that the development team has been restructured. Naoki Yoshida, a relatively unknown but experienced RPG developer, will be the new producer and director. Wada also mentioned that “several new leaders handpicked from other projects” will be joining the existing team. He also stated that the free trial period has been extended until a “concrete plan” for improvement has been formed. Furthermore, the PS3 release has been delayed beyond its anticipated March 2011 release.