Final Fantasy XIV Manga Chapters Offered Free During 2026 US Fan Fest Square Enix has announced that select chapters from two of its Final Fantasy XIV manga series will be made freely available through the Manga Up platform during the 2026 US Fan Festival. The promotion includes the series FFXIV: Eorzea Academy and Saki & FFXIV, with free access to specific chapters on the official website and app. No account is required to participate, and physical copies of Eorzea Academy and digital versions of Saki & FFXIV are also available for purchase. The free chapters will remain accessible until April 26, 2026, the conclusion of the US Fan Festival. The FFXIV: Eorzea Academy series is an alternate universe manga that reimagines the game’s characters as students and teachers in a slice-of-life setting. The story avoids the high-stakes conflicts and violence typical of the main game, focusing instead on everyday interactions among the heroes and villains. A single volume of the series has been released, and the promotion on Manga Up makes chapters 1.1 through 4.1 available for free. This expansion allows fans to explore the lighthearted, character-driven narratives without cost. In contrast, Saki & FFXIV is a more grounded and realistic story that follows a high schooler named Saki and her friends, who are members of a mahjong club. The series blends real-life school life with the fantasy world of Final Fantasy XIV, as the characters engage in the MMORPG to pursue additional adventures. The promotion includes chapters 0 through 8.2, offering readers a comprehensive look at the characters’ experiences and the integration of the game into their daily lives. Both manga series are accessible via the Manga Up platform, which hosts the official digital versions of the titles.#square_enix #final_fantasy_xiv #manga_up #us_fan_festival #eorzea_academy
FFXIV 2026 Fan Fest Keynote: Start Time and Viewing Details The 2026 Final Fantasy XIV Fan Fest is set to begin on Friday, April 24, with the highly anticipated keynote event scheduled to start at 10 a.m. PDT. Square Enix, the developer behind the game, has confirmed the keynote will last approximately two hours and will be streamed live on the FFXIV YouTube channel and the game’s official Twitch channel. The event will feature multiple time zones, with the keynote beginning at 1 p.m. EDT, 2 p.m. BRT, 6 p.m. BST, 7 p.m. CEST, 2 a.m. JST, and 3 a.m. AEST on the same day. The keynote will be presented by FFXIV producer Naoki Yoshida, who is known for making major announcements during the Fan Fest. In 2023, Yoshida unveiled the Dawntrail expansion during the event, which marked a significant milestone for the game. The Dawntrail 7.5 update, the final major patch for the expansion, is set to launch a few days after the Fan Fest concludes, fueling speculation about potential revelations regarding FFXIV 8.0. However, Square Enix has not officially confirmed any details about the next major version of the game, leaving fans to anticipate what might be unveiled. While the keynote is the centerpiece of the event, Square Enix has planned additional activities in the 24 hours following the keynote. These include an interview panel featuring Yoshida and FFXIV battle designer Hikaru Tamaki, a cosplay showcase, an hour-long concert with FFXIV pianist Keiko, the season’s PvP championship, and a talk by FFXIV localization lead Michael-Christopher Koji Fox. The full schedule of events is available on the Fan Fest Lodestone page. The Fan Fest will conclude with a performance by The Primals, the game’s rock band, which includes Koji Fox and sound director Masayoshi Soken.#square_enix #dawntrail #naoki_yoshida #ffxiv #the_primals
Next Final Fantasy Remake Has Reportedly Been Cancelled Square Enix has reportedly paused development on its remake of Final Fantasy IX, according to industry insider Nate the Hate. The project, first announced in 2024, was initially described as a “modest” undertaking compared to the ongoing remake of Final Fantasy VII. However, even a modest effort to rework a game from the early 2000s proves costly and complex, given the technical and creative challenges involved. Fans of the studio have expressed disappointment at the news, though the project remains a priority for Square Enix. Unlike new IPs or sequels, a remake of Final Fantasy IX is less likely to become obsolete over time, leaving room for the company to revive it in the future. While the remake is not expected to launch soon, many believe it will eventually happen, though timelines remain uncertain. Final Fantasy IX, originally released in 2000 for the PlayStation, is the ninth main entry in the series. It received a 93 on GameRankings at launch and has sold over nine million copies worldwide, making it one of the most successful titles in Square Enix’s RPG lineup. Despite its acclaim, the game has never been remastered or fully remade, though it was re-released as a PS1 classic on the PlayStation Store in 2011 and later received an enhanced port in 2016. Square Enix has not officially confirmed or denied the cancellation, and the report remains unverified. Industry sources caution that such rumors should be taken with skepticism until the company provides an official statement. Until then, fans are left waiting, with no clear indication of when—or if—the remake will proceed. The article also includes unrelated promotions for other games and content, which are not part of the original news piece.#square_enix #playstation #nate_the_hate #final_fantasy_ix #game_rankings
Final Fantasy 9 Remake Shelved as Square Enix Halts Development A long-rumored remake of Final Fantasy 9 has reportedly been put on hold, with no new progress reported by Square Enix, according to a trusted insider. The game, which has been a subject of speculation for years, is said to remain in limbo as the developer focuses on other projects. NateTheHate, a well-known leaker in the gaming community, recently shared details about the status of the remake during a podcast. The leaker, who has previously provided accurate information about Nintendo events and hardware releases, stated that the project has not seen any recent updates. "The last update I had on it is that the game is still on ice," he explained. While the phrase "on ice" suggests the possibility of future revival, the leaker emphasized that there has been no new movement on the project. The speculation about a Final Fantasy 9 remake first emerged from a series of Nvidia leaks several years ago. These leaks, which included details about other upcoming titles like Resident Evil 4 Remake and Dragon’s Dogma 2, hinted at a potential revival of the 2000 classic. However, the remake remains one of the few projects from those leaks that has not officially surfaced. Square Enix has not confirmed or denied the project’s existence, leaving fans in a state of anticipation. Despite the lack of official news, Square Enix has taken steps to celebrate the original game. The company has released a picture book prequel, launched new merchandise, and announced an upcoming animated TV show based on the series. These efforts have helped keep the legacy of Final Fantasy 9 alive, even in the absence of a remake. Meanwhile, fans have continued to engage with the game in creative ways.#square_enix #final_fantasy_9 #nate_the_hate #skip_rope_challenge #resident_evil_4_remake
Dissidia Duellum Announces Release Date and Character Lineup Square Enix has confirmed the release date for Dissidia Duellum, set for March 24, 2026, with the game featuring characters from several key Final Fantasy titles. The announcement included a launch trailer that revealed the inclusion of characters from Final Fantasy II, III, X, XI, XII, and XVI. Notable additions include Balthier from Final Fantasy XII, Clive from Final Fantasy XII, and Rikku from Final Fantasy X. These characters will appear in their modern, "real-world" attire, as shown in the trailer, giving fans a glimpse of their in-game appearance. The game’s character roster now covers every mainline Final Fantasy entry, excluding spin-offs. Square Enix also shared the Japanese voice actors for each confirmed character as part of the reveal. While the trailer highlighted the release date and gameplay footage, specific details about when the additional characters from FFII, FFIII, FFX, FFXI, FFXII, and FFXVI will join the cast were not provided. The term "Ghosts" was used to describe these characters, but no release dates for their inclusion were announced. Pre-registration for Dissidia Duellum is currently open for Android and Apple iOS devices. The game’s focus on competitive dueling mechanics and the inclusion of iconic characters from the Final Fantasy series has generated significant anticipation among fans. The absence of spin-off characters and the delayed arrival of some key figures have sparked discussions about the game’s broader roster and timeline for character additions.#square_enix #dissidia_duellum #final_fantasy_xi #final_fantasy_xii #final_fantasy_xvi
Overwatch's collaboration with Nier: Automata has been officially confirmed, bringing characters from the critically acclaimed game into Blizzard's hero shooter. The partnership, announced on March 10, 2026, introduces skins featuring Kiriko as 2B, Vendetta as A2, and Wuyang as 9S. Additionally, the collaboration includes skins that reimagine Lifeweaver as Adam and Mercy as Commander White. While the character pairings align with fan expectations, some players have expressed curiosity about potential combinations like Emil-Wrecking Ball or Pascal-Bastion, which were not included in the release. The collaboration also features Pod 042 and Pod 153, which are paired with 2B Kiriko and 9S Wuyang, respectively. Beyond the skins, the Overwatch x Project YoRHa collection includes a themed lobby co-designed by Nier: Automata artists Kimihiko Fujisaka and Koda Kazuma. A dedicated collaboration event hub will allow players to earn additional cosmetic rewards through challenges, such as name cards, a player title, and a special weapon charm inspired by the partnership. Square Enix highlighted the commercial success of Nier: Automata, noting that the game has sold 10 million copies since its 2017 release. The publisher also hinted at future developments for the franchise, cryptically stating, "Nier: Automata to be continued…" Meanwhile, the creative team behind the game, including designer Yoko Taro, is also working on a new Neon Genesis Evangelion anime series. Fans have speculated that this could eventually lead to EVA-themed skins for Overwatch characters, though the release of a Kiriko Rei Ayanami skin remains a possibility tied to the anime's launch.#overwatch #nier_automata #kimihiko_fujisaka #koda_kazuma #square_enix
