One of many huge bulletins popping out of Remaining Fantasy XIV Fan Fest 2026 was that the critically acclaimed MMORPG would come to the Nintendo Switch 2 in August of this 12 months. Director and producer Naoki Yoshida gave a dwell demo on-stage in the course of the keynote presentation and outlined the separate FFXIV subscription mannequin for Switch 2. However there weren’t many technical particulars shared at the moment. So, in a roundtable interview at Fan Fest, Yoshida confirmed just a few issues: the Switch 2 model of FFXIV can have mouse controls and it can goal 30 frames per second.
Yoshida was requested about Pleasure-Con mouse capabilities and whether or not or not he is performed high-level raid content material in testing, and mentioned, “For the primary a part of the query in regards to the built-in mouse controls, sure, it’s supported and it’s attainable. And for the second half, I’ve not tried going right into a Savage raid with the built-in mouse but!”
He did say that the QA workforce is checking and testing it within the lead-up to launch, but additionally talked about, “As a result of you should use a controller, I believe I would like to make use of one,” particularly for the Switch 2 model. “You’ll be able to select the way in which you wish to play. You’ll be able to put it within the [dock] to play on the TV, and I believe individuals who wish to do Savage raids would possibly wish to sit down, go into the content material, and I think about they might hook up their mouse and keyboard,” Yoshida expanded.
Just like the console variations, it seems the Switch 2 model will characteristic full keyboard and mouse assist as nicely, however he spoke to some great benefits of being on the handheld-console hybrid, saying, “Whereas, we will additionally play in handheld mode, for those who’re a gatherer or crafter [in-game non-combat classes] you may take it with you and do extra informal issues.” He famous that this coincides with the replace coming with the brand new enlargement Evercold and Patch 8.0 that may transfer the MMO to emphasise a weekly cycle of recurring content material as a substitute of each day cycles, saying, “You’ll be able to select what you wish to concentrate on and you’re extra free to decide on which mode to play, so I hope gamers will discover the way in which that’s most fitted to themselves.”
In the case of in-game efficiency, Yoshida prefaced issues by saying, “I’ve already seen some feedback on the social channels speaking in regards to the specs and how does it evaluate to the opposite extra strong programs… I wish to be sincere to you, we’re actually working laborious on the optimization for the platform and we’re striving to get the most effective efficiency.”
Afterward, Yoshida confirmed that FFXIV on Switch 2 shall be concentrating on 30fps. “In cities, you might even see a decrease frame-rate solely as a result of there are such a lot of gamers rendered on display,” he defined. “However we’re nonetheless capable of attain 30 frames per second, and keep in a steady state.” Whereas 30fps is not precisely ultimate for FFXIV once you get to larger degree content material (corresponding to raids), he spoke to aiming for stability by saying, “I believe efficiency is one thing you do not have to be involved about.”
In case you’re excited about taking part in FFXIV on Switch 2, you will even have think about the platform-specific subscription mannequin. Whereas you’ll not be required to subscribe to Nintendo Switch On-line, you have to a separate FFXIV subscription for the Switch 2 model. Subscribers of FFXIV on different platforms will get 50% off the Switch 2 price, nevertheless. (The FFXIV free trial now extends to the third enlargement, Shadowbringers, and doesn’t require fee, though it comes with in-game restrictions.)
For extra on the MMORPG, you’ll want to try my breakdown of the announcement of the following enlargement titled Evercold and the reveal of the Evangelion x FFXIV crossover raid content material coming subsequent 12 months.
Michael Higham is an editor at IGN who usually contributes with opinions, previews, options, and information in written and video kind. He is often entrusted with protecting lengthy RPGs and tech merchandise, however he is acquired vary relating to video games. You may additionally catch him at occasions and internet hosting video content material, together with IGN’s weekly podcast Unlocked.