Final Fantasy XIV has become one of the most popular MMOs in the genre. The game has become an industry titan, and the latest expansion, Endwalker, has only catapulted Final Fantasy XIV to new heights. While it may feel like it’s been out for an eternity, all games have a beginning. When did Final Fantasy XIV first start? The answer isn’t so simple.

Final Fantasy XIV: 1.0 was released on Sept. 30, 2010, but was received very poorly thanks to poor graphics, combat, and an unfinished feel. The poor reception forced Square Enix to close the game down on Nov. 12, 2012, to rebuild the game from the ground up under a new producer and director, Naoki Yoshida.

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, the relaunch of Final Fantasy XIV, released on Aug. 24, 2013. Unlike its predecessor, A Realm Reborn saw widespread praise by both critics and fans. Since then, the game has continued to improve upon existing content with regular updates and paid expansions like the following:

  • Heavensward: June 23, 2015Stormblood: June 20, 2017Shadowbringers: July 2, 2019Endwalker: Dec. 7, 2021

Final Fantasy XIV has become an award-winning title, claiming multiple accolades at the 2021 Game Awards.

For more on Final Fantasy XIV and Endwalker, be sure to check out some of our other articles, like How to download the Final Fantasy XIV Trial Version on PlayStation here on Pro Game Guides.