With the release of the highly anticipated Final Fantasy XIV expansion Dawntrail on July 2, 2024 (Early Access for preordering starts June 28), the folks at Square Enix decided to gear up for launch by hosting an event in London, at the Big Chill Bar. Thanks to the lovely lot BastionPR, we were able to obtain tickets and join in the fun. Here’s our report!If you had travelled down to London during the day or night via King’s Cross Station or the underground, you were welcomed with the sight of a life-size replica of an Aetheryte Crystal. For those unfamiliar with Final Fantasy XIV, these crystals are used as teleport beacons for travel across the world, so you attune to one and then can travel to it with the teleport spell or if you set it as a home point, can return. Teleport has a small fee depending on how far you are, and return is free.When entering the event, you’re able to soak up some pictures of the new jobs that will be launching in the expansion. These jobs can be unlocked via completing the original 2.0 main story and having a job high enough level, as well as purchasing the DLC itself, obviously. The new jobs are Pictomancer and Viper, with Viper being a melee job that shares gear with Ninja and Pictomancer is a casting job that shares gear with other casting Jobs.I will be playing through Dawntrail as Pictomancer because the idea of a painting-based job sounds very appealing, so I’m hyped to say the least. At the back of the event there were a couple of people handing out lanyards, which are based on your role (Healer/Tank/DP) as well as a raffle ticket. You’re also able to write on them so folk know your character name, server name, free company and starting town.During the evening we were offered drinks based on the new jobs, plus other standard beverages. The more elaborate drinks cost two tokens and everything else cost just one. You got two tokens for going to the event. My only issue with the night was when I first asked the bartender if they would do a non-alcoholic version (as I don’t drink alcohol) I was originally told no, but later on in the night one of the bartenders that was inside was willing to make the Pictomancer drink for me with no alcohol.This was a minor frustration and obviously some wires got crossed somewhere along the line, but it did little to deter from my enjoyment. Meanwhile, food was also offered for free, with allergy information on each plate, also when I asked about nut allergy information was given a full lowdown on what everything did or did not contain. As such, I have to extend a big thank you to the venue staff for this.Half-way through the night there was also a raffle, and everyone who picked up a free adventurer plate (which is a cute lanyard you could fill in all your details on) got a ticket. Square Enix gave away several different prizes ranging from lamps to a Collector’s Edition box of Dawntrail. This was especially generous of them as the whole event was completely free for everyone (I didn’t win, but hey, maybe next time – I was really hoping to bag one of the Korpokkur, as it’s just adorable).You could also get a free temporary tattoo for a job, some folk got in early enough and got the fat cat tattoo but I didn’t make it in time. Still, I am branded as a white mage now, and even after a few days it’s still here. Moving on, in the room next to the Tattoo area, there was a board with post-it notes in which you could write something (SFW was asked for) for people to look at and enjoy so you could show the fact you had been to the event.As the party was wrapping up, we all ended up going to the Aetheryte near the King’s Cross Station, which was now glowing just like in the game. I had an incredible time chatting with people, talking to staff at the venue, and enjoying the free drinks. It was a lovely night and I know a lot of people walked away even more excited to go on their journey to Tural when Dawntrail launches.Wrapping up, I’d like to extend my thanks to Square Enix for doing this for the community, as it’s rare that events are free nowadays and I would have been more than happy to have paid for tickets. As a massive fan of Final Fantasy XIV, it was great to celebrate the launch of Dawntrail and spend time mingling with this great community.
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