Producer/Director Naoki Yoshida's Emotional Closing Speech at

[@aqueliachan]

A new 2020 interview with YoshiP for a more personal perspective: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m56plqBmha-XmpI

[@framar601]

Best game director of all time! I dont understand people complaining that he is not doing enough for the game, no mmo compares to how ffxiv is today and its continuing evolvement.

[@atnp]

agree... not many director can fix a failed game before :D

[@ChandaniAranka]

Even with Shadowbringers, people are still complaining about every tiny detail. Latest craze is the 2B pants flatten the butt if used with certain chest pieces xD And they claim they release halffinished races, content etc cause they are lazy and do not care. That actually angers me with how entitled some people are thinking making stuff and features in a MMO is a quick fix xD

[@feykro222]

@@ChandaniAranka But races are unfinished. Viera and Hrothgar can't wear helmets for example. Many textures are on the Minecraft quality level even in imporant cutscenes. Not just some hidden texture. I am talking about pixelated clothes and hands.

[@DongDestroyers]

@@feykro222 you are actually insane

[@ElShogoso]

@@feykro222 It's... it's a PS3 game The game may not be available for the PS3 anymore but it's still shackled by the limitations of the engine they designed with PS3 in mind, unless they make a complete engine overhaul like WoW did, the game WILL have potato looks and low res textures. Luckily, not a lot of people care about graphics in an MMORPG

[@dejpatch4280]

Rewatching this since FFXIV just became the most active MMO in the world. Yoshi P and the whole team did a fantastic job turning this game around. They freakin' did the impossible, and deserve all the success in the world.

[@UkraineJames2000]

I'm glad I switched from Classic WoW. Truly a great MMO.

[@saiyukirengoku3023]

Yep I just tried FFXIV recently and when logged in I just saw many people still playing it even the city of Uldah was crowded.

[@BROJANGSTER]

they won the game award for best ongoing game 😎😎

[@ThisIsTheTruth34]

He is by far the classiest person in the business. He took something that was completely broke, made it manageable all while making a brand new MMO behind the scenes from scratch. Yoshi-P should be proud of what he has produced because a lot of people would not have wanted to take on that huge project. Thank you Yoshi-P, just know that most if not all of us are grateful for what you have accomplished with you and your team!

[@HCSR2]

Oh, hey, it's the Warrior of Light of this reflection.

[@user-lc5bu9bm7v]

if you notice how low he bows, its a sign of deep respect and humility.

[@MinimyoCaly]

...we know.

[@pineapplepizza6661]

@@MinimyoCaly nah.

[@WaterInmyHands]

@@MinimyoCaly Can't stop laughing at this comment

[@BadaBadger]

6 YEARS LATER, People give him shit for not getting what they want Leave him alone, he's doing his best.

[@DawnAfternoon]

this man alone slogged ff14 from its lowest bottom to one of the highest apex in the world of MMOs... respect for him

[@slainmaster1997]

Twilight053 Not just Yoshi P. We also have to account for the team that managed to stick to his ways and develop the game we know today. Yoshi P was the one that opened the way for it to happen yes, but it was the dev team he leaded that created the road for all of us to walk on, and I feel that sometimes they don't get enough credit in comparisson.

[@Zero-rq9ti]

Slain Heart Well now he will

[@rinnnnnnnnnnrinRinOnishi]

And now it is the highest grossing mmo and the most popular

[@360Fov]

To this very day, hundreds and thousands of plays are signing up to FFXIV every day. I could never get into it, from 1.0 on PS3 all the way to PC - but this past couple of days it's finally 'clicked'. I'm offended by Blizzard charging a fee to play that game - there's nothing enjoyable to do that doesn't ultimately feel pointless. In FFXIV I'm doing menial things like fishing and culinary and it feels more significant for my character than the Covenant system does in Shadowlands. That says a lot.

[@jonathansoko1085]

yall know he didnt do it alone, right? You are aware that one man can not save a game by himself, right?

[@BeligerentAwakening]

If anyone knows what a socially awkward stigma Japan has over crying, not just in public, but even around friends, they'd understand how big this was. Mad respect for Mr. Yoshida!

[@raptorx364]

Didn't know that...

[@asmallbabby4205]

I don't think he was really crying, it was all part of PR, he HAD to seem emotional for players to come back

[@XelaShade]

what you talking about? lmao^

[@kefkapalazzo1092]

A Small Babby fuck off. thats just bullshit. period.

[@Diskhate]

People often confuse the producers (the ones that may also love the industry...but have to give priority to scheduling, earnings and how to save money) with the developer (the one that cares about it's art...believe it or not even the teams behind stuff like COD put as much passion as they are allowed to by the higher ups into their games) PS: of course there are exceptions of shit*y devs that only want to make a quick buck

[@snaffu1]

Seeing Yoshida on stage today, showing his thanks to have his best friend back again... this video really hits different now.

[@Momon143]

If anybody ever claims that developers (and this may not be true for all developers, but it's true for many) don't care about the players or don't care about their games, show them this. "I love Final Fantasy, and I love MMOs." Simple words, but truly touching.

[@TheGrandRevo]

Game creators put sweat blood and tears into their work of course they care. It's the publishers who do not

[@Spiderdudu83]

Its especially incredible of we consider that these people where still updating the failed original update and even fixing it to a playable level while at the same time developing A Realm Reborn

[@omarsameh5007]

world of warcraft , say hi

[@kerrygamer9359]

@@omarsameh5007 no, blizzard never care fans, only care greedy money.

[@ElShogoso]

@@kerrygamer9359 I think that's his point

[@curagaifrit6829]

He was under immense pressure. The shareholders, the community, the ceos at square enix, all depending on him to make it right - there was more than ff14 on the line. And then, on his big reveal, it went sour when the servers crashed over and over. This was him, humbly requesting all of us to forgive him, and wait a little longer. His sincerity in this clip granted that forgiveness. It was a human moment for everyone involved, and it aged well. Ff14 didnt just survive, it was transformed into one if the best MMOs. Mad respect for him

[@wexfordam]

Naw it's so nice to see a developer feel so much emotion for his game and the fans. I have so much respect for yoshida.

[@ThatRipper]

2019 waiting for the 3rd expansion, we made it Yoshi P \o/

[@houseplant7574]

We going to the Moon!!!

[@heavymellow333]

I don't know why I come back and watch this video every time a new expansion comes out. He really delivered on his promises, Yoshida's still the man!

[@Satellitebeamss]

YO WE MADE IT BOIS SHADOWBRINGERS OTW

[@SylvostX]

NOW IS ENDWOLKER !!! wohoooooooooooooooo

[@GriziDaWiz]

We shall slowly start building the history, you were here for ShB, we are here for endwalker and hopefully years ahead we will have a nice collection of people here.

[@Satellitebeamss]

ENDWALKER HYPE man this game has come so far!

[@Dwayneff]

And Shadowbringers is dubbed the best expansion to date.

[@voidbite]

Dawntrail is here now.

[@icyflamezkurotsuchi4265]

I wish other MMO developers had anywhere close to this level of passion for their game. Naoki Yoshida and the FFXIV team deserve endless amounts of praise for the work they've done and continue to do. Patch 3.1 might have had a longer than usual wait time until release but that's only because Heavensward (and the ARR patches) was a HUGE amount of work and the dev team deserved a little time to rest before returning to their break-neck work pace.

[@FABRIZZLE]

The is the closest I’ve ever felt to a game developer and it really means a lot to me as a player and a fan of games in general. Yoshi deserves all the praise he gets.

[@SuccubiPie]

I have never wanted to run and hug someone so bad in my *life*.

[@cavemanken7029]

Watching his internal battle with his emotions nearly brought me to tears. I'm glad that we have someone that cares so much for the game, the fans, and his work that it effects him so profoundly. Thank You Yoshi P

[@Majin_Fuu]

I revisit this video on occasion to remind myself that there are devs and producers that actually give a damn

[@kairesu5847]

9 years later, 7.0 is gonna launch next year and yoshida and the team is so happy, fans love it - the legacy of this continues !

[@v.c.8709]

This is what a passionate developer who LOVES his work looks like. I was a player who started in 1.0 (had the CE and everything). I left but came back around ARR because I could feel the team's dedication and passion. I saw this happen live and I shed a tear myself. Shadowbringers launch is weeks away and I am still here. This game is part of my life. I've made wonderful friends and amazing memories inside and outside the game, and this man made that possible. Thank you, Yoshi P.

[@RealRaslu]

And here we are today. FF is king!!

[@foxyrinoa]

this man is the reason I have played almost every day for 2 years now. I love ffxiv and can't believe he was able to turn it into the game it is now from 1.0 keep up the good work yoshida-san, and koji. and everyone else involved in ffxiv.

[@travisshannon9040]

A true legend indeed! Thank you Mr. Yoshida for making FFXIV great!

[@mohammedaljanahi]

All thanks goes to fans who didn't give up on the game from 1.0

[@66maybe66]

2:18 Yoshida mentioned this again just yesterday at the end of Fan Fest, after Soken spoke about his battle with cancer. Soken really was the first person to stand up and cheer the team on for Realm Reborn. He's truly a blessing.

[@kyelldewindt9564]

the guy deserves a statue

[@altaiir541]

Watching this 10 yrs later after they announced dawntrail and finished the 10 yr zodiark/hydaelin story made it all the sweeter. He probably didn't knew how long a journey it was gonna be when he said "the start of a long journey"

[@Amavisaj]

Look at how young everyone looks. Soken looks like a kid! wow. 2022, This shows just how far it has come. What a great video.

[@Axtmoerder]

8 years later this hits really hard. they were talking about ff14 no longer shaming the final fantasy legacy, and now 8 years later its arguably the most beloved entry since forever. its just universally loved, when was this the case the last time? ff10?

[@Dwayneff]

This brought tears, i am deeply honored to be playing FF14 since release, be it off and on, but to see this emotinal speech about a game this man loves and adores so much, I have so much respect for Mr Yoshida.

[@aqueliachan]

And here we are again 2 years later, celebrating the launch anniversary of A Realm Reborn, now we are 5 Million strong! Keep up with the amazing work YoshiP and Team! We can see how this has positively affected the rest of SE and their approach towards players. We are no longer the 4th wall. We are now an active part of the SE development process.

[@aqueliachan]

+Aquelia Chan So I made this comment 11 hours ago, this morning... and tonight I finished doing the 2nd anniversary The Rising questline... the 4th wall comment sure was a foreshadowing!! If you guys have not done the Rising yet, GO DO IT! My video will be up as soon as I'm done feeling all these feels /washed in sea of feels

[@ThisIsTheTruth34]

+Aquelia Chan Agreed, I teared up for sure.

[@Meltyclaw]

20 Million players later...

[@carlos50cents]

Almost 6 years after, people forgot about this moment, because they don't have a stupid race. I love you Yoshi, keep working on ffxiv please!! EDIT: ShadowBringers is the best expansion. Is the best Final Fantasy game ever for me. Thank you Naoki Yoshida Edit 2: Now we have the race LOL male viera coming for 6.0

[@matthatter56]

Exactly.

[@eveningrice]

He did an amazing job. I've been playing for a few months now and I'm blown away by how amazing and beautiful this game is!

[@leonov7157]

A true warrior of light. They made the hard right instead of the easy wrong.

[@dingdongs5208]

Puts all other publishers and dev companies to shame, a man and a team that truly cares about what they're working on!

[@KooriGraywolf]

I love how much he recalls the moment when Soken cheered him on in the meeting. He even mentioned it yet again, and again in tears, when Soken recently announced he had been dealing with cancer but thankfully it was now in remission

[@holitinne]

0:47 “Yoshida-san, I really want to congratulate you on the release. I’m a player.”

[@sanefoxx2747]

I admire how they admit there own mistakes in front of a crowd of people.

[@SlugintheNorth]

Man i love this game.. I love this game so much and YoshiP is just.. Wow so much respect man, makes me love the game so much more. Been playing since the beginning September 2014 and I've been just hooked.. Its such a beautiful game. Thank you Yoshida!

[@jf4156]

I just started playing ffxiv a week ago coming from wow, I just hit 50 and loving it!! this is so cool to see the devs care so much for their game.

[@messatsu92]

Fellow Warriors of Light, are you prepared to meet the end?

[@dreamer6737]

And now it’s the worlds most popular MMO. Amazing!

[@leonidasvonsparta]

thats touching... hard not to cry D:

[@anonymousxaela761]

This, compared to "Do you guys not have phones?" Really goes to show the difference between creators who love their work, and love their community, compared to people who are just in it to make money as a corporation.

[@omnichixthewise2769]

and here we are at patch 5.2 of shadowbringer 18 million player worldwide. he is amazing thank you Yoshi-P and your team for all you have done

[@icyflamezkurotsuchi4265]

Once again this never ceases to amaze me and make me tear up. The amount of passion and care that Yoshi-P brings to the game is evident in both his communications with the players and the game itself! Can't wait to see what the next leg of our journey is going to bring in Stormblood! Red Mage hype!

[@shinsenrock]

Yoshi P's connection with the community is one of if not THE top reason why i play and don't see myself stopping anytime soon. developers as open and passionate like him are few and far between. keep on keepin on Yoshi!

[@UncleSaat]

+Matt Rockwell Agree!

[@BlackWinchester]

Time has passed, and now we're closing the 10years chapter of Hydaelyn and Zodiark to star a new adventure. ENDWALKERS LETS GOOOOOOOOOOO

[@Holyhallucin]

From time to time i come back to watch this. Nothing but respect for this man and his team!

[@helpdesk133]

From then till now. Blood, sweat AND tears. Yoshida-san meant it when he said this was his life's work. His heart always on his sleeve and did all that he could to deliver something that others would enjoy and the lengths he knew it would take. There will never be enough thank you's for this man and his team. Ever.

[@Diskhate]

It's always so good seeing actual humanity and passion coming out of a game developer, rather than the usual PR-departement-approved stuff they are forced to regurgitate during interviews and events. Much respect

[@ChristyCub]

I’ve played since 1.0 beta and the transition to 2.0 was truly epic. I don’t think I’ll ever see something like that again in my life!

[@JBlizzyFan]

what a legend

[@aqueliachan]

I was re-organizing my playlists and decided to watch this again, YoshiP, even 2.0 has come a long way now after a year. Ganbatte!! Subscriptions ebb and flow with each patch but there is still a hard core group (a large one! and has been here since 1.0!) that will continue to support the dream. New players appear every day. My friends and I decided to run some older content and encountered groups of new players, helping each other out, enjoying the game and their joy shines through. The xiv team has done what many said was impossible!

[@ShadowB8]

Proud to be one of the new wave of players and planning to continue the support :) On to Heavensward!

[@aqueliachan]

ShadowB8 Welcome to Eorzea!

[@charlesmcdowell9436]

Aquelia Chan Just started playing the game on ps4 a month ago, I bought another copy for windows and have been enjoying it ever since.

[@aqueliachan]

+charles mcdowell wooo enjoy the amazing story! Come back here and tell me what you think after you've progressed through the first few arcs! /super curious! I miss the game horribly D: But traveling and life has kept me away for a while, hoping to get back into it and finally catch up on story soon

[@zero5559]

@@aqueliachan As of a week ago they announced 5.0's teaser. Game has come a long way.

[@lanarose1075]

I have a lot of respect to him for showing his emotions especially since he’s a man and they are taught to not show emotion. It’s heartwarming and it means he cares a lot about his fanbase and the series

[@RaisinsO]

This was in a way beautiful and shows how much work and commitment these people have to the new release. I went through 1.0, paid for as long as I was able and supported this effort strongly since Yoshi-P stepped in and took the helm of the project. I am sure this game will evolve into something amazing, even with a slightly rocky start :)

[@Justuas]

bilis69 "slightly"

[@gaspump]

I keep coming back to this video when I need a reminder of how dedicated YoshiP and team are, and sometimes just when I want to get all misty. Either way....... ....I would kill for a picture of Soken doing a Guts pose.

[@TheRealLink]

As a player from v1.0 through beta into ARR and now HW, I can only thank Yoshi P for the tireless work he's done along with the team to make XIV a success! Thank you!

[@BlizzIceCool]

Mad mad respect for you Mr. Yoshida.

[@Falcoln999]

This man deserves the love. 100%.

[@dangomichi354]

Thank you so much for everything Naoki 💖 FFXIV will always be in our heart

[@Zaiqahal]

That's always the kind of person you need to run a game. Someone who's completely passionate about what he does, that it makes him cry tears of joy about how far they've come.

[@luciferr09]

Yoshida-san! You have more than made up for the troubled launch and then some! We love you!

[@dalamarwren424]

This guy puts almost all other game company devs to shame with his passion, arigato asimas

[@nawab256]

There's the reason we come back to this video, it really shows us how great the developer for our game is to his work. The developing team should be proud. They are the complete opposite of blizzard and there is no one I want to support more than yoshida and his team.

[@JelaniWood]

This is got to be one of the most endearing things I've ever seen in my life I was already a fan of the game and a fan of the man and then I see this and it's just like I don't even have any words for it besides endearing as all hell

[@Nagantios]

Thank you, Yoshida.

[@Atlastheyote222]

Big respect to the man for acknowledging his mistakes and pledging to make a proper MMO experience that he and his team could be proud of. And damn did they succeed in the end.

[@WyrmLimion]

I remember watching this event at the time. I cried cause it was so emotional for them and for me as started being a member of the FFXIV community long before 1.0's launch and watching the turmoil of the next 3 years after its launch. I was so happy they were taking stock and their dedication to give us the game as it should have been.

[@KappoJK]

That was such an awesome moment in gaming. Man, seems like yesterday. Time flys when you get to enjoy such an amazing game with millions of awesome people.

[@aqueliachan]

If you guys haven't watched the new documentary, do! Here is part 3 that specifically talks about what happened on this day kzbin.info/www/bejne/hX-3Z5muntpsmdk

[@rVesperialGaming]

I am so proud of for him save SQEX and FINAL FANTASY. Now FINAL FANTASY is now an Powerhouse again!

[@BacklogBattle]

I had to rewatch this video again after someone retweeted a screenshot of Yoshi-P crying recently in response to complaints about Stormblood's Early Access. Server issues and bugs can be fixed, that much is certain. But you can't fake passion. Cheers to Yoshi-P and the rest of the FFXIV team. I would've have met some of the most amazing people in my life without this game.

[@xWhackoJacko]

This is a man, and a dev team as a whole, that demands our respect. God bless them all. Keep your fuckin head high Yoshi. Lower it for NO ONE.

[@AquaSkywalker]

YishiP, Dawntrail has just been released, and I’m having so much fun. I just wish all the happiness for you and all the dev team members who have ever worked on the game. Thank you so much for all the joys excitement, and happiness. Your words “I like FF and MMO…” have resonated so much with us. Thank you so much for all you have done.

[@MrYuntu]

One of the best developers SE has at the moment, I really hope he can - at some point in time - pour his love for Final Fantasy not only in a MMO but also in a singleplayer entry.

[@aqueliachan]

+MrYuntu I'd love to see that!

[@daffanier]

YOUR WISH COMES TRUE, WE GOT FF 16!

[@Bongaboi151]

"Dear Journal, Many moons ago, in Kugane, I recall my father, the Wandering Minstrel, explaining to me how difficult it was for him to set the path that I would tread and conquer, how stressful it was for him to envision the path, the journey, and it really made him upset to see that the original path could not be saved. He had many sleepless nights and days figuring out what to do and what not to do, but when he finally readied it for me, I soon realized the only way I could repay my father's trust...was to experience the story as he told it so I that I could appreciate it. And I did it. My true father died when I was young. The Wandering Minstrel is now the only father I have, and I will ever have. I love you, Yoshi-Papa...daddy. Thank you for this journey. Love, your adopted daughter... Kahori Harukawa."

[@mitrasruleoftwo]

I cried reading this wtf

[@Bongaboi151]

@@mitrasruleoftwo Thank you for reading.

[@cmatista1]

6.0 AND FFXVI both on the way we made it lads

[@jodisredwyne378]

Huge amount respect for this guy, and his team.

[@Moonlit_Neko]

No doubt that man, Naoki Yoshida, will always be the best developer of this era. His dedication, and his humility make him a legend

[@laurenw94]

Its emotional ooking back here now knowing that this long 10 year story its nearing its end. If only he knew back then. Thank you Yoshida❤

[@lastxwriter]

One year, Yoshi-P. Here's to many more to come!

[@kikisterling1336]

Thank you Yoshi P-San for this amazing game tht many ppl play

[@jesperengelbredt]

He is a goddamn rockstar of MMO development now. Not A rockstar, actually. THE rockstar.

[@darkazurr9891]

he is a legend out of everyone from square he is my fav

[@spellsnare]

i am proud to says that a game we construct together not just SE but every player give feedback and naoki and SE listen us compared on other éditor are not willing listen player or ignore completely us.

[@IzzyCoventina]

Here in Shadowbringers!! You did is Yoshi P!! So much respect!!

[@andjeladjurisic7195]

Blizzard, take a look at this man.. There.. That's how you should be. I wish I could give this video more than just one like.

[@MosImbaGaming]

And here we are 3 years later! Long Live this AMAZING GAME!!!!

[@jessea9744]

It's really nice watching the comments here. They are all like land marks in time looking back to where this game made the greatest comback in gaming history. I am so proud of Yoshi and all of the warriors of light on his team and in the game making the community such a wonderful place. You can see people saying "We made it! 3rd expansion!" and "Shadowbringers OTW!". We made it to the end of the beginning now with Endwalkers to come this fall. Amazing! ✨🎉🎊✨

[@DimerNL]

ありがとう ございました Naoki Yoshida and all the members of the dev team for their hard work. Myself and many others are enjoying the game very very much at this very moment. 心の底から ありがとう ございました And as always thanks to Reinheart for always giving us non japanese players the great translations, keep up the good work! (hope google translate made sense, haha)

[@Diego-eb9we]

He barely knew this was going to be the best MMO of all time.

[@sarahlindkvist2309]

吉田さん、お疲れ様です！良く頑張りました！！☆　FFXIVは最高です！！ロンドンのFanfestivalで吉田さんに会えて本当に光栄でした。ずっと応援します！

[@djandybass]

What a class act! You can really tell he put his heart into this game and it shows! I survived 1.0 with the belief that the right person was in charge to bring justice back to this series and im so glad with the outcome. Sure I havent been able to log in sometimes either, but its obviously an issue thats going to be fixed very soon. Best MMO ive ever played BY FAR!!!

[@LastFireAce]

yea Stormblood has been amezing, he done very good job

[@Lulux6]

Thank you yoshida san and to all the team! we have come so far 2021 and still best MMORPG is your game ♥

[@Xcyper33]

FFXVI is in good hands

[@SamanthaDarken]

i just found this video and it reminds me of old times

[@Aenygma_]

Yoshida-sama is the fucking man!