The rabbit-eared Viera, the race of Fran from Final Fantasy XII, is not yet in Final Fantasy XIV despite clamor from gamers, and the MMORPG's game director and producer Naoki Yoshida finally revealed why.
The reason behind the lack of Viera in Final Fantasy XIV is a bit of a head-scratcher, but it does keep open the possibility of the race being added to the game in the future.
Why Are The Viera Not Yet In 'Final Fantasy XIV'?
In an interview with Finder, Final Fantasy XIV's Yoshida was asked on the possibility of the Viera coming to the MMORPG. Fran's race was considered to be included in the Heavensward expansion but did not make it in and were again snubbed for inclusion in the upcoming Stormblood expansion. Instead, players will meet the Au Ra, which is a race of bipedal, horn-headed dragon ancestors.
"I don't think you should give up hope," Yoshida said, noting that the team is hoping for a long lifespan for Final Fantasy XIV.
Yoshida then went on to say that Fran and the rest of the Viera wear very high-heeled shoes, which will be hard to depict in Final Fantasy XIV.
"They won't be able to wear any shoes that exist in Eorzea right now," Yoshida quipped.
It now appears that the Viera, the race of scantily clad bunny women, have not yet been added to Final Fantasy XIV because of their shoes. There is always the option for Yoshida and the development team to add Viera to the game by having them wear another type of footwear, but apparently, it is either they appear in Final Fantasy XIV wearing high heels or they do not appear at all.
That said, if Square Enix and the Final Fantasy XIV development team finally solve the high-heel problem, then the Viera should finally make an appearance in the MMORPG. How long that will take, however, is unknown.
'Final Fantasy XIV' May Live Long Enough To Add Viera
Final Fantasy XIV players who are fans of Fran and the Viera would be happy to know that, according to signals, the game will last long enough to give Yoshida and his team time to solve the high-heel problem.
Square Enix has pushed Final Fantasy XIV closer to becoming a free-to-play title by removing the 14-day limit of the MMORPG's trial version. Players are now allowed to explore the game until they reach level 35, when they can either purchase the title or start a new character.
There were also rumors that Final Fantasy XIV could arrive on the Nintendo Switch, which will increase the number of platforms where the MMORPG is available and further expand its player base.
These reports mean that Final Fantasy XIV is still thriving despite the launch of the next game in the series, Final Fantasy XV. As such, there is no need to worry that work on the MMORPG will end before Yoshida and the development team are able to add the Viera to the game.
Until the Viera are added to Final Fantasy XIV, players can see Fran again through Final Fantasy XII: Zodiac Age, which is a remastered version of the PlayStation 2 game that also makes several changes, including the addition of the Zodiac Job system.
