Square Enix has announced Final Fantasy XIV: Evercold, the patch 8.0 expansion for Final Fantasy XIV, launching in January 2027, while an Evangelion collaboration, dubbed “Ghosts of Desire,” was also announced. . Square Enix has also announced a Switch 2 version of Final Fantasy XIV is planned for release in August 2026, with an early access period planned before launch. This version will require a separate monthly subscription from the other versions, following discussions with Nintendo, but will not require a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Those who are already subscribed on other platforms can receive a 50 percent discount on the Switch 2 version’s subscription fee.
Final Fantasy XIV: Evercold and Evangelion Collaboration
Producer and Director Naoki Yoshida revealed the new expansion during his keynote address at Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival 2026 in Anaheim, with the Evercold teaser trailer kicking off the Godless Realms Saga story arc. The teaser offers a glimpse into the adventures that the Warrior of Light will experience on the Fourth.
Yoshida also revealed “Evangelion: Ghosts of Desire” coming in Evercold. The exciting new alliance raid series is a crossover with the hugely popular Japanese anime, Evangelion, and will be created in collaboration with khara, Inc., best known for its work on the Evangelion series. Since Evangelion’s first television broadcast in 1995, the anime’s mysterious and profound storyline, alongside its innovative and stylish visual expression, has had a profound influence on numerous creators around the world, with the iconic franchise later expanding its library with multiple animated films and a comic adaptation.
During the keynote, Yoshida also announced an unprecedented battle system overhaul with Reborn and Evolved modes coming to the game with the launch of Evercold. “Reborn Mode” will be based on the current combat system and job mechanics, while “Evolved Mode” offers greater emphasis on job identity. Further details and live gameplay will be showcased during the development panel on Fan Festival 2026 in Anaheim Day 1. (New jobs introduced in Evercold will only be playable using Evolved mode.)
A comprehensive list of additional announcements from today’s keynote related to the upcoming expansion, Evercold, includes:
- Two new jobs: tank and physical ranged DPS
- Level cap increase from 100 to 110
- New cities
- Distinctive new areas
- New gigantic constructs and other monstrous threats to overcome
- New allies to encounter
- New dungeons
- New trials
- A new raid series
- A new Ultimate raid
- Player-versus-player updates
- Ongoing content updates, including new gear and crafting recipes, updates to the Duty Support System and more
The launch of Evercold and its subsequent patch series will also allow all Final Fantasy XIV players to enjoy various expanded updates to the game’s design, in addition to the battle system changes, such as:
- Seasons – An overhaul to the way players earn rewards and improve their characters
- Armoury Update – To better facilitate playing with multiple jobs
- Expanded Character Customization – More ways to make your character stand out from the crowd
Patch 7.5X Series Roadmap
Further information regarding the Final Fantasy XIV Patch 7.5x series was also outlined during the keynote, with details on the Dancing Mad (Ultimate) raid. The patch schedule leading to the release of 8.0 was also detailed, providing players with additional content to look forward to, including:
- Patch 7.5 (releasing April 28) – New main scenario quests, new Trial, and Echoes of Vana’diel Part 3
- Patch 7.51 (releasing June 2) – New Cosmic Exploration Star “Auxesia,” new Custom Deliveries: Tiisol Ja, and Dancing Mad (Ultimate)
- Patch 7.55 (releasing July 28) – New updates to Inconceivably Further Hildibrand Adventures quests, the debut of Occult Crescent: North Horn, and new Phantom Weapon quests
- Patch 7.56 (releasing September 8) – New main scenario quests and introduction of beastmaster
Expanded Free Trial
On April 28, the Free Trial for the critically acclaimed Final Fantasy XIV Online saga will also be expanded to include the highly praised third expansion, Shadowbringers. With all content up to Patch 5.58 soon to be included with not only A Realm Reborn and the Heavensward and Stormblood expansions, there has never been a better time for newcomers to join over 30 million other registered accounts on their adventures. Free Trial players can enjoy hundreds of hours of award-winning gameplay and story experiences equivalent to four full Final Fantasy titles, without limit on playtime. Learn more about the Free Trial here.
Switch 2 Version
Finally, Square Enix President and CEO, Takashi Kiryu, took to the stage to close the keynote and announce the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Final Fantasy XIV. This version will be arriving in August 2026. We plan to have an early access period, to test server stability, then launch into official service. Adventurers from more platforms than ever before can join together to enjoy this vast world. More details can be found here.
Square Enix said that the new expansion will continue to support PlayStation 4, but that it will soon near its capacity to physically contain Final Fantasy XIV on PlayStation 4. The publisher estimates that PlayStation 4 support will end after Patch 8.3—which should arrive in about two years.