Getting Nierer

We talk with Yoko Taro and Naoki Yoshida about bringing a crossover raid series based on Nier: Automata to FFXIV

Crossovers aren’t unusual for Final Fantasy XIV. The constantly growing MMO has had its fair share of teamups with other games since it launched in 2010, with special events running alongside massive expansions over the years. Characters from other Final Fantasy games have made special appearances, and series including Monster Hunter and Dragon Quest have got in on the action. But Nier is rather different from those, considering its subversive brand of nihilistic philosophy.

Even so, Final Fantasy XIV never does things by halves. The Nier: Automata crossover raid series, YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse, incorporates many themes from its source material, and is being written by famed Nier series creator Yoko Taro. We spoke with the man himself, and with Final Fantasy XIV’s producer and director, Naoki Yoshida, about kicking off the first part of the raid series.

OPM: Nier: Automata doesn’t seem like an obvious choice to cross over with Final Fantasy XIV. How did the idea come about? Yoko

Taro: I think this project came about when I had the opportunity to talk with producer Yoshida for a completely different matter. But I was eating a delicious steak at the time, and I was so invested in it that I wasn’t listening. (Just kidding.)

Naoki Yoshida: From all over the world, we had been receiving requests saying that they want to wear outfits from the Nier series and for us to collaborate. Then I thought that it would be much more interesting to collaborate on a game level rather than just equipment. Plus I wanted to work with Yoko-san so I bribed him with drinks and steak.

OPM: How closely did you work together when designing the YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse raids?