Final Fantasy 14‘s highly-awaited expansion, Dawntrail, is about to enter its early access period tomorrow. It’s been a long and hard wait for this exciting expansion, but we’re nearly at the finish line.
While virtually every fan of the game already knows about the release, Square Enix has gone the extra mile by creating an in-universe tourism website for Tural, complete with activity recommendations, recipes, and some cheeky fine print about the dangers of adventuring.
The Marketing for Final Fantasy 14’s New Expansion is Pure Genius
Square Enix has truly outdone itself with its latest marketing stunt, doubling down on the ‘role-playing’ aspect of its MMORPG to promote the upcoming expansion, Dawntrail.
The fake tourism website for Tural was announced today on the game’s official X/Twitter account, featuring the comedic talents of Rhys Darby (What We Do In The Shadows, Our Flag Means Death).
Darby, the new Interim Deputy Director of Turalism, gives us a sneak peek at some of the most exciting things to see in the upcoming expansion.
The website includes recommendations for various activities, such as riding a dirigible and exploring the local bazaar on a foodie tour. There’s even a chatbot that answers various questions, such as what you can do on Tural, information about the locals, and more.
Not All Is What It Seems on Tour Tural
Beyond the charming surface we see, the website hints at deeper mysteries that we may or may not want to know more about.
Under the description for ‘Breathtaking Landscapes,’ there’s a piece of text that’s been redacted:
From the mountains of Urqopacha and the deserts of Shaaloani to the forests of Yak T’el
and neon highways of (REDACTED)you’re sure to fill up your camera roll in no time.
Neon highways on a nature-themed island are mysterious, but there are more intriguing layers to the site. One X/Twitter user found a weird page on the site that asks you to enter a password.
Currently, the ‘submit’ function only returns an error. It won’t take too long for the smart and capable minds of the Final Fantasy 14 community to figure out the secret behind this page. There’s also the matter of some hidden notes which can be found across the site.
Clearly, there’s a lot more going on than what the site is letting on. The happy, tranquil, and welcoming nature of Tural might have something more sinister going on.
Thankfully, Dawntrail enters early access on June 28 at 5 pm PST / 10 am BST, with the full release slated for July 2. It won’t be too long till the community uncovers the secrets of the new region!
What are your thoughts on this unique marketing approach? Share your excitement and theories in the comments below!
