Square Enix has announced a delay for Final Fantasy XIV's upcoming expansion, Evercold. Originally slated for a January launch, the new content will now arrive on February 2, 2027. Preorders for Evercold are set to begin on Wednesday, November 4, and will include early access to the expansion starting February 19.
The delay was revealed by Final Fantasy XIV producer and director Naoki "Yoshi-P" Yoshida during the opening day of the game's 2026 Fan Festival in Tokyo. Yoshida stated that while the development team was initially on track to meet the January release window, a commitment to quality prompted the decision to extend the development period by three weeks. This adjustment, while seemingly minor in the broader scope of game development, is significant for a live service title like Final Fantasy XIV, impacting the pace of updates for its player base.
Evercold marks the first major expansion for Final Fantasy XIV since the release of Dawntrail in July 2024. In a previous assessment of the game's state in early 2025, PC Gamer noted that Final Fantasy XIV was in a "pretty weird spot." However, anticipation is building for the promised changes in Evercold, with some observers expressing cautious optimism regarding potential overhauls. Recent additions to the game, including a new roguelike mode, have also generated excitement for the combat revamp expected with the expansion. The update also introduces a new class described as a "viking with two shields, laser cannons, and Wolverine claws."