Triple Triad, chocobo racing coming to Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn

Over the weekend, Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn (FF14:ARR) producer Yoshida “Yoshi P” Naoki revealed that fan-favorite mini-game Triple Triad would be making a long-awaited comeback as part of the upcoming Gold Saucer content.

(See: 4 Final Fantasy mini-games that need to be ported to mobile)

Last seen in Final Fantasy VIII, the game was popular among players for its short learning curve, different styles of play thanks to customizable rulesets, and for being tied to significant in-game rewards for those who explored all the game had to offer. In the following years, unofficial browser and smartphone versions of the game were made available by enthusiastic fans wanting a way to keep playing outside of the Playstation title.

But despite Triple Triad’s popularity, it was Final Fantasy IX’s less well-received card game Tetra Master that got an online version when the then-Squaresoft launched its PlayOnline service. Tetra Master predictably failed at drawing fans in, as it relied on barely-explained mechanics that made it seem too random, in comparison with Triple Triad’s more controlled mechanics and extensive in-game explanations.

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn hit open beta in China today, a country well-known for its love of card games. It will be interesting to see how the country embraces the nostalgic 90s card game when it reaches them for the first time via the upcoming Gold Saucer content patch.

Yoshi P also mentioned that chocobo racing was planned for the Gold Saucer area, as well as a “basketball shooting-like mini-game and an active event”. Maybe now we can cross our fingers for Blitzball?

(via Reddit, Image sources)

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