FFXIV Evercold Gets New Launch Date Alongside Fan Fest Reveals

WHO:

IGN - Naoki Yoshida, director and producer of *Final Fantasy XIV*, presented information about *Evercold* during the Fan Fest keynote.

IGN - Square Enix is the publisher of *Final Fantasy XIV* and its *Evercold* expansion.

Eurogamer.net - Zephyr is *Evercold*’s second new job; it is a physical ranged-DPS job that uses a crossbow and is supported by an avian familiar called Nephele.

Eurogamer.net - Bastion, *Evercold*’s first announced new job, is a tank that wields a greatshield.

Eurogamer.net - *Final Fantasy XIV* has passed 35 million registered accounts.

WHAT:

IGN - *Evercold*’s release was delayed from its previously announced January 2027 window to February 23, 2027; early access begins February 19, 2027. IGN described the delay as four weeks.

IGN - The Fan Fest keynote included a new full trailer and opening cinematic for *Evercold*.

IGN - The expansion includes an Evangelion crossover raid series, a Final Fantasy VII crossover raid series, and the new tank job Bastion.

Eurogamer.net - Pre-order bonuses include early access, a Wind-Up Köttr minion, and Halone’s Earring, which increases experience points from defeating enemies by 30 percent. The items are delivered immediately after pre-order.

Eurogamer.net - The physical Collector’s Box includes an art box featuring an Evercold illustration by Yoshitaka Amano, a Warrior of Light reaper figure, an Ethos metal keychain, a Köttr mini plush, and a Tapestry of the Fourth. It does not include the game, in-game items, or pre-order bonuses.

Eurogamer.net - A limited Collector’s Bundle pairs the box with a code for the Digital Collector’s Edition on Windows or Mac. The digital edition adds a Valhallar Odin mount, an Entreat Crystal emote, and a Crystal Skyltborg weapon for Bastion.

Eurogamer.net - Announced features include Fierce raid difficulty, between Normal and Savage; Evolved Combat Mode, intended to highlight each job’s identity; Seasons, a system changing how item rewards are earned; and expanded character creation with Character Action Skins.

Eurogamer.net - The keynote included a trailer for the Evangelion: Ghosts of Desire alliance raid crossover, tougher eight-player battles based on some of its bosses, and Tetsuya Nomura artwork for Beyond the Lifestream, a Final Fantasy 7 Remake series raid crossover.

Eurogamer.net - Expanded housing features, PvP updates, and a revamped companion chocobo system are planned for patch 8.1.

Eurogamer.net - *Final Fantasy XIV* is available on Switch 2.

WHERE:

IGN - The release-date announcement and trailer were presented at FFXIV Fan Fest in Japan.

Eurogamer.net - Yoshida revealed Zephyr during the opening keynote of the 2026 Final Fantasy 14 Fan Festival in Tokyo.

WHEN:

IGN - *Evercold* launches February 23, 2027, with early access on February 19, 2027.

IGN - Pre-orders open on November 4, 2026.

Eurogamer.net - Pre-orders for *Evercold* and the Collector’s Box open on Wednesday 4th November at 9am GMT.

HOW:

Eurogamer.net - Players on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, and Steam can buy the Collector’s Box separately and pre-order the Digital Collector’s Edition separately.

Eurogamer.net - The Square Enix Store sells the limited Collector’s Bundle, pairing the physical box with a digital-edition code.

(UPDATED October 31, 2026 19:00 UTC)

Final Fantasy XIV’s Evercold expansion launches February 23, 2027. Yoshida revealed Zephyr, a new crossbow-wielding ranged job. The expansion adds crossover raids inspired by Evangelion and Final Fantasy VII.