United Gaming – Despite its massive success, Final Fantasy XIV is still seen as incomplete by one of its key creators. Masayoshi Soken, the game’s longtime composer, recently spoke about the MMORPG’s evolution. In an interview, he shared his view that the game has not yet reached its full potential. This statement surprised many fans, especially given the game’s popularity and critical acclaim. Over the years, Final Fantasy XIV has undergone significant changes and improvements. From its initial failed launch in 2010 to its groundbreaking relaunch as A Realm Reborn in 2013. Yet Soken believes there is still work to be done, musically and emotionally.
Masayoshi Soken has been part of the Final Fantasy XIV project for more than a decade. He took over as lead composer after the original version of the game failed. With the launch of A Realm Reborn, his work began receiving global recognition. Soken’s soundtracks became a major part of the game’s identity. From epic battle themes to emotional character moments, he crafted each track with care. Fans often cite his music as one of the strongest aspects of the game. His compositions helped bring Eorzea to life in ways that words alone could not. Yet he still feels his mission is unfinished.
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For Soken, music in Final Fantasy XIV is not just background noise. He sees it as a form of storytelling that evolves with each expansion. In the interview, he mentioned that many melodies are unfinished on purpose. Themes introduced in early expansions often return later in new forms. This continuity allows players to feel a sense of progression and memory. The world of Eorzea grows, and so does its soundtrack. This approach keeps the music alive, shifting with every new chapter. Soken treats each track like a dialogue with the players. He believes music can reflect emotional arcs better than words.
Some motifs from previous expansions remain unresolved. Soken deliberately leaves these musical threads open. He wants players to subconsciously feel that the story is not yet complete. These unresolved melodies serve as emotional hooks, connecting past to present. For example, a minor chord progression from Heavensward may reappear in Endwalker. But instead of closure, it creates anticipation. This sense of incompletion fuels the desire to keep exploring the game. Soken says he wants the players to “feel the silence between notes.” These silent spaces are where imagination fills the gap. They are not bugs, but features.
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Soken’s perspective on incompletion is deeply personal. During the development of Shadowbringers, he was battling cancer. He continued to compose while undergoing chemotherapy in secret. The emotional weight of this time influenced his music deeply. Some of the most powerful tracks in Shadowbringers were written from a hospital bed. When he revealed his illness in 2021, fans responded with overwhelming support. He now says that the experience reshaped how he sees his work. Life is unpredictable and often unresolved—just like his music. This personal philosophy has merged into his approach to game scoring.
The Final Fantasy XIV community is known for its deep emotional connection to the game. Players often share how certain songs helped them through tough times. Weddings, funerals, and birthdays have all featured FFXIV music. Soken frequently reads fan messages and listens to their stories. He admits that fan interpretations sometimes change how he views his own work. This feedback loop is rare in game development. It reinforces his belief that the soundtrack must remain fluid and open-ended. The game isn’t just a product—it’s a shared emotional journey. And that journey, in his eyes, is still ongoing.
Each new expansion in Final Fantasy XIV presents a new musical challenge. Endwalker, for instance, was meant to wrap up a decade-long storyline. Yet even Endwalker contains unresolved musical ideas. Soken says he resisted the urge to close everything neatly. Instead, he composed tracks that hinted at future conflicts and growth. With the upcoming expansion Dawntrail, he plans to revisit older motifs. He wants to deepen the connections between old and new content. This long-term musical storytelling mirrors the game’s narrative structure. Every expansion is a chapter—but the book is still being written.
Soken is not just a composer; he is also deeply involved in technical sound design. Over the years, he has pushed the limits of the game engine’s audio capabilities. He introduced adaptive music systems that change based on player actions. For instance, a battle theme might shift tempo when health is low. In certain boss fights, lyrics are tied to in-game events. These innovations make music feel more immersive and interactive. Still, Soken says he wants to do more. There are technical goals he has not yet reached. His definition of “complete” includes pushing the medium forward.
Soken has no plans to step away from Final Fantasy XIV anytime soon. In fact, he’s already working on music for future updates. He feels a personal obligation to keep the experience evolving. When asked what it would take to feel “complete,” he gave a poetic answer. He said, “When the world stops singing back to me, then I’ll know it’s done.” Until then, the melodies will continue, unfinished but full of purpose. Players can expect more surprises, more callbacks, and more emotion. For Soken, incompletion is not failure—it’s potential. And potential is what keeps the music alive.
