Square Enix just gave fans a peek behind the curtain—Final Fantasy XI is getting a major shake-up in 2025. In a new update video celebrating the MMORPG’s anniversary, the company previewed big changes. Most notable? A paid Character Race Change Service. And that’s not all. More Alter Egos are coming, though exact release dates are still under wraps.
This marks a rare move for a game that’s been live since 2002. But clearly, the devs aren’t done with Vana’diel just yet.
A Race Change? Finally, Yes. But It’ll Cost You.
For years, players have fantasized about flipping their avatars from one race to another without starting from scratch. Now it’s official—Square Enix is adding that exact feature. You’ll need to pay, but yes, you’ll finally be able to morph your Elvaan into a Tarutaru—or maybe trade in your Mithra tail for a Galka frame.
The announcement first popped up last year during the 68th Freshly Picked Vana’diel stream in May 2024. But back then, there was no footage, no menu walkthrough, no hint at how the process would look. That’s changed now.
The new anniversary video shows a Galka character interacting with a Moogle. Then a transformation screen opens. Players see their current avatar and a preview of their new one side-by-side. Every major race is listed as an option:
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Hume (Male & Female)
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Elvaan (Male & Female)
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Tarutaru (Male & Female)
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Mithra
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Galka
One small note: next to Galka, it says “race before change”—a subtle but helpful detail for players toggling between options. Once you select a new race, you’re able to tweak face types, hair color, and even body size. There’s also a camera option to rotate the character and get a 360° view before confirming.
Oh, and this isn’t just a visual revamp. Your character’s base stats will shift too, depending on the race you pick. So yeah, it’s not just cosmetic—it’ll impact gameplay too.
Why It Matters for Longtime Players
This update may sound simple on the surface. But for many, it’s a pretty emotional moment. Players who’ve stuck with their avatars for 10, 15, even 20 years now get to reinvent them—without losing progress, inventory, or memories.
A quick scroll through fan forums shows what this really means.
One Reddit user wrote: “I’ve been a Hume since 2003. Can’t believe I’ll finally see my character as a Mithra and not start over from scratch.” Another chimed in with: “Kinda wild they waited this long, but I’ll take it.”
There’s also the competitive angle. In Final Fantasy XI, base stats matter—especially in high-level play. Switching races could give players an edge in certain class builds. Want to min-max? Now you can.
Alter Ego Expansion Also Confirmed
That wasn’t the only announcement tucked into the update. Producer and Director Yoji Fujito teased new Alter Ego content. While light on specifics, he made two key points.
First: there will be new ways to get Alter Egos. Second: players will be told more later.
Yeah, it’s vague. But it’s something.
Alter Egos in FFXI function like NPC party members. They’ve long been a fan favorite, especially for solo players who don’t always have time to group up. Adding more or making them easier to get would open things up for casual play and help returning players ease back in.
What We Know So Far (and What We Don’t)
Let’s break it down with what’s confirmed versus what’s still a question mark.
| Feature | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Character Race Change | Confirmed | Paid service, shown in video, impacts base stats |
| Alter Ego Expansion | Confirmed | Details still pending |
| Release Date | Not announced | Expected sometime in 2025 |
| Platforms | PC only | No mention of other platforms |
| Cost of Race Change | Not disclosed | Will be a paid feature, pricing unknown |
FFXI Refuses to Fade Quietly
Here’s the thing: Final Fantasy XI isn’t just some forgotten relic. It’s the first MMORPG in the series and, against all odds, it’s still alive. And not just alive—actively supported.
Sure, it doesn’t grab headlines like XIV or Genshin Impact, but it has a loyal base. And for those players, these updates are more than just cosmetic tweaks or filler content. They’re a reason to stick around. Or come back.
You don’t keep a game alive for over two decades without a strong community. And Square Enix seems to get that. Even if the rollout takes time, even if not everything is perfect, these updates show the game’s still getting love.
That’s something not many 2002-era games can say.
