Michael Hassall

Michael Hassall

After giving up a "real" job in Marketing in 2019, Michael started working as esports, gaming, and entertainment journalist and hasn't looked back. He lives in the UK, but wishes he lived in Eorzea, having spent 5,000 hours there. When not dutifully grinding Tomestones and being designated furniture crafter for his FC, he enjoys travel to warm places, cold drinks, light reading, and heavy metal.

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Posts

When Does the FFXIV 14-Hour Broadcast Start?

On April 12, Square Enix, the developers of Final Fantasy XIV will host a special 14-hour broadcast as perhaps the final part of the 10th anniversary celebration of the release of A Realm Re...

FFXIV Dawntrail Patch Schedule Predictions

Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail launches on July 2. While it will take most players several weeks, or possibly months, to work through the Main Scenario Quests and base-game content, for some...

Best Melds for Crafting Gear in FFXIV (Patch 6.5)

Once you hit level 90 as a crafter in Final Fantasy XIV you’ll want to start melding your gear for maximum efficiency while crafting. But where do you need to start, and what are the best stats...

How to Vote Kick and Vote Dismiss a Player in FFXIV

Final Fantasy XIV has the reputation of being a welcoming and positive game with little toxicity from its community. Even so, there comes a time when you may need to remove someone from a...

How to Make a Free Company in FFXIV

Free Companies are Final Fantasy XIV’s equivalent of guilds, and they function almost exactly like a guild would in any other MMO. Not to be confused with game's Grand Companies, the NPC-run or...

FFXIV Hunting Log Guide

In Final Fantasy XIV, each basic class and Grand Company has a laundry list of monsters and foes for you to slay for some bonus experience points. Compiled into a menu called the Hunting Log, t...

Final Fantasy XIV screenshot showing a woman wearing a long red dress jumping with joy as blurred stars shine behind her
10 Tips to Improve your FFXIV HUD

In Final Fantasy XIV, like many MMOs, customizing your heads up display (HUD) so you can best use it is essential. However, unlike many MMOs, FFXIV has an in-built HUD customization syst...

FFXIV Companion Guide - How to Train Your Chocobo

Chocobos are one of the iconic parts of the Final Fantasy franchise, and Final Fantasy XIV allows you to tame and train your very own chocobo mount. Beyond the initial details on feeding...

Helldivers 2 Update Adds 2 Terrifying New Enemies and Increases Level Cap

Managed democracy received some important assistance today (April 2) as Helldivers 2’s latest patch was released. In the patch, Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead Game Studios gave the dedicated player...

FFXIV April 1 Maintenance Timer and Time Zone Conversion

Final Fantasy XIV will be down for maintenance on April 1 to facilitate the release of the brand-new Final Fantasy XVI crossover event and other updates. The event goes li...

Yoshi-P Will Host Dawntrail-Focused Live Letter During 14-Hour Stream

While it may feel like PAX East and the reveal of Final Fantasy XIV's Dawntrail expansion's release date was only a short time ago, the development team is already set to share...

Want to Switch Platforms for Dawntrail? With a 60% Off Spring Sale, Now's the Time

If you’ve ever thought about switching platforms in Final Fantasy XIV between PlayStation, PC, or Mac, now may be your best opportunity as the game goes on 60% sale for the next few weeks. News...

FFXIV Players Crash the Square Enix Website, Dawntrail Pre-Order (Savage) Ensues

Final Fantasy XIV’s next expansion, Dawntrail, went on sale for pre-orders today, and immediately crashed the Square Enix Store website. Users heading to the official website for pre-ord...

Screenshot via Fanbyte/Square Enix
What are Linkshells in FFXIV?

When you’re playing Final Fantasy XIV, it can be useful to communicate with players in a group that’s not tied to an existing structure in the game, like the Novice Network, public chats, or yo...

FFXIV Dawntrail Pre-Order Details and Info

Final Fantasy XIV’s next expansion, Dawntrail, is only a few short months away, as per the July 2 release date unveiled at PAX East. As a result, Square Enix has unveiled the pre-orders...

FFXIV x FFXVI Crossover Event Details

Final Fantasy XIV had a tremendous showing at PAX East with the reveal Dawntrail’s release date, but Square Enix also announced that the Final Fantasy XVI crossover event will sta...

FFXIV 6.58 Patch Notes Promise Increased Lynx Flute Drops, Easier Gear Improvement

Final Fantasy XIV’s 6.58 Patch has arrived, and with it a shortlist of changes to balance the game, improve quality of life, and get players ready for the launch of Dawntrail. Relea...

Patch Notes Hint That FFXIV's Dragon Quest X Event Could Return in 2024

It’s been almost three years since the last time it appeared in-game, but Final Fantasy XIV’s Dragon Quest X crossover special event could be returning as per a hint in the game’s most r...

FFXIV PAX East 2024 Guide: Panels, Booth Activities, and More

Final Fantasy XIV is heading to PAX East 2024, and it is set to have events, panels, and booths for four days. There will be booth giveaways, official activities, and fan-held events, as well a...

FFXIV Won’t Be Free on Xbox Game Pass Forever

On March 21, Final Fantasy XIV finally comes to the Xbox Series X|S, bringing Square Enix’s premier MMO to Microsoft’s game console for the first time. On March 18, an official <...