In order to improve the player experience, we will be merging Worlds on Tuesday, March 27, 2012.

We have reevaluated the World merge system based on the large amount of user feedback we received for the World Merge and Character Transfers update of February 9. Now that the details of the new World merge system have been decided, we urge all players to review the World Merge Summary and Notes Regarding the World Merge and World Transfer.

Read on for details about the World merge and World transfers.

The latest issue of The Mythril Eye, Ul’dah’s foremost financial paper, has gone to print, featuring the inaugural edition of a new column penned by senior editor Havak Alvak.

Take a peep through Alvak’s Spyglass.

Ahh, love is in the air in Eorzea! This Valentione’s Day, the Community Team will be holding a contest for all of you shy adventurers to finally tell the world how much that special NPC means to you! Take a break from fighting those mischievous moogles and overcoming the Lord of Inferno, put your crafting and gathering tools away and sit down to write a love letter that pours your feelings about the NPC who has won your heart.

Once you have submitted your written masterpiece, the Community Team will choose three lucky winners. The first prize winner will receive a loveable Moogle plushie, leve strap, and a FFXIV poster and the two runner-ups will be given FFXIV posters.

We can’t wait to read what has been in your mind and we hope it helps you win over the NPC of your dreams!

Head over to the forums to check out the official contest details!

A new thread has been started in the Updates section of the official forums. The title of the thread is as follows:

[dev1301] Private Player Residences

Proceed to the thread.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for the wealth of feedback you have provided us with following the announcement made on February 9, 2012 (Thursday), regarding the World merge and character transfers. In order to ensure that the most desirable and effective outcome is achieved, we will be reassessing the method of the merger process.

New details on the World merge will be made public as they become available in the Topics section of the Lodestone.

* The original announcement on the World merge and character transfers has been removed.

The following thread located under “Updates” in the Official FINAL FANTASY XIV Forums has been updated:

[dev1242] Revamping Food and Medicine

Proceed to the thread.

The following thread located under “Updates” in the Official FINAL FANTASY XIV Forums has been updated:

[dev1237] Revamping High-Quality Items

Proceed to the thread.

Square Enix is proud to join other companies in the video game industry that are taking part in the first ever Gamer Safety Week! Gamer Safety Week is intended to bring focus and awareness to issues such as protecting your confidential information, being aware of the sites you visit, and all around safer gaming principles. As part of that initiative we will be outlining useful tips for protecting your account, what to do in case your account has been compromised, and other ways to make online gaming safer for yourself and others.

Read up on the useful information regarding online safety and Gamer Safety Week!

The following thread located under “Updates” in the Official FINAL FANTASY XIV Forums has been updated:

[dev1244] Accessory Reform

Proceed to the thread.

Return of the Good King

The latest edition of The Raven, Gridania’s leading tabloid, has just gone to print, featuring as its centerpiece a special report examining fantastical claims that a moogle myth has come to life.

Proceed to the full article.

Patch 1.20c has gone live, ushering in expanded item search features and a number of bug fixes.

View all of the official particulars.