Final Fantasy 14 developers address ‘unacceptable’ load times for Switch 2 port.

Square Enix has rolled out Final Fantasy 14 on the Nintendo Switch 2 this week, kicking off a one-month early access period that, while generally smooth, has encountered some bumps along the way. One of the most significant issues players are facing is sluggish load times. Just a day after launch, the company announced that a fix is on the horizon.

Reports of the loading issue started flooding in mere hours after Final Fantasy 14 became available on the Switch 2. One Reddit user shared their frustration about being stuck on a black screen for nearly 20 seconds while being revived during eight-player activities like trials and raids. This is particularly problematic for high-stakes content that features enrage timers, which can wipe the entire party if an encounter isn’t completed in time. The user deemed the load times on Switch 2 as “unacceptable.”

On a positive note, Square Enix quickly acknowledged the problem. An official update on Final Fantasy 14’s Lodestone site confirmed that the issue appears to be linked to instanced duties, specifically occurring “when a player enters an instanced duty while surrounded by many characters.” Since players often queue for duties in crowded spots like Aetheryte plazas, this issue could affect a large number of players. The update also mentioned that once the loading problem begins, it persists until the duty is completed, which adds to the frustration.

The team has pinpointed data reloading and cache clearing processes as possible causes and is actively working on a solution. They plan to optimize these processes to enhance load times. A patch addressing these issues is currently being tested, and Square Enix aims to roll it out as soon as possible. Players can keep an eye on the Lodestone for the latest news regarding the fix. In the meantime, it might be wise to queue for duties in less crowded areas to sidestep the loading woes.

Chocobo in the dungeon