Recently, Square Enix announced that their MMORPG title Final Fantasy XIV Online has reached 14 million players globally, a number also includes free trial accounts that have been created as the title reaches its fifth anniversary of the release of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn.

Over four million players have created new accounts for Final Fantasy XIV within the past year, a truly remarkable achievement. This accomplishment is within a genre that has had limited success in western markets in recent years outside of Blizzard Entertainment's perennial powerhouse World of Warcraft, without even mentioning that this was a game remade from the ground up as The Realm Reborn because the original title failed to meet expectations.

Naoki Yoshida, the Producer and Director of Final Fantasy XIV Online released a statement concerning this milestone:

Although the original FINAL FANTASY XIV failed to meet expectations, through the support of people in the media, the companies we have worked with, and of course our dedicated players, we were able to launch A Realm Reborn in 2013. FFXIV was indeed reborn, and over the course of these past five years, it has grown to become the title that we all know and love today. I cannot thank you enough. We in the development and operations teams have been working at full capacity ever since the launch of A Realm Reborn, and while we have made our share of missteps along the way, the Warriors of Light continue to spur us onward. There are many new gaming experiences and epic tales that we wish to share with you all. We will be working harder than ever to expand the world of FFXIV, where players form lasting bonds with one another through their adventures. FINAL FANTASY XIV is the result of everyone’s passion and commitment, including all of you Warriors of Light, and I hope you will continue to support us as we build this world together.

'The Rising' celebration event is currently taking place in-game and will continue until September 18. With a level requirement of 15, players are asked to report to helping a reporter create a "splendid story".

Other events taking place this month include a Fan Festival Art and Costume contest in Las Vegas, which will last until October 1. For the Art contest, there are two separate categories, Physical Works and Illustrated Works. There will be 40 finalists in the illustrated Works category and 10 finalists in the Physical Works category. Those selected as finalists will have their works displayed at the Fan Festival where its attendees will vote and choose the winners of each category.

For the costume contest, 50 entrants and 10 waiting list entrants will be selected, with twenty qualifying finalists will be selected to present themselves on stage for a final round of judging.

What do you think of this news? Do you play Final Fantasy XIV or any other MMORPG? Let us know in the comments!