Florida Fighting Game Tournament Creates Final Fantasy XIV 'Retirement Home' Area

An upcoming fighting game tournament is apparently operated by Final Fantasy XIV fans, as the founder of the event has designated an entire section of the floor plan as an Endwalker "retirement home" during this weekend's fighting festivities.

Community Effort Orlando (CEO) founder Alex Jebailey--who also once hosted and wrestled for All Elite Wrestling--will be busy overseeing the 2021 event when it begins December 3 at 12 PM EST, but he's decided to help out those fighting game fans who are also anticipating Final Fantasy XIV's new expansion.

A room in the hotel hosting CEO 2021 has been designated the "Final Fantasy XIV Retirement Home," with tables set up for those who wish to raid together when they're not taking in the multiple tournaments in the main event. Jebailey jokingly said the room was in honor of those who "betrayed their fellow CEO Guild members by staying home to play Endwalker."

CEO 2021 is the first in-person major fighting game tournament since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Ten fighting games make up the main CEO lineup, including Street Fighter V, Tekken 7, Guilty Gear Strive, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and more. The full streaming schedule was shared by the official CEO Twitter account earlier this week:

Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker is the next major addition to Square Enix's MMORPG, and it will conclude the story that began with A Realm Reborn in 2013. The expansion will include two new jobs, a level cap increase from 80 to 90, new raids, and more. It will also be the first MMO in history to be accommodated--at least officially--at a fighting game tournament.