Gaming News
FF14 Players Hold Virtual Vigils for Eikichi Iwai
Developing
Photo: pcgamer.com (from the cited article) All clips and posts below are embedded from their original sources.
By the numbers: this timeline documents 2 events, drawn from 2 sources.
“As we reflect on all that Eikichi-san has left behind, our thoughts are with him, and we offer our heartfelt condolences.”
via pcgamer.com
Our take
The community's decision to hold virtual vigils for Eikichi Iwai in Limsa Lominsa mirrors previous tributes to creators like Kentaro Miura and Akira Toriyama. This demonstrates how the FF14 player base utilizes in-game spaces to collectively process the loss of influential figures.
Background
Eikichi Iwai was the bassist for The Primals, the in-house band of Final Fantasy 14. The group is fronted by composer Masayoshi Soken and localisation lead Michael-Christopher Koji Fox, and includes members Tetsuya Tachibana and GUNN.
Iwai's bass work is featured in several of the game's tracks, including "Amatsu Kaze" from Stormblood, "To the Edge" from Shadowbringers, "Scream" and "Close in the Distance" from Endwalker, and "Ride the Rhythm" from Dawntrail. The Primals recently performed at three Fan Festivals this year and appeared as part of the lineup for the Download festival, the UK's largest rock and music festival.
The timeline
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The Lodestone announced the passing of Eikichi Iwai
In the early hours of the morning, a post was released on The Lodestone announcing that bassist Eikichi Iwai had reportedly passed away suddenly at the age of 57. The FF14 Development and Operations teams, along with members of The Primals, reportedly expressed deep sorrow and offered heartfelt condolences.[1]
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FF14 players organize virtual vigils
Players across European servers reportedly began gathering in main hubs to pay their respects. On the Omega server, players and campfires were reportedly observed lining the perimeter of the Limsa Lominsa plaza, a tradition used by the community to honor key figures.[1]
Our read of the evidence
Mostly unverified. Both timeline events—The Lodestone’s announcement of a passing and the organization of virtual vigils—are attributed solely to pcgamer.com, with no primary source cited to corroborate either claim. The evidence rests entirely on reports from this single outlet, and no on-record statements from the players or other sources are included in the evidence count. Consequently, neither event is independently verified, and the dependence on one outlet for both claims results in a “mostly unverified” rating.
Our rating counts evidence, not opinions about anyone: events confirmed by a primary source (the person's own post, their official site, a court or government record) weigh most, then how many independent outlets report the story.
Frequently asked
What is the current status of the community's reaction to Eikichi Iwai's passing?
As of November 11, 2026, per pcgamer.com, players have been gathering en masse across servers in virtual vigils to honor him.
Who was Eikichi Iwai?
Eikichi Iwai was the bassist for The Primals, which is the in-house band for Final Fantasy 14.
How old was Eikichi Iwai when he passed?
Eikichi Iwai passed away at the age of 57.
Which songs did Eikichi Iwai contribute to?
His bass work is featured in tracks such as "Amatsu Kaze," "To the Edge," "Scream," "Close in the Distance," and "Ride the Rhythm."
More related drama (4)
Sources (2)
Cite this timeline
This timeline compiles 2 dated events from 2 sources. If it helped your reporting, cite it:
GenZHype. “FF14 Players Hold Virtual Vigils for Eikichi Iwai.”
GenZHype, 11 November 2026,
https://genzhype.com/gaming/ff14-players-hold-virtual-vigils-for-eikichi-iwai/.