Final Fantasy 14 director Naoki Yoshida, better known as Yoshi-P, has provided a lengthy official statement regarding the recent takedown of the popular Mare Synchronos mod from the MMO. The mod’s removal has led to heated debates among FFXIV fans regarding the policy of mods in the game, and even led to review-bombing the game on Steam.
In the statement posted on the official Final Fantasy 14 Lodestone site, Yoshi-P provides the reasoning for the removal of the mod, as well as an update on the developers’ stance on mods in the game. The message was recently updated to include a request from Yoshi-P and Square Enix to not summarize or only provide excerpts of the statement, and the full statement is linked in this paragraph.
Yoshi-P Explains Why Mare Synchronos Mod Was Removed
Respect Final Fantasy XIV, And They Will Respect The Use Of Mods
Yoshi-P’s statement emphasizes his support of personal use of PC mods and how they can enhance a player’s enjoyment of both FFXIV and other games. But he also emphasizes two rules for mod usage in FFXIV: that their style of gameplay does not infringe upon others, and that they do not negatively impact the core game, its services, or intended game design.
The Mare Synchronos mod violated that by letting the user see other mods in the game, which may have included obscene outfits and other “infringements upon others.” The example Yoshi-P gives is one player obtaining a hard-earned weapon from the game’s challenging Ultimate Raids, and then a second player obtaining that same weapon with a mod, which could diminish the enjoyment of the first player and impact the intended game design.
Yoshi-P uses another example of a mod allowing the use of Premium Store items for free, which would be considered damaging to the service provided, since the game’s servers are expensive and run all day, every day of the year (barring maintenance periods). Yoshi-P concludes his statement by stating: “I ask that all players in turn respect our game by enjoying their fun within the confines of some basic rules.”
Yoshi-P’s Statement Provides Clarity On Mod Usage In FFXIV
An Explanation, Rather Than Censorship
Yoshi-P’s statement seems to be intended to provide clarity, rather than attempt to censor personal player experiences or creative expressions. Yoshi-P states in his message: “Allow me to repeat myself when I say that I do not intend for these examples to be a censure of mod users or creators.” He continues, writing: “I only wish to provide some tangible examples of how using certain mods can damage other players, FFXIV, and the services we provide…”
With FFXIV in hot water with some fans at the moment, the knee-jerk reaction to a mod takedown isn’t too surprising. With Fan Fest dates set and a possible long wait for the next expansion, it’s a pleasant surprise to see such a transparent explanation for the removal of mods from the game. Hopefully, Final Fantasy 14 fans will still enjoy mods, as long as they follow the rules.
Final Fantasy 14
- Released
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August 27, 2013
- ESRB
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T for Teen – Language, Mild Blood, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
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Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
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Square Enix
- Engine
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Originally the Crystal Tools engine, but currently it’s a custom engine using parts of the Luminous Engine.
- Multiplayer
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Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
- Steam Deck Compatibility
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Playable
- PC Release Date
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August 27, 2013
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
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March 21, 2024
