Naoki Yoshida, the producer and director of “FINAL FANTASY XIV” (hereinafter “FF14”), released the topic “About the pros and cons of FFXIV external tools” on May 9. While the clearing of “FF14” highest difficulty content “Zetsuryu Poetry War” released in patch 6.11 is reported, the community is confused about the external tools reflected in the video released by the clear team. It seems that the content corresponds to the situation.
In the topics, it is explained again that the contents of the “FF14” Terms of Service that “use of external tools is prohibited at all” and that an account suspension penalty will be incurred if the use of external tools is found. In addition, it goes one step further about what is being considered as a problem in the community, such as the definition of external tools and how to relate to raid racing on the development side in high-difficulty content.
In addition, this topic is stated at the beginning, “Since the text makes sense in the” full text “, we would appreciate it if you could refrain from spreading it by excerpts or clippings.”Therefore, for the contents of the topics, click the linkFull-textPlease refer to it. In this article, I will explain how this topic came out.
“Zetsuryu Poetry War” is the latest content of the highest difficulty battle “Zetsu Series” of “FF14”, and the overseas team “Neverland” reported the world’s fastest clear on May 2 (related article). A few days later, when another clear team came out, some members of “Neverland” released a play video when the boss was defeated. However, the video shows a UI that cannot be seen in the usual “FF14”, which has caused controversy at home and abroad. It was clear that we were using external tools such as a bar that visualizes the line where the cast does not stop even if the character is moved before the magic cast is completed, and the display of the buff duration on the PT list. ..
After the video was released, there was controversy at home and abroad about “whether or not the top layer should use the tool” along with the voice praising Clear. In addition, some players even asked the official forum what they should do to set up a UI like this video. In response to this turmoil, Skylar, a member of Neverland, told Twitter: “Although it’s only being talked about in our videos, this tool is used by more than 100,000 people. Whether or not this external tool can be used. I would like to ask Square Enix and Yoshida P/D.” (Currently deleted). It was an unprecedented situation in which the player who achieved the fastest clear in the world used the topicality to ask the management whether or not to use an external tool.
Until now, “FF14” has often discussed external tools, but the management’s “prohibition of use” stance has not been shaken. The “57th Producer Letter LIVE” broadcast in February 2020 also explains how the management should use external tools, and clearly explains that it is a prohibited act (related article). However, according to Mr. Yoshida of the same broadcast, even though it is “prohibited”, it detects that an external tool is being used, and the display shown on the distribution screen or screenshot is really that of the external tool. It seems difficult to judge. Therefore, although the use of external tools was black, it was actually close to acquiescence.
The answer from the management to the question from the members of “Neverland” is “No use” as stated in the topics. If the use is publicly announced, the investigation will be given priority and the disposition will be carried out in accordance with the regulations. For that reason, the video released by the members of “Neverland” has been deleted due to a copyright claim by Square Enix. In addition, it seems that there are cases where a streamer who was distributing while displaying an external tool on the screen is called by GM during broadcasting and receives a penalty. Until now, the use of external tools has been close to “acknowledgment”, but it seems that the response has become more severe in this case.

On the official Twitter of “FF14”, in the past “Zetsu” series, when multiple clearers appeared, a congratulatory comment was posted, and the name of the top clear team and the clear time were announced. However, in the “Zetsuryu Poetry War”, the team name is hidden and it is muddy as “Clear team is born”. Originally, the raid race culture of “FF14” originated mainly by users and developed informally. Official comments were made to contribute to the excitement, but it is being considered to refrain from doing so if it encourages intensifying competition and controversy by external tools. It is very unfortunate that the behavior of some players who openly use external tools that are clearly stated as “prohibited” may dilute the connection between the management side and the community.
“FF14” reemphasized that external tools are “prohibited at all” and was penalized for players who are using them prominently. I don’t want some players who have continued to use it openly without intention, even though the situation was close to acquiescence, to make the relationship between the management side and the community unclear. By the way. I hope this will reduce the number of people who use banned tools and increase the number of moral players.
© 2010 – 2022 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved.