Let's keep Character Crossovers from other Square-Enix titles out of FFXIV.

[Aish]

The plot of Final Fantasy Tactics had nothing to do with Cloud whatsoever. The plot of the game, and the heroes and villains of the story, pretend like he's not there at all.

Pretty sure that Lightning will have no impact on the heroes and villains or plot either. (Edit: Kind of like Hildibrand, who's still the best NPC in the game. Period.)

I also think you're interpreting Yoshi's quote differently than I am. I interpreted it as "Lightning will not just pop out of nowhere with no explanation whatsoever, there will be a questline and what-not that will mesh with the game, lore-wise." He did not explicitly state "Oh Lightning is now a significant figure in Eorzea's history" It's also entirely possible he meant "...it's going to become a natural part of the history of Eorzea" in regards to the mechanism/story involved that brought her in in the first place, meaning that it could be possible for other characters to make their way in to FFXIV, assuming that the team can make the lore fit.

That said, it'll be like any other event item. The first week or two it's out, almost everyone will be wearing it. Then it'll, mostly, disappear and you'll very rarely ever see it again.

[Fatestorm]

I also think you're interpreting Yoshi's quote differently than I am. I interpreted it as "Lightning will not just pop out of nowhere with no explanation whatsoever, there will be a questline and what-not that will mesh with the game, lore-wise." He did not explicitly state "Oh Lightning is now a significant figure in Eorzea's history"

I think my original point about the integrity of independent stories still stands, but I agree with you that if this is indeed the case, that it's not so damaging. What I'm really against is something integral to FFXIV's main plot, like "Louisoux, at Cartenau Flats, called out to Etro, who sent Lightning to take the Warriors of Light under her protection until 5 years had passed..." or something equally silly. If it's a minor tie-in, then I still think it damages the story but at least it will be ignorable to some extent.

It's also entirely possible he meant "...it's going to become a natural part of the history of Eorzea" in regards to the mechanism/story involved that brought her in in the first place

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This would be best case scenario, to me, if these tie-in things MUST happen, though I hope they don't. I really think "multiverse" type plots are shark-jumpers in every single story they appear in, including stuff like Bioshock: Infinite. That's my opinion though, and I would need to make an argument for it. Still, if there were like a "Realm of Echoes" in which the Warriors of Light can see and experience other possible realities, perhaps even unreal realities, then putting Lightning / Other FF crossovers in that realm would not be so terrible IMO.

[SkyeWindbinder]

I think my original point about the integrity of independent stories still stands, but I agree with you that if this is indeed the case, that it's not so damaging. What I'm really against is something integral to FFXIV's main plot, like "Louisoux, at Cartenau Flats, called out to Etro, who sent Lightning to take the Warriors of Light under her protection until 5 years had passed..." or something equally silly. If it's a minor tie-in, then I still think it damages the story but at least it will be ignorable to some extent.

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This would be best case scenario, to me, if these tie-in things MUST happen, though I hope they don't. I really think "multiverse" type plots are shark-jumpers in every single story they appear in, including stuff like Bioshock: Infinite. That's my opinion though, and I would need to make an argument for it. Still, if there were like a "Realm of Echoes" in which the Warriors of Light can see and experience other possible realities, perhaps even unreal realities, then putting Lightning / Other FF crossovers in that realm would not be so terrible IMO.

^^Pretty much what he said. Also...

(Edit: Kind of like Hildibrand, who's still the best NPC in the game. Period.)

^^As long as characters like Thancred, Louisioux, and everyone else from the Circle of Knowing exist, that will always be a false statement.

[Aish]

What I'm really against is something integral to FFXIV's main plot, like "Louisoux, at Cartenau Flats, called out to Etro, who sent Lightning to take the Warriors of Light under her protection until 5 years had passed..." or something equally silly.

Someone mentioned this on the beta forums somewhere, but it's entirely possible it'll involve the 'Mother Crystal' or whatever the personification of Hydalaen is called. Which is actually feasible considering that it has the power to summon us into it's presence fairly often. Not too big of a stretch to think it can reach across dimensions/time to summon someone. Especially given that Lightning seems to also be a girl that can leap through time.

I won't refute that it breaks integrity of independent stories. You think it does, I don't care if it does, let's just leave it at that.

I like cameos, therefore, I'm okay with Lightning appearing. Honestly though, at this point the best you can hope for is that she will be the only one to do this. Not that this is directed at you specifically but people that hate it will just have to:


this time around.

^^As long as characters like Thancred, Louisioux, and everyone else from the Circle of Knowing exist, that will always be a false statement.

Nonsense, Hildibrand is the Hero of Prophecy. He even said so himself! He's also been acknowledged by Yearly-hanger and received a hero's sword and Bradamante from an old man. That right there, is the mark of a true hero. Old men give you everything.

Bombs flee from the mere mention of his name. Mark my words, the reason Bahamut didn't completely destroy everything was because Hildibrand hopped on his back and broke him like...well like one of those rodeo people!

He also knows where you sleep!