Why Does A Fierce Race Of Female Warriors...

[Jaywalker]

Devs are bound to public opinion. Sure they can design a character however they want, initially, but if the public doesn't approve then they're forced to change it or not make sales. Similar to #1 if one person has a problem with it and can convince others then things will be changed.

I 100% understand what you're worried about, but I also think you're several leaps beyond what is actually going on with the devs and fans for FFXIV.

Fans being unhappy with a creative choice and talking about it is very normal. Fans making decisions about what they will or will not engage with, either with their dollar or with gameplay, is also normal. That's our right as consumers. There are a lot of fans and ultimately, part of the job for devs is to navigate between overall customer desire, craftsmanship, monetary/time constraints, and their own creative vision. Good judgment, expertise, and confidence are essential in this role. SE can manage well enough in this respect.

Without naming names, there is an industry where policy involves ignoring most fan demand to the tune of SIGNIFICANT monetary loss. They are instead catering to some very vocal and unhappy individuals who don't spend money when they get their way. The professionals do not conduct themselves well, have removed and destroyed work according to mob whims, and even blacklist talent due to the situation. It takes a lot of ineptitude, cowardice, and bad priorities to reach that point. Further, the mob itself is prone to things like making petitions, trying to organize boycotts, making personal accusations, etc. None of these things need to be given power by the industry since they don't reflect most customers, but some very poor judgment is at work.

Censorship is not subtle. Fellow fans under those circumstances are not persuaded by good arguments but by fear and rhetoric, as are the pros.

If the choices in this situation were made due to simple persuasion and SE decided that either creatively or in pleasing a larger customer base they should adjust tactics, that's healthy. It's also well within their rights. This is a regular discussion. Fortunately for all of us, we can make cases where people actually absorb and think about what's being said instead of pulling kneejerk reactions. If the luxury of being judged by the merit of your argument is here then it's on you to make a better, more persuasive argument.

When you tell other people they shouldn't be allowed to criticize or complain because what if the devs listen, you're enacting that very censorious behavior you're worried about. Your opinion isn't inherently more valuable than OP's or people of similar mind to OP. It's a slippery slope best avoided.