Frustrating relative lack of LGBT NPCs in this game

[MikkoAkure]

Also, the style and themes of the game are very LGBTQ+, so it's kind of hard not to think that the production staff has influential LGBTQ+ members leading the designs for gear and zones.

I'm not sure I'm seeing the same thing you're seeing. Other than the examples mentioned by the poster above you in this thread, there isn't much else going on other than prostitutes or flirty background NPCs trying to sleep with your character regardless of your gender and there's a lot more examples of aggressively hetero interactions between NPCs. Unfortunately, the country the game is made in is not very progressive and doesn't allow same-sex marriage. We didn't even get in-game same-sex marriage when eternal bonding was first released and we had to constantly ask for that along with gender-unlocked outfits. The director of the game has even said that male viera make him uncomfortable.

They've included some better examples of same-sex romance that don't use tired, negative tropes than I would have expected. But considering past comments from the director and the design team on other things, I don't think the examples you used were explicitly designed to be that way and you might be seeing more into things than what's really there.

[Valkyrie_Lenneth]

I'm not sure I'm seeing the same thing you're seeing. Other than the examples mentioned by the poster above you in this thread, there isn't much else going on other than prostitutes or flirty background NPCs trying to sleep with your character regardless of your gender and there's a lot more examples of aggressively hetero interactions between NPCs. Unfortunately, the country the game is made in is not very progressive and doesn't allow same-sex marriage. We didn't even get in-game same-sex marriage when eternal bonding was first released and we had to constantly ask for that along with gender-unlocked outfits. The director of the game has even said that male viera make him uncomfortable.

They've included some better examples of same-sex romance that don't use tired, negative tropes than I would have expected. But considering past comments from the director and the design team on other things, I don't think the examples you used were explicitly designed to be that way and you might be seeing more into things than what's really there.

This is incorrect, the eternal bond was always same-sex available.

[MikkoAkure]

This is incorrect, the eternal bond was always same-sex available.

I re-looked it up since I thought I remember it being a thing, and Yoshi-P had said in a live letter that there would be no same-sex marriage in-game at first, and then later changed his mind and it was released with same-sex marriage.

As for same-sex marriage, this is an extremely controversial topic that has been under discussion in the MMO world for the past few years. First we would like to start out with opposite-sex marriage, and then consider the feedback from our players in order to make a careful decision. I can't say whether or not it will be possible at this point in time. I'd like to keep dialog open with our players as we deliberate the matter.

Back when I played FFXI, they did not support same-sex marriage. I don't know if it's changed since then.

[Gothicshark]

I'm not sure I'm seeing the same thing you're seeing. Other than the examples mentioned by the poster above you in this thread, there isn't much else going on other than prostitutes or flirty background NPCs trying to sleep with your character regardless of your gender and there's a lot more examples of aggressively hetero interactions between NPCs. Unfortunately, the country the game is made in is not very progressive and doesn't allow same-sex marriage. We didn't even get in-game same-sex marriage when eternal bonding was first released and we had to constantly ask for that along with gender-unlocked outfits. The director of the game has even said that male viera make him uncomfortable.

They've included some better examples of same-sex romance that don't use tired, negative tropes than I would have expected. But considering past comments from the director and the design team on other things, I don't think the examples you used were explicitly designed to be that way and you might be seeing more into things than what's really there.

Il Mheg, and the Pixies are great examples. The zone is filled with queer tropes. Pixies are shown to be non-binary. There are rainbows, pink hues, and tons of queer visuals.

But let's look at Urianger. His old robes are classic mage type robes and give away nothing about his sexuality,

he is shown as just a nerd, with a strong emotional attachment to Moenbryda, in Shadowbringer, he changes his look significantly, and to a very genderfluid and queer look. His robes no longer look like a mage's robes, but instead a fairly sexy black silk dress, decorated in a magical way.

[Valkyrie_Lenneth]

Il Mheg, and the Pixies are great examples. The zone is filled with queer tropes. Pixies are shown to be non-binary. There are rainbows, pink hues, and tons of queer visuals.

But let's look at Urianger. His old robes are classic mage type robes and give away nothing about his sexuality,

he is shown as just a nerd, with a strong emotional attachment to Moenbryda, in Shadowbringer, he changes his look significantly, and to a very genderfluid and queer look. His robes no longer look like a mage's robes, but instead a fairly sexy black silk dress, decorated in a magical way.

I think you are doing some reaching with your examples. He's just wearing robes that have no sleeves. It's still a robe. That does not look gender fluid (whatever that would look like anyway) or queer at all.

great list, there's more, but I think the funniest bit is Alphinaud, there are several times NPCs refer to him as a girl, and there is a constant evolution of his masculinity. Almost as if he's a Trans man, and started his transition just prior to our officially meeting him. Also, they are referred to as identical twins at least once.

I'd like to point out that eorzea probably doesnt have a very good understanding on genetics, and likely refer to them as identical due to appearance. One egg can produce 2 children of different genders, and while not genetically identical because sex, the rest may be.

Also, Krile has known him for ages, and mentions teasing him a lot. I don't think she's ever mentioned him changing the way he dresses though.

This just seems like more reaching.

[Gothicshark]

I think you are doing some reaching with your examples. He's just wearing robes that have no sleeves. It's still a robe. That does not look gender fluid (whatever that would look like anyway) or queer at all.




I'd like to point out that eorzea probably doesnt have a very good understanding on genetics, and likely refer to them as identical due to appearance. One egg can produce 2 children of different genders, and while not genetically identical because sex, the rest may be.

Also, Krile has known him for ages, and mentions teasing him a lot. I don't think she's ever mentioned him changing the way he dresses though.

This just seems like more reaching.

For someone who is genderfluid, gender is a suggestion, not a fixed point. It's a very queer and lovely state of being, and something the Japanese do often. All you need to do is look up Tokyo Fashion and look at street pictures to see tons of Genderfluid people. The 5.0 Urianger is a classic example of this, but for a real example, I give you Billy Porter's tuxedo dress.




or From Tokyo Fashion
https://tokyofashion.com/dark-tokyo-...ffle-umbrella/
https://tokyofashion.com/harajuku-fa...-body-harness/
https://tokyofashion.com/harajuku-me...chelsea-boots/

Japan has always been a bit Genderfluid, especially in Manga, Anime, and Video Games. The Final Fantasy series is no exception.


in reply to your edit: I too will stealth in an edit:

I'd like to point out that eorzea probably doesnt have a very good understanding on genetics, and likely refer to them as identical due to appearance. One egg can produce 2 children of different genders, and while not genetically identical because sex, the rest may be.

Also, Krile has known him for ages, and mentions teasing him a lot. I don't think she's ever mentioned him changing the way he dresses though.

This just seems like more reaching.

Eorzea is not technologically backward, and their understanding of science and medicine is probably far in advanced of reality, but the Developers exist in our world and know the difference between

双子
Futago

and

卵性双生児
Ichiranseisōseiji

they used both in the Japanese dialogue to describe them.