So, we've devolved as far as into someone saying that the FFXIV Game is a misrepresentation of the community... inside the very game.

The opposing argument has twisted itself so deep that the source of truth for community's environment is not the game it self.

It doesn't matter that a person rude outside the game. The source of truth for the interactions of players - when it comes to judging the feeling of the game - is inside the game. FFXIV can't control outside. The truth of the matter is a "FFXIV Player" Could be handing death threats to anyone opposing the game long after they received a permanent ban for their actions within the game. Are you seriously saying that you're considering that 'the community'? Again it's been stated that we actively try to prevent and push out those elements - to a better degree than most games at any rate.

The hard truth is that it is the game, its players, and its policies as a whole make the community. But the scope is within the game itself, where all those components apply.

It's not a lie to enforce behavior policies that make people treat one another by a set standard. There is more than enough wiggle room for constructive feedback to players within the game when people are struggling. (Yes, even at Savage difficulty.)

It's the difference between walking into a fine restaurant where everyone talks softly because there's a noise policy, and enjoying the scenery, verses the same group in an underground bar brawl. Neither are a false representation of the communities, even if the same people attend both places. But if the group at the bar is toxic there, but behaves in the fine dining restaurant, the community in the restaurant is still seen in a better light - because those people are respecting the rules of their houses. Whether this because they fear getting kicked out or they fully agree with the policies is irrelevant.

That's why, if you're a LoL player, doing what you should be doing in FFXIV, then you're a FFXIV player. But outside the game, it's your choice how to behave. If those actions and attitude reflect the behaviors of one game over another, you might get stuck with the 'worse' lablel.

The same can be said of these forums. Whichever you think is more 'truthful' is irrelevant. Outside the scope of the game where the policies are enforced, you don't get the same sort of behavior. Thus, this place, isn't a proper representation of the in-game community. That's the standard, not the other way around. And that gets worse the further out of the FFXIV circle you get.

That said, many FFXIV's players fervor for the game can get to the point of being cultish - probably because FFXIV is doing so well in and of itself and it stirs a lot of feeling of investment in the game. People feel compelled to defend something that brings them joy and emotionally invests them into it. How they behave as a result of that? Well, that ends up being a person to person situation.

This game, and its people, can and frequently has reduced individuals to tears of joy. It's changed peoples lives for the better and players outside the sphere of FFXIV have widely acknowledged the improvements FFXIV has over other communities. If you wish to point out its flaws - so be it. You have your own opinions and experiences. But the facts are that FFXIV is 'good enough' to be acknowledged for its community. There's no point being salty about it. Question, identify, focus, and improve. That's what we can do and continue to do. That's how we can turn negative events made by outliers of the community into positive ones as well.

It's your choice.

But if you do happen to decide to contribute rather than conflict. I'd suggest taking a harsh look at how you'd provide feedback to underperforming players in a manner in which you would improve them. This seems to be a sticking point. It's more than possible within the constraints to teach people how to preform well in raids, or inform them they are underperforming without violating the ToS.

Anyways. I'm at the end of my tether for this one. I do hope you take what you see of the community and its flaws and do more than just complain - but work to improve where you can. That's my policy to take on this - and it's reinforced thanks to this thread. We can take individual experiences and learn how to improve upon them, and do our best to put our best face forward. That's not a lie, that's an effort. That effort was noticed and recognized - and I hope we continue to put that effort forward.