On Extreme Role-playing Within XIV

[Theodric]

As an aside, I'd like to note that I've played multiple MMO's on various European servers including FFXIV, ESO and WoW and have rarely run into issues when it comes to role-play on European servers. I think it would be worth it if some people took a step back and considered that there's cultural differences at play - and that it's pretty sinister to be implying that European role-players are secretly big racists just because they seem to be more willing and able to separate a character with flaws from the role-player that is controlling them.

To tie in with that, I'd also note that a significantly larger amount of role-play on American servers seems to consist of 'fluff' and visiting taverns/night clubs. It isn't my intention to suggest that European role-players are necessarily better or more mature, but equally I'd note that there is less focus over on our side of the pond on things such as brothels, self inserts and wish fulfilment. A lot of us just like an interesting story with deep characters that fit the setting we choose to role-play in. It isn't necessarily more complicated than that.

Nobody is forced to interact with another role-player. They can and should politely decline interact if they feel they're not going to be a good fit - but that doesn't mean that people are necessarily doing something wrong simply by choosing to portray a character with flaws or antagonistic traits.

[Vyrerus]

Europeans Mature etc.

Well, in general, Europeans tend to be older. They also tend to have more experience with different cultures. It doesn't give them all understanding, but I've always found that the ones that stick to more EU populated places online tend to be more polite and reserved than others.

Tons of EU do play on NA though, and they tend to blend in as just another NA unless they point out where they're from.

But going back to the age thing, I really do think that there are a ton of young people playing FFXIV. Droves, even. I literally raided with someone in Shadowbringers who would have been 12~13 when ARR came out. I've also RPed with someone who really wanted to know my real age. Age gap can really drive a wedge between people in game, whether it's RP or not.

I recall in December 2013 I met a DRG in i90 with the i95 Twintania weapon. She taught me the optimized DRG rotation at the time. Turned out they were a 16 year old French girl. They'd asked my age after revealing theirs, and I told'em(I was 23 going on 24 at the time). They said that I was, "a little creepy to be playing a game for teenagers." It really threw me for a loop, because when I'd played FFXI most people I met were older than me buy and large and also by a lot, sometimes. I sometimes wonder if she still thinks I'm creepy, now that she's about 24 herself, and still plays! lmao.

Of course, how that translates in RP is that usually the younger folks have different expectations in social interactions, and also have consumed watered down media for most of their lives with politically correct remakes that try to safety wrap every corner/push agenda/ideas. Activists-for-a-living parents. Hugbox internet etc.

Not saying everyone younger than me is like that or victim to it, but it's a little bit more prevalent than a trend, if you ask me. And I think it bleeds into every facet of their lives.