FF14 and toxic positivity

[Theodric]

Didn't you say something along the lines of "people who like hydaelyn don't have as refined tastes as me" in that story thread? Is that not the same thing?

The playful comment was in response to posters who have consistently insinuated over a number of years that if somebody likes the antagonists in a video game, then they are bad people with flawed morals. In addition to sending weird threats and comments outside of the game itself through Reddit, Twitter and Discord.

Speaking of which, it has long been a problem within the lore community where certain posters will repeatedly harass someone, then when they get even the slightest bit of pushback in response, they throw up their hands and feign innocence.

[Illmaeran]

if somebody likes the antagonists in a video game, then they are bad people with flawed morals.

Hannibal Lechter's the best villain ever written and I love the character.

I shall thrown down my gauntlet if you disagree, sir!!

[KizuyaKatogami]

The playful comment was in response to posters who have consistently insinuated over a number of years that if somebody likes the antagonists in a video game, then they are bad people with flawed morals. In addition to sending weird threats and comments outside of the game itself through Reddit, Twitter and Discord.

Speaking of which, it has long been a problem within the lore community where certain posters will repeatedly harass someone, then when they get even the slightest bit of pushback in response, they throw up their hands and feign innocence.

Some people must just be absolutely infatuated with you given how much they memorize your posts. Must be the hyur face.

[Valkyrie_Lenneth]

Some people must just be absolutely infatuated with you given how much they memorize your posts. Must be the hyur face.

It's almost like you remember the people you have strong disagreements with.

It's the same with your posts. But then, you knew that.

[Theodric]

It's almost like you remember the people you have strong disagreements with.

It's the same with your posts. But then, you knew that.

I don't recall any 'strong disagreements' between us. If there are any, they're very likely one sided or intent is being misjudged somewhere.

Though to provide further clarity to my prior point, here's an older post relating to the subject that I made:

At the end of the day, it's just a video game. One many of us are varying degrees of passionate about, certainly, though I personally don't care for rivalries to form over something that is entirely fictional. As such, my stance has ever been to agree to disagree where common ground cannot be found. I don't care for endless arguments over morality and I'd like to think I've made it perfectly clear that if anyone has a problem with me, then they're very welcome to come and talk it out in a civil manner.

I like working out and discussing the 'how' and 'why' things happen in the way that they do in any given story or historical event, though my personal preferences drift towards characters and factions that have lofty stakes over those that have everything work out to their benefit most of the time.

One thing I noticed, however, was that some pretty spiteful and nasty accusations were aimed at anyone who ever dared to speak up in favour of the antagonists. This included death threats, homophobic comments and other unpleasant elements. Given that the offending posts were deleted, however, then such will have to be taken with a pinch of salt - though I'd like to think those who are being genuine and who have been around for a while will be aware of what I'm speaking of. Especially since some of the offending comments leaked into Reddit, Twitter and certain Discord servers.

The most fascinating thing I observed was that certain posters would repeatedly launch thinly veiled attacks and sometimes direct personal attacks at fans of the antagonists, implying all manner of horrible things about their person and real world morality. When finally those being assaulted had enough, even a minor quip in response would be treated as some deeply horrific crime and personal attack.

I will say that things have improved somewhat since then. Right around the same time that the game itself revealed that, yes, actually there was more to the Ascians and Garleans all along.

Ultimately any given individual is going to have their personal preferences and interests. I've never suggested that anyone has to like specific characters or factions. I only ask that the same courtesy is extended to others in turn.

In closing, I'd also note that the game attracts players from many different countries, cultures, backgrounds and belief systems. We all have different life experiences, so that is going to influence what we like and we don't like.

[KizuyaKatogami]

It's almost like you remember the people you have strong disagreements with.

It's the same with your posts. But then, you knew that.

I honestly haven’t a clue what you’re talking about. I typically dont let people live in my head rent-free. Don’t got time for petty squabbles you see

[Shougun]

The playful comment was in response to posters who have consistently insinuated over a number of years that if somebody likes the antagonists in a video game, then they are bad people with flawed morals. In addition to sending weird threats and comments outside of the game itself through Reddit, Twitter and Discord.

Speaking of which, it has long been a problem within the lore community where certain posters will repeatedly harass someone, then when they get even the slightest bit of pushback in response, they throw up their hands and feign innocence.

I think there are some interesting discussions over there but given my experience with a few people, who I don't believe are evil and have seen be helpful / nice, the lack of willingness to fly with an idea but rather actually a sense of willful desire to smack down ideas instead of use their knowledge to make it better. . . makes me not excited to discuss lore in this game.

That said A. I've seen a number of posters who are active there that I love to see here and are not like that, so.. painting by association is rude lol, and B. To be fair I prefer to get lore myself or at least via nice deep voice presentations xD so I might not have visited a lot anyways. Very much into the death of an author type thing, where interpretations and meaning become both public and personal.

Or more cynically you might say lack of creative vision, but maybe that is unfair if you were discussing something they were actually interested in. Though that makes me feel less great, since I feel if you are willing to engage with someone you should really give it a true try; otherwise.. maybe just don't engage.. lol.. like I've on many occasions went in trying to encourage or add onto ideas that originally were not really my desire (mainly when I see a lot of people shutting them down). I say as much when I do though, just to ensure clarity of my own bias / thoughts. Those who ask questions to better understand the situation and earnestly use that info, even if they don't agree, are some of my favorite posters (which there are a few).

To more of a point of your post though, in my experience the most shutdowns I've seen in the forums are from people who either use code, money, or lore, and of the three it's lore that I've seen far more shutdowns of ideas in a way that I feel is the most like "....really though?". Funnily the most adamant shutdowns that used lore, that /I've/ experienced, have ended up being proven wrong later XD, sometimes to the point that nearly exactly what I thought could happen did actually happen. I think money reasons are the worst because we really know nothing about their situation, we've no business planning their finances, then lore because given patience and creativity you can make a lot happen lol, and code being fairly logical especially when said by those who have some interest in the field.. though I've seen understandings of the game that are also not true. Like someone tried to convince people at one time that instanced for all housing is impossible as it would require too much data and no game could do that (which of course has happened). Yet with all three 'shutdowns' often simply "time" could be the cure to the problem. Time for money, for smooth transition in the story, for figuring out the solution to making chocobos be allowed in parties.. etc, etc.

It was only a few months ago on Reaper, people saying things are impossible or certain desires couldn't be done. Before reaper shirt it was more on Necromancer... but if some recall my posts on how to make a Necromancer work- using wraith like imagery over pure undead, could potentially bind with spirits and have a new visual effect, scythes, etc...A few pretty adamant that such designs couldn't be done due to lore. Honestly I think the more people say no to something the more likely they make it to be lol. Yoshida over there looking "seems like people think I can't do this... I'll show them!" . Similar stuff happened with other topics, like beast tribes and summons.

Though one person did describe the actions 'against' certain ideas not so much as things are impossible, but as they're concerned players are going to encourage bad changes to the story. Which I respected as that's like players who want no ultimate or all ultimate content, not that it's impossible just "I don't like the sound of that".

As for the thread sake- to me it seems relatively similar to as it was before, still a lot of people who think the game can do no wrong, still a lot of people who think the game only does wrong. /shrug lol. I think we're generally similar, I've not seen huge shifts in culture that are horrid and concerning. Still a lot of nice people, nice people who've had bad days sometimes, and then a few others, just like normal.

I think it is honestly fine if someone thinks the game is perfect, a bit weird if they think it's the worst and are still playing though..., but just what gets my goat is people shutting down ideas, especially lazily. Can nearly hear my brain start to click when I read that stuff O_o O_O o_O, like captain hook and the crocodile clock. Since I've not said anything good, I'll counter myself and say I know I write a lot.. so I'm sure many wish there was headlines they could read instead of the post lol.