Please don't harass people for ignoring/disliking the story

[Renalt]

Neither can some of their writers, to be fair.

Seriously it's always a joy to see your witty comments.

[Lauront]

But nobody asked for that opinion regarding that topic. Calling that out is perfectly natural.

Not really. You just come across as bizarrely defensive in response to someone exercising their right to post here, in all honesty. You're not "calling" anything out. You're just complaining about the fact that he posted an opinion you disliked, and not entirely unprompted, but also not in a thread where it's off topic. Let's not kid ourselves here as to what's going on here.

2) Crazed head-canon junkies: These people feel that because it wasn't the way THEY would have written their own personal fantasy novel that it makes the FF14 story objectively bad. Some of these guys are in for a complete rewrite, making it sci-fi or trying to mutate the entire world into a replica of their "other" favourite MMO. Just because Game of Thrones didn't feature magical rings doesn't mean it's "bad" compared to LOTR, its just a completely different story. Different =/= bad, just ... different.
3) Hot-take haters: Idiots just looking for their 15 minutes of internet fame with absurdist QAnon level takes.

Both those characterise the bulk of comments I see on sites like Reddit, and both are quite prevalent amongst story enjoyers. The amount of baseless headcanon I encounter in this community, including amongst the very people who sneer "omg stop skipping cutscenes" or who fancy themselves as lore 'hawks', is legend. Comprehension of the story, as written, is really not widespread in this community. Headcanon is the currency of much of its lore commenting.

[Theodric]

I don't care if people skip the story or do a level skip.

But if they start saying that the story is shit or something along the lines that they read a synopsis or watched a lore video then they deserve to be harassed, keep your opinions to yourself.

Ah, I imagine this is the 'welcoming' and 'great community' in action, eh?

No, nobody deserves to be harassed for not liking the story in a video game of all things.

[Gemina]

Its a story centered game, if you dont like story, its the wrong game. Im not buying a racing game while hating racing games just bc i like cars lol

The racing bit in your statement made me think of NASCAR. Tell the racing faithful their sport is just a series of left turns, and you don't get what the big deal is, and see what happens. Those who decide to partake in FFXIV and then decide to bash the story are essentially doing the same thing. You can't be surprised if you get stung by a bunch of wasps if you kick a hornet's nest.

The "harassment" I have experienced in regards to this matter has been a response to those who like to throw rocks. Easily avoided by not throwing said rocks.

[Lauront]

If we're at the point where we have to tread on eggshells around members of an emotionally volatile cult, on a site which SE itself directs people to for providing critical feedback, I'd say the game has failed Yoshi's very vision of how it should be. The story is not exempt from criticism and if this game wants to pride itself on its story? Buckle up and accept that.

[Boblawblah]

If we're at the point where we have to tread on eggshells around members of an emotionally volatile cult, on a site which SE itself directs people to for providing critical feedback, I'd say the game has failed Yoshi's very vision of how it should be. The story is not exempt from criticism and if this game wants to pride itself on its story? Buckle up and accept that.

Imagine that, you generalize everyone that enjoys the story as "an emotionally volative cult", and cry when you get push back. It sounds like YOU'RE the one that needs to buckle up and accept that most people enjoy the story/game. This isn't some safe space where you can criticize anything in the game without anyone calling bullshit on it.

[Thenightvortex]

After the caveat that bullying them is not OK regardless, I have 3 replies to this:
1) People complaining about the existence (as opposed to direction) of the MSQ/story in FF14 is like complaining about cars being the focus of a Forza game. I mean c'mon, what on earth were you expecting? If you come into a game with this severely misaligned expectations I am guessing you rarely research or enjoy ANY game you play.
2) Crazed head-canon junkies: These people feel that because it wasn't the way THEY would have written their own personal fantasy novel that it makes the FF14 story objectively bad. Some of these guys are in for a complete rewrite, making it sci-fi or trying to mutate the entire world into a replica of their "other" favourite MMO. Just because Game of Thrones didn't feature magical rings doesn't mean it's "bad" compared to LOTR, its just a completely different story. Different =/= bad, just ... different.
3) Hot-take haters: Idiots just looking for their 15 minutes of internet fame with absurdist QAnon level takes.

If you don't fall into one of the above categories then feel free to have your own preferences. If you do fall into one of the above then you decided to pull your intellectual pants down in public.

About headcanon “junkies”: Some of us are disappointed that recent story is going back on the themes and stakes that were present in this game before. Nothing to do with other MMOs or fantasy universes.

[Lauront]

Imagine that, you generalize everyone that enjoys the story as "an emotionally volative cult", and cry when you get push back.

I am generalising anyone who reacts through harassment to someone disliking the story as an emotionally volatile cult. Absolutely and emphatically: yes.

It sounds like YOU'RE the one that needs to buckle up and accept that most people enjoy the story/game. This isn't some safe space where you can criticize anything in the game without anyone calling bullshit on it.

Just to be clear here: are you trying to justify harassment of people who don't enjoy the story?

Moreover, this site is in fact governed by a TOS. To that extent? Yes, it absolutely is intended as a 'safe space' in some respects, especially from overly attached individuals who don't understand boundaries and begin resorting to harassment.

You can swear, rant, rave, type in caps all you like. It doesn't change that. Want to test it? Keep it up and see how it ends.

[Theodric]

Imagine that, you generalize everyone that enjoys the story as "an emotionally volative cult", and cry when you get push back. It sounds like YOU'RE the one that needs to buckle up and accept that most people enjoy the story/game. This isn't some safe space where you can criticize anything in the game without anyone calling bullshit on it.

I can assure you he isn't 'crying'. He's simply telling it like it is - and given that his comment was posted in response to others generalising people who criticised the story this appears to be little more than the usual attempt at deflection on your part.

Also please don't swear. It's very rude and not at all appropriate for a game written and increasingly intended to cater to a young audience.

[TheMightyMollusk]

And we've reached the part where both sides start slinging insults.