Far Northern Attire

[ronibosch]

Harm is a strong word. My point is: there are many ways of companies bring representation to their products that are more useful to everyone involved. After all, a different process of creating these pieces can make a difference in the way we consume these traditions.

Would it have been better if the outfit was a part of an in-game culture, like they did with the Whalaqee and the Azim Steppes tribes? Both are influenced by a blend of cultures from their respective, real-life locations.

[Melorie]

Would it have been better if the outfit was a part of an in-game culture, like they did with the Whalaqee and the Azim Steppes tribes? Both are influenced by a blend of cultures from their respective, real-life locations.

I honestly don't believe that there is a universal solution. I do believe that there are MANY ways of including these things in a respectful, involved way. I also believe that if you're able to include that culture in the game somehow, and involve people from that culture into the writing/art/research, then it IS a better look than slapping a 18 usd mogstation attire. hah

I was happy when I finally saw Thavnair, clearly inspired by South East Asia, given that the FF universe has been borrowing from concepts of Hinduism and other religions (that aren't just religions but also a way of life) of that particular region for a long, long time. Even the name of some mobs are in nepali. It would make me even happier if I knew that there are artists from these regions involved in the creation of all this somehow.

Because representation isn't about having that thing there, but also about giving opportunity and space for those that are responsible for this culture being alive. Otherwise, you're just taking that aspect that you find cool/pretty for yourself.

[ronibosch]

I honestly don't believe that there is a universal solution. I do believe that there are MANY ways of including these things in a respectful, involved way. I also believe that if you're able to include that culture in the game somehow, and involve people from that culture into the writing/art/research, then it IS a better look than slapping a 18 usd mogstation attire. hah

I was happy when I finally saw Thavnair, clearly inspired by South East Asia, given that the FF universe has been borrowing from concepts of Hinduism and other religions (that aren't just religions but also a way of life) of that particular region for a long, long time. Even the name of some mobs are in nepali. It would make me even happier if I knew that there are artists from these regions involved in the creation of all this somehow.

Because representation isn't about having that thing there, but also about giving opportunity and space for those that are responsible for this culture being alive. Otherwise, you're just taking that aspect that you find cool/pretty for yourself.

I can agree with that. I personally wouldn't mind the addition of a culture in FFXIV that is influenced by real-life Far Northern tribes.

I snickered a bit at your last sentence, because the FF series' worldbuilding relies heavily on picking bits and pieces from folklore around the world that they find cool/pretty and enhancing it. Not that it detracts from your point, of course!

[Melorie]

I can agree with that. I personally wouldn't mind the addition of a culture in FFXIV that is influenced by real-life Far Northern tribes.

I snickered a bit at your last sentence, because the FF series' worldbuilding relies heavily on picking bits and pieces from folklore around the world that they find cool/pretty and enhancing it. Not that it detracts from your point, of course!

True! It borrows from many cultures, it's just that I haven't seen yet such a vast representation of this particular region. Even in other games, it's uncommon, so it made an impression.

[ronibosch]

True! It borrows from many cultures, it's just that I haven't seen yet such a vast representation of this particular region. Even in other games, it's uncommon, so it made an impression.

I agree! I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't know much about that region of the world until I was in college (American education, what can I say?), but learning more about these cultures in my adulthood and seeing them appear more in media has been pretty cool and enlightening.