Say something negative about the game

[kaynide]

The policy and etiquette of the game discourages players from improving through trial and error, or by player skill comparison. There are very few in-game resources to learn, optimize and play your chosen job effectively. Constructive criticism is non-existent, and FFXIV has adopted what some call toxic inclusivity or toxic positivity.

This is not meant to sound nearly as inflammatory as it will, so I apologize in advance for that.

I would suggest re-reading the actual rules/ToS if this is your belief- the policy is pretty clear. You are free to disagree/debate/discuss and figure out things via trial and error. You are free to point other players in the right direction in a constructive manner.

Indeed, per the ToS the game is MORE in favor of figuring things out for yourself and not being told the “correct” way to do a thing.

The problem comes when you tell players that one specific way is the "only" way to do it. A lot of players have over-reacted to the rule/policy changes, but if one sits down and actually reads through it, it's really not as bad as the knee-jerk reactions are.

ToS:

・Expressions that provoke or belittle another person, such as excessive criticism, negation/ridicule.

(Excerpt):
* There is nothing wrong with providing suggestions that the player community typically follows, but this can only be presented in the form of a "suggestion" and cannot be in the form of a demand.

* It is not a violation to offer advice when pointing out issues; however, it should be treated as advice only and not something that must be followed.

(Full Details):

Key Points
It is prohibited to make offensive expressions such as those listed in the following examples. If a report has been filed and the prohibited activity is confirmed, a penalty will be issued.

Please note that Square Enix may issue a penalty at its discretion even if a report has not been filed but the act was found being conducted in public areas such as Say and Shout, search comments, Party Finder, and online video or streaming services.
* Please note that these are just a few examples. Be polite to others and try not to make them feel uncomfortable.

Examples
The following behaviors are prohibited:

Using insulting words such as "stupid," "idiot," "die," "crazy," "garbage," or "trash" to offend others. In addition, even if you do not use direct words, blaming and attacking others, such as "It's [player name]'s fault that we wiped" or "You really make a lot of mistakes," or rephrasing insulting words into any other form is also prohibited. If a report has been filed and the prohibited activity is confirmed, a penalty will be issued.

Insulting another person's personal taste, such as "your glamour is terrible, you should quit the game," or "the way you talk disgusts me." If a report has been filed and the prohibited activity is confirmed, a penalty will be issued.

Insulting others with statements that are unrelated to the subject of the discussion, such as "no wonder you can't do this, look at how you dress your character." If a report has been filed and the prohibited activity is confirmed, a penalty will be issued.

Insulting others by threatening them with statements such as "if you get on my bad side, you'll be ostracized from this community," or "I can have you kicked from this group at any time." If a report has been filed and the prohibited activity is confirmed, a penalty will be issued.

Using accusatory expressions or sarcastic remarks without offering any constructive advice. Statements such as "people like you will never get better" are prohibited. If a report has been filed and the prohibited activity is confirmed, a penalty will be issued.

Attacking someone for doing something different from what you or others may feel is the norm. For example, when running Alliance Raids, or playing PvP content, it is prohibited to make statements such as "why aren't you doing [specific thing]? Everyone knows that's how you do this!" If a report has been filed and the prohibited activity is confirmed, a penalty will be issued.

* There is nothing wrong with providing suggestions that the player community typically follows, but this can only be presented in the form of a "suggestion" and cannot be in the form of a demand. If said player's actions are interfering with the gameplay of others, then a penalty can be issued once a report is filed and confirmed; however, even in this type of situation, if said player is also being attacked verbally, the penalty can be issued to both players.

* For additional information refer to the "Expressions that unilaterally reject another person's opinion," and "Expressions that compel a playing style" sections below.

Mocking another person for making mistakes. Statements such as "how can you screw up on something so simple that no one else messes up?" are prohibited. If a report has been filed and the prohibited activity is confirmed, a penalty will be issued.

Mocking or ridiculing another player who has been knocked out by using emotes (such as laugh), jumping, or using items (such as fireworks) on top of their character's body. If a report has been filed and the prohibited activity is confirmed, a penalty will be issued.

Making statements that will hurt the reputation of someone in public areas, such as Say and Shout, search comments, Party Finder, and online video or streaming services. If a report has been filed and the prohibited activity is confirmed, a penalty will be issued.

* Defaming other players, even if the player in question is acting in a way that is offensive to others, or performing a prohibited activity.

Excessively criticizing or condemning others. Statements such as "you're bad at [something]," or "you're not getting [something] at all" are prohibited. If a report has been filed and the prohibited activity is confirmed, a penalty will be issued.

* It is not a violation to offer advice when pointing out issues; however, it should be treated as advice only and not something that must be followed. You cannot force someone to play a certain way without the consent of both parties. If such a situation does arise, it could be determined to be giving excessive criticism against that player.

In the following example, player A is excessively criticizing player B. If player B is not asking for any advice, player A cannot force player B to play a specific way. This type of situation can be determined as an act of excessive criticism.

Player A: B, you're doing this part wrong.
Player B: I understand, I'll try harder.
Player A: You understand the mechanics? Want me to teach you?
Player B: I do understand, I'm OK. Thank you.
Player A: You sure you understand? You keep on screwing up. You should do [something] on [something].
Player B: I understand, I'm sorry.
Player A: You sure? If you don't know let me know, ok? B, you're screwing up so many times, you're really dragging this out for us.
Player B: I'm sorry.

Making statements intended to belittle someone, such as "you can't do [something], maybe this is just not possible for you?" If a report has been filed and the prohibited activity is confirmed, a penalty will be issued.

It is prohibited for groups of players to target and ridicule a specific player. If a report has been filed and the prohibited activity is confirmed, a penalty will be issued.

* The above act involves an excessive amount of criticism/condemnation. Players may not denounce another player. If you feel a player is causing an issue, please file a report.

・Expressions that unilaterally reject another person's opinion
(no details given)

・Expressions that compel a playing style

(Excerpt):
Examples of a non-violation:

"I think [duty/content] will go more smoothly if we do [something], so I want to try doing it this way, is that okay with everyone?"

(In response to an opinion) "I understand your opinion, but I think I can do better with [something], what do you think?"

(Full Details):

Key Points
It is prohibited to force personal views or disregard the opinions of others. If a report has been filed and the prohibited activity is confirmed, a penalty will be issued.

It is prohibited to make statements such as:

"There's no way we can clear this with [suggestion]."
"Big pulls are normal here, so do it!"
"I don't care what you think, just follow my instructions."
"I'm not asking for your opinion."


Please note that Square Enix may issue a penalty in its discretion even if a report has not been filed but the act was found being conducted in public areas such as Say and Shout, search comments, Party Finder, and online video or streaming services.

■ Point 1
Respecting the opinions of others and expressing your own opinions in the form of a "suggestion" does not constitute a violation.

For example, it is not a violation to suggest one's own opinion/policy or to present a counterproposal to an opinion, as shown in the following "Example of a non-violation." However, in the "Example of a violation,” you are trying to impose your play style on others by unilaterally excluding their opinions without respecting theirs, which is considered a violation.

Example 1
Example of a violation:

"We can only beat [duty/content] by using [something]. You can't do it any other way, so stop doing that!"

Example of a non-violation:

"I think [duty/content] will go more smoothly if we do [something], so I want to try doing it this way, is that okay with everyone?"


Example 2
Example of a violation:

(In response to an opinion) "Your idea is ridiculous, what are you talking about!?."

Example of a non-violation:

(In response to an opinion) "I understand your opinion, but I think I can do better with [something], what do you think?"


■ Point 2
Expressing your wishes in the form of a request, as in the following example, does not constitute a violation.

"I'm getting attacked by the enemies, can you put on your stance?"
"It would be great if you could focus on healing because I'm in trouble!"


*When offering suggestions or making requests, it's important to include your reasoning. Making suggestions/requests without a clear understanding of the reason often leads the other person to misunderstand your intention. Additionally, making suggestions or requests does not necessarily mean that they must be accepted. When your suggestion/request is rejected, you cannot then criticize or blame others, pressure others or otherwise refuse to respect their opinion, or persistently repeat the same suggestion/request or otherwise attempt to impose your playstyle on others. If a report has been filed and the prohibited activity is confirmed, a penalty will be issued.

The lack of in game resources though is spot on.