Now that FF16 will feature LGBT+ characters, can we get some rep in FF14 too?

[Stormpeaks]

Source: "just believe me".
Your POV only works if you believe positive representation of LGBT people doesn't bring enough money to Square Enix that they have to cater to countries systematically murdering them to cover the costs.

All we know is that Saudi Arabia asked SE to remove a relatively unimportant gay kiss between two secondary characters or they would ban the game entirely, and SE didn't care. I don't think anyone would have even noticed its absence if it didn't happen, yet they didn't bother to do it.

Isn't that proof enough for you that they think it's worth it?

I mean, yes, one country is enough, that's a lot of money lost as I just mentioned.

Also you are delusional if you think people join this game because it's "LGBT friendly" ,idk what world you live in, you dont join a game telling yourself "oh this game is great it's lgbt friendly ! awesome !"

They didnt agree to remove what SA asked for, but that doesnt mean they will do the same mistake again, they now know what line is crossing it too far for those countries.

[Kazhar]

They didnt agree to remove what SA asked for, but that doesnt mean they will do the same mistake again, they now know what line is crossing it too far for those countries.

Square Enix isn't at their first rodeo, Life is Strange, another Square Enix published game was also banned in Saudi Arabia years ago for very similar reasons. Heck, one of the reason Don't Nod studio chosed Square Enix as their publisher is because it was the one big corporation which didn't want to censor their work.
There's an absolute 0% chance they didn't know it would happen with FFXVI. Big companies like SE usually have specifically dedicated team made specifically to evaluate how the game's content will affect the ratings and the sales in multiples countries. (Even much smaller dev teams do that, btw)

Also, "mistake"? At least try to hide your biais a little.

[Stormpeaks]

Square Enix isn't at their first rodeo, Life is Strange, another Square Enix published game was also banned in Saudi Arabia years ago for very similar reasons. Heck, one of the reason Don't Nod studio chosed Square Enix as their publisher is because it was the one big corporation which didn't want to censor their work.
There's an absolute 0% chance they didn't know it would happen with FFXVI. Big companies like SE usually have specifically dedicated team made specifically to evaluate how the game's content will affect the ratings and the sales in multiples countries. Even smallers one, btw.

Also, "mistake"? At least try to hide your biais a little.

Yes I am bisexual and I am 100% biased towards Saudi Arabia, that clearly makes sense

/s

I said what I said, it's all about the money, those countries, in this particular case saudi arabia bring in money, period, SE is here to make money.

I will repeat though : What I do in my bed is my own problem, not everyone else's, I dont need representation in a video game, I dont need all the characters to suddenly become gay or bisexual.

[Kazhar]

Yes I am bisexual and I am 100% biased towards Saudi Arabia, that clearly makes sense

/s

I said what I said, it's all about the money, those countries, in this particular case saudi arabia bring in money, period, SE is here to make money.

I will repeat though : What I do in my bed is my own problem, not everyone else's, I dont need representation in a video game, I dont need all the characters to suddenly become gay or bisexual.

And my entire point is that if there's nothing wrong with it, why so much pushback? Going to the absurd lengths of arguing in favor of Saudi Arabia censorship or cynical money instead?
You said yourself that Dion was well implemented in XVI. Yes, I've hardly seen anyone disagree with that.
So didn't Square Enix prove they were able to tackle the subject tactfully already?

[Stormpeaks]

And my entire point is that if there's nothing wrong with it, why so much pushback? Going to the absurd lengths of arguing in favor of Saudi Arabia censorship or cynical money instead?
You said yourself that Dion was well implemented in XVI. Yes, I've hardly seen anyone disagree with that.
So didn't Square Enix prove they were able to tackle the subject tactfully already?

If they implement in a meaningful way, sure, if they are going to force it and change a character's gender or sexuality for no reason at all, then no, most companies dont have a very good record of implementing it right, so it's always a bit eh

[Kazhar]

If they implement in a meaningful way, sure, if they are going to force it and change a character's gender or sexuality for no reason at all, then no, most companies dont have a very good record of implementing it right, so it's always a bit eh

Well personally I'm not asking for that. I'm not sure anyone here is (except Titanmen but you know he's here for that kind of inflammatory takes). If representation can be done in meaningful ways, it's all the better.
I don't even care if FFXIV ever gets any representation in the future at this point, especially since my interest in this game has been waning after years of stupid decisions from SE.
But I don't want companies to be afraid to even try because it would offend some people who will never be happy about it anyway.

EDIT: Glad we managed to reach an understanding. It's especially rare here!

[Stormpeaks]

Well personally I'm not asking for that. I'm not sure anyone here is (except Titanmen but you know he's here for that kind of inflammatory takes). If representation can be done in meaningful ways, it's all the better.
I don't even care if FFXIV ever gets any representation in the future at this point, especially since my interest in this game has been waning after years of stupid decisions from SE.
But I don't want companies to be afraid to even try because it would offend some people who will never be happy about it anyway.

yeah nah I agree with you, as much as it's done in a meaningful way I approve, that's how it should be done

[Hurlstone]

Well personally I'm not asking for that. I'm not sure anyone here is (except Titanmen but you know he's here for that kind of inflammatory takes). If representation can be done in meaningful ways, it's all the better.

I think thats one of the things that has always bugged me about these debates here, they get started and people seem to jump straight (haha) ahead and assume that people want offensive caricatures who mention their sexuality every 12 second and are predatory perverts. I do not think anyone has ever really said they want that, well perhaps TitanMan but they could not be more obvious a troll if they lived under a bridge. Dion is the exact type of character people actually want, someone who is a well-written individual where his sexuality is a building block of who he is, not the entire foundation. The fact there has not been as much blowback about it as expected is a welcoming sign (Even if its still depressing to see some rage against it) and honestly I think its worth the ban in Saudi and the like. They could have easily cut it and taken the cash, but they did not, and for all the crap SE has been doing of late, this choice is one I respect.