Accessibility Concerns Regarding Keybound Brawler

[Furvert]

I am a disabled FFXIV player, and I want to express my disappointment and concern regarding the introduction of Keybound Brawler.

I have a disability that affects my ability to use my hands. I've worked hard to adapt how I play FFXIV, including teaching myself to play one-handed and using Discord voice chat to communicate with other players.

I love this game, and I've found ways to continue enjoying it despite my physical limitations.

However, Keybound Brawler introduces a mechanic that requires repetitive keyboard typing, with no controller or on-screen keyboard alternative. Attempting to participate has caused my disability symptoms to flare up, and I am now having to choose between risking further physical pain and missing out on limited-time rewards.

I understand that different activities can introduce different gameplay mechanics, and I have no objection to a typing minigame existing in FFXIV. My concern is that making exclusive, limited-time rewards dependent on a physical ability that some disabled players do not have effectively excludes an entire group of players.

Accessibility should mean giving players different ways to participate, not requiring everyone to interact with the game in exactly the same physical way.

I would like Square Enix to consider alternative input methods, accessibility settings, or another way to earn the rewards without requiring repetitive typing.

I don't want special treatment. I want the opportunity to enjoy the same content and earn the same rewards as other players without having to sacrifice my physical health to do so.

FFXIV has a wonderful community, and I hope Square Enix will consider the needs of its disabled players when designing future content.

Thank you for your consideration.

[Derio]

I know 3rd party plug ins are a big no no. But a few players who can only play with special disability controllers use the speech to text plugin with built in microphones. However I know console players are kind of SOL since I dont believe xbox or playstation or switch has voice to text built in that works with ffxiv.

[CopriComa]

I was also just talking to someone about this event being an accessibility nightmare. With the rapid typing and the visual effects (I'm epileptic that has hand coordination issues from seizures and had to relearn to play when I came back because of hand/typing issues) seeing this time limited event have both it's really upsetting. Like you said, I don't want special treatment I just wanna be able to enjoy the game and join in events the same way as everyone else. I want a shot at being able to get rewards for a FF game that was basically my whole childhood and I was so excited about happening. You're braver than me though because I'm not sure I wanna risk it for the biscuit (aka the framers kit for me).

[Reimmi]

Not ideal i suppose but you can have 3 friends help carry you to the rewards
you don't need 4 good players to win consistently, usually 2 is enough

[CCheshire]

Hi, I support adding more accessibility options to the game. I admit, I zoned out on it after I read the news of the collab for it since I'm not familiar with the remake, but this would be great if SE could add them for the typing game so everyone else can play it if they wanted for the event.

Also, I find that you can indeed pass all levels with only 2 fast typers even if the others are not since I've been queueing with folks from our NN and even if the randos are slow, then we still cleared in a decent time.

[Arrius]

Not ideal i suppose but you can have 3 friends help carry you to the rewards
you don't need 4 good players to win consistently, usually 2 is enough

Not even that - You can just play in your own speed, even when its slow. Stay in your typing lane and do as much as you are comfortable.
The event stays around for a bit, so this is not a sprint for week one to complete.

[BunnyQueen]

I am a disabled FFXIV player, and I want to express my disappointment and concern regarding the introduction of Keybound Brawler.

I have a disability that affects my ability to use my hands. I've worked hard to adapt how I play FFXIV, including teaching myself to play one-handed and using Discord voice chat to communicate with other players.

I love this game, and I've found ways to continue enjoying it despite my physical limitations.

However, Keybound Brawler introduces a mechanic that requires repetitive keyboard typing, with no controller or on-screen keyboard alternative. Attempting to participate has caused my disability symptoms to flare up, and I am now having to choose between risking further physical pain and missing out on limited-time rewards.

I understand that different activities can introduce different gameplay mechanics, and I have no objection to a typing minigame existing in FFXIV. My concern is that making exclusive, limited-time rewards dependent on a physical ability that some disabled players do not have effectively excludes an entire group of players.

Accessibility should mean giving players different ways to participate, not requiring everyone to interact with the game in exactly the same physical way.

I would like Square Enix to consider alternative input methods, accessibility settings, or another way to earn the rewards without requiring repetitive typing.

I don't want special treatment. I want the opportunity to enjoy the same content and earn the same rewards as other players without having to sacrifice my physical health to do so.

FFXIV has a wonderful community, and I hope Square Enix will consider the needs of its disabled players when designing future content.

Thank you for your consideration.

As a disabled player as well it fucks me over hardcore

[TheMightyMollusk]

I have carpal tunnel in both arms, so I can't do more than one or two rounds at a time or my hands lock up. So I'm just gonna take my time. I suppose an upside of the gear sets being gender locked is that I don't have to bother grinding for Barret's.

[Tint]

I suppose an upside of the gear sets being gender locked is that I don't have to bother grinding for Barret's.

They have unlocked gender specific gear before, like the housemaid and butler outfits which were from a collaboration and were unlocked long after the collaboration endet. Glad I kept my butler set.

[Reimmi]

They have unlocked gender specific gear before, like the housemaid and butler outfits which were from a collaboration and were unlocked long after the collaboration endet. Glad I kept my butler set.

If they unlock it in the future they will rerun the event 100%