Where is FFXIV headed in terms of sexism?

[Nuinn]

Let me start of by saying that, for a Japanese game, the issue of objectification doesn't surprise or shock me at all, proceeding by saying, I pretty much objectify everyone, and not only in this particular game. I just love seeing a nice body model in nice clothes, mostly myself Can't help it, love dress-up and love seeing others do it.

Equal parts opportunist, if you will. Enjoy having a nice looking female Miqo'te fight by my side just as much as I like a Roegadyn muscleman on my other side /shrug . . . . Furthermore, the way I dress down to my skimpies is something I'd never actually do irl so all this fantasy thing is like a fun thing for me to do.

Frankly, I've had enough of covered up characters in some other MMOs that I've played so far, and we still have an option to look "serious" in XIV. Just grateful that we also have an option to wear really silly looking clothes (Coliseum gear, bikinis. . . .) as well.

It's not only about the girls, us guys are always unjustly left out each time

[RoxyLalonde]

The solution to this problem: EVERYTHING IS SUBLIGAR. Thus, everyone is exposed to pretty much the same degree, and therefore equal. Guys get cheesecake, gals get beefcake.

Subligar you say? =D

[Kallera]

Thank you, good thread.
I am asking myself if either the most of the players are 13 yr male or are they just old fart pervs. Maybe I am too old with my 22 years but why do we need oversized tits and upskirts in a Final Fantasy game and why are people so embarrassing with?

Because a rigid camera and MMOs do not mix. Also, Internet.

I understand the issues here. But keep in mind Japan has different norms of respecting the genders. And treating in different ways in media than the west (example, slapstick comedy. Most Western countries wouldn't think of having a female "Daffy Duck" character deserving of a slap on the head or cartoonish violence upon her. Japan is less restrictive.)

In the end, SE's ultimate market is to the JP audience. That means it must contend with competitors not afraid of laying it on thick with fanservice. Take a look at the Korean MMOs and you'll see what I mean.

I'm not defending the whole thing, mind you. Some genres in Japan is pretty ridiculous (panty fighters and the doujin market come to mind). But they have different norms over there, and different views on femininity and media.

[LlenCoram]

I'm not really a fan of people slinging the -isms around as much as they are, but as a guy playing a female miqo'te (and not changing in ARR), I was actually kinda put off by just how bloody short the new RSE skirt is. Every single step was a pantyshot.

I'm ok with the occasional skimpy gear. The coliseum stuff was more of a novelty for me in our world of realistic armour, but I'd like it to stay that way. I found XI was the same. We have realistic, proper armour, and even beyond that the design for the clothing looks and "feels" so real that if didn't have two hands composed entirely of thumbs, I would actually try and recreate the clothing in real life.

I thought they were joking about the boob jiggle physics... I guess not (I'm glad I'm keeping Llen small-chested), but it's something that I'm rarely if ever going to notice so... whatever. They want to do it, go ahead. However, if I wanted bouncing, jiggling T&A in my face all day every day, I'd play Tera. Please keep our actual armour/clothing realistic, much as can be. Then, when people feel like fooling around and putting on bikinis or things like the coliseum gear, it'll actually mean something instead of just being another 90% naked body in a sea of adventurers wearing metal thongs and codpieces and nothing else.

[Majidah]

Colliseum gear is disgusting. Subligars are fucking sexy.

[Ralliare]

It's not only about the girls, us guys are always unjustly left out each time

Back when we had the "this is disgusting" thread, i was going to make a identical thread, but complaining that the Male version was far too decent! Those shorts cover FAR too much! Hotpants, yes great, but loosely stitched to shorts, that's just not cricket!

[Laiferr]

Let me start of by saying that, for a Japanese game, the issue of objectification doesn't surprise or shock me at all, proceeding by saying, I pretty much objectify everyone, and not only in this particular game. I just love seeing a nice body model in nice clothes, mostly myself Can't help it, love dress-up and love seeing others do it.

Equal parts opportunist, if you will. Enjoy having a nice looking female Miqo'te fight by my side just as much as I like a Roegadyn muscleman on my other side /shrug . . . . Furthermore, the way I dress down to my skimpies is something I'd never actually do irl so all this fantasy thing is like a fun thing for me to do.

Frankly, I've had enough of covered up characters in some other MMOs that I've played so far, and we still have an option to look "serious" in XIV. Just grateful that we also have an option to wear really silly looking clothes (Coliseum gear, bikinis. . . .) as well.

It's not only about the girls, us guys are always unjustly left out each time

I think that's a good attitude to have, and more of an exception than the rule. Most I know who would, say, want to see a female avatar in sexy gear, would never dream of asking their male-avatar friends to do the same. Perhaps only in a comical manner. I think that reaches more into issues with perceived 'homosexuality' which is off on a bit of a tangent.

I think the coliseum armour looks silly, but I am glad the male and female counterparts are similar for each other.

I'm not really a fan of people slinging the -isms around as much as they are, but as a guy playing a female miqo'te (and not changing in ARR), I was actually kinda put off by just how bloody short the new RSE skirt is. Every single step was a pantyshot.

I'm ok with the occasional skimpy gear. The coliseum stuff was more of a novelty for me in our world of realistic armour, but I'd like it to stay that way. I found XI was the same. We have realistic, proper armour, and even beyond that the design for the clothing looks and "feels" so real that if didn't have two hands composed entirely of thumbs, I would actually try and recreate the clothing in real life.

I thought they were joking about the boob jiggle physics... I guess not (I'm glad I'm keeping Llen small-chested), but it's something that I'm rarely if ever going to notice so... whatever. They want to do it, go ahead. However, if I wanted bouncing, jiggling T&A in my face all day every day, I'd play Tera. Please keep our actual armour/clothing realistic, much as can be. Then, when people feel like fooling around and putting on bikinis or things like the coliseum gear, it'll actually mean something instead of just being another 90% naked body in a sea of adventurers wearing metal thongs and codpieces and nothing else.

I pretty much agree! If they're going to make the jiggling 'subtle' then I don't know why they're bothering with it at all. It's just... with all the current animation issues people are griping over, it's so bizarre to be perfecting and taking feedback on their jiggle physics.

[kimoi]

Clearly this isn't something the majority of the English-speaking player base are interested in. I can only make 2 other assumptions here; it's the non-English-speaking playerbase that want features like this, OR, it's the development team.

Be careful with these assumptions. While it's not the number one most liked question in the official Q&A thread on the English forum, its likes shot up. It certainly shouldn't be decried as some JP culture thing like some are trying to say. This dev team really wants to appease it's player base, but I hope it doesn't give in too much to the vocal ones who like such things. At little is fine, but I don't want it all controlled by the voices of heavy forum users.

It has, however, started to bother me when the skimpy gear has useful stats, or when the male alternative is clearly more covered up than the female version. Most notably with the coatee. It had stats which made it good equipment for crafting (even though it absolutely is not what one would wear while sawing)

I liked how the equipment used to look pretty realistic based on its job it was meant to do. But I think many thought it was just boring.

[Quesse]

- Are you concerned about female objectification?

NO

- Are you concerned with how far the FFXIV team will go with sexism?

NO

- Does it in any way effect your enjoyment of the game?

NO

- Has it ever effected how you have been treated as a female avatar?

NO

[Laiferr]

Be careful with these assumptions. While it's not the most liked question in the official Q&A thread, its likes shot up on the English forum. This dev team really wants to appease it's player base, but I hope it doesn't give in too much to the vocal ones who like such things. At little is fine, but I don't want it all controlled by the voices of heavy forum users.

I liked how the equipment used to look pretty realistic based on its job it was meant to do. But I think many thought it was just boring.

Hmm, maybe. It just felt like it struck a bit left field, since it wasn't a 'hot topic' and certainly not something I'd have pinned them picking as one of the first questions. I read a lot of the (English) questions being asked on twitter, and out of all them, this just seemed so non-vocalized and not important. I can only read English, though, so I have no idea what was being asked in other languages.

I also liked the more realistic gear. I do think some of it was quite boring, but realistic doesn't mean it has to be boring. I was really hoping for crafters to get AF gear!