Where is FFXIV headed in terms of sexism?

[Hulan]

As far as objectification goes, I doubt any video game - particularly an MMO - is going to be completely free of it until we mature more as a society. Look at movies, they've been around for decades and if anything, they've gotten worse.

I actually think the dev team did an admirable job keeping things relatively sex-neutral in FFXIV. Baring a few minor instances (the infamous Coliseum gear, for instance), the game has been pretty fair minded about the whole thing. I'm rather impressed by the restraint shown by the dev-team with the breast size option in ARR, for instance, which is totally reasonable in size. Similarly, they showed some great social awareness with the prostitutes in Ul'dah, which existed, but always were cast in sort of a dark, seedy light.

The "Jiggle physics" question probably was just an attempt at lightheartedness. On the other hand, as has been mentioned before, Japan is a very sexually charged society. It may have been just be a nod to their primary demographic in an attempt to garner support with the Japanese middle class. If so, it was a pretty minor concession, so I think it won't be a problem.

Two steps forward and one step back is still one step forward. I'm pretty satisfied overall myself, though there are certainly issues to be taken with a few choices made in the sexism department tm.

[GinTama]

just blame society.... all of them

[Zantetsuken]

FF has long been a series that has treated leading female characters with dignity and it has largely avoided that sexploitation that has become rampant in other RPG and MMO games.

Starting with FFX, we've had a few exploitative outfits and (sadly) its been slowly getting worse ever since then.

To my knowledge, the only FF game to use 'breast physics' thus far is Dissidia, and it was exaggerated just enough so that the player would notice (obvious pandering).

I hope the devs just shelve breast physics for this game.

If they do include it, only ask that they keep it subtle and please DISABLE IT FOR LEATHER, HEAVY ROBES, and ALL HEAVY ARMOR.

Few things cheapen a game as much as breasts covered in plate mail jiggling around.

[AdvancedWind]

FF is a series of games produced in the country that gives us 'anime', one of the key ingredients being females who look barely of age in costumes intended to make young teen males get a tad excited.

Weird, I swear that out of the seven anime series I'm currently watching this season, not a single one of them actually had any kind of scene with "females who look barely of age in costumes intended to make young teen males get a tad excited".

But hey, nice generalization there.

(not saying that there aren't shows that are just about showing semi naked girls, which doesn't change the fact that this kind of generalization is absurd, no offense)

As for OP's questions, I answer all of em with "No", but I personally never cared or was bothered about that in the first place. When I do think that something (game, movie, anime, whatever) focus too much on "fanservice", I generally just ignore it because it will likely be bad anyways.

[Laiferr]

As far as objectification goes, I doubt any video game - particularly an MMO - is going to be completely free of it until we mature more as a society. Look at movies, they've been around for decades and if anything, they've gotten worse.
...
Two steps forward and one step back is still one step forward. I'm pretty satisfied overall myself, though there are certainly issues to be taken with a few choices made in the sexism department tm.

My thoughts run more along - how far will this go? How many times will I be saying "oh well, it's just one more little thing". As it stands at the moment, I don't think it's bad, I just wonder if it's a sign of things to come and how far they will take it.

I hope the devs just shelve breast physics for this game.

If they do include it, only ask that they keep it subtle and please DISABLE IT FOR LEATHER, HEAVY ROBES, and ALL HEAVY ARMOR.

Few things cheapen a game as much as breasts covered in plate mail jiggling around.

I hadn't even thought of that. To be honest the reason 'jiggle physics' bother me in general is because if you were suiting up for war, you'd be wearing appropriate lingerie that would impede as much jiggling as possible. But yes, please, let's keep it at least somewhat realistic!

[Nuinn]

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!

I know, right?! Though, I'm not that bugged out by them covering this much, as I am by them just looking weird the way they are now. . . . Almost like spanx >_>

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 see what you mean. In my case it's true, I just don't read that much into it, in a sexual manner. I might joke about it that way, but not like I'll really look at anyone's character with lust in my eyes, or whatever. . . . but I do realize that there might be people out there prone to do so even with Lalafell ._.

Personally, I believe that right now we have enough options to chose from and that it depends on each player in what manner and volume they're going to let others objectify them.

The whole jiggly-breasts thing, I really don't know what to make of it. In a way it always seemed silly to me, in any game, but on the other, if the hair moves, if the skirt/robes move then the breasts moving as well in a subtle manner perhaps won't look as disastrously silly as in some other games. It clearly is a fan service (but then again cat ladies are as well, and so are the cute little borderline loli & shota Lalafell, arguably the butch Roegs too. . . . my head hurts >.<) Wouldn't know how to feel if guys could flex their pecs and make 'em dance lol xD

Not to sound like a parrot, but I'm kida appreciative of the fact that we don't have to dress in fully realistic armour all the time. Derailing a bit, but I played a female elf in LotRO, and I did try to dress down, even though armour there was anything but skimpy. I just wanted to feel & look more feminine @_@

[Charismatic]

I love heavy armor jiggling in my games. The force with which those things are moving with must be amazing.
Truly a sight to behold.

[Kibo]

Nope, I always respected XIV for not sugarcoating things. Miqo'te prostitutes and Roegadyn drunks for everyone!

[LlenCoram]

Nope, I always respected XIV for not sugarcoating things. Miqo'te prostitutes and Roegadyn drunks for everyone!

This is why I'm half-n-half on this thread. SE originally took a very realistic view on this world, and in a sleazeball town like Ul'dah, having a strip club in the miner's guild sorta makes sense, and it makes more sense that Miqo'te would be the prime... girls, I guess.

So I suppose my opinion on this whole thread is less the objectification of women (and dudes sometimes), but more just the potential loss of realistic armour. That being said, I'm going to wear the hell out of the Miqo'te RSE... I just hope my hours spent fishing every day will be done in proper fishing gear like I have now, and not two pieces of string attached to a strip of tape :P

[Orophin]

My thoughts on the subject:

* The Japanese in general seem to be a lot more open about sexuality than Westerners. I think you can see this reflected in their culture, especially in anime/hentai.

* The players wanted skimpy outfits and larger breasts and SE delivered. Both males and females were in support of this change.

I don't think SE has any intentions on objectifying women in-game. They've created plenty of strong women leads, such as Kan-e-senna, Merlwyb (who wears a somewhat suggestive bodice) and Y'shtola, all without making them seem like they're just there to be eye candy, nor do they act like your typical "dumb blonde".