For Yoshi P - A Letter TO The Producer (with video) - TAINT Rainbow Parade 2015

[Veritas-Ancora]

This letter of thanks (and video below) is for Yoshida-san.
(Part 1 of 4, we couldn't fit it all in one)

When we did our 2014 rainbow parade video in Limsa, we had no idea that it would be as big as it was. I only posted that video in the XIV forums asking for Yoshi P to see it, and I honestly didn't think he ever would. I watched our view count increase by the thousands, having no idea why. Then our members started seeing it everywhere: IGN, PC Gamer, Kotaku, Huffington Post, Towleroad, Buzzfeed, Reddit... it was everywhere. I never even got contacted and I did the whole thing! On top of that, please know that we NEVER turned monetization on any of our videos, because the reason was to say "thank you". That's payment in itself.

Months later, I was excited for the new expansion and so I flew to Boston to hear what was coming. I was lucky enough to make it in the front row of the Heavensward announcement (I waited hours and saw nothing else at PAX East the entire morning).

[Veritas-Ancora]

(Part 2 of 4)

I was so close to the front, I was sitting right next to who I'm certain was the lead of Final Fantasy XV, who was in the audience. After the show, they invited the first dozen people for an autograph. Being in the front row, I ran as fast as I could and got in.

In a last-minute decision, while the guy in front of me was getting his autograph, I asked the translator if she would please tell him thank you for allowing same-gender relationships in the game, and thinking that he never saw that video being in Japan, I mentioned that I organized a parade through Limsa Lominsa in rainbow colors as thanks for it.

To my astonishment, she translated through him and said that he saw it, and all the developers in Japan had saw it. I won't talk on his behalf, I respect him too much as both person and legend of the Final Fantasy series in case I misunderstood anything, but the shock on Yoshi P's face when I said that I was the one who made it... I can't even begin.

[Veritas-Ancora]

(Part 3 of 4)

I was completely blown away that we did something that stretched across the world and seen by the people who made the game we've lived in since early access. My signature has been the photo ever since. I had billions of emotions running through my head so I'm not sure which one showed up in the picture.

I'm really a nobody, just a regular guy who wanted to give gamers like myself a safe place to call home - no politics ever, no agenda ever. The Terra story in FFVI was the reason I came to terms with myself, so I owe Final Fantasy a lot in my life. The video was a "thank you" for making this someplace people all over the world can be themselves, the same way FFVI was for me. After all, it's an escape from our reality.

I honestly don't expect this one to be seen anywhere. But if Yoshi P ever gets to see this, I hope he can see how inspired we were to make it bigger and better. I won't spoil it, but we invested a lot of time and gil (and bad RNG chances) into it.

[Veritas-Ancora]

(Part 4 of 4)

It would truly be an honor to know if he got to see this brand new 2015 video, even if it was a private message from a community team member just to know he saw it (there's not many chances to find out from himself again!).

Thanks for inspiring me to know, intentionally or not, really can make an impact all over the world, just like you all have with this game. Your team should feel very accomplished knowing millions of Final Fantasy fans like myself have renewed our love for this series. Without further adieu, our brand new 2015 Parade Video. Please look forward to it!

****

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6r2qNe9lPw

****

Cordially yours,

Vain Palazzo
Free Company Leader

[Zhexos]

Hi Veritas,

Thanks for the message and the awesome video! We'll be sure to share this with Yoshi-P and the dev. team!

[Mindylou]

errr very nice!!!

but maybe all the good suggestions could also be shared?

[Nyalia]

As someone who is in a same-sex marriage in real life as well as in the game, I'd just like to thank Yoshida-san and the rest of the FFXIV decision-making team for making the decision to be inclusive with their game. You have no idea how great it's been being so accepted by both my server's community and the official in-game content. Thank you. Thank you so, so much. <3


(Also, OP, you can get around the 1,000 character posting limit by editing your post.)

[Kosmos992k]

That's an awesome story and to me the moral is this, no one is 'nobody'. Anyone can do something that stretches out across the world and touches others.

What I have learned from playing MMORPGs is that there are people literally from all walks of life playing these games; we meet people from all parts of the globe, and make friends, form relationships and associations. Even in that small way we do indeed reach out and 'touch' others' lives. Furthermore; politics, economics, gender, race, orientation, disability, etc....are utterly meaningless in this context because we exist in Eorzea together, a common experience free from the worldly concerns of our mundane "real life".

I think that perhaps there are lessons we can learn from this virtual existence and bring to our 'real' existence, I only wish more people would realize that.

[rho]

Just wanted to give a big KUDOS to you, sir!
Awsome and inspiring on many levels, even outside the realm of same-sex marriage!

gj & thx for sharing your story with us ^^

[Vespar]

Great to see so many people being themselves, enjoying the game and coming together as a community. I imagine the developers will get warm fuzzies every time they see this!!