What are your thoughts about the Letter from the Producer LIVE Part XXIX?

[Lambdafish]

I'm sorry, but how is vowing to save his friend from being killed/ controlled by Nidhogg after watching his comrades suffer and a dear friend die indicative of lack of growth as a person?

It was half a joke, and half a worry that Aphinaud would choose to forsake Ishgard in order to save Estinian, and that the devs would allow Aphinaud to be in the right. Matoya reminds him of the facts, we are at war, and war has casualties, I don't have a problem with him trying to save a friend, it's about him ignoring Matoya's direction about the nature of war, and his denial about the eventuality that Estinian will have to be struck down.

Also, I don't mind that he is 16 and making mistakes, it's how soon after Matoya says her bit that he turns around and acts like the conversation never happened that makes him come across as whiny and arrogant.

(also I agree that Aphinaud has come a long way in his growth, and I actually have started to like him as a character, that could be why this scene bugs me so much)

[Belhi]

It was half a joke, and half a worry that Aphinaud would choose to forsake Ishgard in order to save Estinian, and that the devs would allow Aphinaud to be in the right. Matoyareminds him of the facts, we are at war, and war has casualties, I don't have a problem with him trying to save a friend, it's about him ignoring Matoya's direction about the nature of war, and his denial about the eventuality that Estinian will have to be struck down.

Also, I don't mind that he is 16 and making mistakes, it's how soon after Matoya says her bit that he turns around and acts like the conversation never happened that makes him come across as whiny and arrogant.

(also I agree that Aphinaud has come a long way in his growth, and I actually have started to like him as a character, that could be why this scene bugs me so much)

That isn't what really he went with. In the past Aphinaud has been very naïve. That's not the case here. He knows there is a good chance that Estinien can't be saved or even trying may be a long shot. However that doesn't mean they the attempt shouldn't be made. As he said, he doesn't want to be someone who casually sacrifices people for a war. If there is a chance then he wants to go for it, even if it will fail. He actually doesn't say he is willing to sacrifice Ishgard to do it. Just that giving up on Estenien without even trying isn't something he is willing to accept.

Estenien may have to be struck down. That doesn't mean he will have to be struck down.