Shark

[tansypotato]

I know this will be an insignificant complaint, but I'm terrified of sharks, and every time I run into the one under the water in Ruby Sea, I have a full blown anxiety attack. I'm just trying to level up my gathering classes, and that means having constant panic attacks hoping its not nearby. I know some people think its cute or cool, but its causing me a nightmare of anxiety. Yes, underwater means sharks, I should just get over it, etc. I love this game, and now I'm constantly afraid to play in the Ruby Sea.
Where will he turn up? One minute I'm gathering, and the next shark-chan is on my screen making my chest cave in and my heart race in fear. I'm exhausted.

[DoranScarlet]

Egg on my face if this is a troll, but I'm going to respond sincerely.

I mean, I get what you're saying, but what are you asking? Are you asking them to remove the sharks?

There are plenty of people who are deathly afraid of spiders (even some who are true-to-life sufferers of arachnophobia), yet spiders make appearances in pretty much every MMO ever, often as low-level enemies in starter areas.

The best advice I can give you is to limit your exposure by avoiding the underwater areas when you can. If you've finished the questing and such, then simply don't use the diving feature. If necessary, buy the materials you would otherwise gather from there, and consider it the cost of avoiding something that gives you anxiety.

[tansypotato]

Its a serious post, yes. Removing the shark would be nice, but I don't expect it.
Its just an area of the game I can't play in, and it sucks. It'll be hard to work around it.

[Lyraele]

Would zooming your camera in to 1st person (or near to it) solve the problem for you? I've only ever seen the shark near the surface, if the gathering nodes are on the bottom you could likely avoid seeing it by dropping straight down with camera zoomed in.

[DoranScarlet]

Its a serious post, yes. Removing the shark would be nice, but I don't expect it.
Its just an area of the game I can't play in, and it sucks. It'll be hard to work around it.

It's still more reasonable for you to make adjustments than for them to change the game for your sake. I'm not saying that in a negative or aggressive way - just making a sincere point. They've gotten complaints about everything from dialogue to in-game items - people ranting about racial sensitivity and the cultural misappropriation. Perhaps you remember the Native American-themed garb that could be earned from the Vanu Vanu quests in Heavensward?

That said(!), I wouldn't complain if they did remove the sharks. I think it would be more amazing if they added in more colorful species of fish. Since the sharks are non-aggressive anyway, it would almost make more sense for them not to be there, and to instead have more passive creatures roaming beneath the water.

[Claire_Pendragon]

Its also detrimental to not face your fears when it comes to anxiety, as you're rewiring your brain to become even more afraid of it, and it grows harder and harder the more you avoid it.

Obviously in this case, its a video game shark, but there's people afraid of spiders, skeletons, people with swords/guns, etc.
You already know where this is going.

You really are better off trying to face your fear, even if it is causing anxiety.

[tansypotato]

Thanks for the advice! I'm afraid this is an ingrained phobia, as I have been afraid of sharks since I was around 5 years old, so roughly 25 years of this fear. I'm doing my best to avoid them, but I'm not always successful. Just now I was gathering for my btn quest, screen down on the sand to avoid looking up, and the giant shark shadow went over me. Cue anxiety attack!
Yeah, I know asking for Squeenix to remove them is ridiculous. But I figured letting them know wouldn't hurt.
And I appreciate the advice, as I said

[Joladis]

It's still more reasonable for you to make adjustments than for them to change the game for your sake. I'm not saying that in a negative or aggressive way - just making a sincere point. They've gotten complaints about everything from dialogue to in-game items - people ranting about racial sensitivity and the cultural misappropriation. Perhaps you remember the Native American-themed garb that could be earned from the Vanu Vanu quests in Heavensward?

That said(!), I wouldn't complain if they did remove the sharks. I think it would be more amazing if they added in more colorful species of fish. Since the sharks are non-aggressive anyway, it would almost make more sense for them not to be there, and to instead have more passive creatures roaming beneath the water.

I also would like to see some more colorful fish especially in the ruby sea.

[Elodie-kitteh]

I kinda get how you feel, I get panicky when I go into the deep water and it gets really dark. Do not like at all. But that is something I have had in many games that allow underwater exploration. Like I know it's a game and not real, but my brain is "Nope. Too dark. No like. Get out." Which then results in me trying to surface but going in the wrong direction and panicking more. XD