Frustrating relative lack of LGBT NPCs in this game

[Eross]

I'm always amazed that people crave for having their representation everywhere and everytime or else they feel omitted. Is this game really that uncomfortable? Apart from not having something that you would like to see, is there anything else?
Well beacuse imagine, that everybody has something they like or dislike. Some people want to see more LGBT plots. Some people would like to see milf plots, because why not? Why are they meant to be omitted for their preference?

I, personally, love the idea of NOT showing anything that circle around sexuality. This game is about something else, it is not attacking me or you or anybody else, so does it really matter? I mean, I know the answer, for you it's "Yes", since as I see you feel offended for not having something you like inside. Don't want to be rude, but in the end it's up to SE what's inside of THEIR game and how they want to show it. Don't like it? Don't play it - if that part is destroying the story for you. Many companies wouldn't even sneeze at people's desires such as unclocking gear for both genders.

Jesus, when will people start to appreciate what they're getting and what's added instead of non stop creating some stupid problems and grievances. They unlocked gear for genders - and instead of people appreciating it and being happy, they're toxic and salty, because they had to ASK for it. Sometimes I would just propose for some units to touch grass to have reality check.

[HollowedDoll]

It's interesting how quickly strawmen are constructed in this thread.

Someone will say "I think a little more queer representation would be nice," and they get dozens of replies saying stuff along the lines of, "oh so you want the game to be all about gay stuff now? Oh you want to completely overshadow the narrative with a bunch of shoehorned in gay and lesbian couples whose only personality trait is liking the other sex? (Bi people are never acknowledged) you want Thancred to walk out wearing a 'I LIKE MEN' crop top!?"

Why is it always the people who use/identify with a slur like queer who want more representation?

To answer your question, most of us live in the real world and play FFXIV because we enjoy something about it, be it the gameplay, story, or the community not in the slightest interested in anyone's sexuality, which let's be real is a totally personal thing. So many people seem to live vicariously through fictional characters that it's painful. I personally headcanon that Cid and Nero got a thing going on, and I'd cheer Sadu and Cirina on, but I don't NEED any confirmation because at the end of the day I do not care. Which main character's sexuality do we even know? You can literally marry anyone in the game, wear whatever you want (not that it has anything to do with being LGBT), and there are confirmed gay characters, but somehow people feel like a game like this is the one that needs pages upon pages asking for more "representation."

[KariTheFox]

You don't really need the rainbow thing with Ryne and Gaia, the fact that thier whole relationship, including entire cutscenes and a lot of imagery, were very much lifted from scenes between Squall and Rinoa (one of the most explicit couples in the FF franchise) kind of makes it all come off as pretty gay.

[Theodric]

You don't really need the rainbow thing with Ryne and Gaia, the fact that thier whole relationship, including entire cutscenes and a lot of imagery, were very much lifted from scenes between Squall and Rinoa (one of the most explicit couples in the FF franchise) kind of makes it all come off as pretty gay.

I think people are free to draw their own conclusions on the matter. They behave like...so many other teenage girls do who are simply close friends. Just because it has some slight similarities in passing to some scenes in FFVIII it doesn't necessarily mean that it is exactly the same in terms of context. The development team rarely copy and paste plots directly from other titles anyway - there's usually a unique twist.

[Hurlstone]

What would this add to your experience to know their sexuality up front. Please clarify. Unless it directly impacts the story or quest in some fashion. It has no place being a forefront issue. I don't have to know what they prefer as a love interest to be told I need to go kill 20 mobs or fetch herbs from a garden.

We are not exactly saying an NPC coversation should start with "My name is U'lagar, I'm a cis bisexual Elezen and I need you to pick 20 herbs for my ailing lover, who is a trans lesbian Roegadyn." More that given how many quests in gaming do make casual mention of a NPCs partner, whats the harm if refering to a same sex partner was a little more common then it already is?

[KariTheFox]

I think people are free to draw their own conclusions on the matter. They behave like...so many other teenage girls do who are simply close friends. Just because it has some slight similarities in passing to some scenes in FFVIII it doesn't necessarily mean that it is exactly the same in terms of context. The development team rarely copy and paste plots directly from other titles anyway - there's usually a unique twist.

My point is that the use of the imagery makes it very easy to draw the conclusion that Ryne and Gaia are a couple. But yes, it wasn't explicit and you could decide their relationship was platonic if you really wanted.

It might be nice though, if there was an arc, sidequest or story beat about a less ambigous couple. Of course romance is rarely a focal point in FFXIV, but occasionally there's some, it'd be nice if when that happened, it was about a not straight couple this time.

[Lecru]

We are not exactly saying an NPC coversation should start with "My name is U'lagar, I'm a cis bisexual Elezen and I need you to pick 20 herbs for my ailing lover, who is a trans lesbian Roegadyn." More that given how many quests in gaming do make casual mention of a NPCs partner, whats the harm if refering to a same sex partner was a little more common then it already is?

All games don't run off the same "inclusion" coding. We dont' need it here. We have subtly without it being shoved full force in our faces. It's not our business what is and is not an NPC's sexuality as it adds NOTHING to the experience. Period. You want Rowena to be Lesbian? Cool. Imagine in your head she is. There you go. You have inclusion. This isn't Mass Effect or Dragon Age. Which also let me point out to you, if you take out the romance options of that game, it still has it's story that is NOT effected by those decisions whatsoever. Your questions of what's the harm also comes with what's the point. Just like somebody said about Ryne and Gaia. Was it explicitly shoved in your face? Nope. Was it implied? Yep. But could they also have been super close besties like high schoolers who have sleepovers and the like? YEP. Did not knowing the sexuality or situation effect my enjoyment of the raid story? NOPE. It is a fantasy MMO RPG. We help people, we survive. We log in, we do dailies. If this impacts your experience. Try Bioware games. but I hear they aren't doing too hot either atm.

Edit: Also. We already have numerous other subtleties based on our character alone. Alisae is clearly into the WoL. Did you make a female? Oh hey you don't say. Doesn't sway that characters interest at all huh. You can also make your assumptions up on the relationship between Alphi and Estinien. It could be what you want, as it's not primarily stated what their sexuality is either. Or Urianger.

Edit 2: You know when you have a discussion and you have an after thought AFTER your after thought. Here I am again. Hi. This game is played around the world. With numerous religions, beliefs, lifestyles to take into consideration. As well as government things that are and are not okay in their games. Or things parents might not want talked about to their children or questioned if played and brought up (FF is T for Teen. They are still children). Is it right the world has these limitations. That's not for me to decide. I live my life but I also don't make a fact to bring my personal things into conversations where it's not required or asked at any point. Including such things could limit the audience. Which is something you never want to do as a company. The inclusion we have, no matter how subtle, is enough already to reach those broad audiences. But frankly we have such a LARGE LGBTQ community that Square obviously is doing something right to make that audience already feel included in large ways. Put that into thought and perspective

(And before you go saying it's because it doesn't effect me because of being straight blah blah. I'm Bi who has had partners with a wide range. I just have the capacity to realize it would bring nothing to my adventuring table for this information to just be handed out within the parameters of adventuring in Eorzea)

[dustdjinn]

All games don't run off the same "inclusion" coding. We dont' need it here. We have subtly without it being shoved full force in our faces. It's not our business what is and is not an NPC's sexuality as it adds NOTHING to the experience. Period...

Dude why are you acting like sexuality isn't already ingrained in the game? We know for a fact that Rowena and Gerolt have a disdain for each other because of their past romantic relationship. This couple literally have a relationship that effects the story and moves the plot along for the relic grind. If that isn't considered "shoving it in your face" then something similar to two men or two women wouldn't either. To say you would like to see more of that does not make you obsessed your sexuality, it just means it interests you.

Subtly and subtext is great and can be used perfectly but there is literally no harm in a quest to help a woman collect the perfect flower for your gf or to help a knight get back to his husband without getting killed.

[Lecru]

Dude why are you acting like sexuality isn't already ingrained in the game? We know for a fact that Rowena and Gerolt have a disdain for each other because of their past romantic relationship. This couple literally have a relationship that effects the story and moves the plot along for the relic grind. If that isn't considered "shoving it in your face" then something similar to two men or two women wouldn't either. To say you would like to see more of that does not make you obsessed your sexuality, it just means it interests you.

Subtly and subtext is great and can be used perfectly but there is literally no harm in a quest to help a woman collect the perfect flower for your gf or to help a knight get back to his husband without getting killed.

How to tell me you didn't read the whole reply without actually coming out and saying it.

[Minifie]

Seeing same sex couples around the place, even in quests would be nice, no harm in that, some nice sidequests where we help find suits for two catboys or something, or help dress up to au'ra, just making it completely normal (plus you can M+M and F+F eternal bonding), as long as we don't get some long-ass MSQ where Y'shtola is secretly a lesbian and we gotta go through some weird "make it accepted through Eorzea" stuff, since it already is, would rather prefer to find some place on the FAR right of the world map were we can go punch a bunch of dickheads oppressing stuff instead >.