Deceptive reward scheme

[NickStinger]

I first submitted this issue in-game, but I received a reply stating that I should post this as feedback to the forum. I'm not sure why this issue has to become a forum post, but I hope someone here will listen.

I am still a new FFXIV player. I've managed to play through the Praetorium of the main scenario quest. As a reward for achieving this milestone, Square-Enix presented me with a potion of Fantasia.

Now, I used one of these before that I bought off the cash shop some six months ago. I am rather happy with my avatar, but thought maybe to use this free gift to change my Mi'qote tail. Since I've done this before, I felt confident doing it again without reviewing how Fantasia works.

Ugh, I couldn't figure it out. All I wanted was to change my tail, but nowhere on the main Fantasia screen did it tell me how to do that. There were options for changing my race, gender, and birthday, but nothing for changing my tail. I eventually thought that I could edit my tail on the NEXT screen by clicking the X in the lower right corner. When I clicked on it, I was presented a dialog saying that my hair options are affected by my race selection. I thought, PERFECT! I want to proceed to the hair options. I clicked the proceed button.

Pressing that button concluded Fantasia without allowing me to edit my avatar appearance. Nothing changed. Not one single data point was changed. NOTHING. The avatar I had at the start was identical to the avatar I had at the end.

I submitted an in-game support ticket to ask for another Fantasia. I'm not cheating the system. I didn't make a change and then get overcome with remorse. Nothing was changed! So naturally, when I was told that - NO, I have to buy a new Fantasia, I was upset.

Why am I upset about this? Because this Fantasia was a reward for all my efforts, and I was effectively told that Square-Enix doesn't really want to see me rewarded after all. This is deceptive, dishonest, and most notably insincere.

Again, I was happy with my avatar, and I still am happy with my avatar. I would have never contemplated any changes if that reward were not gifted to me. Now that Square-Enix has denied me from receiving the benefit of that reward, and even told me I have to PAY to receive the benefit, I am deeply offended.

I am giving you notice over how offended I am. I have been a Final Fantasy fan for 30 years, before Square-Enix even had a website. With this move, Square-Enix has killed 30 years of good will. Short of reversing this disappointing decision and getting genuine with me, there won't be any new business between us going forward. I'm not going to pay to for this sham reward. That would make me an idiot.