A certain cutscene in Garlmald needs a trigger warning (MAJOR SPOILER WARNING)

[DamianFatale]

REVEAL THE FOLLOWING TEXT AT YOUR OWN RISK. IT CONTAINS MAJOR ENDWALKER SPOILERS. IF YOU DONT WANT GARLMALDS PLOTLINES RUINED FOR YOU, I HIGHLY SUGGEST YOU BACK OUT NOW.

When the Legatus of the first legion kills himself with a gun, I had to seriously consider my own mental health. I have a lot of depression and have had a history of suicidal thoughts at times. The way that the story shows the suicide, and then the aftermath of his loss actually helping the united front in Garlmald really made me shake a bit to the point I had to get some rest.

It might of been that I had stayed up for so long, and the fact that the Garlmald part of the story is DARK. Its as dark if not darker than the entirety of the first, and it goes like this for hours.. with the conclusion being well.. that.

Had to debate upon myself if also taking a similar action would help my loved ones, and I had to seriously take a break and catch myself with that thought.. I am okay now, but it really wasn't a fun thing to process.

Square Enix, please consider putting a trigger warning if you ever put suicide in the game again; BEFORE the cutscene begins. Just say in addition to the time that you need to invest to watch the cutscene, that the content may very well affect those struggling with poor mental health, that you advise watching it at a time when you can mentally handle content which may be hard on the mind.

Cutscenes like this REALLLY need trigger warnings. Not just for adults like me, but if any teens are playing this, I can't imagine being in their shoes. When I was growing up my mental health was even worse than now, because it can be hard to adjust to life with these subjects. Especially if you have never had a suicidal thought until recently, and you don't know what getting through it feels like. Getting through it the first few times is always the hardest. You have to learn the coping skills, and get some help.

[villadelfia]

People asked for Tesleen cutscene trigger warning, didn't happen. This won't get one either.

[DamianFatale]

People asked for Tesleen cutscene trigger warning, didn't happen. This won't get one either.

That was different, because she didn't ______________.

take her own life.

[villadelfia]

Yes, it was different. But it will still not happen. There are a lot of scenes in this game that could use a trigger warning for various reasons, and I don't think SE is ever going to open that can of worms.

As an aside, recent studies have shown no statistical evidence that trigger warnings are helpful in any way and they are in fact countertherapeutic. For more information I'd suggest reviewing DOI 10.1177/2167702620921341.

[Gemina]

Nah. The disclaimer of your gaming experience being subject to change works exactly like your spoiler warning for this thread. When you play FFXIV, you do so understanding that something can and very well upset you and any given time while playing it. That is basically what that disclaimer states, that is just how it looks after you sprinkle powdered sugar on top of it. What you're asking is essentially the same as me going to a mod and requesting that spoiler warnings be placed on subject headers that already have them.

If you've experienced the story up to EW, then you should be even more aware of events that could potentially trigger you. And that's just it about triggers; they are yours, and are not shared by everyone. Even something as horrible and as impactful as suicide cannot be assumed to trigger everyone into a mentally debilitating response as not everyone has had to deal with it, and how it is processed with those who have can and will vary from person to person.

Walking down the path of trigger warnings only further indulges the participation ribbon approach to everything. People need to hold themselves accountable for their own misgivings. In terms of story-telling, it would be rather difficult to write up a terrific story if you are also having to navigate a minefield simultaneously. Let's just not go there, ya?

[Blackcanary]

I am really curious I don't wanna spoil the game but I wanna know at the same time lol

[weebtext]

A trigger warning would only serve to spoil the contents of that cutscene.

[ddwarbird]

I think you make a good point, it does spoil the contents of the cutscene. Perhaps adding a trigger warning before you make a character at the start of the game would be acceptable, one that warns "this game contains scenes of;" etc.

[Imora]

I think you make a good point, it does spoil the contents of the cutscene. Perhaps adding a trigger warning before you make a character at the start of the game would be acceptable, one that warns "this game contains scenes of;" etc.

We call that the full ESRB/PEGI rating description.

Do people not look those up before buying a game anymore?

"This is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) in which players navigate a large cast of characters that engage in missions and fight the forces of evil. Players explore environments (e.g., cities, plains, caves) and battle human and fantasy creatures. Players use swords, spears, axes, firearms, and magic spells (e.g., fire balls, energy beams) to defeat enemies in real-time combat. Cutscenes depict a man being stabbed from behind, and creatures emitting splashes of purple or yellow blood when struck. Some female characters are depicted from low camera angles, with lingering camera views of their buttocks (i.e., up-skirt shots). Dialogue contains suggestive references; for example, "The netmaster's probably up in his office polishing the mast just thinking about her," "stick yer manhood in the forge," and "You cheating little whore!" Several characters are referred to as drunk or drunken, while others sometimes talk about wine, rum, and grog. The word "sh*t" can be heard in the dialogue."

And from PEGI: (actually mentions the scene in question)

"The majority of the game's violence is mild or moderate, featuring characters taking part in turn-based battles with little injury detail shown. However, cutscenes feature more graphic and realistic violence. The game includes a scene of implied suicide, in which a character is seen holding a loaded gun to their head. The suicide is not shown, although the character's dead body is subsequently shown, with a blood stained wall also visible. The game features scenes in which characters derive a benefit from smoking a pipe."

If people would do their danged research before buying something...

[Exosapien]

I think you make a good point, it does spoil the contents of the cutscene. Perhaps adding a trigger warning before you make a character at the start of the game would be acceptable, one that warns "this game contains scenes of;" etc.

They do, it's in the rating of the game which is information provided before purchase.

I'm all for trigger warnings when it's content that it makes sense for. But video games have them built in with ratings.