Final Fantasy XIV Accessibility Options For Consideration

[ExemplaryPhil]

Final Fantasy XIV has been a part of my life for almost 8 years. During those 8 years I have made friends, met my significant other and lived life. During that time I used XIV as a way to deal with bad times and overcome my own personal traumas. After playing your latest expansion, Endwalker (and wiping the tears away for the tenth time) I realized that everyone should be able to experience what I did. I understand you may not want an additional player base at the immediate moment, due to server congestion and overwhelming popularity. But I would like to submit for consideration, a few ways to overcome some challenges in regard to the elderly population, as well as those who are disabled or have challenges playing a game of this scale. I was able to create a few mock up photos, but as this is my first time posting, I am unsure how to attach them.

Table Of Contents (for ease of access)

1 - A Guided Experience

2 - Simple Combat

3 - Expanded Trust Content/ Integration With Command Missions

4 - Simple Communication

5 - Character Menu

6 – Message To The Developers

1 - A Guided Experience: Dungeons, exploration and trials are intimidating for a lot of new players, especially for those who aren’t regular to playing games. A solution for consideration is having the game detect if there are no created characters present, and then asks the player if they are new to Final Fantasy XIV, or if they are new to video games in general. After creating their character, if they select yes to being new to video games in general, you can present them with easy “clickable buttons.” These buttons could be bright with color and easily explain what they mean. If the person wants to experience the story, they could select the “Story” button and the character would path their way to the story objective. This could include seeking out enemies they may need to complete the mission, or traveling to a scene or marker. Another button could be “Leveling”, which could ask if they would like to run a Roulette, Leves, Fates or even a side quest closest to their level at the time. “Explore” could be used as a way to find new content, gather aether currents or even teach them controls without them realizing. You could even offer a “Surprise me” button that gives them something random to do, while also progressing their character. I understand this would require a lot of work, but I feel this would bring convenience and help less fortunate players enjoy the game! I would recommend allowing the left control stick, WASD to override the paths when used, in the event the player would like to go somewhere, or change what they want to do. And then have the pathing resume after 10-30 seconds (whatever feels comfy!)

[ExemplaryPhil]

2 - Simple Combat: Over the years I have tried to show XIV to my coworkers, friends and even family, but only a select few have jumped on board when I asked them to try it. Combat was always a big complicated for them, and they would put the game down due to it. A solution for consideration is simplifying it into “buttons” again. “Single Attack” could be used to attack the most logical target available with a single rotation. “Group Attack” could be used to trigger your AOE rotation and would be most valuable in dungeons. “Support” could be used to trigger an available heal to yourself, or a skill that increases your abilities in some way. For healers, this support button could be replaced with “Heal” and would choose the best choice in spells to protect/ heal the party. “Flee” could be used to run away from the target in the field, and be greyed out or replaced while in trials/ dungeons/ instanced content. As for combat skills that are not the immediate rotation, they could be thrown in when available. For example, Reaper could do “Slice, Waxing Slice, Infernal Slice” for a default single attack, but other abilities such as “Soul Slice, Gibbet and Gallows” would be substituted in when they are ready. Potentially all on the same single attack button. This could be done by ranking the skills used so the game is aware of the best action at that time. Pathing could be used to dodge AOE’s and mechanics from your enemies, with the ability to override your movement input if left stick or WASD is pressed.


3 - Expanded Trust Content/ Integration With Command Missions: Dungeons, Trials and Guildhests can be intimidating when a new player discovers them. This can also create discourse for veteran players who are looking to speedrun content. A solution for consideration would call for NPCs in the command missions to be available and scale to the player’s level when they would like to enter instanced content. This can be done with the scenario/ avatar option that was added in Endwalker. This can also be done with the mentor roulette already in game. If the game detects a player who is using guided content, they could pair 3 mentors with them. This would give mentors additional options to help new players. Going even farther, you could pair 1 mentor, 1 new player, and 2 trust NPC’s. Players that are using guided content could also have an icon next to their party name, or above their head, allowing others to realize they are new, similar to sprouts. To encourage veteran players to help these guided players, you could award a commendation to anyone helping them clear content. I realize this could lead to commendation abuse, and would recommend using similar limitations already in place.

[ExemplaryPhil]

4 - Simple Communication: Communication is a huge aspect of XIV and something that the elderly or those that are limited may not be able to use. A solution for consideration would call for an “Emote Wheel.” This could be as simple as “Positive Reaction, Negative Reaction, Ready and Not Ready.” This can also be represented in the chat with a “Player X is ready for the next fight!” or “Player X is not ready just yet.” This could do wonders for new users and even individuals who are not verbal and cannot speak/ type. This can also have a cooldown of 10-30 seconds, or whatever feels comfiest for players. This would eliminate spam that may happen. For those who do not immediately read chat, you could also put the ready checks “check mark/ not ready x” above those players characters. Doing this would allow for easy communication and less frustration.

5 - Character Menu: Customizing your own character is probably my favorite thing about XIV. But there is a learning curve with glamour and how certain aspects work. A solution for consideration would ask for a simplified standalone menu, with “buttons” that allow for best armor available to wear, and changing what glamour you have on. I realize this is already relatively simple when opening the current character menu, but making the menu fill the screen with easy instructions could take it one step further. Current armor and glamour would each have their own box, so glamour could be dragged and dropped without any sub menus. You could even path the player to the nearest glamour dresser, to purchase additional prisms or show them the current glamour contest winners for inspiration on how to make their character represent themselves better, all within a single menu. I would recommend making the menu easily readable for 480p and 720p players, so there is no confusion.


6 – Message To The Developers: Final Fantasy XIV is a beautiful labor of love and something I will be playing for years to come. The only reason I made this document was my want for others to play. I know with these ideas; I could expand and share this love with my family and friends. After finishing 6.0, I came to the decision that this game is by far my favorite title, ever, and I should use any power I have to share it with others. The experiences I have had with the story, dungeons with friends and even high-end content with people I have never met has given me memories I will treasure forever. It sounds silly, but this is one of the first titles I would love to show my children someday. The story is without equal, and the feeling you get when you accomplish something is unmatched. Thank you all for the time and effort you put into making this wonderful game. I know it was a labor of love, and it shows. Thank you for improving the world we live.

[MilkieTea]

I'm sorry, a lot of these suggestions seem to be the same as exist in mobile KMMOs. Mayhaps the players who would benefit from things like this might find a mobile KMMO more engaging.

[ExemplaryPhil]

Thanks for the feedback!
The intent of this post was to hopefully share this content with others that would never naturally experience it. There are individuals that love a great fantasy/ sci-fi book, tv show or movie that would hopefully get those things out of this title! While I haven't played many mobile titles, I'm sure XIV's narrative may surpass them (I'm sure there are some out there that are fantastic.) Thanks again for taking the time to read this!
Have a pleasant day!