Trans Representation in Final Fantasy XIV: The Importance of Inclusivity in Gaming

[Hoodcat]

Cultural change is not an overnight thing, pushing to hard and to fast only hurts you. take the small wins, they will add up and become the norm. look at all the other types gender\race\ect that didn't all just magically become a thing the next working Monday.

it sucks but that is the way the world works. I personally think we are headed in that direction sooner than later.

You also have to remember this game is played in countries that are not quite ready yet. But hey there women can drive now haha

[Kyrj]

Guys focus please. How many fig bars?

[FireMage]

Concern trolling, gross. Shut up, get out

[Midareyukki]

I understand your perspective, but I would like to clarify that this essay is advocating for more visible trans characters in NPC representation, not player representation. As a game with a rich and imaginative world, Final Fantasy XIV has the potential to showcase a diversity of characters, including those who identify as trans.

Additionally, your comment seems to ignore the existence of non-binary individuals, who do not identify as solely male or female. By reducing gender identity to a binary, you are perpetuating a limited and insensitive viewpoint that excludes those who do not fit into this narrow understanding of gender.

Inclusion of trans and non-binary characters in NPC representation can help to promote understanding and empathy, and can provide a sense of validation and recognition for trans and non-binary players. It is not "annoying and stupid," but rather an important step towards creating a more inclusive and respectful virtual community.

Slight correction. Non-binary doesn't negate sex. Gender identity isn't sex, and it's frankly a very dangerous assumption to make. There are connections, naturally, but one does not equal the other. One can be masculine or feminine body-wise, and identify as the other, neither or even both. What you are thinking of is intersex. Not enbies.

And yeah, proper representation of such realities does lead to higher appreciation and empathy. However, it would require it all to be well done and properly informed. Unfortunately, I don't think a Japanese company is suited for that sort of thing. Gender expression and sexuality are still considered taboo, and are incredibly misunderstood (homosexuality being conflated with gender identity, for example). I don't see Square Enix having a well-informed understanding of the situation to properly convey it. Beyond that, this game needs to be marketed to countries where such topics are considered taboo as well and would likely censor them. Odds are, the game wouldn't be allowed any more, and all this representation for the sake of normalizing it would be moot.

Unfortunately, we're just going to have to be realistic here. No NPC will likely explore that avenue. There's just no point. It'd either be too forced, added in for the sake of it, and if they chose to explore the concept any further, it'd get into topics and discourse they are not well-equipped to talk about. At that point, it'd be jarring and the game would start going off on a tangent, exploring something that FF14 never really put much weight into.

Lastly... dang Skiros, didn't you already do this? Get new material for once.

[Byron-Blackfyre]

My friend, have you heard of the mythical Fantasia Drink? legend says it can be found on the mogstore and with it, anyone can be anything. I have seen my friends go from male lala to female miqo, only then to turn into male hrothgar. perhaps it will be helpful to you? isn't capitalism beautiful? With money all of your fantasies can come true.

[RyuDragnier]

*walks into thread without reading any of it*

The WoL is the Trans representation because we fantasia so much.

*leaves thread*

[RobynDaBank]

No point engaging with this poster, whether they're an alt or not. They'll just post your reply in ChatGPT and regurgitate what it generates.

[Antharaes]

Just my 2 cents, but why is it, that certain groups always and I mean always, try to force real life issues into a fantasy game. We've had this in WoW as well and from what I can remember the conversation didn't end well. You want to be included, I get that. But people use this game and other games to escape from certain real life issues. No, female characters can't have a bulge in this game, nor do male character can have breasts, or even nipples for that matter. Why do you want to have that option at all ? Just use this game as it is supposed to be used, as a fantasy game to escape from real life. Not as a platform for your own agenda.

[RitsukoSonoda]

Hmm... feels like it's been awhile since one of these threads popped up... Guessing he's running out of stuff other ppl have posted online to edit into an FFXIV argument...

[Corrupted]

Guys focus please. How many fig bars?

Probably between 50-60 before you start vomiting, unless you're force-fed then probably 100?