Quote Originally Posted by Lium View Post
I'm going to be honest with you. I have never once been asked if I have Mare. I'm generally not that social, though, so your mileage may vary.

I have, however, been to FC parties and other in-game social gatherings, and I like hanging around Limsa when I'm done running dungeons or messing around in my sanctuary. I've received whispers from people who say they like the look of my character, but it's usually complimentary and not creepy or anything. And I have never once been asked if I have Mare.

I'm not saying this doesn't happen to you or anyone else. I'm sure it does. I just find it odd that it's never happened to me. It kind of feels like all the forum posts that complain about people showing up in high level dungeons without a job stone. This is has literally happened to me two or three times in the five years I've been playing this game. But the forums make it sound like this is a HUGE problem that happens all the time.

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Mare Plugin has undoubtedly become a big part of how people interact in FFXIV now. More and more players are using this tool every day, and it's now common to see players in Limsa Lominsa reacting to "ghost" outfit changes and talking about custom emotes that only those with the plugin can see. Mare Plugin has become so popular that it's often one of the first things players talk about, when they join a social club. You have to understand that it creates a negative atmosphere for many players. Using the plugin goes against the game's rules and can make some players feel left out and unwelcome.

As more people use Mare Plugin, those who don't or can't use it might feel left behind and frustrated. At the moment, Mare Plugin has around 20 000 users online simultaneously, which demonstrates its significant influence. To put this into perspective, think about the daily impact of a popular streamer who consistently has an average of 20 000 viewers. It's clear that the plugin reaches and affects a tremendous number of people throughout the day. This widespread use contributes to the plugin's strong impact on the game's community as a whole. The increasing dependence on Mare Plugin has led to some people misusing the tool, which could harm the future of FFXIV. As more players use the plugin to change their gaming experience, they might cause problems in the game world and hurt the community. There is only one solution, and that is to eliminate them all, eradicate the opioid crisis! SE must take action to free Eorzea from this blight.