Naoki Yoshida says negative comments from trolls are "tiresome"

[Deceptus]

Mostly regarding FFXVI but still applies here.

Final Fantasy 16 producer Naoki Yoshida has said negative comments from trolls online are "tiresome".

A special documentary on the developer was recently shown in Japan, which streamer and Final Fantasy fan Audrey of Aitai Kimochi translated for social media.

During the show, Yoshida stated he often checks social media for fan feedback during breaks between Final Fantasy 14 expansions and events. He was also shown watching fan videos ahead of the release of Final Fantasy 16 to understand fan sentiment.

When reading negative Japanese comments he said: "There's a lot of people who just yell at you, people I've never seen, met, or talked to before. It's weird. What did we do to them? Perhaps they just write it from a place of negativity and malice. It's tiresome."

Final Fantasy 16 has proven to be a divisive game. While many players have praised its cinematics and combat system (and - from me - its LGBT+ representation), others are less keen on the game's setting, lack of RPG systems, and claimed it doesn't feel like Final Fantasy (whatever that means).

Still, there has been plenty of discussion on social media and clearly Yoshida himself has been subject to comments from trolls.

It's also sad to hear when Yoshida is such a loved member of the Final Fantasy 14 team by its community. He is responsible for turning the game around into the success it is today and regularly connects with fans both through his Letter from the Producer video series and even directly in the game.

Despite the mixed reaction, Square Enix recently stated that sales for Final Fantasy 16 are "extremely strong" - the PS5 exclusive sold 3m copies worldwide in under a week. That's despite a Bloomberg article claiming sales had plummeted in Japan after its first week.

Source

[Saraide]

I understand not being able to stomach the vile stuff people can throw at you online. He should get someone to parse through and extract the bits of valuable feedback from it in his stead.

[iVolke]

I understand not being able to stomach the vile stuff people can throw at you online. He should get someone to parse through and extract the bits of valuable feedback from it in his stead.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPMauExhQRE

[Jeeqbit]

It's one thing to leave feedback about the game, and another to attack the individuals working at Square Enix. But it's not entirely clear exactly what he read there.

[PirateRyanG]

Maybe if he developed a better game, he wouldn't get the trolls and he wouldn't be tired?

[Fayt1203]

Maybe if he developed a better game, he wouldn't get the trolls and he wouldn't be tired?

would not matter even if it was the greatest game ever made the trolls would still troll around

[Kaurhz]

This is why devs, producers, etc., should ideally not really directly check social media for feedback, but rather have it relayed from an intermediary or from a community team.

It hits harder generally when it is something you have been responsible for the outcome for, either wholly or partially. Especially when it is not necessarily constructive, but just littered with nonsense, and I don't mean the "I didn't like xyz" kind of feedback.

[Larirawiel]

Trolling is tiresome. If you are a mod in an internet forum then you know it.

There is one exception: you are the troll. Then trolling is funny as long as the mods do not ban you. xD




Cheers

[PirateRyanG]

Trolling is tiresome. If you are a mod in an internet forum then you know it.

There is one exception: you are the troll. Then trolling is funny as long as the mods do not ban you. xD




Cheers

I used to work for one of the largest eSports companies in the world (before eSports became more popular, think PS2 era). A lot of that involved modding their forum (while also writing articles). Trolls are the bane of my existence. Some are so persistent. One guy had 40-50 accounts. Like...at some point, you gotta draw the line on your trolling. Choose another outlet.

[Atelier-Bagur]

This is why devs, producers, etc., should ideally not really directly check social media for feedback, but rather have it relayed from an intermediary or from a community team.

It hits harder generally when it is something you have been responsible for the outcome for, either wholly or partially. Especially when it is not necessarily constructive, but just littered with nonsense, and I don't mean the "I didn't like xyz" kind of feedback.

I get the point but I actually like that the producer himself looks into direct feedback from people. I dont think he made that comment in the sense that he doesn't want to do it anymore but just something that genuinely is upsetting to see sometimes.

Regardless, there's a bunch more positive and constructive feedback to balance out all the insulting trolling comments.