Is this the first time Native Mesoamerican culture has been represented in FF?

[Rekh]

It's funny cambodia's brought up; all these tropical regions are all singuarily inspired and connected, just not in the way most think. But they all share a single connection. It would a college level course to explain but feel free to research.

[Rekh]

Africa is a place that exists.

Stuff from African cultures shows up in the game as being Meracydian and we haven’t been there yet.

The x factor is square enix haha, they're stuck in the 1950s when it comes to viewing the world; allegedly.

[Dyvid]

[Rosenstrauch]

Wasn't there a big controversy over the headress that was part of a Stormblood gearset back then? I know I wasn't comfortable wearing it being part native and female a headress would have been highly disrespectful for me to wear. That was a personal choice. I seem to remember there being a pretty big hoohaw about it though.

The headdress and gearset you're thinking of is the New World glamour set, which ran afoul of a rather common pitfall—the garments and garb it references have proper cultural significance that SE's replication fails to convey. Thus, even if the effort was well intentioned, it comes across as insensitive or exploitative.

The controversy over it was big enough that the developers commented on it during the first Dawntrail reveal, iirc.

[Myrany]

The headdress and gearset you're thinking of is the New World glamour set, which ran afoul of a rather common pitfall—the garments and garb it references have proper cultural significance that SE's replication fails to convey. Thus, even if the effort was well intentioned, it comes across as insensitive or exploitative.

The controversy over it was big enough that the developers commented on it during the first Dawntrail reveal, iirc.

TY for reminding me. Good to know my memory isn't totally shot.

[Yuella]

Seekers of Adoulin was the first.

[kaynide]

Re: Controversial Wear (Native Headress, etc)

Unfortunately here in Japan there are a lot of X archetype wears Y costume. Most often seen with things like Ninjas, Knights or Pirates in anime. Or more closely to how “holy religions” almost always wear pseudo Christian nun/priest attire. Often the costume itself isn’t really associated with anything beyond this archetype, neglecting culture/values/significance of whatever the costume in question is.

For the “costume” of Native American dress, your average Japanese person doesn’t really think anything beyond “it’s just a thing that people who like being in the wild wear”. So, fantasy RPGs with a “Ranger”, “druid” or other similar nature-based identity will often wear something that screams Native American.

The anime/manga Goblin Slayer is a good example of this:
The Lizardman Priest in Goblin Slayer wears Native American inspired gear. Though arguably more generic/less controversial.
The Dwarven Shamen is from general Japanese monks including Yamabushi (a mountain monk, essentially clothing like a Tengu)
The human priest is essentially a nun.
Etc etc.

Does it make it right? No, no..not at all. Just giving context on the why you can expect to see this, and see the Japanese side not really “getting” or “seeing” the problem until it’s pointed out strongly.

[Burmecia]

There have been bits and pieces I think.

Nice that someone mentioned the New World set. I am from EU so in no way I thought anything but "hey that's cool!" about it. 5 year old me was age appropriate native american culture inspired popculture fan x'3 Maybe the controversy was among the NA player?
Always wanted to make mitra vibe glam out of it for miqote, since they had character wearing war bonnet-esque headdress. The glam is still wip.

[Rekh]

Africa is a place that exists.

Stuff from African cultures shows up in the game as being Meracydian and we haven’t been there yet.

Actually, Banri Oda's track record leads me to believe he might influence Yoship to lead us to Meracydia eventually; he's like the only dev that gets my vote of good work over there. He'd be one to come up with some really interesting lore, like those in Meracydia who are followers of Sophia, Sephirot, and Zurvan.

[sindriiisgaming]

After the Indian expansion which is Endwalker...

(Nidhana says hi)

We now have *drum roll*



This is very "Reminscent" in Maya:



I looked through all other Final Fantasy game and I believe this is the first time Maya or Aztec has a Representation in the game.

I would like to see an Africa expansion next, where we can explore Mali, or Ethiopia

ik this is a troll, but im actually hyped. i love mayan history and mythology