It was over a decade ago that I made some of my most lasting friendships with some of the most interesting people online. We were bound by a thread of whimsy and a love for all things final fantasy. The social engine of an MMO with the foundation of one of the best RPGs of all time? FFXIV was a mecca for people like me. The seasons breezed past us as balance changes went up and down and expansions came and went. That last part gets kind of fickle though. With new expansions comes a new playerbase, and by the looks of it..... yikes. These days, it feels like like those who want to enjoy the worldbuilding and gameplay mechanics of the final fantasy universe were put in the backseat. Instead, all you have to do is take one look at limsa to see where we've landed. People who have trouble asking for extra ketchup packets are now making cliques over funny numbers on the bad website or acting like this is second life with catgirls. All I'm saying is you don't need to go to Gridania to touch grass. Feel free to step outside, that doesn't cost a monthly subscription.