Accessibility and Jumping Puzzles. Why Are We Still Doing This?

[GuildHero]

I have a motor disability that makes quick, precise movements difficult. Normally, I can play almost all content in FFXIV without issue: raids, dungeons, even high-end content. But when it comes to the jumping puzzles like the Tower in Kugane, I hit a wall. Not because of a lack of skill, but because my body physically can't keep up with what these mechanics demand.

These aren't just optional fun bits either. If you want to complete sightseeing logs or check off content, you have to do them. And if you can't, that log stays incomplete forever. It's not something I can just skip and forget. For people like me (and I know I'm not alone), it becomes a constant, frustrating reminder of how different I am physically, and how I am somehow less than other players in the eyes of the game.

Now, before anyone says "just don't do it" or "it's not required" why should our experience be lesser because of a disability? Why are there still parts of the game designed with zero accessibility consideration?

Gold Saucer's Leap of Faith is actually doable for me. Platforms are larger, I can take my time. That's a good example of platforming designed with more people in mind. The Tower in Kugane? Tiny platforms, no room for error, and you fall all the way to the bottom if you miss. It's demoralizing.

Accessibility in games has come a long way. A lot of devs are making real efforts to include everyone. So why are we still adding content that flat-out excludes differently abled players?

I don't want to cancel my sub, but this is the kind of thing that makes me consider it. I've fixated on trying to complete that tower because I want to finish what the game offers me. But the reality is, I probably never will. That's a tough pill to swallow, especially from a game that otherwise does so much right.

This isn't just a personal gripe, it's a broader issue. Accessibility shouldn't be an afterthought. Square Enix, please do better.

If there are others that feel this way, how can we change this?

[ServerCollaps]

dont do content that you arent capable of, theres enough other stuff in this game.. or other games

why should 99,9% of the gaming population suffer/get less content due to 1 person or ultra minorities

[Asdif_Laoeg]

If you want to be on top of the tower without jumping, i know of two ways that worked at least in the past. I don't know if they are patched out.

1. If you have married someone in game let him go to the top of the tower and then port to him with your ring.
2. Be in a group with a Healer an let him jump to save spots. Then he can use rescue to the safe spots until you are on the top.

[Jeeqbit]

1. There is no time limit on this particular jump puzzle.

2. These precise movements are impossibly difficult for most players, not just you.

3. There are settings and techniques used to make it easier - which again, have no time limit. For example, some of them benefit from enabling walk. It also helps to aim at a wall - that way, if you jump too far, the wall prevents you jumping too far. Another odd benefit comes from aiming the target circle at where you are jumping. It also helps to move to the edge of the platform, so that the platform above doesn't cancel the jump. All of these things of course have no time limit. You can watch videos and try to copy their methods and where they aim.

4. If you want to get extreme with it, you could self-destruct on BLU repeatedly at each jump and have a friend rez you to them. Over and over again until you get to the top. You can enter a duty to remove the status that prevents self-destruct.

As for how you can get Square Enix to change it, it's doubtful. They rarely ever develop anything other than the new patch content. Quality of Life is extremely rare, with only 5 in each major patch. The best chance of getting it is for it to already exist through other means that SE then decide to implement.

[GuildHero]

dont do content that you arent capable of, theres enough other stuff in this game.. or other games

why should 99,9% of the gaming population suffer/get less content due to 1 person or ultra minorities

Your response actually made me cry. I am just asking for help since I am not as able as you are.

I am sorry my request would cause you suffering.

[Alice_Rivers]

Yeah, it's frustrating enough without physical impairments, I tend not to do jump puzzles if I can help it at all. As others have said though patience is one way, BLU self-destruct with a healer who can jump is another way, or finding a marriage partner in game who can do the jumps and then ring teleport to them is my favoured method.

[Nero-Voidstails]

if you have ninja unlocked just change to it then use the RP walks. yes you might fail but the chance to over shoot is lower and same if you didn't jump enough. I noticed that randomly and peloton will make you go slightly to fast

[Casti_EL]

The Kugane Tower jumping puzzle is difficult for a lot of players (even those without disabilities) so I can only imagine how frustrating it is for you (I've spent hours on it and only managed to complete it twice since Stormblood was released). Best thing to do is find another player who will help via the Rescue or Self-Destruct/Raise method as previously mentioned.

Though I am confused why you are referencing 8-year old content and using that as a basis to ask why/imply SE are STILL making inaccessible content of this type? (Not saying that they could do with some improvements on more recent content but it just makes the argument for changes a bit on the weaker side).

[GuildHero]

Thank you to everyone who responded with kindness and suggestions. I appreciate you more than I can say. I'll be trying some of those ideas, and I'm grateful for the encouragement.

This was my first time posting on the forums, and I suppose I underestimated how hard it would be to talk about something so personal. Brushing my teeth, holding a glass, walking across a room, can sometimes be real challenges for me. But when I log into FFXIV, I get to feel strong. Capable. Just another Warrior of Light among many.

So when I come across content that's impossible not because I'm not trying hard enough, but because of how my body works, it's more than just a missed achievement. It's a reminder that, even in my escape, there are places I can't reach. And that's a hard feeling to carry.

I never meant to offend anyone, and I'm sorry if it seemed like I was asking for the game to be made easier for everyone or for content to be taken away. I wasn't. I was just hoping to ask - gently - whether there could be ways to make certain experiences more accessible, so that more people like me can share in the joy that this game gives. I tried to be gentle in how I asked, but maybe I didn't get it quite right. Still, my intent was never to criticize, only to share, and to ask if there might be space for more of us to be included.

It's daunting to speak up when you're less able. There's a real fear - a very familiar one - that people will think you're asking for something unearned, or that you just want things to be easier. I don't. I just want to be able to experience more of the game I care about, in a way that works with my body, not against it.

Being made to feel even smaller, or like a burden, wasn't what I expected when I posted. And if some of the community can't be open to even hearing these kinds of experiences without judgment, then maybe it's better that I just quietly fade back into the background, like so many of us often do.

Thank you, again, for those that helped.

[Rinoa_353]

Do you play on a KB/M? If you do, have you tried doing the jump puzzles with a controller? I personally find it much easier to do them with a controller and the game has native support for PS4/5 and XBOX One/Series controllers including the proper UI elements if you play on PC.