HomeFeaturesFinal Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
Final Fantasy XIV has restored my faith in humanityFar from a fantasy
Far from a fantasy
As someone who both plays video games and has worked in retail, my faith in humanity has long since taken on the form of a stain in the carpet of my brain. I’ve thought about scrubbing it away and starting afresh, but it’s been baked in for so long, I didn’t even think a double dose of Daz would do the job.
That is, until I started playingMMORPGFinal Fantasy XIV. So far, all the cat people and elves and gnomes I’ve encountered have been - dare I say it - alright. They’ve actually been really quite, well… nice?
FINAL FANTASY XIV: ENDWALKER Full TrailerWatch on YouTube
FINAL FANTASY XIV: ENDWALKER Full Trailer
Final FantasyXIV sports that “massively-multiplayer” label that suggests other people are a key component, and yet here I am, playing this game solo. I login most evenings, take the reins of my beloved Shadow Hulk (whose run is growing on me) and do some questing. I literally don’t utter a word to anyone - unless I’m forced to tackle a dungeon. Even then, I’ll hesitantly announce that I’m a newbie in the chat and to please tell me if I’m doing anything wrong with a few polite words. It’s so similar in energy to a speculative work email that I might as well end my messages with “No worries if not! Best, Hulk”.
And I don’t mind playing Final Fantasy XIV like I’ve caught the central line to New Gridania. I’m happy keeping my head down and churning through EXP as others mill about around me, perhaps playing instruments or clunking hammers on metal, or pretending to be a fallen Gregor Clegane amidst a plane of cracked ice.
Gregor Clegane was incredibly committed to the bit. He did eventually come to life, say “wtf”, then wander off. I’ve never seen a human statue head home, but I’m guessing this is what it’s like.
Slowly but steadily, I’m coming to realise that I should break out of this protective shell. People in Final Fantasy XIV seem strangelynice, as if they actually want everyone to have a good time. Case in point: the replies to my speculative emails are usually ones of support. As a tank, I feel huge pressure to perform in dungeons I’m new to, especially as I’m the one who’s meant to lead the charge and steer the team through each encounter. But if I ever get anything a bit wrong, the first thing that flies into the chat box is patience and understanding, not abuse. I flinch for no reason.
Only recently was I wandering around slaying some skeletons when a random cat boy appeared and asked if I’d got the two free items from the spirit pot. Immediately, I got my back up. What the heck was he on about? Was he just the cat boy equivalent of a spam call? But against my own better judgement and life experience, I went along with him.
So to all those folks who’ve been patient or handed me cookies: you’re very nice. Give it a few months and it’ll be my turn to hand a sprout a cookie. I just need to figure out how to bake one, but I haven’t taken up the cooking skill and I don’t know how it works. Maybe I should ask someone, which isn’t that frightening any more! Also, sorry to Daz. I should have more faith in your power to clean stains. I better get scrubbing. God, so much to do.
