Final Fantasy 14is currently gearing up to release Patch 7.3, The Promise of Tomorrow. The update promises a dramatic conclusion to the story ofDawntrail, and will start laying down the groundwork for what comes next in the critically-acclaimed MMORPG.
However, a new armor set coming in Patch 7.3 has caused some controversy. On July 17,Final Fantasy 14updated its special site for The Promise of Tomorrow with new information, including previews of the gear available from the Meso Terminal dungeon – and players were not pleased. While the gear itself is well-made, fans noticed the outfits seemed to take heavy inspiration from the era of the Spanish conquistadors. Playersflooded theFinal Fantasy 14forumwith outrage over this gear in almost 250 pages of repliesacross multiple threadsin the first eight hours after the reveal, calling the gear “a disappointment” and “offensive.” Some fans even threatened to cancel their subscriptions if they are added to the game.
Final Fantasy 14’s ‘Offensive’ Patch 7.3 Dungeon Gear
While creating gear inspired by 16th century Spain is not necessarily intrinsically problematic on its own, it is the timing that has players especially upset.Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrailis set on the continent of Tural, an in-game region heavily inspired by the Americas, with the majority of the zones in regions designed after Central and South America. The Spanish conquistadors are infamous for having colonized these regions in real-life history, meaning the inclusion of gear inspired by these figures during the culmination ofDawntrailis a decision that many have called “tone-deaf.”
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time something like this has happened. In 2023,FF14’s Far Northern Attire earned the ire of the Saami Council, who demanded the outfit inspired by their culture be removed from the cash shop to no avail. Similarly,Final Fantasyreleased an outfit inspired by one worn in Korea during its occupation by Japan – during the east Asian-themedStormbloodexpansion, no less – though this controversy was quieter, as the transmogs were only available in China.
This is only one of many glamour-based controversiesFinal Fantasy 14 is facing right now. A newcash shop set inspired by Alisaie’s garb fromFinal Fantasy 14: Shadowbringershas enraged fans, as did the Belt-leather set released a few weeks earlier. It seems likeFinal Fantasy 14has been missing the mark a lot lately, so hopefully it can respond to these criticisms in a way that appeases its community.
