Get ready, fashionistas! Final Fantasy 14 is about to undergo a major style shake-up, and it's all thanks to the game's director, Yoshi-P, finally giving in to the demands of the players. But hold on, because this wasn't an easy decision, and it reveals a fascinating clash between artistic vision and player desires.
The upcoming Patch 7.4 promises to revolutionize the way players express themselves, by removing all glamour restrictions. This means you can finally mix and match any armor appearance with any job, creating the ultimate personalized look. Think of it as a transmog system, allowing you to combine your favorite armor visuals with the stats of the gear you need.
For those unfamiliar, glamour in Final Fantasy 14 allows players to change the appearance of their gear without affecting its stats. Previously, you were limited to glamours within your current job. So, a White Mage could only dress like another White Mage. This change, however, throws the doors wide open, and is a big win for those who consider fashion the true endgame.
Now, here's where it gets interesting. While this is exciting news for many, it seems Yoshi-P, the game's director and producer, wasn't initially on board. His reason? He has a strong personal attachment to the Final Fantasy worldview. He believes that each job has a unique identity, and he wanted to preserve that feeling. He wanted Dragoons to look like Dragoons, holding their spears and striking iconic poses.
But, as time went on, and after playing other games, he realized that players' preferences may differ from his own. He understands that in this modern era, players want more freedom to express themselves. He even admitted that he, as a Black Mage player, wouldn't want to wear other armor.
He ultimately decided that it was unfair to limit the creativity of players who enjoy customizing their characters. He acknowledged that while he has his own preferences, it shouldn't restrict others from enjoying the game.
And this is the part most people miss... The decision also stems from a desire to combat the use of mods. Mods that alter character appearances have been a point of contention, and this change is a way for the developers to offer players the customization they crave within the game itself.
Furthermore, this move is a gesture of goodwill to the player base. The change to glamouring will likely be a popular one, giving players an extra incentive to explore the game and find the perfect outfit.
Patch 7.4, titled Into The Mist, is set to release on December 16th, bringing more story content and other additions.
But what do you think? Do you agree with Yoshi-P's initial stance on job identity? Or are you thrilled about the new glamour possibilities? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
