A new Final Fantasy XIV (FFXIV) mod has stirred up some controversy by enabling users to engage in stalking behavior within the game. This has caught the attention of the game’s community and developers. Naoki Yoshida, the game’s director commonly known as “Yoshi-P,” has since issued a response indicating that Square Enix, the developer, might consider legal action against those responsible for the mod. The primary concern, however, is that they haven’t yet addressed the vulnerability that allows the mod to function.
This mod, which surfaced weeks ago, has caused quite a stir among players. Square Enix recently broke its silence regarding the situation, with Yoshi-P taking to the official FFXIV forums to address the issue. In his post, he made it clear that the company is aware of the problematic mod and is contemplating their options, which could involve requesting its removal or pursuing legal measures. Yoshida sought to calm tensions by assuring players that the mod doesn’t compromise personal data and reaffirmed Square Enix’s strong policy against third-party tools.
Yoshi-P’s statement reads, “We have confirmed that there exist third-party tools used to check FFXIV character information that is not typically visible during play. Our Development and Operations teams are well aware of this and the concerns expressed by the community… The use of third-party tools is banned by the FINAL FANTASY XIV User Agreement, and their use could jeopardize player safety. We stand firm in our prohibition of such tools.”
This issue arises because the mod taps into hidden internal account data and uploads it to a database, allowing users to identify characters tied to a player’s account ID. Essentially, it reveals “alt characters” — secondary characters players create for various reasons, including avoiding in-game stalkers. This undermines one of the few reliable methods for dealing with such behavior.
The mod leverages a vulnerability that was inadvertently introduced with FFXIV’s latest expansion, Dawntrail. This expansion revamped the game’s blacklist system, making it so that when you blacklist someone, it applies to all their characters. However, this improvement means the blacklist feature now interacts with account ID data, which can be accessed by third-party mods. In an ironic twist, the attempt to safeguard players actually provided a tool for those seeking to track others.
Unfortunately, Yoshi-P’s message doesn’t indicate that Square Enix is addressing this significant flaw. Without rectifying the underlying issue, there’s nothing to stop a new mod with similar capabilities from emerging, even if this current one gets taken down. Many players have expressed their frustration over this situation. A popular comment on a Reddit discussion about the company’s response aptly points out, “Fixing the game to defeat the mod doesn’t seem to be an option they’re considering.”
While some might argue for implementing anti-cheat measures, doing so could alienate a large section of FFXIV’s community. These players frequently utilize harmless mods that provide benefits like damage tracking, cosmetic adjustments, or enhancements to player housing. Historically, Square Enix has maintained an informal “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy about such mods, as they technically violate the User Agreement. Outright banning these tools would likely drive many players away from Eorzea.
It’s apparent that a heavy-handed blanket ban isn’t the solution. Square Enix would be better off refocusing on updating the blacklist system to no longer expose account ID information. Doing this would effectively neutralize the threat of such mods both now and in the future, something that mere legal action can’t achieve.
Final Fantasy XIV stands out as a leading MMO, offering an enchanting narrative, dynamic world, and vibrant player communities. Its enthralling gameplay and recent availability on Xbox platforms have further cemented its status as a top choice for MMO enthusiasts. New players can delve into its base game and first two expansions without charge, thanks to a generous free trial, though some social and trading functionalities remain restricted.
