Some Final Fantasy 14 fans are threatening to unsubscribe from the game over a new set of dungeon gear that seems to take inspiration from Spanish conquistadors. These items, set to arrive in Final Fantasy 14 with the release of Patch 7.3 in August, are well-designed, but the theme itself has left a sour taste in the mouths of many.
Final Fantasy 14 is currently gearing up to release Patch 7.3, The Promise of Tomorrow. The update promises a dramatic conclusion to the story of Dawntrail, and will start laying down the groundwork for what comes next in the critically-acclaimed MMORPG.
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Posts 3However, a new armor set coming in Patch 7.3 has caused some controversy. On July 17, Final Fantasy 14 updated 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. Players flooded the Final Fantasy 14 forum with outrage over this gear in almost 250 pages of replies across multiple threads in 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
CloseWhile 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: Dawntrail is 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 of Dawntrail is 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 Fantasy released an outfit inspired by one worn in Korea during its occupation by Japan – during the east Asian-themed Stormblood expansion, no less – though this controversy was quieter, as the transmogs were only available in China.
This is only one of many glamour-based controversies Final Fantasy 14 is facing right now. A new cash shop set inspired by Alisaie's garb from Final Fantasy 14: Shadowbringers has enraged fans, as did the Belt-leather set released a few weeks earlier. It seems like Final Fantasy 14 has been missing the mark a lot lately, so hopefully it can respond to these criticisms in a way that appeases its community.
