I have a motor disability that makes quick, precise movements difficult. Normally, I can play almost all content in FFXIV without issue: raids, dungeons, even high-end content. But when it comes to the jumping puzzles like the Tower in Kugane, I hit a wall. Not because of a lack of skill, but because my body physically can't keep up with what these mechanics demand.
These aren't just optional fun bits either. If you want to complete sightseeing logs or check off content, you have to do them. And if you can't, that log stays incomplete forever. It's not something I can just skip and forget. For people like me (and I know I'm not alone), it becomes a constant, frustrating reminder of how different I am physically, and how I am somehow less than other players in the eyes of the game.
Now, before anyone says "just don't do it" or "it's not required" why should our experience be lesser because of a disability? Why are there still parts of the game designed with zero accessibility consideration?
Gold Saucer's Leap of Faith is actually doable for me. Platforms are larger, I can take my time. That's a good example of platforming designed with more people in mind. The Tower in Kugane? Tiny platforms, no room for error, and you fall all the way to the bottom if you miss. It's demoralizing.
Accessibility in games has come a long way. A lot of devs are making real efforts to include everyone. So why are we still adding content that flat-out excludes differently abled players?
I don't want to cancel my sub, but this is the kind of thing that makes me consider it. I've fixated on trying to complete that tower because I want to finish what the game offers me. But the reality is, I probably never will. That's a tough pill to swallow, especially from a game that otherwise does so much right.
This isn't just a personal gripe, it's a broader issue. Accessibility shouldn't be an afterthought. Square Enix, please do better.
If there are others that feel this way, how can we change this?
Continue reading...
These aren't just optional fun bits either. If you want to complete sightseeing logs or check off content, you have to do them. And if you can't, that log stays incomplete forever. It's not something I can just skip and forget. For people like me (and I know I'm not alone), it becomes a constant, frustrating reminder of how different I am physically, and how I am somehow less than other players in the eyes of the game.
Now, before anyone says "just don't do it" or "it's not required" why should our experience be lesser because of a disability? Why are there still parts of the game designed with zero accessibility consideration?
Gold Saucer's Leap of Faith is actually doable for me. Platforms are larger, I can take my time. That's a good example of platforming designed with more people in mind. The Tower in Kugane? Tiny platforms, no room for error, and you fall all the way to the bottom if you miss. It's demoralizing.
Accessibility in games has come a long way. A lot of devs are making real efforts to include everyone. So why are we still adding content that flat-out excludes differently abled players?
I don't want to cancel my sub, but this is the kind of thing that makes me consider it. I've fixated on trying to complete that tower because I want to finish what the game offers me. But the reality is, I probably never will. That's a tough pill to swallow, especially from a game that otherwise does so much right.
This isn't just a personal gripe, it's a broader issue. Accessibility shouldn't be an afterthought. Square Enix, please do better.
If there are others that feel this way, how can we change this?
Continue reading...