The sale of raids in MMORPGs is a double-edged sword. Some players see it as a positive thing and finance useful in-game equipment through it, while others view it critically. In Final Fantasy XIV, however, it is now prohibited to advertise the sale of raids. Additionally, there is a new paragraph regarding in-game stalking.
What is the deal with selling raids? In almost every MMORPG, so-called boost runs are offered. Players are “pulled” through content to obtain special loot or titles that they would not achieve otherwise. However, they need to pay the respective group for this.
This method is regarded as very critical by some, as it undermines the value of the content and achievements. If every player can achieve everything as long as they invest enough money, this devalues the skill of other players.
In many MMORPGs, sold dungeon or raid runs are offered in the LFG tool. However, this will no longer be allowed in Final Fantasy XIV.
FFXIV prohibits advertising raids in Party Finder
What is new in FFXIV? In an update of the Terms of Use, Square Enix has added various paragraphs that, among other things, prohibit the sale of content in the LFG tool. It states:
It is prohibited to offer help with solving tasks or acquiring items in the Party Finder. A penalty will be imposed if such an act is carried out […]. It is not a violation to ask for help or to offer a reward when asking for help […].
Examples of violations:
– Selling content XY for 1 million Gil
– Selling content XY or reward XY. Join for more info
Examples of non-violations:
– I’m new, can someone help me with completing XY
– Help me with completing XY and I will pay you 1 million GilPlease note that Square Enix can conduct investigations and impose penalties at its discretion, even if no report from other players is present.
These prohibitions currently only relate to the Party Finder tool. A fundamental sale of raids or achievements has not been prohibited.
How is the change received? On Reddit regarding Final Fantasy XIV, the change to the Party Finder is welcomed. Many look forward to a better-organized tool but fear that sales will then take place through other channels.
Nonetheless, they see it as a step in the right direction.
In the over 1,000 comments, the head of Blizzard is mentioned multiple times. He sells raids in WoW himself, and many find it amusing that Square Enix revised its Terms of Service just a week after a major uproar in WoW.
Sale of raids in WoW is normal and even used by the Blizzard CEO
What has the CEO of Blizzard done? Mike Ybarra has sold raids in WoW and even demonstrated this live on Twitch. This did not sit well with players who have a problem with raid sales.
However, Ybarra sees no problem as long as the sales are only offered for gold and not for real money.
Here, some players criticize that real money can theoretically still be used indirectly for purchasing through the WoW token.
Is the sale of raids in WoW allowed? Yes, although advertising for it should actually only be posted in the trade chat. The LFG tool is taboo for this.
But in reality, it looks different, as this screenshot from Reddit user Tropenfrucht shows (via Reddit):
Blizzard is simply not strict enough in enforcing its bans, and many suspect that this is also due to the fact that they secretly want to promote the sold raids so that players without large teams or a guild can achieve their goals.
The fans of FFXIV, on the other hand, are sure that Square Enix will strictly enforce the ban and that there will no longer be sold runs in the Party Finder in the future.
Final Fantasy introduces a new section on stalking
What else has FFXIV changed? In addition to the paragraph on sales in the Party Finder, there was also an important adjustment regarding stalking. It states, among other things:
It is prohibited to harass a player as described in the following examples. If a report has been filed and the prohibited activity is confirmed, a penalty will be imposed:
– Persistently visiting locations where someone is present, despite being asked to cease the behavior.
– Persistently sending messages to a person, despite being asked to cease this behavior.
– Ambushing someone at their destination or residence despite being asked to cease this behavior.
– Persistently sending a friend or group request, despite being asked to cease this behavior.
– Creating new characters to message someone who has blocked you, despite being asked to cease this behavior.
– Attempting to contact a person in-game despite official authorities having forbidden contact with that person in real life.
You can view the complete adjustments to the rules on the official website of Final Fantasy XIV.
What do you think about the adjustments in Final Fantasy XIV? Should the sale of raids be banned in general, or is it enough that it is no longer allowed to be advertised in the Party Finder?
Final Fantasy XIV is currently enjoying a surge of players from WoW. A streamer recently experienced his first big role-playing party in the new MMORPG and was thrilled:
Streamer plays WoW for years, is overwhelmed by a party in Final Fantasy XIV
