Yoshida clarified that his personal stance on mods remains unchanged – he tolerates them when used properly. As a longtime PC gamer himself with over twenty years of experience, he recognizes the positive impact that fan-made mods can have on gaming experiences. He emphasized that this statement wasn’t targeting any specific mod but aimed to address the general subject of mods and the culture surrounding them. The producer noted that he has spoken about his position on mods multiple times in the past, reinforcing that his tolerance for properly used modifications hasn’t wavered.

The Core Rules for Mod Usage and What Crosses the Line

According to Yoshida, acceptable mod use must follow two basic principles:

• Mods should be for personal use only, with users taking full responsibility
• Mods must not negatively impact the core game, its services, or intended design

He emphasizes that players should continue following the game’s user agreement while ensuring their gameplay doesn’t interfere with other players’ experiences.

Yoshida provided several examples to explain what constitutes problematic mod usage:

Visual modifications that affect others: He described a scenario where one player earns prestigious Ultimate raid weapons through hard work, while another uses mods to appear as if they have the same gear. If such mods become visible to other players, it undermines the achievements of those who earned rewards legitimately.

Store item bypassing: Mods that allow players to display premium items without purchasing them can harm the game’s revenue, which is needed to maintain servers and services. With rising costs due to global inflation, this type of mod usage threatens the game’s long-term viability.

Content that violates regional laws: Even personal-use mods can become problematic if screenshots are shared publicly, potentially violating content regulations in different countries where FFXIV operates.

Looking Forward

Yoshida stressed that the examples weren’t meant to criticize FFXIV mod creators or users, but to help the community understand the boundaries. He expressed hope that player feedback will help the development team add more official customization options over time. The statement concluded with appreciation for the community’s support, particularly noting the recent announcement of the next Fan Festival on FFXIV’s twelfth anniversary. Yoshida hinted that more announcements will follow the Japan Fan Festival, though no specific details were provided.

Yoshida concluded by asking for mutual respect – while paying homage to PC gaming’s long-standing modding tradition, he requested that players respect the game by enjoying modifications within basic rule boundaries.