Final Fantasy XIV director Naoki Yoshida spoke candidly during a panel at PAX West 2025 on August 30, addressing the impact of player criticism on developers.
Yoshida explained that while he strives to take player feedback objectively—setting aside personal feelings to reflect and improve current and future projects—he draws the line at insults and non-constructive attacks:
“While some games certainly deserve harsh criticism, please remember: the developer you’re insulting isn’t a mascot—they’re a living, breathing person.
I understand that players may use harsh words to vent frustration or dissatisfaction, but extreme comments can deeply wound developers. In some cases, cruel remarks may completely destroy their motivation, even driving them to leave the industry forever.”
Yoshida emphasized that developers ultimately want to be friends with players, and hoped fans could simply enjoy the creative work they pour into their games. He urged the community to think twice before hitting “send” on aggressive comments online:
“Read what you’ve written one more time. Ask yourself if it’s too much before you post it.”
Industry outlet TheGamer noted that although Yoshida did not directly name any incident, his remarks appeared to reference the recent harassment of Final Fantasy XIV: Golden Legacy voice actor Sena Bryer, who received death threats earlier this year. Yoshida had publicly defended Bryer and several developers at the time.
Released in 2013, Final Fantasy XIV is a long-running MMORPG set in the fictional realm of Eorzea. Players take on the role of “Adventurers,” chosen by destiny to become Warriors of Light. The game remains one of Square Enix’s flagship titles, with its Chinese release handled by Shengqu Games.
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