It’s clear that Crystalline Conflict has been a huge win for Final Fantasy XIV PVP. Modes with larger player counts like Frontline and Rival Wings couldn’t boast the same heat that Crystalline Conflict is showing. Players who never gave a damn about PVP are jumping in for fun and to get that sweet Garo and Archfiend gear.
Hell, most of the balance changes in Patch 6.11 were focused on Crystalline Conflict PVP specifically. The issue is that player behavior in some parts of the community surrounding the mode is trending in a negative direction. To this end, FFXIV creative director and lead producer Naoki Yoshida addressed two of the bigger problems the team is seeing in PVP.
The first problem? Team members who go AFK and give up when it’s clear their team is losing. Crystalline Conflict is a 5v5 mode, so every party member needs to contribute for the team to have a fighting chance. “Participants must bring their best to the fight, and for this reason uncooperative or lethargic behavior is prohibited. Let’s strive to do our best even in situations where defeat is imminent, regardless of whether or not you’re interested in the rewards,” said Yoshida in a blog post on The Lodestone.
Yoshida’s second message was aimed at more general conduct in PVP matches. PVP is competitive, so there’s going to always be a bit of taunting, but it can’t go too far. A healthy PVP community is based around having a groundswell of players flowing in and out of matches, and bullying folks into leaving won’t help that.
Yoshida offered a list of behaviors that are frowned upon in PVP:
- Repeatedly using the Quick Chat phrase “Nice job!” during a disadvantageous situation
- Repeatedly using the Quick Chat phrase “Good match!” before the outcome of the match has even been decided
- Excessively repeating a particular Quick Chat phrase
- Persistently placing a negative target marker on another ally player
- Using and repeating an emote on top of a downed opponent
- Setting off fireworks on top of a downed opponent
- Using Tell or other methods to directly harass/criticize a player outside of a duty after a match has ended
- Slandering other players through means outside of the game, such as social media
He added that the above list is not exhaustive, but the FFXIV community teams will be investigating reports and logs to see if players fall afoul of these rules. Anyone who is found breaking the rules will be subject to a temporary suspension of 3 to 20 days. Yoshida adds that minor actions taken during the heat of battle may not break the rules, hence the reason for the investigation process.
Ultimately though, Yoshida would like folks to stop being dicks to each other in PVP. Crystalline Conflict has a strong influx of new blood, and it’s best not to ruin it by being an asshole and chasing others away. It’s just a game and everyone needs to enjoy it, even when they’re losing.
