This past week, Final Fantasy 14 issued a strong statement making it clear that third-party tools of all kinds are prohibited. While some MMOs, World of Warcraft being one excellent example, allow add-ons that can alter user-interface elements, Final Fantasy 14 is strictly opposed to all modifications. A serious problem has arisen from the topic, however. Colorblind Final Fantasy 14 players say that the MMO doesn't have adequate accessibility options, so third-party software is currently the only available solution.
A popular post on the FFXIV subreddit from user ReviloD18 called attention to the matter recently. ReviloD18 points to two different encounters, a dungeon encounter and a raid encounter, that specifically create issues for certain types of colorblind players. They even create custom images to show how each encounter's mechanics blend into each other. The long and short of it is that colorblind Final Fantasy 14 players are unable to distinguish deadly mechanics either from the environment or from allied abilities.
After providing examples of how Final Fantasy 14 is failing colorblind players, ReviloD18 offers up some solutions. The "easy" solution that ReviloD18 mentions is to stop using colors that translate poorly for colorblind players. Using yellow and blue, for example, would translate much better to a significant number of colorblind players. However, given the diversity of types of colorblindness, it makes more sense to offer multiple options for ability colors.
The second option proffered by ReviloD18 is customizable coloring for UI elements, allowing colorblind players to choose their own options. Players could select a type of UI element from a dropdown menu, for example, opening up a color wheel from which players could choose their preference. This is a much more complicated system, requiring colorblind players do a lot of trial and error, but would ultimately end up working a lot better for the entirety of the colorblind community.
There is a third option, of course, but at this point it seems untenable. That third option is to allow certain third-party tools, since there are already options that fix issues related to colorblindness to Final Fantasy 14's worst encounters. It would likely require less investment than new in-game accessibility options, but would also potentially harm Final Fantasy 14's security.
It's increasingly expected in 2022 that AAA game releases feature a diverse range of accessibility options. Final Fantasy 14 is now well over a decade old, a time when accessibility problems were given less focus than they are now. That's not an excuse, it's just how this point has been reached. With as many expansions and updates as Final Fantasy 14 has had since, it's surprising that Square Enix hasn't done more for accessibility. Here's hoping that ReviloD18's efforts help make the changes necessary to keep Final Fantasy 14 an MMO for everyone.
Final Fantasy 14 is available now on PC, PS4, and PS5.