Patch 7.1 for Final Fantasy 14 brought exciting content updates, but it also introduced a new hairstyle that quickly became a point of contention among players. Known as “Doing the Wave,” this hairstyle was intended to reflect a winning entry from the 2023 in-game hairstyle design contest. However, many players voiced frustration, pointing out that it strayed significantly from the original design’s vision. The discussion became a focal point on the Final Fantasy 14 forums, and soon after, Square Enix issued an apology, acknowledging the design differences and clarifying their intentions.
The Final Fantasy 14 community, known for its passion and close engagement with developers, has historically been vocal about changes in character customization. Hairstyles in particular hold cultural and aesthetic importance to players, as these visual elements help define and individualize their in-game avatars.
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The Original Final Fantasy 14 Hair Vision and Player Feedback
The original hairstyle, dubbed “Natural Curls,” was created by a fan and won the 2023 Final Fantasy 14 hairstyle contest. As the name suggests, this hairstyle was designed to showcase natural, curly hair with tight curls at the top and sides. However, in the final implementation with Patch 7.1, players noticed that the curls were missing, replaced instead with softer waves and a longer right side. The resulting look resembled a more relaxed wave pattern than the short, structured curls many fans had expected.
Once Final Fantasy 14’s Patch 7.1 was live, players expressed disappointment on the Final Fantasy 14 forums, pointing out that “Doing the Wave” looked vastly different from the original concept. Many players felt that Square Enix missed an opportunity to accurately depict curly hair, which is arguably a part of a longstanding point of critique for the game’s visual representation options. In response, Square Enix apologized and clarified that while it had initially aimed to replicate the winning design, technical difficulties in rendering curls had led the team to adjust the hairstyle’s look. The company assured players that it would continue working on a more accurate rendition of the “Natural Curls” style.
Cultural Significance of Curly Hair Representation Within Video Games
The controversy surrounding “Doing the Wave” arguably ties into a larger conversation about the representation of diverse hairstyles in video games, particularly as they relate to players with different cultural backgrounds. For many players, curly hair represents more than just a hairstyle; it’s a reflection of identity and cultural heritage. When such styles are depicted inaccurately, it can feel as though the authenticity of that representation is being overlooked.
This cultural component has particular resonance in Final Fantasy 14 due to recent efforts by the development team to address inclusivity and representation. With the release of Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail, director Naoki Yoshida and his team acknowledged the need for improved rendering of darker skin tones within the limitations of the game’s aging engine.
Square Enix’s Response and Community Engagement
In its response, Square Enix reassured players that the design team values player feedback and remains dedicated to making improvements. This kind of developer response has become typical of Square Enix’s approach to player engagement. Since the launch of Dawntrail, the team has been committed to addressing issues related to character customization and aesthetics.
Notably, the team took extra steps to revise character models that initially received criticism for inconsistencies in darker skin tone rendering, aiming for consistency across all players’ avatars. Its willingness to listen to feedback and make changes reflects Square Enix’s awareness of community values and an understanding of the importance of cultural representation.
Future Steps for Hairstyle Representation in Final Fantasy 14
While Square Enix has not yet officially confirmed any specific updates to the hairstyle, its apology does bring about optimism that the Natural Curls design will be revisited in the near future. The community’s response to the hairstyle has highlighted a significant demand for representation in avatar customization, and this controversy may encourage the developers to address diverse hair textures with greater detail.
As Final Fantasy 14 continues to evolve, its developers face the ongoing challenge of balancing player feedback with technical limitations. However, with Square Enix’s track record of acknowledging issues and committing to improvements, there is hope that future updates will include a Natural Curls style that does justice to the original concept. Its response shows that Final Fantasy 14 is not just a game, but a shared space where players’ voices are heard, valued, and addressed.
