Summary
Final Fantasy 14’s Dawntrailexpansion has its fair share of critics, with many feeling like the story was too slow,the Scions were too insignificant or unnecessary, and that our Warriors of Light have taken too much of a backseat despite their power and importance.
However, one of the more unsavory topics of debate hasrevolved around Wuk Lamat, arguably Dawntrail’s main character and a real Marmite one at that. Unfortunately, a lot of these debates have devolved intotransphobic abuse directed at actor Sena Bryer, who recently explained that she has been receiving regular death threats and doxxing threats.
Square Enix itself has remained fairly silent over Wuk Lamat’s reception and the resulting abuse experienced by Bryer, butFinal Fantasy 14director Naoki Yoshida has used a recent interview withGerman outlet JPGamesas an opportunity to condemn the abuse experienced by the game’s voice actors and localizers.
Final Fantasy 14 Director Yoshi-P Condemns Wuk Lamat Voice Actor Abuse
When asked about criticism aimed at the character of Wuk Lamat specifically, Yoshida explains that it’s currently “really difficult” to discern valid criticisms about the game’s story and Wuk Lamat, and people who are “just criticizing the character in relation to values.” Yoshida then moves onto the abuse experienced by multiple people that worked on Dawntrail, including Bryer, and requests that fans “do not direct personal attacks at them.”
“But I would very much like to request something: I would really like to ask that people do not direct personal attacks to the voice actors involved in the development and also individual members of the localization team.”
Yoshida goes on to say that the people experiencing abuse are just “doing their best to create something which is great for the creative process” and shouldn’t be attacked for their work. He then goes into more detail about Wuk Lamat and why he feels the reception has been so controversial, but this small request is the first condemnation we’ve had from the Final Fantasy 14 team. It’s unlikely to help very much, but at least we’ve now got Yoshida’s official stance on the matter.
Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail
WHERE TO PLAY
Dawntrail is the fifth full expansion for Square Enix’s MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV, and marks the start of an all-new story arc. It takes the Warrior of Light across the ocean to the continent of Tural, adds the new Viper and Pictomancer jobs, and a host more dungeons, raids, and more.
