FF14 director Yoshida tackles mod use and player concerns in hefty new statement

Final Fantasy 14 game director Naoki Yoshida has delivered a lengthy statement regarding mod usage in the MMORPG. The post, which comes one week after the sudden shutdown of the Mare Synchronos mod by its creator, gives a detailed explanation of Square Enix's current stance on mods and third-party tools, with Yoshida providing extensive examples. It's a lengthy read, but one that will certainly be of interest to many players, whether you've ever used FF14 mods or not.

On Friday August 22, the creator of popular Final Fantasy 14 mod Mare Synchronos suddenly announced its shutdown, citing an unspecified "legal inquiry." Mods and third-party tools are against the MMORPG's terms of service, but it's rare for Yoshida or Square Enix to address them directly. A notable exception to this came earlier this year, when a tool called 'PlayerScope' appeared that allowed the collection of a large amount of information relating to player accounts including character names, playtime statistics, and in-game behavior.

It's easy to see why gameplay-altering mods that help you solve mechanics can be considered controversial. Visual mods such as those that alter the appearance of your character or the outfit you're wearing, and can only be seen in-game by the player using the mod, are naturally a trickier subject. Mare Synchronos in particular was a standout case, however, because it allowed participating users to share their modded appearance with other people that opted into the tool.

Yoshida's new post, which is titled 'Regarding mod usage and culture,' comes in just shy of 2,000 words. It's framed as a general overview, giving detailed examples and with no mention of specific mod names, and Square Enix goes so far as asking that media outlets and other coverage link directly to the complete message rather than summarizing or providing excerpts. While that's an unusual request, having read through the statement myself, I can appreciate the desire for players to see it in full. You can do so here.

Alongside this news comes other details about the game for players to keep in mind. The Promise of Tomorrow special site has just been updated with some new teasers for FF14 patch 7.31, which launches Tuesday September 2 and will introduce the second Cosmic Exploration destination, Phaenna.

We also now have the full list of Fanfest dates for 2026, although the Tokyo showcase running into the start of November has caused plenty of speculation about whether we'll actually see 8.0 launch by the end of next year.

With Dawntrail now wrapped up, however, we can expect patch 7.4 to begin teasing the future, so expect to get some initial glimpses at what might lie ahead before 2025 is out. Yoshida even offers one small hint following the conclusion of his message: "For those wondering what comes after the Japan Fanfest… While I can't give any details just yet, rest assured you won't have to wait long."

If you haven't played since Dawntrail's launch, you'll want to check how the FF14 system requirements have changed following the graphics update. We've also rounded up our pick of the best anime games in 2025.

Want to discuss all things FF14 with us? Head to the PCGamesN community Discord server and share your feelings on Yoshida's statement, whether you're excited for Fanfest, and where you want to see the MMO go next.