“Imagine You’re Speaking Face-to-Face”: Naoki Yoshida Pleads with Final Fantasy XIV Fans to End Developer Abuse

In a powerful and heartfelt message that has resonated deeply with the gaming community, Naoki Yoshida, the director and producer of the critically acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV, has made a passionate plea to players to stop sending “demoralizing abuse” to his development team. Speaking at a panel at PAX West 2025, Yoshida, affectionately known as “Yoshi-P,” addressed the issue of player feedback and the alarming rise of personal attacks and harassment directed at developers, reminding the audience that “there is a person behind the games.”

This is not the first time Yoshida has spoken out against player toxicity. The issue has become particularly pronounced in the wake of the latest expansion, Dawntrail, and recent controversies surrounding in-game mods and a major character’s voice actress. The developers have been on the receiving end of a barrage of personal attacks and even death threats, which has had a tangible, negative impact on the team. Yoshida’s comments are a sobering reminder of the human cost of online anonymity and the entitlement that can fester within a passionate community. He urged players to “imagine that you’re speaking face to face with a developer” before sending their feedback, and he expressed his heartbreak over the abuse directed at staff who have given their “absolute best into trying to create something everyone can enjoy.”

A History of Harassment

The harassment faced by the Final Fantasy XIV team is a microcosm of a larger problem in the gaming industry. For years, developers have had to deal with a level of vitriol and abuse that is often disproportionate to the perceived “offense.” In the past year alone, a number of high-profile incidents have made headlines. The voice actress for a new character in Dawntrail was subjected to a torrent of transphobic abuse and death threats from a small but vocal minority of players. These attacks, which were not only about her performance but about her identity, were so severe that Square Enix was forced to issue a new “Group Customer Harassment Policy,” which threatens legal action against players who engage in such behavior.

Beyond this, a problematic third-party mod was recently shut down after it was discovered that it could be used for stalking and harassment. The creator of the mod was reportedly hit with a “cease and desist,” and the incident brought to light a dark side of the FFXIV community, which has a reputation for being one of the most welcoming in gaming. These events underscore the urgency of Yoshida’s message. While he is a strong advocate for constructive criticism, he has drawn a clear line in the sand between feedback and abuse. He wants players to know that a developer’s motivation can be “demoralized so much that they don’t want to make video games anymore,” and that this ultimately hurts the quality of the game for everyone.

The Solution is Empathy

For now, the solution, according to Yoshida, is a simple one: empathy. He sees gamers and developers as “allies or friends” and believes that the community should foster an environment of “mutual understanding.” He reiterated that he is the one who approves the final product, and he is willing to take the “harsh words” if they are constructive and directed at him. But he pleaded with players to “refrain from personal attacks against our staff.” This is a battle that is being fought across the entire gaming industry, and while a single speech may not solve the problem, it is a crucial step toward reminding players that behind every game there are real people who are just trying to create something for others to enjoy. It is a powerful message that should be heard by every gamer who has ever felt the urge to send a hateful message. It is a reminder that in the end, we are all people, and a little kindness can go a long way.