Final Fantasy 16 producer Naoki Yoshida is asking players ahead of the game’s September 17 PC release to not make, or even install, mods that might be “offensive or inappropriate,” a request so futile that it’s kind of charming in its own way.
Yoshida’s request comes from a recent interview with PC Gamer. When game director Hiroshi Takai was asked what kind of silly mods they might like to see added to Final Fantasy 16 once it lands on PC, Yoshida answered instead. Like a man attempting to hold back an oncoming flood, Yoshida asked very nicely for players to not make offensive or inappropriate content for the game.
“If we said, ‘It’d be great if someone made XYZ,’ it might come across as a request, so I’ll avoid mentioning any specifics here,” Yoshida said. “The only thing I will say is that we definitely don’t want to say anything offensive or inappropriate, so please don’t make or install anything like that.”
Judging from how there are more than 1,200 Final Fantasy 7 Remake mods on Nexus Mods, it seems like Yoshida’s words may fall on deaf ears. Many of the mods for Final Fantasy 7 Remake–which, like Final Fantasy 16, was once a PlayStation-exclusive–put the game’s main cast of characters in new (often revealing) outfits or adjust their body proportions. While there are also plenty of mods that add new weapons, improve the game’s visuals, or simply bypass some of the game’s grind, the hard truth is that mods that put Tifa, Aerith, or Cloud in a skimpy outfits are in demand.
History will likely repeat itself with the arrival of Final Fantasy 16 on the platform. Clive and Cid will almost certainly be shirtless (and probably kissing) in a matter of hours after the game’s PC release, and Yoshida, despite his best efforts, will have to make peace with that.
Final Fantasy 16 launches on PC September 17 via Steam and the Epic Games Store. A base version of the game will be available for $50, with a $70 “Complete Edition” also available that includes the game’s Echoes of the Fallen and The Rising Tide DLCs.
