To counter fan harassment of its employees, from voice actors to developers, Square Enix has implemented a new Group Customer Harassment Policy. The new policy states and defines “customer harassment” of employees whether it’s through violence, defamation, intimidation, or other means. Failing to respect these policies can result in Square Enix rescinding players’ abilities to use its products.
“Such actions do not only prevent our employees and partners from engaging in their work with a sense of security but also causes disruptions to other customers,” the policy reads. “Square Enix will not tolerate harassment and will take action as necessary.”
The policy does not give examples of harassment, but it’s become clear within the gaming community why this inevitably had to be done: toxic fan behavior.
It’s something the company has been dealing with for years. Final Fantasy 14 producer and director Naoki Yoshida has addressed abuse against the game’s developers on multiple occasions.
“I mean, I can take it, even though it doesn’t make it less bad, but staff members will feel really down after getting those words when they gave their absolute best into trying to create something where everyone can enjoy,” he said in 2022. “This may end up making them no longer create things that are fun from there on.”
Just last year, Wuk Lamat voice actor Sena Bryer was sent transphobic threats following the Dawntrail expansion. Yoshida continued saying he took those attacks personally.
“She worked really hard and these criticisms were not constructive at all,” added Yoshida. “It doesn’t do anything except make the staff lose motivation, and in the end that could potentially damage the quality of our game and take away from what makes this game so interesting. So if there are any sort of criticisms, bring it to me, because I’m the one approving this material. I wanted to reiterate that, please refrain from personal attacks against our staff.”
Square Enix also reserves the right to cease providing support services or products to harassers and may go as far as to protect employees through legal action or even criminal proceedings.
