Recent actions by Square Enix have dashed hopes among fans that the company’s Ethics Department had been disbanded. The release of a recent censorious update to Tifa Lockheart’s character model in the four-year-old Final Fantasy VII Remake indicates that the department’s influence persists, contrary to fan expectations.
On February 26th, an update was rolled out to all versions of Final Fantasy VII Remake, accompanied by a brief patch note mentioning fixes to several bugs. However, fans soon realized that Square Enix’s alterations extended beyond mere coding adjustments, signalling more significant changes within the game.
During a thread on Steam discussing the specifics of the recent 8GB update, user Briarpack observed a notable change: Tifa’s flashback outfit in Final Fantasy VII Remake had been altered to reveal less cleavage. The thread, not surprisingly, was later locked by moderators amidst growing discussion and controversy surrounding the update.
In Chapter 7 of Final Fantasy VII Remake, during Cloud’s flashback to the ‘Nibelheim Reactor’ incident, Tifa’s iconic ‘cowgirl’ outfit has undergone a noticeable alteration. Previously featuring exposed cleavage, her outfit now includes an undershirt, covering up the previously revealed area.
The recent update to Final Fantasy VII Remake, aligning Tifa’s character model with that of the demo for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, has sparked speculation among fans. It suggests Square Enix felt the need to “correct” her appearance since the game’s original release four years ago.
This adjustment, coupled with the recent censorship of a scene involving “panty-stealing,” has reignited discussions about the continued influence of Square Enix’s Ethics Department, leaving many fans concerned about the direction of the game.
Square Enix’s Ethics Department, first brought to public attention in 2019 when Tifa’s character design was altered based on their recommendations, initially claimed to focus solely on evaluating game content for age rating standards.
However, revelations from a 2022 job listing unveiled a broader scope of responsibilities. In addition to assessing content alignment with age ratings, the department also checks game expressions, scenarios, illustrations, designs, and effects to prevent discriminatory, prejudicial, or offensive elements from appearing in Square Enix’s games.
Fans’ hopes of Square Enix shutting down its Ethics Department were dashed by a recent censorious move. This disappointment follows two significant developments that had raised expectations among fans.
The first development occurred in January when reports from Niche Gamer revealed that the Ethics Department’s recruitment page had been taken offline, sparking speculation about its potential closure.
Another significant development came with the announcement of Tifa’s wardrobe options for her trip to Costa del Sol in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.
Famitsu, a Japanese video game news outlet, shared a clip revealing that both Tifa and Aerith will have the opportunity to wear a range of beach attire, including a particularly flattering bikini, adding a new level of customization and style to the game.
Despite initial impressions, the inclusion of traditionally scrutinized elements like Tifa’s cleavage and suggestive animations in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth now appears to have been more incidental than indicative of Square Enix’s evolving stance.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is scheduled for exclusive release on PlayStation 5 consoles starting February 29th, 2024, adding to the anticipation surrounding the game’s debut.
As fans eagerly await the release of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the recent revelations surrounding character design choices and censorship have sparked a wave of discussion within the gaming community. While some view these developments as indicative of Square Enix’s commitment to inclusivity and sensitivity, others remain sceptical, interpreting them as a continuation of censorship practices.
What are your thoughts on these recent updates? Do you believe they reflect positive changes within Square Enix, or do they raise concerns about artistic freedom and censorship in gaming? We’d love to hear your opinions and engage in a constructive dialogue about this topic. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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