Recent data from Final Fantasy 14 reveals a significant difference in input preferences between players in Japan and those in other parts of the world. While the majority of players outside Japan prefer using a mouse and keyboard, Japanese players overwhelmingly opt for gamepads. Additionally, players worldwide tend to favor the Legacy control scheme for its enhanced movement mechanics.
Various factors, such as console popularity and platform availability, could explain these regional differences in input preferences. As the game expands to new platforms, these trends may continue to evolve.
Key Takeaways
- Majority of Final Fantasy 14 players outside Japan use mouse and keyboard, while Japan prefers gamepads.
- Global fans prefer Legacy over Standard control scheme, reflecting better movement mechanics in-game.
- Potential reasons for Japan”s input device preference include console usage and future platform releases.
Final Fantasy 14 recently revealed that fans in every country except Japan prefer to use a mouse and keyboard to play the critically-acclaimed MMORPG. While this input style is popular across the globe, the majority of Final Fantasy 14 players in Japan prefer to use gamepads and controllers instead.
As an MMO with full cross-platform compatibility, Final Fantasy 14 features a robust control scheme for players on both gamepads and mouse and keyboard. Though there are ways to use controllers on the PC and mouse and keyboard on consoles, this is a vital accessibility feature so fans can enjoy the game without needing to purchase new peripherals for their preferred platform – though fans who do anyway might consider designing a custom controller after their favorite Final Fantasy 14 job.
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During a panel at PAX West, Final Fantasy 14 lead UI designer Kei Adagiri revealed which of these input devices was used the most by fans across the globe. According to the Final Fantasy 14 statistics he shared during the presentation, mouse and keyboard are much more popular in most places in the world, with 60% of NA players and 67% in Europe using them over controllers. However, Japan is the complete opposite, with a whopping 77% of fans choosing to use a gamepad instead.
Controllers Vs. Mouse and Keyboard in Final Fantasy 14
- Controller vs. Mouse and Keyboard
- North America: 40% Controller – 60% Mouse and Keyboard
- Europe: 33% Controller – 67% Mouse and Keyboard
- Japan: 77% Controller – 23% Mouse and Keyboard
- Standard vs. Legacy Control Scheme
- North America: 31% Standard – 69% Legacy
- Europe: 35% Standard – 65% Legacy
- Japan: 3% Standard – 97% Legacy
Adagiri shared information about which character control setting players use in-game as well: Legacy or Standard. The former fully separates movement from the camera, allowing the character to fully turn around by moving backwards instead of backpedaling as they do in the latter. An overwhelming majority of fans across the globe prefer Legacy, with 65% of European, 69% of North American, and 97% of Japanese players using the system over the default Standard mode.Close
It is hard to say exactly why the disparity between input devices exists in Japan without further data. It could be that more fans play Final Fantasy 14 on PlayStation 4 or 5 there, as the console is extremely popular in its home country. Between a third and half of players are on console, with the number increasing even more as of Final Fantasy 14’s launch on Xbox, so the metrics for the other regions of the world seem to reflect a similar ratio. If Final Fantasy 14 eventually releases on Nintendo systems as director and producer Naoki Yoshida hopes, that number may shift even more.
That wasn’t the only topic Adagiri covered during this panel. He also revealed Final Fantasy 14’s progress towards implementing several quality-of-life features, including chat bubbles, the raid planning strategy board, and improvements to gpose and screenshots. Players should expect to see these new improvements in some of Dawntrail’s post-launch patches either this year or next.
Final Fantasy 14
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Set forth for new horizons in FINAL FANTASY XIV: Dawntrail
Blue seas, clear skies, and boundless possibilities await! Explore uncharted territories with familiar faces as hope”s light dawns once more.
MMORPG
Systems
OpenCritic Reviews
Top Critic Rating:
86/100
Critics Recommend:
92%
Franchise
Final Fantasy
Platform(s)
PC
, PS3
, PS4
, PS5
, Xbox Series X
, Xbox Series S
Released
August 27, 2013
Developer(s)
Square Enix
Publisher(s)
Square Enix
Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Engine
Crystal Tools
ESRB
T for Teen: Alcohol Reference, Animated Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
Steam Deck Compatibility
yes
PS Plus Availability
N/A
Cross Save
no
Cross-Platform Play
PC, PS4, PS5 & Xbox Series X|SExpand
See at Official Site
See at Playstation Store
See at Walmart
$4 at Amazon
