Final Fantasy 14 Community Brings Classic Train Robbery to Life in Virtual Theater

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One timeless masterpiece from the dawn of cinema is the 1903 film “The Great Train Robbery“. This brief, ten-minute silent movie played a significant role in blending various early cinematic traditions, leaving an enduring impact on subsequent films. Today, enthusiasts of “Final Fantasy 14” are reinterpreting the story and demonstrating the art of digital theater, incorporating every element required for a grand train heist.

Duo of writers and directors, Doc Laladay and Penelope Lane, shared insights with Game Rant on how they’re transitioning the stage-to-screen triumph of The Great Train Robbery to a virtual setting within Final Fantasy 14. They have crafted an original score, delved deeper into the script, and enlisted roleplayers to take on tasks such as catering and ushering for the in-game audience attending the performance.

The Great Train Robbery’s Virtual Theater Debut

Laladay shared that when he and Lane decided to establish a theater company, the concept of adapting “The Great Train Robbery” seemed incredibly fitting to him. Not only was it originally a play, written by Scott Marble in 1896, but its impact as a silent film is evident in masterpieces like “Goodfellas“. Furthermore, given that it was a Doc Holiday pastiche and a Western, the genre held a certain allure. To put it simply, Laladay stated that the idea resonated with him because of its rich history and classic Western appeal.

1903 saw the depiction of Wyatt Earp and other legendary figures from the Wild West in the silent film “The Great Train Robbery”. Since the movie is silent, it opens up possibilities for exploring intriguing questions via a play. For instance, at the start of the movie, we see robbers holding up the telegraph operator, but the play delves into the events leading up to this moment. Specifically, the first act focuses on probing motivations. Why are these robbers committing this crime? What drives them beyond the desire for an easy profit? Who are these individuals who are prepared to take such risks to rob a train? The play aims to shed light on these characters’ deeper motivations without revealing any spoilers.

Laladay and Lane are creating a performance that isn’t related to Marble’s play, but rather their interpretation of the unanswered questions from the silent film. However, Laladay emphasized the importance of respecting the original work. They plan to address these questions in two separate performances, each unique due to the improvisation needed from the dynamic and interactive roleplay community in Final Fantasy 14.

As a gamer, here’s my take: I’m excitedly waiting for the final auditions this coming Sunday, February 23rd, at 7:30 pm ET over at Diabolos’ Huckleberry Saloon, specifically in Lavender Beds Ward 29 Plot 36. The cast list will be announced on March 1st. If I get selected, I’ll have the opportunity to attend workshops and rehearsals before we step onto the stage in May!

The Ever-Evolving Final Fantasy 14 Theater Scene

The transformation of conventional theater into virtual reality is an exhilarating leap in the realm of live performances. While there have been instances where stage productions were recorded and broadcasted, this has merely scratched the surface compared to the grandeur of theatrical performances, especially for major plays. Virtual theater doesn’t just extend the reach of the play; it also blends art within art by employing video games as a platform for staging the performance.

For quite some time now, enthusiasts of Final Fantasy 14 have been staging captivating productions. Notable groups include the Shakespearean troupe A Stage Reborn, scriptwriters Curtain Call, and the cozy ambiance of Snowfall Theater, to name a few in an endless list. Laladay and Lane are the most recent contributors to this evolving art, yet they certainly aren’t the first.

Just like Curtain Call, Laladay and Lane are crafting an original script for The Great Train Robbery, similar to Snowfall, they’re focusing on providing interactive role-playing experiences to make the performance feel live, engaging, and immersive for the audience. Of course, these performances will also be streamed online. As virtual theater companies innovate together, the excitement of attending a show only grows. And, as Lane put it, they’re adding a unique layer to the production, enhancing the overall experience for those who join us on this journey.

We aimed to make it authentic and provide a delightful platform for local residents to exhibit their skills. I collaborated with Dizzy Shasha, my fellow musician from The Drama Club, to compose an original theme. This is just the beginning; we’re developing it into a complete score. K’arleen Winters, another talented musician in The OMNI band, will perform some unique music during our break. Set design for the event will be handled by Lexa Frost. She’s also a member of Gorilla Fist and has an exceptional eye for venue aesthetics at her House of Seoul location.

The duo additionally spotlighted various individuals and entities contributing to the digital resurrection of “The Great Train Robbery”: Bandee Pakshee, a roleplaying company; Cinnamon Button, a roleplayer and designer; Aethercon, a streaming partner; Ley Lines, offering a VIP program; DJ Yams, hosting an afterparty; and the Empyreum of Arts, the venue for the show. It’s clear that “The Great Train Robbery” will encompass much more than just the performers, as it serves to unite a vast array of participants within the “Final Fantasy 14” community.

Laladay is quite accustomed to large-scale collaborations, having been one of the organizers for events like Mogstock, an annual summer homage to Woodstock which unites musicians and roleplayers in one of the roleplaying community’s ‘big three’ weekend festivals (the other two being A Feast Reborn in October and the Great Ishgardian Frostfaire in December). Additionally, he coordinated a Dancefest event, showcasing the game’s synchronized macro dancing community, which took place on February 22.

Laladay clarified that individuals can participate beyond acting roles by becoming VIP sponsors. This position offers numerous benefits, including contributing to the project’s funding and rewarding event partners and artists with virtual gaming money.

Our aim is to collect at least 200 million gil for our upcoming event through VIP tickets and donations. Each night, we will offer only 10 VIP tickets, priced at 10 million gil each. These exclusive tickets promise a unique experience, similar to being an active participant in a murder mystery dinner theater. However, we won’t reveal any secrets!

We plan to keep 20% of all VIP ticket sales and donations to cover the costs of furnishings, advertising, and other expenses. The remaining gil will be distributed among the cast and crew, with the specific amounts to be decided later. If you’re interested in becoming a VIP or making a donation to support this event, please connect with doclaladay on Discord.

The shows, organized by Aethercon and taking place at the Empyreum of Arts, are scheduled for May 10 and May 11. They’ll start at 4 pm Pacific Time or 7 pm Eastern Time.

The performances, hosted by Aethercon and located at the Empyreum of Arts, are set for May 10 and May 11, with the first act commencing at 4 pm in the afternoon (Pacific Time) or 7 pm in the evening (Eastern Time).

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2025-02-22 18:39