Final Fantasy 14 Reveals Controller Vs. Mouse and Keyboard Player Stats

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Final Fantasy 14 Reveals Controller Vs. Mouse and Keyboard Player Stats

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.

As a longtime fan and dedicated player of Final Fantasy 14, I’ve always been intrigued by the unique preferences that different regions have when it comes to their preferred gaming setup. The latest revelation that global fans overwhelmingly prefer mouse and keyboard over controllers, except for Japan where the preference is reversed, is quite fascinating.

In contrast to Japan, it was disclosed that fans worldwide, except for Japan, tend to opt for a mouse and keyboard when playing the widely praised MMORPG, Final Fantasy 14. Interestingly, most of the players in Japan favor using gamepads and controllers over this setup.

In the realm of MMOs, Final Fantasy 14 stands out as it offers seamless cross-platform play and a versatile control system that caters to players using gamepads, mouse, or keyboard, ensuring an enjoyable gaming experience across various platforms. While there are methods for console users to utilize keyboards and PC gamers to use controllers, this adaptable control scheme is particularly beneficial for fans as it allows them to engage with the game without the need for additional hardware purchases on their preferred platform. For enthusiasts who do opt for new peripherals, designing a custom controller inspired by their favorite Final Fantasy 14 job could be an exciting venture.

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 also disclosed data on whether gamers opt for Legacy or Standard character control settings in-game: most players go for Legacy. In contrast to Standard, where movement and camera are interconnected, resulting in turning by moving backward rather than backpedaling, Legacy offers complete separation between the two, enabling characters to fully rotate while moving backwards. A significant number of fans globally show a preference for Legacy, with 65% of Europeans, 69% of North Americans, and an impressive 97% of Japanese players choosing it over the default Standard mode.

In Japan, it’s challenging to pinpoint the specific reasons for the difference in input device usage without additional information. However, it’s plausible that a higher percentage of players prefer PlayStation 4 or 5 due to their popularity in Japan, especially when considering that Final Fantasy 14 is more prevalent on these consoles. In fact, around one-third to half of the game’s player base uses console platforms, with this number potentially growing further following its release on Xbox. If Final Fantasy 14 eventually becomes available on Nintendo systems as intended by director and producer Naoki Yoshida, the ratio might change even more significantly.

As a passionate Final Fantasy 14 player, let me share that during this panel discussion, Adagiri didn’t just touch on one subject. He also shed light on the game’s advancements in enhancing user experience through various quality-of-life updates. These include chat bubbles, the raid planning strategy board, and upgrades to gpose and screenshots. Expect these exciting improvements to roll out in Dawntrail’s upcoming post-launch patches sometime this year or next.

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2024-09-03 02:23