Mods and MMOs usually don’t mix. That’s why many FFXIV players are surprised when they find out the game has a lively modding scene. However, before they dive in, players want to know if they’ll get banned in Final Fantasy 14 for using mods.
Will I get banned in FFXIV for using mods?
Using any mods in FFXIV is against the TOS, and could lead to a ban. However, client-side mods, such as those that change textures or the UI, are undetectable by Square Enix. So, a person could get banned for using mods, but there’s no way to catch them doing it.
It looks like Square Enix has turned a blind eye to anyone using client-side mods for the most part. As long as it doesn’t affect the server or anyone else’s game, there’s little to no risk in installing mods in Final Fantasy 14.
Mods in FFXIV are more limited than those found in single-player games. Players shouldn’t expect any that add content or change gameplay. The majority of them are texture swaps of one kind or another. One popular series simply increases the revolution and sharpness of character textures. Others generate combat data so players can analyze their performance in raids.
However, the game’s director, Naoki Yoshida, has explicitly stated that he doesn’t condone mods, especially ones that make the characters nude. Players are on the honor system since there’s no way for Square Enix to detect these kinds of mods. It’s up to the individual if they want to respect Yoshida’s statement or not.
So, players can use mods in FFXIV without getting banned, even if it’s against the TOS. Furthermore, we don’t see Square Enix adding any invasive root-level anti-cheat anytime soon, which can scan a user’s PC for modified files, so the game’s mod scene should be healthy for years to come.
