For context, Final Fantasy 14 features a robust housing system that allows players to rent homes or guildhalls of varying sizes. These homes can be filled with furniture and trinkets hearkening back to the player’s adventures and achievements. Houses in certain districts are very high in demand, so Square Enix has a strict 30-day window where if players are inactive the house will be flagged for auto-deletion. After 45 days of inactivity, the home will be demolished and the lot will be placed back on the market.

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Square Enix is extending the empathy seen in some regions of the world regarding the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to its players. Many, many people have lost work or aren’t being paid due to lack of sick leave, particularly in the US. Some cities and states are issuing a moratorium on evictions as a result. It’s one way to ensure everyone maintains shelter during the crisis.

This isn’t intended to be a mocking decision, though some may read it that way. Square Enix explains that it’s being done to provide relief to players affected by COVID-19. “Taking into account the worldwide

{spread of the COVID-19 and the financial consequences of various cities going into lock-down, we have decided to temporarily suspend automatic housing demolition,” reads the full description of the decision.

If families are deciding to put off their Final Fantasy 14 subscription for the sake of other concerns, Square Enix is giving them time to come back. How long the eviction suspension will last isn’t clear, but it has no currently planned end date.

Square Enix’s decision shows an understanding that’s often rare in the video game industry. While many games are making an effort to pull in potential new gamers during the COVID-19 pandemic, Square Enix is showing empathy for gamers who aren’t able to play like they may have prior. Niantic is another example, delaying events that would encourage Pokemon Go players to socialize.

Final Fantasy 14 is available now on PC.

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