Concert Etiquette in Final Fantasy 14

November 2020

So you've heard about it, you've seen the pictures, and now you're interested in checking out the many wonderful performances and concerts happening around Eorzea?

Welcome to the wonderful world of FF14 bard shows!

Before you pop up at a venue, though, it pays to know a few rules beforehand. ^_^

Just like any event or gathering, certain rules of courtesy apply, especially if the event is being held in a private estate.

Listed below are some of the common rules that I've learned along the way. Please note that they are in no way definitive, and depending on the owner of the estate or the group organizing the event, rules might might be either stricter or more relaxed. However, the ones listed below should serve as a good starting point. ^_^

Also please note that I am on a Japanese server, so of course, knowing a few things about Japanese culture, and adjusting to the local customs also helps.

I encourage everyone to please follow these simple house rules so that you and everyone can enjoy the show! :D

DO's:

• Show up early/on time as much as possible. Like most IRL theater experiences, doors open slightly earlier than the actual show time, to give everyone a chance to get inside the estate and find a spot. If you can't help being late, try not to be too distracting as you enter the performance area (e.g., don't run to the front of the stage while looking for a seat, etc.).

• If you're early, queue at the door, as directed by assigned staff and ushers (performers and event staff usually have "RP" tags on their nameplates, so be sure to look for them! ^_^ They also tend to have glowsticks to help direct the crowd.)

• Dismiss your minion and/or faeries and summons. An estate or area can only load a limited number of characters/entities, so dismissing your minion for a while will help lighten that load, and also prevents actual players from getting locked out of an estate due to it being full.

• Hide your weapon. Same as with minions, this also helps with loading more efficiently. It also keeps everyone's attention focused on the performers (especially since a lot of players have beautiful glowing weapons with lots of special effects, haha!)

• Feel free to emote along with the crowd!

• Chat using /say if you want to talk publicly. Though it is recommended that if it's a private conversation, to keep it within /party (or linkshell) chat or send it as a /tell.

• Take a lot of screenshots and feel free to /gpose! :D

• Toggle Walk instead of Run.

• Be friendly and polite! ^_^

DONT's:

• Do NOT use spells or skills within the establishment, especially during a performance! The visual and sound effects from these can be very distracting!

• Do NOT take or post videos without the permission of the staff and/or performers! This is especially important if they outright request that videos not be taken.

• Do NOT take or post screenshots with the nameplates of staff, performers, and audience members visible! Please turn off your UI or use /gpose!

• Do NOT chat using /yell or /shout! These are for the exclusive use of staff and performers during the event, as it helps them make announcements and perform acts more effectively.

• Do NOT wander around the rest of the interior of the estate without permission! Guests are expected to stay within the designated performance area, so please do so~ The only exception would be if you are invited to check out the other rooms, or if you are given express permission after you asked.

EXTRA TIPS:

• If you're in an estate, try to add a like or comment in their guest book if they have one! ^_^

• Sometimes, everyone gets invited at the end of the show to have a group photo taken together with the staff and performers. Try your best to position yourself so you're not blocking others (e.g., tall characters in the back, shorter characters closer to the front). Everyone would like to be in the photo! ^_^

• During the group photo, the host will announce how much time will be allocated for everyone to take their screenshots (usually anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes). If using /gpose, please take note of the time and try not to take too long to take a picture :D

So to summarize, basic guest courtesy and thoughtfulness can go a long way! :D

Please just keep these in mind, and enjoy the show! ^_^

Having Trouble Hearing the Performance?

Here are a few things that might help! ^_^

• Try moving to a different spot, or moving closer to the performer.

• Try turning off the background music. You can do this from your system settings menu, or by typing in the command /bgm

• If you're in a public area (for example, the Limsa Lominsa Aetheryte Plaza), try turning off other sounds around you using your system menu, as shown below. Just remember to turn it back on after the performance! xDD

  • • BGM = the background music in an area or estate

    • Sound Effects = things such as footsteps, crafting sounds, emote sounds, etc.

    • Ambient Sounds = the "crowd noise" that the game generates when there are a lot of players in one area.