FF7 Rebirth Director Urges Modders to Avoid Inappropriate Content Ahead of PC Release

At The Game Awards, it was revealed that Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, part of the reimagined trilogy of the classic Final Fantasy VII, is set to launch on PC on January 23, 2025. This release signifies the end of its PlayStation exclusivity. Beyond just accessibility on a new platform, this transition to PC is expected to foster a vibrant modding community, particularly on platforms like NexusMods, where players can create and share their own custom content.

As the PC launch date nears, director Naoki Hamaguchi shared insights in an interview with Aidan Moher from Epic Games Store News. He emphasized that, although there is no official support for modding in FF7 Rebirth, he hopes that modders will exercise caution and creativity responsibly. He cautioned against the creation or installation of any content that could be deemed offensive or inappropriate. Moreover, Hamaguchi noted that the PC version of Rebirth will closely resemble the original game, without the additional features that were introduced in the Remake’s PC adaptation.

Director Requests Modders to Avoid “Inappropriate”Content

Creative Freedom Could Lead to Controversial Mods

Cloud Strife, Red XIII Nanaki and Yuffie forced to play the Cactur game in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth FF7

For context, the modding community surrounding FF7 Remake, the predecessor to Rebirth, has achieved moderate popularity with approximately 1,500 mods available and eight million downloads recorded. While the mod pool isn’t as expansive as those for other leading games on sites like NexusMods, it still showcases the engaging potential of community-generated content. Many of these modifications include gameplay and graphical enhancements, alongside cosmetic changes, some of which might be interpreted as falling under Hamaguchi’s concerns regarding appropriateness.

Cosmetic modifications frequently capture the imagination of players, and FF7 Rebirth is likely to follow suit. With features like the Costa Del Sol swimsuits already implemented, it’s likely that the most sought-after mods upon PC release will include quality-of-life improvements, gameplay innovations, and variances in character costumes that push the envelope of “appropriateness.”

“Inappropriate”Mods May Proliferate Despite Cautions

The Challenge of Moderation in the Modding Community

Tifa Lockhart in the ending scene about to board the Tiny Bronco in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth FF7.

Unfortunately for Hamaguchi, the reality is that player-driven mods are often beyond the realm of regulation that might apply to official content. Given the popularity of characters like Tifa, Aerith, and Cloud, it is likely that “inappropriate”mods could surface on modding platforms such as NexusMods almost immediately following the PC release of Rebirth.

That said, many mods for Remake were not overtly “inappropriate,”consisting mainly of minor adjustments and cosmetic tweaks like changing character hair colors or unlocking alternate outfits outside of their designated scenes. The modding landscape for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is expected to mirror this pattern, with many players likely creating enhancements that walk the line between creativity and the sensitivity of content, although some may cross that line entirely.

Source: Epic Games Store News

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