Summary
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Square Enix has released a document outlining its employee harassment policies.
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Square Enix is prepared to take legal action against excessive harassers.
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Final Fantasy 7 cast members have spoken out against a toxic shipping culture.
Square Enix has released its Group Customer Harassment Policy, a document intended to protect the company's employees from harassment from “fans” (thanks, Eurogamer).
“There are instances where certain customers take actions that constitute “customer harassment” directly or through our support centers or with our group managers, employees and partners involved in the development and distribution of our group products and services.” , the statement begins. “For example, denial of personality, violence, defamation, intimidation, advance notice of misconduct, advance notice of obstruction to business, harassment. Such actions not only prevent our employees and partners from doing their jobs safely, but also cause disruptions to other customers. Square Enix will not tolerate disruption and will take action if necessary.”
Square Enix could take action against harassers
With regard to actionable cases, Square Enix “… reserves the right [its] the right to stop providing support services or to refrain from providing our group's products and services. If such actions are serious or have malicious intent, Square Enix reserves the right to protect its employees and partners and, after consulting with the police and/or lawyers, to take legal action or criminal proceedings.”
The document then lists the behaviors that Square Enix considers to be “beyond socially acceptable behavior.” It contains what any reasonable person would understand to be inherently harassment and/or unacceptable behavior.
After a series of harassment incidents against voice actors and developers, particularly by players of Final Fantasy 7 and Final Fantasy 14, it is becoming increasingly necessary for Square Enix to publicly protect its employees.
Aerith's voice actress, Briana White, addressed Final Fantasy 7's toxic shipping culture, essentially saying that shippers need to relax. A similar opinion was expressed by Cloud voice actor Cody Christian, who said that the networks are “ruining great character development” by “overtly sexualizing every relationship.”
We also saw transgender voice actress Sena Bryer being harassed for her portrayal of Wuk Lamat in Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail. The harassment of Bryer prompted FF14 producer Naoki Yoshida to speak out in her defense, saying: “If there is any kind of criticism, report it to me because I am the one who approves this material. I wanted to repeat that again, please refrain from making personal attacks against our employees.
Final Fantasy Rebirth is the second part of the FF7 remake project. It continues the story of Cloud Strife, a former SOLDIER turned mercenary who joins Avalanche, a group of eco-terrorists who want to save the planet from the malevolent Sephiroth. As the group leaves Midgar and leaves the Shinra Corporation destroyed, the question arises, where will their path take them?
