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Final Fantasy publisher Square Enix has unveiled a new customer harassment policy and is seemingly intent on taking a no-nonsense stance in the face of rising fan toxicity. Spotted by VGC, the policy comes as various Final Fantasy voice actors have been forced to speak out against the actions of an awful few ruining the community for the rest. Square Enix's new policy states:

"Should Square Enix determine that an individual has engaged in an action against one of our employees or partners that exceeds socially acceptable behaviour or is harmful, we reserve our right to cease providing support services or to refrain from providing our group's products and services. Where such action is egregious or with malicious intent, Square Enix reserves its right to protect its employees and partners and to take legal action or criminal proceedings upon consulting the police and/or lawyers"

Square Enix has provided examples of harassment of its employees and partners, which include but are not limited to the following:

  • Acts of violence, violent behaviour
  • Abusive language, intimidation, coercion, duress, excessive pursuit or reprimand
  • Defamation/slander, denial of personality, personal attack (including email, contact in contact form, comment or post on the internet), advance notice of wrongdoing, advance notice of obstruction of business
  • Persistent inquiries, repeated visits
  • Trespassing by visiting or staying in an office or related facility without permission
  • Unlawful restraint, including via telephone calls and online inquiries
  • Discriminatory speech and conduct regarding race, ethnicity, religion, family origin, occupation, etc.
    Infringement of privacy by taking pictures or making video recordings without consent
  • Sexual harassment, stalking, repeated stalking behaviour
  • Unreasonable changes or exchange of product or request for monetary compensation
  • Unreasonable response or request for an apology (including face-to-face response or request for an apology specifying the position of our employee or partners)
    Excessive requests for the provision of products and services exceeding socially accepted norms
  • Unreasonable and excessive demands for punishment of our employees

Briana White, who voices Aerith in Final Fantasy VII Remake, Rebirth, among other series stalwarts, has been forced to speak up after particularly toxic fans repeatedly crossed the line. White takes aim at "shippers" especially, which just goes to show how silly some in the community can be.

Have you encountered heightened levels of toxicity from Final Fantasy fans in recent times? Do you think Square Enix's policy will be effective in preventing harassment of its employees and partners? Let us know in our own toxicity-free comments section below.

[source hd.square-enix.com, via videogameschronicle.com]