Final Fantasy 14’s Blacklist Feature Set for a Long-Awaited Overhaul
- Written by Shipra Sanganeria Cybersecurity & Tech Writer
- Fact-Checked by
Final Fantasy 14 (FFXIV) is set for a big overhaul, with the addition of new features and functionalities in the Dawntrail expansion. In a 14-hour live stream , director and producer Naoki Yoshida discussed not only the graphical updates but also the overdue upgrade to FFXIV’s blacklist feature.
The blocklist/blacklist feature of Final Fantasy has always been considered one of its weakest points. Although it helps restrict messages and hide certain activities from blocklist-added players, it does little against actual stalkers and harassers who may exploit the game for such purposes.
However, with the new updates, Final Fantasy makers hope to address fans’ complaints against the limited functionality of the blacklist feature. The new features will include:
- Mute List — players can blacklist separately a maximum of 200 characters in this list. The blocked character models will be visible, but their messages will be hidden.
- Term Filter — this function will filter out messages containing words and terms censored by a player.
- Estate Expulsion Feature — players can remove unwanted players from their properties for up to 10 days. Players having a personal or free company estate can assign up to four other members or housemates to expel any unwanted guests.
- Improved Lodestone Privacy Settings — this will give players greater control over their privacy settings. Players can hide and limit the visibility of their Lodestone characters.
The announcements were met with positive approval by fans , but one significant issue remained unattended. The recent blacklist announcement did not clarify whether blocking a player would result in the removal of one’s name from the friend list of that player.
Moreover, players would continue to be partied together with blacklisted players in Duties, and their character model would be visible with the names displayed as “Unknown”. The only respite here is that players can choose whether to see what’s been said by the blacklisted players.
Nevertheless, with the addition of new functionalities, Yoshida hopes the feature will become more robust, safeguarding the interests of all players in the game.
“We have so many players now that use this game as sort of a second world,” Yoshida said, according to a translated statement in the Final Fantasy XIV Discord server. “I think it is time we implement features to protect everyone’s experience.”
While the changes are a welcome addition to the blacklist feature, it remains to be seen how FFXIV’s players will take advantage of this upgrade. Dawntrail expansion is set to be released on July 2, 2024 , with early access expected June 28.
Tesla Cuts Over 10% of Global Workforce Amid Dropping Sales
- Written by Deep Shikha Content Writer
- Fact-Checked by
Tesla is laying off over 10% of its staff, affecting at least 14,000 employees, in response to dipping sales and growing competition in the electric vehicle sector. The layoffs were revealed in an internal email ( first reported by Electrek on April 14), later confirmed by CEO Elon Musk in a post on X .
In an internal email disclosed by Electrek, Tesla CEO Elon Musk emphasized that such restructuring is essential every few years to pave the way for Tesla’s future growth. He stated, “There is nothing I hate more, but it must be done.”
Musk also thanked departing employees for their contributions and highlighted the crucial role of the remaining team in Tesla’s future innovations.
According to Electrek , Tesla’s latest actions hinted at these layoffs. Recently, the company instructed managers to pinpoint essential team members and discontinued certain stock rewards. It also canceled some annual performance reviews and scaled back production at its Gigafactory in Shanghai.
The announcement also aligns with the resignations of 2 senior Tesla executives, Drew Baglino , Senior Vice President of Energy and Powertrain, and Rohan Patel , head of policy. Their departures, along with recent exits like CFO Zach Kirkhorn’s, have sparked concerns about the stability and future leadership of Tesla.
This decision comes after Tesla reported its first annual decline in vehicle deliveries since 2020, amid tough competition from Chinese EV makers and a strategic shift from mass-market vehicles to advanced projects like robotaxis. Concurrently, Tesla has also dropped plans for the affordable Model 2 car , marking a significant change in strategy.
Reuters mentioned that Musk had previously announced layoffs in 2022 due to economic worries. Tesla’s employee count still increased from roughly 100,000 at the end of 2021 to over 140,000 by the end of 2023, as per filings with U.S. regulators.
According to Electrek, Tesla’s next quarterly earnings report is scheduled for release on Tuesday, April 23. Analyst expectations suggest a profit of approximately 50 cents per share, a drop from 85 cents per share in Q1 2023.
Industry analysts suggest that Tesla’s layoffs and executive departures point to larger problems within the company. Some view these actions as essential for aligning with strategic goals, while others see them as signs of deeper growth challenges. These developments are stirring discussions among investors about Tesla’s future in a competitive and fast-changing electric vehicle market.
