Final Fantasy 14 Director Yoshi-P Threatens Legal Action Against 'Stalking' Mod

In early 2025, a Final Fantasy XIV mod ignited concerns about player stalking due to reports of its ability to harvest sensitive player data. This included character details, retainer information, linked alternate characters, and more.

The mod, "Playerscope," tracked players' data within its proximity, transmitting it to a central database controlled by the mod's creator. This exposed information typically inaccessible through in-game features, such as "Content ID" and "Account ID," enabling cross-character tracking. This exploited the Content ID system introduced in the Dawntrail expansion, originally designed for account-wide blacklisting.

Opting out required joining the Playerscope Discord server, implying widespread data scraping of those outside this community. The significant privacy implications sparked community outrage, with many labeling the mod's purpose as stalking.

Initially hosted on Github, the mod's popularity surged after its discovery. Subsequently removed from Github due to Terms of Service violations, it allegedly reappeared on Gittea and Gitflic, though IGN confirmed its absence from both. However, the possibility of its continued circulation within private communities remains.

He urged players to avoid using third-party tools, citing violations of the Final Fantasy XIV User Agreement and potential safety risks. He also requested players not share information about these tools or aid their distribution.

While third-party tools like Advanced Combat Tracker are commonly used, particularly within the raiding community (and cross-referenced on sites like FFlogs), Yoshida's legal threat represents a significant escalation.

Community Reaction

The community's response to Yoshida's statement was largely critical. Many criticized the lack of consideration for addressing the root cause by modifying the game to prevent the data exposure, suggesting that fixing the underlying issue should be prioritized over legal action. The Playerscope author has yet to comment.