Final Fantasy 14's Newest Troupe: Writing Their Own Plays

Final Fantasy 14 is undeniably one of the best MMOs available currently. The game has gained immense popularity in the lead up to the release of its 6.0 expansion, Endwalker, attracting players from different backgrounds such as raiders, roleplayers, and home decorators. An unexpected yet thriving group within the game is the performing artists.

Over the years, the performing arts community in Final Fantasy 14 has evolved from using pop music references for roleplaying performances to putting on full productions using external websites like Cytube. They time user-written macros of speech and action to music to deliver full concerts and elaborate skits. Some groups, such as A Stage Reborn, even perform full plays. Against this backdrop, Curtain Call enters the scene, led by ChilliFarmer (Chili) and their theatre troupe. Game Rant recently had a chat with Chili to discuss their plans.

What separates Curtain Call from other stage performance troupes in Final Fantasy 14 is that the group does not perform Shakespearean plays or any works from the real world. Instead, Chili, one of the group's members, is currently writing their first production. Each show that Curtain Call plans to present will be written by one of its members and developed through script workshops with the cast and crew. According to Chili, the game's main scenario quests have a modern theatrical feel to them, similar to television shows. This is the type of content that today's playwrights write. The group aims to follow suit by producing plays that reflect family dramas, comedies, and other modern settings set in the world of Final Fantasy 14.

While the group doesn't completely rule out staging a play in the real world, they prefer to create their own original content. Chili, one of the members, explained that the Final Fantasy franchise serves as a great source of inspiration for their productions because of its cinematic quality and modern writing style. It will be fascinating to see how Curtain Call incorporates these elements into their shows. However, creating modern plays can be challenging due to copyright issues, especially for a theater operating in a virtual space that doesn't charge real-money admission fees.

“In Final Fantasy 14, creating new content can be legally complicated as new works are typically not in the public domain. Obtaining permission to use copyrighted material can be expensive and there is no official method to request permission through Twitch streaming or their forms. However, there are other benefits to using Final Fantasy 14 as a platform. Ahro, a group lead, explains that it provides an accessible platform to put on performances and teach stagecraft to those who may not be familiar with both the game and real-world theatrical applications. Even complex set designs and visual effects can be easily accomplished within the game.”

"We strive to make it accessible and easy for everyone to get involved, regardless of the size of their setup. Whether you want to put on a small show for your Free Company or a larger production, we'll provide you with the tools and knowledge to make it happen. Our goal is to not only be a platform for learning, but also a culmination of all the skills and experience gained from participating in a big show.

While Chili remains tight-lipped about the details of the first play, he did reveal that it takes place in Ishgard and involves some visitors. He's currently finishing up the second draft of the script and plans to workshop it with the rest of the Curtain Call team soon."

Curtain Call is open to new members and offers in-game workshops, but even those who aren't subscribed to Final Fantasy 14 (which costs US$14.99 per month) can join the group's Discord community. The game is available on PC, PS4, and PS5.