It’s impossible to throw a rock and not hit a part of the gaming industry currently affected to some degree by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. From E3’s cancellation to some areas having to breakFinal Fantasy 7’s street date before it released, it is a real situation affecting real companies and people. Unfortunately, that’s something many often ignore, but that’s not the case forFinal Fantasy 14players.
Recently, a player lost their battle against COVID-19, succumbing to the illness. InFinal Fantasy 14, this player was known as Ferne Le’roy on Zalera servers and Poppy Rose on Coeurl servers. Friends, in response, organized a funeral and memorial march for the player in the game. This Guardian Tree funeral march involved the oldest arbor in the Black Shroud, involving the titular tree that bore fruit resembling a plum and highly sought for its ability to cure.
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Organized by friends, this funeral march would grow and be joined by hundreds ofFinal Fantasy 14players, a bittersweet sendoff befitting both the player in-game and real word. If nothing else, this funeral march speaks to the strength of its community in such a trying time. This is something perpetuated by the developer as well, asFF14evictionshave also been suspended in game, prior to this.
Sadly, Ferne Le’Roy/Poppy Rose in just one of many people around the world to lose their life to the coronavirus, and that includes others in the gaming community as well.Star Fox 64andTeam Fortressvoice actor Rick Mayrecently passed away as well, joining the thousands of death worldwide as a result of the pandemic. There will likely be even more before it gets better, but coming together in times such as these is something games can do. It is the unique bonding power that video games carry.
Even now, developers, gamers, and all those involved in the industry are doing just that: coming together. Several publishers and developers are enacting intiatives to help gamers stay home during such a time, such asSony’s “Play at Home” Initiativethat is giving away two major PS4 games right now. Hopefully, this can all do its part in flattening the curve and ending this pandemic. Until then, our condolences to the friends and family of Ferne Le’Roy/Puppy Rose.
