FINAL FANTASY XIV Online and Sydney Gaymers announced via press release that they have formed a collaboration that will make the critically-acclaimed MMO the first video game to march as a float in Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
Members of Australia’s 2,600-strong Sydney Gaymers community will join forces with regional players of the popular MMO to create a unique and exciting float created under the title of “Realms United”.
“Sydney Gaymers is thrilled to be collaborating with FINAL FANTASY XIV Online for its 2019 float entry, titled ‘Realms United’. It means so much to receive direct support, validation and acknowledgement from such a force in the industry. Not only that, to be supported by a game where so much of our community values are represented. The Final Fantasy XIV Online community does not discriminate and respects everyone’s freedom and their individual values equally. For many LGBTQ+ people, online communities provide a space for the journey and exploration of personal identities. They allow us to connect and celebrate, and they reinforce that we are not alone. Sydney Gaymers could not have a better sponsor to help create the most ambitious float it has ever undertaken.” – Organizer for Sydney Gaymers, Peak Distapan
“This collaboration could never have been realized without the efforts of our community. When FFXIV took part in PAX Australia, it was FFXIV players in Australia who offered us the greatest welcome and utmost support. This led on to our community and Sydney Gaymers working together to make the collaboration a reality. To see it makes me very happy indeed, both as the person in charge of FFXIV and also as just another player of the game. FFXIV is another world that continues to be free. I would like to continue developing this world, hand in hand with communities across the globe.” – FINAL FANTASY XIV Online Producer and Director, Naoki Yoshida
Now In the 41st year, the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras is an annual two-week long festival that celebrates the power and diversity of the LGBTQ+ community, culminating in a parade through central Sydney, Australia. The bustling extravaganza brings Sydney to a standstill and shines a global spotlight on LGBTQ+ lives, culture, communities and creativity. Sydney Gaymers will be entering its fifth year participating in the Sydney gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade in 2019.
More information about FINAL FANTASY XIV Online’s collaboration with Sydney Gaymers and their float will be revealed soon.
For more information on the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, please visit: http://ww.mardigars.org.au/
ABOUT Sydney Gaymers
Sydney Gaymers has been around since 2012 when a couple of people on a small online community decided to have a meetup in Sydney. Since then, Sydney Gaymers has grown into a vibrant community
of over 2,600 members. The goal of the group has always been to create a safe space, both online and offline for LGBTQ+ people to embrace their love of gaming and all things geeky. The primary focus of the group’s organizers is running and facilitating community events and regular meetups. Several of these events are run each month, ranging from trivia and board game events, to gaming-themed bar meetups and geeky dance parties. The group also comes together on the Facebook community discussion page and the official Australian Gaymers Discord Server, creating an online space for its members to share and discuss.
