FINAL FANTASY XIV ONLINE BECOMES FIRST VIDEO GAME TO COLLABORATE ON A FLOAT IN SYDNEY GAY & LESBIAN MARDI GRAS PARADE

FINAL FANTASY XIV ONLINE BECOMES FIRST VIDEO GAME TO COLLABORATE ON A FLOAT IN SYDNEY GAY & LESBIAN MARDI GRAS PARADE

FINAL FANTASY XIV ONLINE BECOMES FIRST VIDEO GAME TO COLLABORATE ON A FLOAT IN SYDNEY GAY & LESBIAN MARDI GRAS PARADE

Team-Up with Sydney Gaymers Culminates on 2nd March, Parade Night 

Sydney, 15th February 2019 – FINAL FANTASY® XIV Online and Sydney Gaymers are proud to announce a collaboration that will make the critically-acclaimed MMO the first video game to march as part of a float in Sydney's Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras.

The collaboration, which will see members of Australia's 2,600-strong Sydney Gaymer community join forces with players of the title in the region, will see 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 and values are represented. The FINAL FANTASY XIV Online community does not discriminate and respects everyone's freedom and their individual values equally. For many LGBTQI+ 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."

- Organiser for Sydney Gaymers, Peak Distapan

"This collaboration could never have been realised without the efforts of our community. When FFXIV took part in PAX Australia, it was the 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 grow and expand online. In that world people become adventurers, known as the Warriors of Light, and can continue 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 its 41st year, the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras is an annual two-week long festival to celebrate the power and diversity of the LGBTQI+ community, culminating in a parade through central Sydney, Australia. The bustling extravaganza brings Sydney to a standstill and shines a global spotlight on LGBTQI+ 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.