Today Square Enix released a new emote as an “optional item” for Final Fantasy XIV, allowing your character to drink tea in the game.
If the term “optional item” sounds suspicious, that’s because it’s Square Enix’s way to define a microtransaction for real money available in the game’s official online store.
If you want the classy animation, which can be used both while standing and sitting, you’ll need to spend $7, €4.90, or £4.03 depending on where you live.
I wonder if someone at Square Enix thought that locking a tea-drinking animation behind an additional purchase (on top of the monthly fee that all players are required to pay) matches its stereotypical snob image… but who am I kidding.
Perhaps, we really shouldn’t be surprised that Final Fantasy XIV is now the most profitable Final Fantasy game in the whole history of the franchise.
You can see the emote in action in the video below and judge for yourself whether it’s worth pulling out your credit card.
Final Fantasy XIV is currently available for PlayStation 4, PS5, and PC. The Endwalker expansion has been released a few months ago and you can read our recent review.
You can also read more about the changes planned for the longer term, including a refresh of the graphics.