In a surprising turn of events, Final Fantasy 14 players on Xbox are reporting unexpected bans after attempting to recruit members for their Free Companies, the game's version of guilds. Numerous players have found themselves locked out of in-game communication and other features after using the in-game chat to seek out new members for their Free Companies.

It seems that Xbox has deemed these recruitment messages as violating their rules, although the exact reason behind the bans remains unclear. Some speculate that Xbox may consider seeking in-game guilds as self-promotion or possibly even a form of inappropriate innuendo. Despite appealing the bans, players are finding their efforts futile, with one player being barred from communication for over 60 days.

Sharing their experience on Reddit, user TGB_B20kEn revealed that they were banned by Xbox for allegedly soliciting others through their "looking for group" post. Their appeal was promptly denied, leaving them without any guidance on how to rectify the situation. TGB_B20kEn shared the message that led to their ban, which simply sought interested players for their Free Company, emphasizing the inclusion of PC players and the requirement of Discord.

Another player, misterpinksaysthings, added to the discussion by disclosing that a friend of theirs had received a two-day ban for including their recruitment code. However, when they reached out to Xbox, they were informed that bans of such short duration would not be addressed and were advised to wait it out.

The release of Final Fantasy 14 on Xbox on March 21, 2022, marked the game's debut on Microsoft platforms. Previously available on PlayStation 3, PC, PS4, and PS5, this expansion aims to attract a broader player base. However, the launch on Xbox has come with its fair share of controversy, as players are required to acquire a new premium currency for in-game purchases. Additionally, players must subscribe to both Xbox Game Pass and the game itself to access the MMO.

With Xbox's strict stance on Free Company recruitment messages, Final Fantasy 14 players on the platform are left frustrated and unable to enjoy the full multiplayer experience that the game offers. As the bans continue to affect players, many are turning to forums and social media platforms to voice their concerns and seek a resolution from Xbox.