Naoki Yoshida, the Final Fantasy 14 boss, may not have found his path to Square Enix development had it not been for an irritable childhood friend who inadvertently taught him Player vs Player (PvP) by deceiving him into being subpar at 1983's Mario Bros.

Naoki Yoshida, the Final Fantasy 14 boss, may not have found his path to Square Enix development had it not been for an irritable childhood friend who inadvertently taught him Player vs Player (PvP) by deceiving him into being subpar at 1983's Mario Bros.

In a recent Storytime panel at PAX West, Naoki Yoshida, the director of Final Fantasy 14, shared a captivating anecdote from his early days in the world of video games. This tale, set in the 1980s, recounts a formative experience that left a lasting impression on Yoshida and ultimately shaped his career.

It all began at his friend's house, where Yoshida was introduced to a Famicom console and the original 1983 Mario Bros. game. Initially, Yoshida was sceptical about this "new way of playing games," but he was surprised to see Mario and Luigi on a TV monitor. However, his friend's introduction to co-op play would soon lead to an unforgettable experience.

During their co-op sessions, Yoshida would flip the characters, and his friend would kick them off the screen. After they switched roles, Yoshida's friend would betray him by reversing the roles again, causing enemies to be revived. This betrayal, particularly during Player versus Player (PvP) gameplay in Mario Bros., left a bitter taste.

Yet, despite this betrayal, Yoshida developed a desire to create video games. The simple yet flexible gameplay of Mario Bros. made an important impression on him. The original Mario Bros. game was revolutionary to Yoshida, as it was the first time he had a video game in his living room.

As Yoshida's career at Square Enix blossomed, it's hard to imagine that it might not have happened if it weren't for his initial struggles with video games. It was these struggles that sparked his interest in game creation, even though his friend's actions were less than friendly.

Fast forward to the present day, and Square Enix is heavily discussing the possibility of adding special techniques for decorating in Final Fantasy 14's housing system, similar to World of Warcraft. This development, if realised, would allow players to express their creativity and personalise their virtual homes, much like the simple yet flexible gameplay of the original Mario Bros. did for Yoshida all those years ago.

In conclusion, Yoshida's first experience with video games, marked by betrayal and inspiration, has played a significant role in shaping his career and the games he helps to create. His story serves as a reminder that even the most challenging experiences can lead to growth and innovation in the gaming industry.