The hairstyle at the center of the Final Fantasy XIV dispute is Natural curls, a 2023 Hairstyle Design Contest-winning concept by Madqueenmomo. A November 11, 2024 GameByte report said Square Enix apologized after players criticized the in-game version and cited technical limitations. The official contest announcement and Patch 7.1 notes confirm the contest context and the addition of a contest-inspired hairstyle, but they do not verify the apology’s exact wording or identify the released style by name.
Which FFXIV hairstyle prompted the controversy?
The disputed design was Natural curls, by Madqueenmomo, one of the winners of Square Enix’s 2023 Hairstyle Design Contest. The contest celebrated the tenth anniversary of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. Square Enix said it expanded the number of winning entries from 30 to 40 that year. Square Enix’s winners announcement lists Madqueenmomo’s entry.
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What changed when the hairstyle reached the game?
Patch 7.1, released in November 2024, added a hairstyle described in the official patch notes as “A new hairstyle inspired by a FFXIV Hairstyle Design Contest entry.” The notes do not name Natural curls, so the official text alone does not establish which contest entry was implemented.
GameByte’s November 11, 2024 video report identified the released style as the controversial contest design and described player criticism of how it looked in-game. Some players objected that the result did not resemble the winning concept closely enough. That reaction is a report of criticism, not evidence that all players agreed or a definitive visual assessment.
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- This product is a digital 60-Day Game Time Card for FINAL FANTASY XIV Online. It serves as a payment option that allows players to add 60 days of game time to their FFXIV account at the Standard subscription rate, subject to account limits. Both the game and game time are required to play.
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Did Square Enix apologize, and what did it say?
GameByte reported that Square Enix apologized and explained that technical limitations affected the implementation. The official contest announcement and Patch 7.1 notes cited here do not contain the apology, name a speaker, or provide its precise date or full technical explanation. The apology and rationale should therefore be attributed to GameByte’s secondary report rather than presented as verified official wording. GameByte’s November 11, 2024 report
What did the contest rules say about adapting entries?
Square Enix’s 2023 announcement made clear that winning did not guarantee a hairstyle would appear in the game. It also stated: “If an entry is to be implemented, the Development team may make adjustments to the design or features of the hairstyle.” That policy establishes that adjustments were permitted, but it does not explain which specific changes were made to Natural curls or why.
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- All the hallmarks of the FINAL FANTASY franchise, including an engaging storyline, genre-leading graphics, and HD real time cut scenes.
- Robust gameplay features such as player-managed Free Companies, diverse party finder features to group up with other players with ease, and a variety of fun activities in the Gold Saucer area, all designed to accommodate a dynamic player community.
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The distinction matters: permission to adapt a contest design is not itself an explanation for the contested result. Nor does the official wording characterize the implementation as a failure; “botched” is a headline judgment about the player-facing outcome, not Square Enix’s stated finding.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
Which hairstyle was involved in the FFXIV controversy?
Natural curls, a 2023 Hairstyle Design Contest entry by Madqueenmomo.
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Did Square Enix officially name Natural curls in the Patch 7.1 notes?
No. The notes describe a hairstyle inspired by a contest entry but do not identify it by name.
Is Square Enix’s apology wording confirmed by an official source?
Not in the official materials cited here. GameByte reported the apology and technical-limitations explanation, but the exact official statement was not verified.
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