In early 2025, a Final Fantasy XIV mod ignited concerns about player stalking after reports surfaced detailing its ability to harvest sensitive player data. This data included character details, retainer information, linked alternate characters, and more.
The mod, "Playerscope," tracked players' data within its proximity, transmitting this information to a central database controlled by the mod's creator. This included access to "Content ID" and "Account ID," enabling cross-character tracking, exploiting the Dawntrail expansion's Content ID system designed for account-wide blacklisting.
Opting out required joining the Playerscope Discord server, implying widespread data scraping of players outside this community. The inherent privacy risk sparked significant community backlash, with many citing the mod's clear potential for stalking.
Initially hosted on Github, Playerscope's popularity exploded after its discovery. Subsequently removed from Github due to terms of service violations, it allegedly reappeared on Gittea and Gitflic, though IGN confirmed its absence from both. The possibility of its continued circulation within private communities remains.
Yoshida emphasized the prohibition of third-party tools under the game's user agreement, urging players to avoid their use and refrain from assisting in their distribution. While tools like Advanced Combat Tracker are commonly used within the raiding community alongside sites like FFlogs, Yoshida's legal threat represents a significant escalation.
Community Reaction
The FFXIV community's response to Yoshida's statement was overwhelmingly critical. Many questioned the lack of consideration for addressing the underlying vulnerabilities that allowed the mod to function, suggesting alternative solutions focused on client-side data protection. The statement was widely criticized for failing to address the root cause of the problem. The Playerscope author has yet to comment publicly.
