The FFXIV Omega Protocol (Ultimate) raid has been causing a stir for more than its sheer difficulty.
Was the World-First FFXIV Omega Protocol Raid Legitimate?
Written by Ollie Bradley at 02/01/2023, 07:28 AM
Warning: Minor FFXIV Omega Protocol spoilers ahead.
The latest FFXIV Ultimate raid has been causing pandemonium (not that kind). The ultimate FFXIV Omega Protocol raid took Eorzea's most proficient raiders a full week to finally overcome. Though the victory, which went to the illustrious Neverland, was nearly pilfered by an unknown troupe that have now landed themselves in hot water for some shady practices.
Ultimate raids are a legendary test of toughest mettle in Final Fantasy XIV. And with last week's Patch 6.31 came the fifth ultimate duty in the title's history, the FFXIV Omega Protocol (Ultimate) raid.
The raid followed Dragonsong's Reprise (Ultimate), which was released way back in April 2022 and until now was widely considered to be the title's most difficult. However, the six-and-a-half days it took an unknown band of raiders known as UNNAMED_ was enough to prove that Omega Protocol might have been just a little bit harder. Then came the revelation that UNNAMED_ did so with the prohibited help of plug-ins.
Soon after seizing the world-first crown, a leaked video of UNNAMED_'s run showed a plugin which allows players to zoom out of the battlefield further than is typically allowed. In a situation that requires watching and preempting certain battlefield mechanics, this is an invaluable tool.
World-first spectators were quick, therefore, to declare UNNAMED_'s achievement as illegitimate, arguing that the plug-in gave an unfair advantage.
However, it also directly contravenes the FFXIV terms of service, which state that the use of third-party tools is strictly prohibited. Something that FFXIV don Naoki Yoshida already felt the need to speak-out about just last year. And something that he has apparently felt the need to repeat, assuring players that an investigation is now underway, with consequences en route for any unsavory discoveries.
Regardless of UNNAMED_'s ultimate fate, the world-first win has now been attributed instead to the victors of the Dragonsong's Reprise (Ultimate) raid, Neverland. A victory that has led some to now crown them the best raiders in FFXIV history.