A Final Fantasy Float Is Coming To The Sydney Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade

Marking a first for the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, a video game-themed float will make its way down Oxford Street as part of the annual celebration.

Square Enix announced today that it has collaborated with the Sydney Gaymers group to bring a Final Fantasy XIV Online float to the parade this year. The float is described as "unique and exciting," and it's themed around the title "Realms United."

"It means so much to receive direct support, validation, and acknowledgement from such a force in the industry," Sydney Gaymers organizer Peak Distapan said in a statement. "Not only that, to be supported by a game where so much of our community and values are represented.

"The Final Fantasy XIV Online community does not discriminate and respects everyone's freedom and their individual values equally. For many LGBTQI+ people, online communities provide a space for the journey and exploration of personal identities They allow us to connect, and celebrate, and they reinforce that we are not alone."

Final Fantasy XIV Online producer and director Naoki Yoshida said the float at the Mardi Gras parade builds on the relationship Square Enix fostered with Sydney Gaymers at PAX Australia.

"To see it makes me very happy indeed, both as the person in charge of FFXIV and also as just another player of the game," Yoshida said. "FFXIV is another world that continues to grow and expand online. In that world people become adventurers, known as the Warriors of Light, and can continue to be free."

The Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras parade takes place on Saturday, March 2. The parade is truly massive, taking over a significant part of the city and drawing crowds of thousands. Last year, Cher appeared in the parade and put on a show after.

No images of the Final Fantasy XIV Online float for the Mardi Gras parade have been released, but keep checking back with GameSpot for more.

In other news, the game's next big expansion, Shadowbringers, launches in July.