If You Like It, Then You Should Equip a Ring on It : A qualitative study regarding marriages within Final Fantasy XIV

Abstract: This research study looks at the online game Final Fantasy XIV and the players who have participated in the Ceremony of Eternal Bonding, to gain further understanding behind motives for partaking in an online matrimonial service with another player. This study can be relevant for researchers looking into how players interact with events meant to generate intimacy between players. A qualitative semi-structured interview approach was conducted with five couples total to gauge how the event was viewed by each of the pair and its significance to their relationship. The findings of the study could not identify a singular ritualistic effect as part of the ceremony, concluding that its effect stayed within the confines of the game world and did not transfer over to the players real life relationship. The significance of the ceremony was highly dependent on the players’ own engagement with the game and their partner, and while not as transformational as a traditional real-life wedding, it served to solidify social bonds between players and encourage further play within the game.  Further research would be required to assess the details regarding religious symbology present and how gender is performed through the ceremony.