The MMORPG video game Final Fantasy XIV allows you to get married in-game through the so-called "Ceremony of the Eternal Bond", a kind of marriage, in which two characters promise eternal devotion, until an internet connection separates them. But sometimes it happens that in-game love turns into true love leading to an actual wedding, as well as Andrea and her fiancé, who will join in the sacred bond next year. For them, it all started with a simple exchange of information and teachings, and then they constantly stay together to play. Their first meeting took place during E3 2017, and to celebrate the event, also encouraged by friends, the two decided to perform the ritual in Final Fantasy 14, before meeting in Los Angeles. From here began the turning point, as Andrea said he felt as if the two were together actually attending, despite the distance.
It's weird to feel close to someone without actually meeting them, but when you keep talking to the same person on Discord for hours every single day for six months, it's hard to call it a "chance encounter".
During the Eternal Bond Ceremony, the girl felt quite excited, because according to her it was a way to tell everyone that she was happy and proud of the relationship with the boy. And after meeting him at E3 2017, she felt certain of what she was feeling, and decided to change her life by going to live with him. Now they have organized their wedding "in real life" for 2021. Andrea, however, she is not the only one who has found love of his life in game: also the Reddit user Legenddairybard found her husband via Square Enix's MMORPG.
Again, everything started from the simple sharing experience Final Fantasy XIV, until Legenddairybard decided to book a flight to go to her "husband", spending Christmas and Valentine's Day together, at which time they decided to really get married.
At first they assumed a wedding dedicated to the series, but in the end they decided to get married in private, with only the reverend as a witness, keeping it secret from everyone, even parents. As an apology, the couple explained that they were going to a music festival. On their return they showed photos of the "festival", with the two of them holding a sign with the words "Just married" and a paopu - from Kingdom Hearts - behind them. The parents' reaction was one of happiness, even though they wanted to actively participate in it. These are just two of the many cases that happen, especially in Japan.
As for the in-game Ceremony, Yoshida he wanted to make a statement, saying:
I am so excited to see it used this way, and I can only wish these two players have a happy future! Is fantastic! [...]
The ceremony departs very far from the values of our society, religion and education, and was created with the idea of making anyone who chooses to be free. That it has been accepted by so many different people makes me happy as a game designer and I can say that I am proud of it.
As Andrea also wanted to specify, however, it is always better to be on guard about this topic. But it remains a unique experience of its kind, which we can live thanks to today's technology.
