Japan is Giving Final Fantasy Goodies Away if You Pay Your Taxes

Video games have a unique way of teaching us some valuable real-world skills, whether we realize it or not. Managing inventory in an RPG forces us to learn how to prioritize our resources, coordinating raids in an MMO builds teamwork, horror titles teach us to manage our anxiety, and strategy games can practically be history lessons sometimes.

But while we are used to games pushing us to sharpen our minds without us even noticing it, Square Enix is simply taking that concept to a whole new level by literally rewarding you for keeping your real-life finances and civic duties in check.

That is because the Japanese company is partnering with government authorities in Japan to turn tax season into a win for MMORPG fans – especially those who love to venture in Eorzea.

Paying Taxes Never Felt so Rewarding (in Japan)

According to Famitsu, Square Enix has officially started offering highly desirable in-game rewards for Final Fantasy XIV players who participate in the hometown tax donation program for Tokyo’s famous Shibuya ward.

Their headquarters are famously located right in the heart of Shibuya, and the studio is using this initiative to give back to the local community while strengthening its bonds with the neighborhood through cultural diversity and some gamer-focused civic engagement at the same time.

The reward lineup is surprisingly generous, featuring premium items that players usually have to buy with real money via the online storefront. For starters, eligible tax donors can receive a bundle of five Phial of Fantasia potions – for the unfamiliar, Fantasia is one of the most popular items in Final Fantasy XIV, as it allows players to re-customize their character’s appearance, race, and gender from scratch.

Additionally, the program is also giving away the incredibly popular and fluffy Megashiba mount, a cute dog mount that references the Shiba Inu! This giant mount is a true fan-favorite, and its inclusion in the Shibuya tax program feels like a heartwarming nod to the iconic Hachiko statue that stands as one of the landmarks in Shibuya (right outside the Shibuya Station).

But the goodies do not stop at mounts and potions. The tax program is also offering several premium cosmetic items to help players spruce up their Glamour plates. Donors can unlock the popular Collegiate Attire sets (available in both slacks and skirt variations), which give characters a modern school uniform, and the Magitek Attire, which has a more futuristic aesthetic. You can check the full list of rewards right below:

• 5x Phials of Fantasia
• Collegiate Attire (Skirt)
• Collegiate Attire (Slacks)
• Magitek Attire
• 4x Dance Emotes
• Megashiba mount

All of these rewards are being distributed via Service Account codes, meaning they can be applied directly to a player’s preferred character. So, if you happen to live in Japan and want to support local development while grabbing some freebies, the application process is being handled through Japan's official hometown tax donation portal for Shibuya ward residents, and you can check more instructions on Final Fantasy XIV’s official website. Oh, and just make sure those taxes are sorted out, of course.

Alongside the reveal of this special program, Square Enix has expressed gratitude to the community, stating that their MMORPG has always thrived on its real-world connections, and they plan to continue leveraging Shibuya’s cultural traits for similar initiatives in the future, meaning that we can expect more from these kinds of ideas in the future!