Principal Investigator: Dr. Flora Green, Department of Applied Adventurer Welfare
Publication: Strategic Eorzean Resource Review · Bacon Industries™ Internal Research Archive
This study investigates the recurring phenomenon in which otherwise functional adults enter Eorzea and subsequently fail to interact with grass, sunlight, fresh air, or other components of the physical environment for periods ranging from several days to “I think it's Tuesday?”
1. Observed Progression
| Exposure | Observed statement |
|---|---|
| Hour 1–4 | “I'll just do a few quests.” |
| Hour 12 | “Wait, what time is it?” |
| Day 2 | “I should probably sleep.” |
| Day 4 | “I need this glamour.” |
| Day 7 | “Does anyone know if the weather is nice?” |
2. The Grass Deficit
Participants with prolonged exposure demonstrated increased knowledge of raid mechanics, furniture placement, market-board pricing, and extremely specific glamour terminology, while showing reduced awareness of the passing of time.
Researchers attempted to quantify the relationship between playtime and exposure to actual grass. The resulting graph was described as “concerning.”
3. The “One More Thing” Effect
Participants repeatedly intended to stop after completing one final task. The final task was followed by another task, and another, until the research team observed a recurring sequence:
Duty → reward → glamour → screenshot → housing → crafting → market board → roulette → “quick raid” → sunrise
4. Intervention
Bacon Industries recommends a minimum weekly grass-contact period of 14 minutes, three minutes of sunlight per day, and hydration whenever the participant remembers that water exists.
Participants do not consciously reject the outdoors. They simply become temporarily unaware that it exists.
5. Conclusion
The physical world remains available. Adventurers remain technically capable of entering it. The study therefore classifies the phenomenon as voluntary environmental neglect.