Moo Deng Mania: Why Hippo Calf Minions Are Selling for a Pretty Penny in Final Fantasy 14

The Rise of the Hippo Calf

If you’re a regular on PC Gamer, you’ve probably noticed that our team can’t stop talking about Moo Deng, the adorable pygmy hippo that’s taken the internet by storm. It’s no surprise, then, that Final Fantasy 14 players are just as enthralled by the game’s Hippo Calf minion.

As spotted by GamesRadar, the Hippo Calf’s popularity has led to a surge in prices. This random drop from the level 84 dungeon Vanaspati in the Endwalker expansion is now going for a pretty penny. Twitter user Cerulean shared a screenshot comparing the price of the minion on Japanese server Tonberry before and after Moo Deng’s rise to fame, and the results are astonishing.

A Price Surge Like No Other

The price of the Hippo Calf has skyrocketed from a respectable 10,000 to 30,000 gil to a staggering 100,000 gil. And if you’re willing to pay top dollar, you can even snag one for a whopping 300,000 gil. I checked the market myself and was surprised to find that prices were still through the roof, with some players shelling out over 100,000 gil for the privilege of having a Hippo Calf in their collection.

But what’s driving this demand? Is it the rise of Moo Deng, or is there something else at play? One thing’s for sure: Square Enix’s adorable short video of the Hippo Calf has certainly helped to fuel the hype.

A Call to Arms (or Should We Say, a Call to Square Enix?)

So, who’s to blame for this Great Hippo Calf Inflation of 2024? We think Square Enix should take a share of the responsibility. By capitalizing on Moo Deng’s fame with an adorable video, they inadvertently created a demand that’s driving up prices.

The solution? Give everyone a free Hippo Calf to say sorry. Or, at the very least, bump up the drop RNG so we don’t have to lose our minds running Vanaspati 100 times just to get our hands on one.

But Wait, There’s More!

So, what’s the bigger picture here? Is the Hippo Calf just a flash in the pan, or is it part of a larger trend in the world of Final Fantasy 14? We’ll be keeping an eye on things and bringing you more updates as the situation develops. In the meantime, share your thoughts on the Hippo Calf’s rising popularity in the comments below!