Please give us the option to change our race/name.

[Direwolfe]

I've been using the same elvaan race since I've started playing and would love to change to a taru. Please give us the option to change our race. I would prefer to keep all my items and gear without starting all over just to play as a different character. Thank you.

[Valaris]

race change would be nice but name change just opens up a way for people to ninja loot and harass others. all the got to do is change name and people wouldnt know who they are anymore so they can do it again.

[annewandering]

even a hair change etc would be nice. its already possible to change name. ^^

[Direwolfe]

Oh I'll have to look up how to name change then, thanks for that.

[Tsukino_Kaji]

I've been using the same elvaan race since I've started playing and would love to change to a taru. Please give us the option to change our race. I would prefer to keep all my items and gear without starting all over just to play as a different character. Thank you.The implementation would end up being something akin to world transfer in aplication and cost.

[annewandering]

ummm you can change for no cost by getting rid of character, (not the way that makes it impossible to get back) make a mule with your name then reinstate your character. You will have to pick a new name since mule would have it.
I would be nervous to try that but it is a tried and true way to do it.

[Tsukino_Kaji]

ummm you can change for no cost by getting rid of character, (not the way that makes it impossible to get back) make a mule with your name then reinstate your character. You will have to pick a new name since mule would have it.
I would be nervous to try that but it is a tried and true way to do it.Actualy I ran into this problem when I was starting. I deleted the character I didnt' want and tried to make another with the same name and it said that I could not because it already existed. There's a time frame you'd have to wait.

[Dauntless]

I support paid race changes but not name changes. Why?

Bad players get a reputation for being bad and eventually they change their ways and they lose that reputation. If they can just change their name, why would they have to worry about changing their playstyle? They can stay inefficient and crappy forever whilst forever hindering their parties/linkshells.

I also disagree with name changes because people who screw other people over (Undercutters, Price jackers, last-second lotters) also get known for their devious ways and you best believe that if they can screw someone else over for their own benefit and not have to take on the negative rep because they can just change their name, they will.

[Avina]

My understanding is that implementing a race change would be difficult, I believe SE has actually commented on this specifically. However, I think a face change option and a name change option should be doable, for a price. I honestly don't understand why SE hasn't tried to do this before since it basically comes out to be almost pure profit on their part, since I can't imagine it is too difficult to change that data in the character file.

[Tsukino_Kaji]

I honestly don't understand why SE hasn't tried to do this before...Logistics.

Oh and PS2 Limitation!

[Komori]

While I like my red; spikey-haired mithra, sometimes I envy the white varient cause it stands out more.

But then again, I'm one of the few females who actually plays, so I get bored with my character's look often.

[annewandering]

after this enforced downtime I am never going to say something should be easy again. Move servers should be easy! lol. apparently only to people who dont know whats involved.
I have a friend who made a character on her own account not her daughters account. she decided to change the hair style which she had had for four or five years. now she regrets that very much but has a number of jobs to 90 etc and doesnt want to go through all that again. For her, and people like her, who made wrong decision it would be wonderful to make the small change of hair style, color etc not complete race change.
I love that spiky white hair on mithra! if i were ever to change from taru thats the one i would chose. Actually I have a second character with it now and love it. :D

[Saerun]

SE did actually post an official statement regarding race changes.


We’d like to introduce a few ideas that we dismissed. Sadly, items that change race/gender are not possible due to equipment issues. #FFXI
6:31 PM Feb 17th via web

http://twitter.com/FFXI_EN/status/38365037122957312

However, I agree that we should at least be able to change hairstyle/color. I'm not a programmer, but it probably wouldn't be that hard to have a "Hairstylist NPC" who can change your hairstyle and color for a small fee in gil. There are many MMOs (even free ones) that allow you to do this.

[DukeDudeston]

I would like to change the hair style of my character or the facial look (I want a beard!!!)

About this PS2 Limitations though? we can't have this because the PS2 can't have it? that just sucks.. however,
what is stopping the 360 / PC community from having these options? I know the 360 Version has implemented "Achievements" when you talk to a NPC you can unlock them, does the PS2 version have the same option.. No.

Just because the PS2 can't do something, doesn't mean the rest have to loose out, if the PS2 users want to have these features, then I know steam have regular deals for FFXI the "Ultimate Edition" costs like 4.99 / 9.99. LOL

However, the race change..I don't like, You hear people saying that "Taru's make the best mages" and "Mithra's make the best thiefs" ect.. well it makes it a little more challenging, and rewarding to have like a Taru PLD or a Galka WHM I have seen both of these, and have to say hats off to them, they play well, which is my point it doesn't matter what race you are sometimes, but how you play...

If you wanna know what it is like to play as a Taru for a change, buy an additional content ID, and create a Taru.

[Anela]

I can agree with a change in hair color/style, that shouldn't be too difficult to implement, even with the HD constraints on PS2.

I do not think a request to change races of an established character is reasonable, even if it was doable. (which I doubt)

I made my initial selections when I first started, chose Galka, and ran into the challenges of a Galka mage right off. As I learned, and overcame the challenges, my character progressed. The RSE available made a big difference, as well job selections. Over time, I learned and developed this character based off the characteristics of a Galka.

I ALSO started characters of each race, so I could develop them based off the characteristics of THOSE races. On those occasions when I am "tired of playing a <race>" I change to one of these other characters. I mean, come on, we all have mules, develop some of them. It is MUCH easier to develop a 2nd, 3rd, etc., character once we know how, from doing it on our main.

It would be awesome to change my lvl 90 Galka, with all the acquired combat skills for example, to a Tarutaru. It is MUCH easier to get many of them as a Galka. But, that wouldn't be fair to those that put the time and effort into developing a lvl 90 Taru PLD. ( I have seen some awesome ones) The reverse could be said for someone who has developed a Taru mage, and wants to change to a Galka. (heh, that would be an easy way to get a Galka maxed on magic skills)

While it might be possible to do a race change, and I truely would love to be able to do it, I deffinitely don't think it is a fair thing to do.

As far as a name change? I think enough obvious reasons NOT to do it have already been posted.

[Krosis]

Some of us have played the same character for years and years. It would be incredible if we could have the option of changing our race, especially considering that some of us made our choice a long time ago when we were much younger and, needless to say, didn't really understand the game. An intelligent way to work it into a series of quests (similar to the fellowship ones) or the missions of an upcoming expansion would be ideal. That way it would be a one time option that would require aforementioned thought. It would also help increase the level of customization in FFXI, something I would like to see.

Associating the change with a price would make the option easy and anyway, I think we pay for enough to play FFXI as it is.

And my last point is a little more broad, being that it's related to the PS2 limitations. SE has said that online experiences may vary. That should apply to system usage as well. If this race change idea is disregarded simply because of the PS2 limitations, then make it available for those who play on Xbox 360/PC and not those who play on PS2. If you have money to pay for a game that has a monthly fee, you most likely are not rummaging through trash cans on the street for food. While it would be ideal for SE to release FFXI on PS3, thats most likely not going to happen. So 'upgrade' to an Xbox 360/PC or miss out on some ingame content. That should be SE's policy. Relating this to the race change idea so that I can substantiate the placement of this post, let me repeat what I said above: If this race change idea is disregarded simply because of the PS2 limitations, then make it available for those who play on Xbox 360/PC and not those who play on PS2.

Hopefully SE will listen. This is a change that only those interested in it would participate. While there may be some harm to the SE community or game mechanics that I'm overseeing, nothing comes to mind. The idea that certain 'notorious' players can mask their identity won't be affected by this option very much. The one time nature of this proposition ensures that. And lets not overlook the fact that such players have an easy out every 90 days. Either that, or they can just spend 2 weeks in Abyssea and "restart." This opportunity would really help those of us that have played our character for a long time and have forged sentimental attachments.

[Teraniku]

Forget the PS2 limitations argument and I'll still say no to this. You want a new character? Roll an alt. I can maybe understand it if you stay the same species / gender, but a Race change will effect your HP/MP and your base stats as your new race. I can see some metagamers jumping all over this by spending big bucks just to change race with every job they play.

[Dmer]

Forget the PS2 limitations argument and I'll still say no to this. You want a new character? Roll an alt. I can maybe understand it if you stay the same species / gender, but a Race change will effect your HP/MP and your base stats as your new race. I can see some metagamers jumping all over this by spending big bucks just to change race with every job they play.

. . . and elitists snubbing those who are unwilling to do so.

[annewandering]

You know it might be nice to be able to change genders. Of course mithra and galka cant at this point since they have only one gender but the rest could without changing anything in the game except for two things. Looks and Marriage. How many people can not get married in game because they chose the wrong gender for their character?
I am not talking about the gay marriage issue. Just the issue of not being able to marry your gf/bf or whatever because your characters dont match up.

[Komori]

SE actually said that if it wasn't such a controversial issue, they would allow gay marriage.

[Korriri]

I'd love to be able to change from Tarutaru. While I've enjoyed the unique perspective being so short to the ground has offered these past 10 years, I've become increasingly aware of just how disadvantaged tarutaru are when it comes to gear, especially feet.

To concerns about the potential of "griefing" through name change: You can already do this via server transfer. Just create a mule on target server with your name, transfer over, and you have a brand new identity.

This usually doesn't last of course, because eventually people can't help but tell someone what they've done and who they used to be. Regardless, I doubt it happens anywhere near often enough to deny the option to the majority of people who would use it responsibly.

As to concerns of "metagamers" and "elitists": Put the same restrictions on a race change as other optional services like server transfer, and if someone wants to pay $25 bucks every three months to gain a couple of stat points then more power to them.

And if you're concerned that you'd be pressured to undergo such a change because some guy on the internet told you to, then that sounds more like a personal self-esteem issue to me. Who cares if someone snubs you, chances are you don't want to hang out with that kind of person anyway.

[DrDelicious]

I'd love to be able to change from Tarutaru. While I've enjoyed the unique perspective being so short to the ground has offered these past 10 years, I've become increasingly aware of just how disadvantaged tarutaru are when it comes to gear, especially feet.

To concerns about the potential of "griefing" through name change: You can already do this via server transfer. Just create a mule on target server with your name, transfer over, and you have a brand new identity.

This usually doesn't last of course, because eventually people can't help but tell someone what they've done and who they used to be. Regardless, I doubt it happens anywhere near often enough to deny the option to the majority of people who would use it responsibly.

As to concerns of "metagamers" and "elitists": Put the same restrictions on a race change as other optional services like server transfer, and if someone wants to pay $25 bucks every three months to gain a couple of stat points then more power to them.

And if you're concerned that you'd be pressured to undergo such a change because some guy on the internet told you to, then that sounds more like a personal self-esteem issue to me. Who cares if someone snubs you, chances are you don't want to hang out with that kind of person anyway.

yeah, i just want my old name back. i jumped to a different server to hang out w/ some old friends after my LS went south on my server, and when i got there i had to change my name. superboo. and every month i try to get my old name back, but someone has it as their mule name it seems. if i knew who it was, id just ask them.

[Runespider]

My understanding is that implementing a race change would be difficult, I believe SE has actually commented on this specifically. However, I think a face change option and a name change option should be doable, for a price. I honestly don't understand why SE hasn't tried to do this before since it basically comes out to be almost pure profit on their part, since I can't imagine it is too difficult to change that data in the character file.

They would never do these I think for the most simple reason, they don't make sense within the world of FFXI. How would it make sense that someones appearance would change, how could you explain it being possible within the very strict world of FFXI. Very few head changes only change the hair and they would never make new models just for hairstyles, too much work.

[Lloydofpudding]

I wouldn't mind being able to change my default hair to a different default hair without having to remake a character. When I first got the game way back when I quickly made my character based on how the front appearance is not knowing that it would look horrible from the back view, which quite frankly is mostly viewed by me. Honestly though it wouldn't really matter to be able to do something different with hair but it's not going to kill me if it doesn't change, that's what hats are for. xD Also being able to change race might be cool but like already noted above it wouldn't really be a fair and balanced thing to do. Paying to have a name change might be nice, but if you can do it yourself for free why would anyone bother trying to pay for it?

[Korriri]

They would never do these I think for the most simple reason, they don't make sense within the world of FFXI. How would it make sense that someones appearance would change, how could you explain it being possible within the very strict world of FFXI. Very few head changes only change the hair and they would never make new models just for hairstyles, too much work.

Realism, even within the context of the game's own universe, has never been a valid excuse for me.

How do you explain the upcoming world merger within the lore of FFXI? How do you explain being able to repeat missions you've already completed within the lore of FFXI? How do you explain being able to prevent the same exact apocalypse 15 times a day within the lore of FFXI?

It hasn't stopped them from adding stuff before, it and shouldn't stop them now. Even if they suddenly decided to insist on having every addition make sense within the lore, said lore isn't static. They can always change/add the lore to fit.

[annewandering]

SE actually said that if it wasn't such a controversial issue, they would allow gay marriage.

Yes I saw that about gay marriage but really was just taking about male female marriages. If my husband had chosen a female character to play I would feel funny about marrying him ingame lol. It just would be nicer to change gender. :D

Actually I was just thinking it would be kinda fun for his mithra and my mithra to marry. (both second characters and same look) Still it wouldnt be a gay issue since we are male and female in real life.