Letter from the Producer LXII

To be honest reading the letter made my lingering frustration with the whole matter flare up again... I don't want to sound entitled, and I feel really awful knowing the amount of workload the devs have been put through in the time leading up to ShB (especially since some of them went out of their way to model headgear for Hrothgar and Viera), but I guess I was hoping for a solid "we will implement male Viera/female Hrothgar eventually". I suppose it was better from a business standpoint to neither confirm nor deny anything but it still kinda hurts.
So I guess I'm just going to make a Viera and try to pass them off as male. The Hrothgar appear to be coming along really nicely judging by that picture (weren't they given claws though? I didn't see any there...?) But either way, keep up the good work devs.

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Originally Posted by Physic

new races does equal less armorsets, unless the races have the same model, posture, rigging. Or equals more cost per armor set. Even slightly altered models end up having bugs/clipping and need QA, some of which only show up with certain gear combinations.

charachter artists/animators are usually different than environmental artists, so basically you are choosing between charachter related stuff when you add races. this means, enemies, animations, armor, hairstyles etc.

anyhow, one zone may cost way less in manhourexpertise. its possible its like 1 hat vs 1 zone. and you might have to fire an environmental artist and hire a charachter artist to get it out in the same time frame.


to top that off, many people would disagree that a race was worth a large amount of content lost. How many man hours is a race vs a job i wonder...

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Considering how all races share animations in this game aside from like, emotes, I'd say jobs take more. Especially if you factor in actually balancing them. That job is neverending.

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Originally Posted by PharisHanasaki

A huge thank you to the dev team!
It makes me happy to see people so devoted to their game to secretly spend their free time on it.
I would've done the same, I'm just that kind of person, so it really brought a smile to my face.

Usually, very few people outside a dev team would thank anyone for working extra hard to make the impossible possible. As a developer, I know people who know absolutely nothing about code, or how dev works, think stuff can be done by just 'investing more money' or 'hiring better coders'. It couldn't be further from truth.

But they still go on about how more can be made when they absolutely got no clue how much time it takes to review thousands and thousands of items. Or even code new jobs, emotes, etc. While we still get regular free patches.

I know. I am grateful :)
Really, thank you team for your hard work!

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it aint free, there is a monthly fee. I generally agree with you other wise. That said i am not that comfortable with people doing unpaid work or overworking for corporations profits even if its for my benefit. I hope that they can pay people for their time, and encourage a decent work life balance for dedicated employees in the future.

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Originally Posted by FoxyAreku

Considering how all races share animations in this game aside from like, emotes, I'd say jobs take more. Especially if you factor in actually balancing them. That job is neverending.

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true, but job balance cost is effected by genius/design, ie they may find/have some devs who can do it more effeciently, where something like art correction/qa is mostly a flat time sink.

sharing animations, still is costly because different models are visually effected differently i remember in another game, a human charachter created a hole between it belly/waist, but only during certain animations with certain gear. Other races didnt have the same problem. QA costs time even when you dont find anything as well.


that said, id guess jobs are still pretty costly, as you said the future costs are great, you have to keep adding skills and balancing every level cap.

That Hrothgar and Viera indeed looks like the strongest, and very dapper both of them! On a sidenote, the Hrothgar reminded me a lot of Klaus V. Reinherz from Kekkai Sensen.

http://img1.ak.crunchyroll.com/i/spi...31389_full.jpg

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Originally Posted by Physic

it aint free, there is a monthly fee. I generally agree with you other wise.

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Ah, yes. I debated on wether or not I should say 'free'. There's always someone who gets jumpy about this. Remember there are other resourcea to pay for. Like infraestructre, and what not. There's also the fact that this is a business, so money has to be made.

And regarding that, it would be nice to get compensated, but not required. Because your boss didn't ask you to do it. If I had done it, I wouldn't have expected anything in return, because as I said, I' m just that kind of person. I'm sure they didn't do it for money either. They just wanted to please the community.

Work/life balance is currently hard to achieve in Japan. Let's hope that in the future that changes.

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Originally Posted by PharisHanasaki

Ah, yes. I debated on wether or not I should say 'free'. There's always someone who gets jumpy about this.

And regarding that, it would be nice to get compensated, but not required. Because your boss didn't ask you to do it. If I had done it, I wouldn't have expected anything in return, because as I said, I' m just that kind of person. I'm sure they didn't do it for money either. They just wanted to please the community.

Work/life balance is currently hard to achieve in Japan. Let's hope that in the future that changes.

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its a little more complicated though, because you may do it out of goodwill, but then other employees feel its the new bar. Also, its great you want to benefit the community, but the company also benefits/profits.

its definitely a very prickly issue, and it probably needs a case by case judgement call. As well, maybe there are bonuses, time off etc i have no knowledge of. Still, while appreciated, i hope the devs set up the workflow/goals so its unecessary in the future.

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Originally Posted by Destati

To be honest reading the letter made my lingering frustration with the whole matter flare up again... I don't want to sound entitled, and I feel really awful knowing the amount of workload the devs have been put through in the time leading up to ShB (especially since some of them went out of their way to model headgear for Hrothgar and Viera), but I guess I was hoping for a solid "we will implement male Viera/female Hrothgar eventually". I suppose it was better from a business standpoint to neither confirm nor deny anything but it still kinda hurts.
So I guess I'm just going to make a Viera and try to pass them off as male. The Hrothgar appear to be coming along really nicely judging by that picture (weren't they given claws though? I didn't see any there...?) But either way, keep up the good work devs.

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That's actually a good idea, I think i'll do that as well.

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Originally Posted by Physic

Still, while appreciated, i hope the devs set up the workflow/goals so its unecessary in the future.

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I agree with your first paragraph. As for the second, it's not an issue with goals exactly, or is it?

Yoshi P said it wouldn't be done, at least for now, because he knew it was irrational to ask for that. The team decided to work on that by themselves. How can SQEX be blamed, when it was already deemed impossible. Not really trying to rebute your arguments, but I feel you keep trying to somehow put the blame on the corporation. I doubt any dev not putting their heart onto their project would ever do this.

That Hopeful Viera guy is probably shaking right now~

Anyhow Viera and Hrothgar looking good!
That Earring placement on Viera tho oof here i come emperor earrings :(

I am personally upset about the fact that we can't get younger characters because some people might be upset about someone playing as a child. Hell some people probably already get upset about lalas anyways so what was the point?

Meh.

Well, the Hrothgar looks way better than previous examples we've seen. The lack of a healer doesn't bother me, although I do know many players who were disappointed with the lack of a fourth. Healing is dire right now and SE would definitely benefit from focusing on fixing it.

But their explanations for the race choice they made still ring hollow to me. They could have rolled this out way easier by addressing concerns before the playerbase got their hopes up. Look, New races take time, money, and effort- that's definitely true. That's not under scrutiny here. The issue is that many people feel alienated by their decisions concerning Hrothgar and Viera, and I'm still not convinced of the merit of the choice to make two races that are genderlocked. It's a "have your cake and eat it too" moment where more people are left wanting than if they were teased with only one race with two genders.

Either way, I do understand their stance about younger looking player characters not being introduced. That's a can of worms they shouldn't have to deal with, and I don't want to deal with it either. Yes, it would be nice to have younger looking characters, but this is a case where a minority of players would ruin it for everyone, and it's just beat to forget that route entirely.

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Originally Posted by Sathona

That Hopeful Viera guy is probably shaking right now~

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why would he be?

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Originally Posted by Doctorhealsgood

I am personally upset about the fact that we can't get younger characters because some people might be upset about someone playing as a child. Hell some people probably already get upset about lalas anyways so what was the point?

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Given that the mod community has been exploding over pedophilia apologists this last week, Yoshi-P is /very/ wise to not even consider it. Even just one person being gross and making a nude mod for the child character would be a black mark for this game in the eyes of the public and a public relations disaster. It's not worth the hassle when Lalafell are already skirting the line as it is.

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Originally Posted by Doctorhealsgood

I am personally upset about the fact that we can't get younger characters because some people might be upset about someone playing as a child. Hell some people probably already get upset about lalas anyways so what was the point?

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Not sure why the reasons the Director gave you in the mentioned letter aren't valid enough for you.

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Originally Posted by grinkdaboy

im fine waiting for them to add playable male viera and female hrothgar but i just don't understand why they added hrothgar. why not bangaa, another ivalician race?

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Because a Ronso-like race is far more popular than the Bangaa.

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Originally Posted by Enla

Given that the mod community has been exploding over pedophilia apologists this last week, Yoshi-P is /very/ wise to not even consider it. Even just one person being gross and making a nude mod for the child character would be a black mark for this game in the eyes of the public and a public relations disaster. It's not worth the hassle when Lalafell are already skirting the line as it is.

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So everyone should pay because of the possibility someone could make a nude mod and apply it to child characters? That's just stupid. Besides the game is already big enough in the eyes of the public to that to not be that much of a concern, maybe it gets some news along the lines ''big evil modder guy makes new children characters naked and this is awful'' and then everyone forgets about it in a while.

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Originally Posted by Doctorhealsgood

I am personally upset about the fact that we can't get younger characters because some people might be upset about someone playing as a child. Hell some people probably already get upset about lalas anyways so what was the point?

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It's not about some people being upset about someone playing as a child, it's more about some people being absolutely loving playing a child with nude mods, and then posting pictures on the internet. Very bad advertisement for the game.

Besides, there are really not many RPGs where you can play a child, and I don't know any mmo where it is possible. I really don't get how you can be upset about that, this is nothing extraordinary. I find this completely ridiculous.

Plus a child being the warrior of light doesn't feel credible to me, but yeah, so does a lalafell adventurer.

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Originally Posted by Doctorhealsgood

I am personally upset about the fact that we can't get younger characters because some people might be upset about someone playing as a child. Hell some people probably already get upset about lalas anyways so what was the point?

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Lalafells are humanoid potatoes. They can't really be mistaken for children and they don't have sexual poses, etc.

If you have spent any time on the internet, you know how disgusting some people can get. Yoshida is most definitely in the right on that decision.

Also, due to the fact that it's an online game and thus "not rated" or in some places rated "mature", playable children are out of the question.

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Originally Posted by Doctorhealsgood

So everyone should pay because of the possibility someone could make a nude mod and apply it to child characters? That's just stupid. Besides the game is already big enough in the eyes of the public to that to not be that much of a concern, maybe it gets some news along the lines ''big evil modder guy makes new children characters naked and this is awful'' and then everyone forgets about it in a while.

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Whats the part of the game can be taken out of the market if such thing happen that you don't understand?

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Originally Posted by TheGrimace

Meh.

Well, the Hrothgar looks way better than previous examples we've seen. The lack of a healer doesn't bother me, although I do know many players who were disappointed with the lack of a fourth. Healing is dire right now and SE would definitely benefit from focusing on fixing it.

But their explanations for the race choice they made still ring hollow to me. They could have rolled this out way easier by addressing concerns before the playerbase got their hopes up. Look, New races take time, money, and effort- that's definitely true. That's not under scrutiny here. The issue is that many people feel alienated by their decisions concerning Hrothgar and Viera, and I'm still not convinced of the merit of the choice to make two races that are genderlocked. It's a "have your cake and eat it too" moment where more people are left wanting than if they were teased with only one race with two genders.

Either way, I do understand their stance about younger looking player characters not being introduced. That's a can of worms they shouldn't have to deal with, and I don't want to deal with it either. Yes, it would be nice to have younger looking characters, but this is a case where a minority of players would ruin it for everyone, and it's just beat to forget that route entirely.

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i dont think more people would be happy to hear that hrothgar would be the final race.

People were always going to be left wanting. They just have to choose what they think is best in this case.

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Originally Posted by Doctorhealsgood

So everyone should pay because of the possibility someone could make a nude mod and apply it to child characters? That's just stupid. Besides the game is already big enough in the eyes of the public to that to not be that much of a concern, maybe it gets some news along the lines ''big evil modder guy makes new children characters naked and this is awful'' and then everyone forgets about it in a while.

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It might be stupid to you but other games have been embroiled in other controversies for far /far/ less and we /still/ talk about the Hot Coffee scandal to this day. So no, people don't just 'forget about it'. Especially not people who actually invest tens of thousands of dollars into Square Enix's portfolio. SE doesn't care about what you want. They care about their bottom line. And to investors the attachment of 'allows child porn' is not something they're going to want stacked against the money they've put into the company.

And that's not even getting into the 'depicts children in scenes of violence' issue that absolutely will give this game an M rating in certain countries, making it basically unsellable.

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Originally Posted by Enla

It might be stupid to you but other games have been embroiled in other controversies for far /far/ less and we /still/ talk about the Hot Coffee scandal to this day. So no, people don't just 'forget about it'. Especially not people who actually invest tens of thousands of dollars into Square Enix's portfolio. SE doesn't care about what you want. They care about their bottom line. And to investors the attachment of 'allows child porn' is not something they're going to want stacked against the money they've put into the company.

And that's not even getting into the 'depicts children in scenes of violence' issue that absolutely will give this game an M rating in certain countries, making it basically unsellable.

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Alright alright i got it, it is still a shame though.

Yo, is it just me, or does that Hrothgar have Heterochromia?

Looks like his right eye is yellow while his left is orange.

Will that be a more prominent thing in the future? Since heterochromia is like, totes cool :3

Wow I love the finished look to the Hrothgar. It looks so much better.

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Originally Posted by Kalise

Yo, is it just me, or does that Hrothgar have Heterochromia?

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Considering that both Miqo'te and Au Ra can be heterochromic, I would've been surprised if Hrothgar couldn't also.

I assume Viera are also included since it seems to just be a thing to make the beastly races seem extra exotic compared to the more conventional ones.

All races can be hererochromatic now, I'm pretty sure. Was fooling around for a Highlander look I liked and noticed the option.

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Originally Posted by KageTokage

Considering that both Miqo'te and Au Ra can be heterochromic, I would've been surprised if Hrothgar couldn't also.

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Wait a second. Did I miss something? All races can be heterochromic, isn't it? It's an option in eyes color when you create character, always was, at least since 2.16 when I started to play.

Talks about adding a 4th tank to help with the balance but then says cannot add a 4th healer for the sake of the balance.

Then talks about how there's only 2 ranged melee DPS so they feel they are doing good by adding another ignoring the fact that idk theres a ton of DPS!? Who cares if there's only two melee ranged, it's all under an umbrella.

And of course, their gender locked races ordeal which they try to defend but you can't really defend that nonsense. 1.0 was criticized for this and they did away with this stupid locking with 2.0, but it's like we're reverting back.

I legit just slogged through the quest line for the /spectacles emote, since they'll have them now :)
Also, interestingly the Hrothgar in that picture doesn't have claws. Maybe the claws are racial "gloves" ?
The earring placement looks a bit awkward on the Viera, I think it should be placed higher up on the ear, where the ear is more curved, but that's just me.

Glad the Hrothgar stuff is starting to look nice. But honestly that's the only thing I gleamed that was something that we didn't already know. Still no explanation of why adding a 4 tank for 'balance' is the answer while refusing to do a new healer class for "balance". Guess I'm still sore that we spent all of 4.0 with the constant "balance" issues and yet nothing was ever actually done about it. Holding hope on the Live Letter on May 23rd for this "revamp" but.. I am already not expecting much but probably more homogenization between the healer classes..

But again.. at least the Hrothgar is .. pretty cute

I honestly cannot agree with the healer decision until I see the changes to healers in 5.0

While i do see mr producer make some contradictions in the letter i think is good he addressed those things , now one question popped in my mind, i see bunny race have heels , is that a thing now ? 🤔

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Originally Posted by griffinborn

That is one handsome ass motherflippin Hrothgar.

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Yeah! I was indifferent about them till i saw that image now me likey!

What a great letter. It's a reminder why Yoshi was chosen to head this game.

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Originally Posted by Halivel

Wait a second. Did I miss something? All races can be heterochromic, isn't it? It's an option in eyes color when you create character, always was, at least since 2.16 when I started to play.

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I guess that's what happens when you've never bothered looking at the options for any races other then Miqo'te/Au Ra.

Well, that and I've never seen a non-Miqo'te/Au Ra character with heterochromia.

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Originally Posted by Sathona

That Hopeful Viera guy is probably shaking right now~

Anyhow Viera and Hrothgar looking good!
That Earring placement on Viera tho oof here i come emperor earrings :(

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I mean, why should he be shaking?
If its from happines, I get it, but they have basically said they are trying to make them

Ty OP for posting, that really was a great read and so awesome to read about the hard work they have been doing

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Originally Posted by NessaWyvern

The earring placement looks a bit awkward on the Viera, I think it should be placed higher up on the ear, where the ear is more curved, but that's just me.

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I agree. I think they might just be reusing the placement for Miqo'te?

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Originally Posted by KokonoeAiyoko

Talks about adding a 4th tank to help with the balance but then says cannot add a 4th healer for the sake of the balance.

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Yeah I thought that too. You could easily make the same arguments for the other way around, it's just that they had a good idea for a Tank and apparently nothing for a healer so far.
But there is an argument for them possibly being more able to come up with a new healer if the healer balance changes over the next couple years though.

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Originally Posted by KokonoeAiyoko

Talks about adding a 4th tank to help with the balance but then says cannot add a 4th healer for the sake of the balance.

Then talks about how there's only 2 ranged melee DPS so they feel they are doing good by adding another ignoring the fact that idk theres a ton of DPS!? Who cares if there's only two melee ranged, it's all under an umbrella.

And of course, their gender locked races ordeal which they try to defend but you can't really defend that nonsense. 1.0 was criticized for this and they did away with this stupid locking with 2.0, but it's like we're reverting back.

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I completely disagree with your stance on the races and their explanation regarding them, because it seemed very reasonable to me. Personally when I think of gender and/or race locks, i think of locking specific gameplay behind those. An example would be Tera making reapers or ninjas only playable on the little girls, or brawlers being humans.

That's my thoughts on that matter, but I wanted to ask a question: What else could they add as a new flavor for healing? We have powerful healing and regens from White Mage, we have good healing and high shield related healing from Scholar, and a mix of both worlds with a list of buffs from Astro. Also at the current moment, white mage is a very powerful healer, but thats kinda all they really bring a group, where as scholar can help prevent damage and increase crits against a target and astro has amazing raid utility in the cards. I don't main healers so I don't know all the finer details on what makes an average healer and a great healer so I'm sure I'm missing some other key details. I want to know what they could bring new to the table that isn't regens, shields, and RNGesus blessed cards. I'm genuinely curious.

I'm also sure the players that like ranged physical DPS care about having a 3rd job to play with also, healers have had their 3rd for awhile now.