[7.0 to next 10 years saga]Will SQEX change the Derplander into the new race ?

Well, our beloved Derplander got a 10-years long of his journey, would be nice if he finally retire and we will get a new face for the role of WoL?

I personally wouldn't like that, and I think it'd be confusing / devoid of meaning. Hiroshi (derplander) represents the WoL/player, and the WoL is supposed to remain the same person in the next expansions. Changing him would mean that the story will focus on a different character that's not the WoL, and thus, not our character.

Don't think he will retire any time now. He just starts a newfound adventure.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Momo_Kozuki

Don't think he will retire any time now. He just starts a newfound adventure.

---

What if that newfound adventure is his retirement on an island ?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Calysto

What if that newfound adventure is his retirement on an island ?

---

He tried that but got sick of all the mammets berating him.

Expansions come and go but the derplander is forever

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Clover_Blake

I personally wouldn't like that, and I think it'd be confusing / devoid of meaning. Hiroshi (derplander) represents the WoL/player, and the WoL is supposed to remain the same person in the next expansions. Changing him would mean that the story will focus on a different character that's not the WoL, and thus, not our character.

---

TIL he actually has a name

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Zomkei

TIL i learned he actually has a name

---

He's apparently called 'Hiroshi' by the development team informally, which, to an English speaker with a very very poor understanding of Japanese (i.e. me), sounds like a pun on 'hero', and 'shi' meaning 'white' or 'light'; so, basically, his name is 'Light Warrior'. (Please by all means correct me on that though! I'm so sorry for butchering the Japanese language there!). He's also called 'Meteor' (short for 'Meteor Survivor' on the Waning of the Sixth Sun DVD that came with the Collector's Edition of ARR. And of course, his First counterpart's name is Ardbert, who resembled his ARR/1.0 'End of an Era' appearence physically.

Really though, he's just a stand-in for your character, and so his 'canon' name is whatever you want to call him (and thus, your character's name). This is appropriate as he is also a reference to the early FF games which also had you playing as a party of generics only identified by their Job classes or their fates as the 'Warriors of Light', it's in keeping with the series' roots.

Incidentally the 'Derplander' nickname came about as a joke on the 1.0 forum about how his early trailer renderings in 1.0 had him pull some very silly faces, and the name kind of stuck (although now he's long since passed that and is now variously and fondly nicknamed either 'Darklander' or 'Daddylander' depending on your preferences. ;)).

They should keep aging him and give him a full beard.

Old man WoL coming back to save the world just two days away from retirement or something.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hobostew

They should keep aging him and give him a full beard.

Old man WoL coming back to save the world just two days away from retirement or something.

---

I kind of want to see combat scene from the shb trailer, but with it swapping between zimmer frames and walking sticks now.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Enkidoh

He's apparently called 'Hiroshi' by the development team informally, which, to an English speaker with a very very poor understanding of Japanese (i.e. me), sounds like a pun on 'hero', and 'shi' meaning 'white' or 'light'; so, basically, his name is 'Light Warrior'. (Please by all means correct me on that though! I'm so sorry for butchering the Japanese language there!).

---

I thought it was this, as i read the same elsewhere, but it seems he is named Hiroshi for a different reason :

"Why is he called "Hiroshi"?
Yoshida: To tell the truth, it's not that we gave him the official name "Hiroshi". However, there is a staff member who has been working with us...well he worked on the development for Final Fantasy XIV, although he's currently the director for Final Fantasy XVI. His name is Hiroshi Takai. He's also my great senior and whenever he streams himself playing, people would go "Go! Go! Hiroshi", or "Hiroshi do your best!" and eventually these people identify Hiroshi with the main character, and it stuck. From there we just went "Well, yeah let's just leave it at that". Just to let you know, he's actually nameless, okay?"

Video here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy4PJiwTktg

Found on reddit here : https://www.reddit.com/r/ffxiv/comme...hare&context=3

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Enkidoh

He's apparently called 'Hiroshi' by the development team informally, which, to an English speaker with a very very poor understanding of Japanese (i.e. me), sounds like a pun on 'hero', and 'shi' meaning 'white' or 'light'; so, basically, his name is 'Light Warrior'. (Please by all means correct me on that though! I'm so sorry for butchering the Japanese language there!). He's also called 'Meteor' (short for 'Meteor Survivor' on the Waning of the Sixth Sun DVD that came with the Collector's Edition of ARR. And of course, his First counterpart's name is Ardbert, who resembled his ARR/1.0 'End of an Era' appearence physically.

Really though, he's just a stand-in for your character, and so his 'canon' name is whatever you want to call him (and thus, your character's name). This is appropriate as he is also a reference to the early FF games which also had you playing as a party of generics only identified by their Job classes or their fates as the 'Warriors of Light', it's in keeping with the series' roots.

Incidentally the 'Derplander' nickname came about as a joke on the 1.0 forum about how his early trailer renderings in 1.0 had him pull some very silly faces, and the name kind of stuck (although now he's long since passed that and is now variously and fondly nicknamed either 'Darklander' or 'Daddylander' depending on your preferences. ;)).

---

Thank you for explaining the history behind the nickname! Was going to ask, since I had no idea where it came from!

No thanks, that's like Nintendo finally has Link talking.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Enkidoh

He's apparently called 'Hiroshi' by the development team informally, which, to an English speaker with a very very poor understanding of Japanese (i.e. me), sounds like a pun on 'hero', and 'shi' meaning 'white' or 'light'; so, basically, his name is 'Light Warrior'. (Please by all means correct me on that though! I'm so sorry for butchering the Japanese language there!). He's also called 'Meteor' (short for 'Meteor Survivor' on the Waning of the Sixth Sun DVD that came with the Collector's Edition of ARR. And of course, his First counterpart's name is Ardbert, who resembled his ARR/1.0 'End of an Era' appearence physically.

Really though, he's just a stand-in for your character, and so his 'canon' name is whatever you want to call him (and thus, your character's name). This is appropriate as he is also a reference to the early FF games which also had you playing as a party of generics only identified by their Job classes or their fates as the 'Warriors of Light', it's in keeping with the series' roots.

Incidentally the 'Derplander' nickname came about as a joke on the 1.0 forum about how his early trailer renderings in 1.0 had him pull some very silly faces, and the name kind of stuck (although now he's long since passed that and is now variously and fondly nicknamed either 'Darklander' or 'Daddylander' depending on your preferences. ;)).

---

yeah i knew he was called meteor or "derplander", but wasnt aware of Hiroshi. its a neat bit of trivia, thank you for explaining it c:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RukoBoshi

I thought it was this, as i read the same elsewhere, but it seems he is named Hiroshi for a different reason :

"Why is he called "Hiroshi"?
Yoshida: To tell the truth, it's not that we gave him the official name "Hiroshi". However, there is a staff member who has been working with us...well he worked on the development for Final Fantasy XIV, although he's currently the director for Final Fantasy XVI. His name is Hiroshi Takai. He's also my great senior and whenever he streams himself playing, people would go "Go! Go! Hiroshi", or "Hiroshi do your best!" and eventually these people identify Hiroshi with the main character, and it stuck. From there we just went "Well, yeah let's just leave it at that". Just to let you know, he's actually nameless, okay?"

Video here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy4PJiwTktg

Found on reddit here : https://www.reddit.com/r/ffxiv/comme...hare&context=3

---

op, i just saw this. this is pretty neat too. im learning a lot today

Actually I would really prefer if they reintroduce Derplander's friends back into the expansion trailers, aka non-Lamitt, non-Nyelbert, non-Branden and non-Renda Rae. It kinda felt odd that for the rest of the trailers about an MMO they just dropped the whole idea of the representation of you being with a party of friends and just had him be the "lone hero". Of course thats basically the case with the WoL in the actual game, since you dont have other WoLs alongside with you to share the burden in the story but still, I really would like to have those 4 guys come back somehow.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Wingale

Well, our beloved Derplander got a 10-years long of his journey, would be nice if he finally retire and we will get a new face for the role of WoL?

---

Yeah, from everyone, I think the "WoL" is the only character with zero chances of being benched.

I could see, however, a new title instead of Warrior of Light, and I would love to see them taking a caster, healing or aiming job for a change of pace.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Atelier-Bagur

Actually I would really prefer if they reintroduce Derplander's friends back into the expansion trailers, aka non-Lamitt, non-Nyelbert, non-Branden and non-Renda Rae. It kinda felt odd that for the rest of the trailers about an MMO they just dropped the whole idea of the representation of you being with a party of friends and just had him be the "lone hero". Of course thats basically the case with the WoL in the actual game, since you dont have other WoLs alongside with you to share the burden in the story but still, I really would like to have those 4 guys come back somehow.

---

Agreed - it does seem a pity that they were all but forgotten, considering their significance in the 'End of an Era' Cinematic.

No. I love seeing Derplander! I like how he's physically aged overtime with every new expansion and rather see the game conclude as a whole with him. Besides our character, he is the Warrior of Light!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fulminating

I kind of want to see combat scene from the shb trailer, but with it swapping between zimmer frames and walking sticks now.

---

Ha! Mental image of the Endwalker cinematic Moon scene toward the end, where the WoL does that dramatic turn from facing the World to facing the camera (before the fast zoom-out) - except instead of a determined stare he drops his sword and does a 'Ow my back' gesture instead!

He has been adventuring for less than 2 years. Highly doubt he would retire after just 2 years.

No we need our Derplander, no thank you.

Would be nice though to get some scion replacements who are other races though.

Derplander's the default option. He's fine for what he is. He's one of the recognizable symbols for the game, so changing it might imply some changes in marketing.

Nooo don’t replace him ;_;

They cant get rid of him, he's the mascot of the game and I paid for his exclusive Endwalker collectors figure when the expansion dropped. Hope they give us more of those btw in different job sets.

I badly want them to change derplander into someone new. Or if they are dead set on keeping him, at least create a partner in crime. To Meteor, add Comet, whether she looks roughly similar to those ancient renders, or entirely different I don't really care.

I wouldn't like to see him retire as he has become a staple and nostalgic at this point, but it would be cool to see him get a duo or like a partner that adventures with him not talking just the scions but like perhaps a family member or something? /shrug

Yes, and should be a lady.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DiaDeem

Yes, and should be a lady.

---

It would be too controversial and SE doesn't like to get political

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hobostew

They should keep aging him and give him a full beard.

Old man WoL coming back to save the world just two days away from retirement or something.

---

And on 12.0 we get Daddy Kratos xD

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hobostew

It would be too controversial and SE doesn't like to get political

---

Ah yes, the two genders. Male and political.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kuroka

And on 12.0 we get Daddy Kratos xD

---

And with the introduction of Derplander Jr. xD

Let me guess…you think it should be a hroth right? Meteor has been the posterboy for a longtime and represents us as a player. He doesn’t need to and shouldn’t change imo.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nyxs

Let me guess…you think it should be a hroth right? Meteor has been the posterboy for a longtime and represents us as a player. He doesn’t need to and shouldn’t change imo.

---

Nope, any race, cat girl, elezen boy, boiled popoto

https://onlinestore-img.finalfantasy...b_m_detail.jpg

or even maybe a cat girl, to promote and sell the Fantasia

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nyxs

Let me guess…you think it should be a hroth right? Meteor has been the posterboy for a longtime and represents us as a player. He doesn’t need to and shouldn’t change imo.

---

I mean, he doesn't represent me though, whether as a player or my character. He represents some of the playerbase I suppose, but he definitely doesn't feel resonant to me. Maybe he feels resonant for YoshiP, I dunno. To me he is just. A body in trailers that means nothing to me, about which I feel something between indifference and dislike for its design. I'm tired of generic brown haired, now slightly grizzled, videogame McProtagonistGuy #4892

Honestly, the fact that his design is so generic, in this wonderful game of fantasy dressup is what offends me the most about him.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Vallerie

I mean, he doesn't represent me though, whether as a player or my character. He represents some of the playerbase I suppose, but he definitely doesn't feel resonant to me. Maybe he feels resonant for YoshiP, I dunno. To me he is just. A body in trailers that means nothing to me, about which I feel something between indifference and dislike for its design. I'm tired of generic brown haired, now slightly grizzled, videogame McProtagonistGuy #4892

Honestly, the fact that his design is so generic, in this wonderful game of fantasy dressup is what offends me the most about him.

---

Generic enough that his specific facetype and customizations were recently added into the game because hes popular. Kinda ironic dont you think?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Atelier-Bagur

Generic enough that his specific facetype and customizations were recently added into the game because hes popular. Kinda ironic dont you think?

---

Not really, no. Just because the specific model wasn't actually an option in-game doesn't make him any less generic when put next to the myriad of other similar looking video game or even anime protagonists.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Vallerie

Not really, no. Just because the specific model wasn't actually an option in-game doesn't make him any less generic when put next to the myriad of other similar looking video game or even anime protagonists.

---

Thats true, we do have too many grizzled short brown haired white guy protags in games

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nyxs

Let me guess…you think it should be a hroth right? Meteor has been the posterboy for a longtime and represents us as a player. He doesn’t need to and shouldn’t change imo.

---

He does not represent me whatsoever.
He might represent the rest of the playerbase because of how human/twink they look, but that guy does not win me over. At all.

That said, while a Hrothgar would be funny to see around, I'd rather they be NPCs than the poster child for the series myself. Not because Hrothgar are undeserving in any way, but because they're just...
a) Not really the sort of race that befits a "poster child" trope. It's not generic enough to encompass a wide playerbase. Miqo'te, Elezen or Viera do a better job at that. And I don't mean that as an insult to take offence to, it's just an obvious thought: they look a lot more like the rest of the games' characters than Hrothgar or Lalafell do.
b) Not really marketable in comparison to, again, Miqo'te, Elezen or Viera.

Though I'm definitely not opposed to Hrothgars having a more relevant role or appearing in CG Cutscenes. Viera already have. Roegadyn had Branden. Where Hrothgar at? Just not the replacement for Derplander.