New Race Announced! The Au Ra

[Cidel]

I don't think "sexist" is the right word choice going on here. Something more along the lines of "fan-service" paints the picture better.

[ChazNatlo]

Why exactly is it sexist for the females Au'Ra to be smaller?

You get quoted a lot.

Honestly, if I saw a game where we had large strapping males and petite demure females and that was it, I could more clearly see the claim, but as it is one raceof six now, while I can still see the claim, I dissagree. Especially since they aren't saying "big males and small females, like nature intended. Remember to get those DotH up ladies." You're going to see these tiny dragon women charging at you from across the frontlines axe at the ready, and you are going to brace for impact.

And Beowulf. Regardless of the merits of your oppinion, your us versus themism and the manner in which you explain it does sort of make you seem coocoo for coco puffs.

[Mahri]

In other news, I just realized what game the artists for this race must've been playing when they came up with the look of lady Au Ra.



Hello again, Crossbreed Priscilla.

Hmmmmm I wonder if that name is taken already on my home server (◔ - ◔ )

[Fleur]

Honestly, if I saw a game where we had large strapping males and petite demure females and that was it, I could more clearly see the claim, but as it is one raceof six now, while I can still see the claim, I dissagree.

This is a good way to think about it, I agree.

And I am really curious to see how big they are next to other races, both height and bulk wise! I guess the males are about Elezen height. So far I am impressed with how they managed to make the males tall and muscular without making them look like beefy slabs of muscular manliness. xD

[Kinseykinz]

Just wanna throw this out there....

After this year's anniversary,SE published the FFXIV census data (I could link but I'm lazy). Anyway...for those who think somehow having short ladies and tall men is sexist (it's not but /meh). Keep this in mind, they can actually see what types of characters and builds are currently popular.

The least played/popular race/sex? Female Roes.
Why? Likely because many people find them 'masculine' and 'not cute/sexy' It IS highly possible to create a striking and lovely femme roe....but most people, even if they can do so, prefer the body movements/emotes of the 'cuter/sexier' races.

The most played/popular race/sex? Female Miqo'te
Why? Likely because they are seen as both cute and sexy...flirty and 'curvy' Also tiny. People like their cute/sexual emotes and enjoy their looks.

So why would a dev design a new race, when they have feedback saying what the average player likes, that goes against what is actually popular? IE. A tougher/taller/more rugged female race...when more subtle,girlie, and tiny is what's most appealing to their playerbase. Yes. they are free to make whatever design choices they see fit...but at the end of the day, they are also designing a product to make money....and if current character-choice spreads are any indication, 'muscular men and petite girlie women are what this playerbase prefer.

....and I say this as one of the few,the proud, the Roegadyn.

[Anapingofness]

I have to question the decision about placing the scales at the front of the neck. Personally, I think it makes the males in specific look as if they have no neck, but they could be the the lighting/low quality of the picture. If it were up to me I would have put the scales on the back of the neck.

Still, yay for new race~ ^_^ I still like my fem roeg the best but I'm glad they are adding something new for those that are interested.
Now if they could only fix the butt and clipping problems....>_<

I say this as one of the few,the proud, the Roegadyn.

Represent!

[QiLymePye]

The pics only show one type of alt creation for the new race. Did people forget we can adjust height for both sexes, at least 4 different face types for each sex, and change skin color, etc. We don't have enough info to even say that this is the final build. Hell they might change something else or add something before the expansion releases in spring. The point is we have a choice of appearances that we don't even know what they are for this race yet. I would like for them to maybe add more skin color options. Would love to make some sort or red or blue-skinned char. Or purple....or even more saturated colors for skin and eyes.

[Cidel]

I have to question the decision about placing the scales at the front of the neck.

Yeah, something about the "scales" don't quite sit well with me. It looks okay in the artwork, but seeing it in screenshots makes it look like an afterthought feature for them that was slapped on.

[Zumi]

The census showed the lack of people playing female roe and a high number playing female miqote showed that people prefer cute/pretty looking female races over the big muscular ones. SE is giving the majority of players what they want another cute female race to play, along with having muscular male race which is also popular.

[Mahri]

Census data mustn't necessarily inform design decisions like this one.

If Square-Enix wanted to make something far out of left field, so long as they gave it all due thought and polish, players would receive it on their own terms regardless.