Suggestion: Differentiate Playable Race's Tribes More

[Magis]

All races' tribes should have been different from each other as Highlanders vs Midlanders.

Based on lore, the Xaela females are probably the biggest disappointment. Xaela are tribes of hardy hunters, gatherers and warriors (each with different culture) yet the females are just as cute and dainty as their Raen cousins. The males could've been a bit more muscular, too.

The biggest letdown is what Au Ra were originally going to look like and what we got.

[Anova]

The biggest letdown is what Au Ra were originally going to look like and what we got.

Great find.

Something to remember is that there are designs and aesthetics that don't cross over between the JP and NA mainstream audiences. Trust me when I say there are a lot of designers who do push the envelope on both sides of the Pacific, but you're much more likely to see those in indie games than AAA flagship titles. One look at the original designs and I immediately realize Au'ra would have been unpopular in JP.

I would like different body types too, but understand it is a lot of work to develop distinct body models that appeal to NA and JP design sensibilities. You're basically designing an entirely different race for each one, not to mention completely different sets of armor for all existing armor pieces. It's not impossible, but it is a lot of work and there needs to be a benefit to match. If someone did a study on Xbox users or the NA market and reported that it would increase their subscriptions in NA by 50%, that'd be something to get the execs to sign up on. Otherwise, I'm afraid designers have as much say as we do on the final look of these things.

Somewhat related to the topic of executive meddling: Anyone else remember Vaan from FFXII? SE execs literally forced the character in to the game because they needed a young prettyboy to sell the game in JP, and he's only relevant in the first 5 hours of the story. There's also Mr. Tinkle of Zelda fame... both are pretty much hated in the NA community, but loved in JP.