Is a less humanoid race impossible?

[Ovenmitts]

Probably not. SE even openly admitted the changed the Au Ra from it's orginal concept to make them more pleasing to the JP audience. So if they don't like it, it won't happen.

Mmmmm yes. The waifus. Although they say they don't want to make beastly people because of problems with armor, it's really an excuse to say why bother when using precious Dev resources on something a majority don't want would be like throwing money away.

A pity really. Everyone's gotta be supermodel gorgeous to live out that fantasy.

[Belhi]

Mmmmm yes. The waifus. Although they say they don't want to make beastly people because of problems with armor, it's really an excuse to say why bother when using precious Dev resources on something a majority don't want would be like throwing money away.

A pity really. Everyone's gotta be supermodel gorgeous to live out that fantasy.

I think they wanted to play it very safe with their first expac. ARR was still young for an MMO and they have limited resources. As the game ages I think its possible we will see them take some more risks with things like player models but for their first tentative steps I think they wanted to take it careful.

That said I actually don't think we will get a new race in the next expansion. Certainly, they haven't been hinting at anything.

[Roegadyn_Bear]

Unless the Japanese playerbase actually pushes for and demands a bestial demi-human race, odds are we're never going to see one because our opinion tends to weigh less overall.

It sucks, but this is pretty common with a lot of Japanese MMOs or games.

I, for one, would gladly accept a race that isn't just another Hyur/Miqo'te/Au Ra with different animal accessories.

Mmmmm yes. The waifus. Although they say they don't want to make beastly people because of problems with armor, it's really an excuse to say why bother when using precious Dev resources on something a majority don't want would be like throwing money away.

A pity really. Everyone's gotta be supermodel gorgeous to live out that fantasy.

This, unfortunately. A good example is World of Warcraft, before the Burning Crusade. The Horde had no "pretty" races, which resulted in a heavily underpopulated faction. The moment they added Blood Elves, the prettiest character model in the game, that problem was fixed nearly overnight.

[Niwashi]

I can sort of see the gear re-design argument (though given that Lalafells and Roegadyn already get individual race models clearly means that doesn't completely preclude it with another race).

There are, however a lot of features that wouldn't even affect gear. I'd like to see a Miqo'te sub-race with more catlike (or Ronso-like) facial features. That wouldn't change their head shape enough to involve any change in helmets. Similarly a fur texture for Miqo-te or a fully scaled Au Ra (rather than odd little patches here and there) wouldn't change the body shape at all. If we can't have Ronso-shaped feet, fine, but at least give us the fur and facial features.

This, unfortunately. A good example is World of Warcraft, before the Burning Crusade. The Horde had no "pretty" races, which resulted in a heavily underpopulated faction. The moment they added Blood Elves, the prettiest character model in the game, that problem was fixed nearly overnight.

It's unlikely we'd get an ugly race (because you're right - it wouldn't be popular enough). But beast-like doesn't exclude being beautiful. Ronso or Burmecian or something similar can be very attractive.

[Roegadyn_Bear]

It's unlikely we'd get an ugly race (because you're right - it wouldn't be popular enough). But beast-like doesn't exclude being beautiful. Ronso or Burmecian or something similar can be very attractive.

The trick is designing them in a manner that can be seen as either cute and/or attractive/beautiful, as those are the two traits that draw in a good chunk of people (with the latter drawing in a larger amount). I have no doubt that a beast-like demi-human can be beautiful, but I do have doubts on their ability to design one that actually appeals to their main demographic.

That's where we run into a brick wall. If the Japanese playerbase cannot be sold to the idea of a more beast-like demi-human, we'll just end up with another Au Ra.

[Leep]

The trick is designing them in a manner that can be seen as either cute and/or attractive/beautiful, as those are the two traits that draw in a good chunk of people (with the latter drawing in a larger amount). I have no doubt that a beast-like demi-human can be beautiful, but I do have doubts on their ability to design one that actually appeals to their main demographic.

That's where we run into a brick wall. If the Japanese playerbase cannot be sold to the idea of a more beast-like demi-human, we'll just end up with another Au Ra.

I hear monster girls are popular over there right about now.

[Roegadyn_Bear]

I hear monster girls are popular over there right about now.

A good deal of them are practically female Miqo'te and/or Au Ra in terms of appearance though.

Unless you want this kind of sexual dimorphism.

[Hanayumi]

I vaguely remember them doing concept art of a kind of wolf/werewolf esque race a long while back, cant find the picture but definitely seen it around a few times. >.<

[Roegadyn_Bear]

I vaguely remember them doing concept art of a kind of wolf/werewolf esque race a long while back, cant find the picture but definitely seen it around a few times. >.<

There you go.