Is a less humanoid race impossible?

[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.

[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.

[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.

[FoxyAreku]

I really don't get this 'every race has to be beautiful' argument.

Humans will always be the most popular race in any MMO, but looking at WoW statistics it was pretty all over the place because there was a ton of variety. Yeah, the humans and blood elves were always the most populated, but we've already got FFXIV's answers to those. Give me an answer to tauren or worgen (like ronso or burmecian).

[Roegadyn_Bear]

I really don't get this 'every race has to be beautiful' argument.

Humans will always be the most popular race in any MMO, but looking at WoW statistics it was pretty all over the place because there was a ton of variety. Yeah, the humans and blood elves were always the most populated, but we've already got FFXIV's answers to those. Give me an answer to tauren or worgen (like ronso or burmecian).

World of Warcraft is not a Japanese game designed primarily for a Japanese demographic.

Believe it or not, this is a major factor in why World of Warcraft does it and gets away with it.

[MagiusNecros]

I don't think it's possible. Every race is some form of humanoid. Au Ra had a bunch of cool bestial concepts when it came to Demonic Voidsent or something on par with Draconians or Dragonborn. Instead they took one of the more tame concepts and applied that for the female. In the end it became Female Hyur with Horns and a Male Elezen with Horns. Plopped some unique hairstyles and faces and sprinkled some scaly textures and gave you a cute tail. We had some fierce intimidating female designs with claws on the hands and feet and a tail at half the size of the body and it got turned into cuteness. Males kinda got turned into Anime badass with girly hips and cute tails as well. It's okay for a new race but doesn't really offer anything new and compared to the concept phase is completely different.

I don't think a Ronso race will happen because the hair wouldn't reach the race because clipping issues although Auri horns clip through every helm ever so I don't really see an issue. And of course a feline race already exists in Miqote, even though I'd prefer the Ronso by a milestone. Would love waist long hair too!

Judging by their Viera concept it just looks like a Lalafell with bunny parts. If that's what you want great, but again doesn't offer anything new IMO. Would love to be wrong. Lots of people want Viera though so if any new race gets added it'll be them.

I'm afraid Westerners like me will have to settle for Roes to get close to monster races.

If nothing new can be offered I'd vouch for more customization options for already existing races instead. I see quite a few elderly Elezen/Hyurs and have always wondered why we can't look like that as well.

[Ovenmitts]

Eh, if roes had tails like in xi then I'd prolly roll one. Which leaves me with kitteh. I was kind of hoping for a fur option or a more catlike face like Niwashi was suggesting, but alas.