Maybe I'm blind or can't read, but...

[Thaigare]

I agree with the race change idea being a good one, it should be a set time though like others have mentioned, a month or two after release of 2.0 then after that it becomes disabled

I dont think it would be so bad to have paid race changes after that either, that way you get to play what you want to play whenever you want, and SE picks up some extra cash.

[Exni]

Hey gang, there was actually a post from Yoshida that we missed on the 19th that addresses this topic specifically (sorry for the delay in getting it to you all!). I wanted to make sure everyone saw it, and spoke up with their opinions to what Yoshida is discussing.

I think we should only have the one-time name/race/feature change option during the first login of the 2.0 beta. Once 2.0 launches, the option should be removed.

[Fleur]

Personally I have no problem with players "transforming overnight" into different races/genders. You can sort of do that already by rerolling; it just takes (potentially) a ton of work to do, which is an excellent deterrent for it being done en masse. I think in the future a fee and waiting period for race/gender change would be just fine as a deterrent instead.

It is awesome that they are at least allowing race/gender/appearance change when 2.0 launches. I really, really wish one of the reps would find out and tell us if a name change is included in that though! Picking your character's name, starting class, server, etc are separate from appearance customization in the character creation process, so I could see that not being included.

I am actually thinking of a race and/or gender change if there aren't any new hair options that grab me, but my characters have girly names that wouldn't work well for a female Highlander or male Miq'ote.

[Carpe]

Just let people go through the entire character creation process again. Why would we want to impose restrictions on this?

[Nikita]

I'm in favor of a one-time complete name/race change at the time of 2.0's release. After that, no more.

Like FFXI before it, FFXIV is a game where you'll typically be playing only one character. As such, your reputation means a lot in this game. If someone ruins their own reputation by ripping off other players or something similar they should live with it, not hide behind new names/characters and be given the chance to do it over and over again.

You are right, in FFXIV (and XI) people generally stick with one character, all of their effort is poured into a single character. Unlike other MMOs, there is no need to reroll to level a different job. I think that is even more reason to allow paid character transfers, though.

Some people grow tired of looking at the same character for years, and if it is possible to allow them to change that every so often, why not? If someone is being an asshole, that is what GMs are for. If they really wanted a "fresh start" they could just change servers anyway. If people can't change the look of their character, they will be forced to complete everything all over again, since unlike other MMOs, it isn't just an easy reroll and max level within a few weeks.

I say allow for paid character re-customization, even if there is a long cooldown on it. Leave the police work to the GMs, since players will be able to transfer server anyway.

[Ashiee]

Being able to change from current races to new races should be a must, since those races were not available before. It should be done for free without question when 2.0 launches (well when they add the races).

However, changing from current race > current race, would be a perfect opportunity for SE to make a few extra bucks off FFXIV. I'm sure there are a handful of people who are indecisive on what they want, and would spend 20$ to change their race/gender since they are not happy with their current one. I wouldn't mind the option for free either, just saying race changes seem like one of those things that you can tack the extra service fee to.

[MeowyWowie]

You are right, in FFXIV (and XI) people generally stick with one character, all of their effort is poured into a single character. Unlike other MMOs, there is no need to reroll to level a different job. I think that is even more reason to allow paid character transfers, though.

Some people grow tired of looking at the same character for years, and if it is possible to allow them to change that every so often, why not? If someone is being an asshole, that is what GMs are for. If they really wanted a "fresh start" they could just change servers anyway. If people can't change the look of their character, they will be forced to complete everything all over again, since unlike other MMOs, it isn't just an easy reroll and max level within a few weeks.

I say allow for paid character re-customization, even if there is a long cooldown on it. Leave the police work to the GMs, since players will be able to transfer server anyway.

I understand where you're coming from. However, I think that giving us an in-game hair salon is enough.

Pick the race/gender/features/name you like the most because it'll be permanent, but rest assured that you can change hair style/colors at any time. That's fair enough if you ask me.

There's a very good example of one of these players on my server. Multiple lv50s, so he obviously put a lot of time into his character. But, he's a total d-bag and the whole server basically hates him. He made his own reputation. People don't hate him because they're hateful, they hate him because of the things he's done/said to others (some of which should have constituted a ban imo).

Allowing players like these to freely change their name/character just gives them the green light to keep acting the way they do without consequence. I say f*ck that. If you want to be an asshole, expect to be treated as such.

[Nikita]

I understand where you're coming from. However, I think that giving us an in-game hair salon is enough.

Pick the race/gender/features/name you like the most because it'll be permanent, but rest assured that you can change hair style/colors at any time. That's fair enough if you ask me.

There's a very good example of one of these players on my server. Multiple lv50s, so he obviously put a lot of time into his character. But, he's a total d-bag and the whole server basically hates him. He made his own reputation. People don't hate him because they're hateful, they hate him because of the things he's done/said to others (some of which should have constituted a ban imo).

Allowing players like these to freely change their name/character just gives them the green light to keep acting the way they do without consequence. I say f*ck that. If you want to be an asshole, expect to be treated as such.

There is an easy fix to that, though, they could just show character change history on your lodestone or something of that sort, maybe search for names and it will show who that character changed into. I really don't think is fair to punish the people who have legitimate (non sneaky) reasons to use this feature just because there are a few jerks playing the game.

[Babydoll]

They should allow us to change if we want that one time. It already was mentioned in the PDF that we would be allowed, I would hope they stick to their word. If not...that would be pretty messed up to people leveling a character and then not being allowed to change it after being told so and investing time and such.

[MeowyWowie]

There is an easy fix to that, though, they could just show character change history on your lodestone or something of that sort, maybe search for names and it will show who that character changed into. I really don't think is fair to punish the people who have legitimate (non sneaky) reasons to use this feature just because there are a few jerks playing the game.

I considered something like this too. Maybe making a handle that's viewable when targeting/checking a player. That way you can change any time you want, but you'll always have the same handle.