I'll admit i can have been baited and become over passionate about this specifically because of the amount of derision and out right vitriol of the opposition. Time and agian i have asked, "Why would it be so wrong/ offensive for them to be added? What does their implantation illicit such resistance? They are a race found in an FF title and one wanted by many for a very long time (since FFXI). Why would anyone who does not want them, go so out of their way to argue against them when their addition would have no bearing on them?"

The dev. team, looking at the race poll went with the more beastly race, even went as so far to to draw up amazing concept art featured here countless times.
(Afore mentioned amazing concept art featured here countless times)


The art team feels this is "Beastly", the AuRa we got is the culmination of all that art. This is the FFXIV answer to a savage race of monstrous peoples

One need only look the how far into the assets subject mater was brought to full realization to see which was more viable, which was more in line to fit the theme/ aesthetic, of the game world.
(Same Viera Concept art featured countless times, depicting more fleshed out deigns to include hair and clothing.)


Even to the point of creating in my opinion a child variant to launch beside them.


When these points are brought up the flood gates open "this would be boring, more of the same, not beastly enough, make a sub option of an existing race, just add gear to existing race to get the same-ish look..." Derisive opinion weakly passed as "counter discussion" in a support thread. There is nothing wrong with the argument "I don't want them because i want something completely different." However i fail to see how their (Viera) implementation, adversely affects anyone. Yes it is only a minutely subtle difference to what we currently have but that subtlety is something i and many long time FF fans enjoy. I don't see anything wrong. Other games give those player race options, other games have that aesthetic, those other games are not FFXIV, that's why i pay a subscription to this game.