Gender locked race?

[Shougun]

In regards to this rumored lion race may I just point something out? There are rabbit breeds with catlike ears:


This particular breed is called the Lionhead and I think you can guess why. Then you have the fact that we have already seen mane-like hairstyles for the Viera and the fact that Yoshida cut off Ayumi Namae when she was about to talk about another ear customization option in addition to the two they had showcased. It is something to think about.

Also, we are heading into the Rak'tika Greatwood next expansion and they have all but stated that this is the Viera's homeland. A homeland to an xenophobic race that every male member, no exceptions, has formed the border patrol of said land for centuries with a "trespassers will be shot" policy, also with no exceptions. Odds of us not having to deal with hostile male Viera NPCs while questing in this area based on everything they have said lore wise are slim to none.

I could see this being the dimorphic sort of choice route that made the leaker think there were two races, if say the males were basically unkempt wild warriors with more pronounced animal features/hair - that look of "I shoot on site, and don't bother asking questions.. also I smell like a chocobo, probably".

I obviously have my bias (I really want a non-standard race) but at this point I'm just wondering how all the puzzle pieces fall and if SE is playing a smart game plan by delaying info or if they're just being silly. I can imagine if there is another race or the males have a large enough difference to make their separation worthwhile then the delay makes a lot of sense.. otherwise.. if they're so similar (like hyur male/female) then imo it feels kinda silly lol. Dunno, but I can't just discount the leak info because it has been too accurate to ignore (even the mistakes like adam and eve can be explained when you get other dev info, or imagine it's just a person passing by a cubicle and making notes). I've also wondered if the leaks were strategic (on purpose) since it let them get some info out without them being bound to it, letting people gossip and turn some silent hype / thoughts (it has been fun watching how the "prophecies" unfurl, imo).

[Senn]

From the information so far, it would make sense if male viera did look like "young elezen". Apparently, female and male viera basically look the same when they are young. As they grow older, the females probably outgrow the males, and have more noticeable matured female traits, like a developed chest. Meanwhile, the males are a little shorter and still remain small framed and slim. This is all just speculation of course.

Worst case scenario, we get a separate race that is male gender locked.

[Gwenorai]

-Snip-

Ah, I saw this. I thought it was a sign of the other subrace 'Feol' Viera - which look more childlike. Rather than the males. Feol's being a mix breed that doesn't follow the word of the wood. While the males of that sub-race weren't locked into guarding the wood. The race was 'wiped out' in tactics. Though that can easily be changed.

Beyond that, I honestly thought those were kits 'child' Viera - I couldn't tell if they were male or female, which makes sense with just how Viera young are. Can't tell the difference until they hit puberty; which would describe there's a lot more going on than just 'Ohh, private bits' I imagine it's mildly drastic - and very noticeable.

And while they may certainly add a cutie patootie sub-race - I see no reason why there can't be males in both categories - it would just be seen a lot less controversial for them not to be the 'males' of the main branch. Seems a bit odd to have a bunch of small child/young teen looking males going around and knocking up the ladies every 3-5 years. Like, nah... let's not. Wouldn't be so much of a problem if their lore wasn't all 'yeah these dudes come back every 3-5 years to breed with dem hot females'

Could you imagine if that was the same for Lala? Thank the maker we've already established that Lala's just magically appear from the ground, from potato plants.

[Senn]

Ah, I saw this. I thought it was a sign of the other subrace 'Feol' Viera. Rather than the males. Feol's being a mix breed that doesn't follow the word of the wood. While the males of that sub-race weren't locked into guarding the wood. The race was 'wiped out' in tactics. Though that can easily be changed.

There have only been word of Veena and Rava viera, not Feol.

Beyond that, I honestly thought those were kits 'child' Viera - I couldn't tell if they were male or female, which makes sense with just how Viera young are. Can't tell the difference until they hit puberty; which would describe there's a lot more going on than just 'Ohh, private bits' I imagine it's mildly drastic - and very noticeable.

I think your mindset is more along the lines of the men having noticeable changes when they grow, right? It could be the opposite, and it's the women who have the noticeable changes as they grow. The change doesn't necessarily have to be drastic, either. A developed chest and curves, as well as the height difference, may be enough to tell male and female viera apart.

And while they may certainly add a cutie patootie sub-race - I see no reason why there can't be males in both categories - it would just be seen a lot less controversial for them not to be the 'males' of the main branch.

There could be tall and short sub-groups, but there also could be none. Like I said, the viera we saw in the trailer could be both sub-groups of viera (Veena and Rava), or just one sub-group of viera.

[Gwenorai]

Snip

You could certainly be right. Honestly, I think it's my profession as a human biologist trying to make logic out of a fantasy race. I always imagined it being that when they hit Puberty - well, females tend to develop before the males. This is true. At a human standpoint, its the males that tend to show differences at the age of 13, height increase, voice drops - etc. But this is fantasy and it can be argued both ways.

I think my biggest gripe about it all is the fact the male way of life is extremely harsh. They leave their homes, with the 'master warden' spend years being trained, to the point that many die during the training - which speaks of extreme training and endurance. And then those that do become Masters and are able to seek solitude well, their whole being is protecting the wood and killing trespassers and dangerous wildlife. They don't talk to others, they compete with there fellow brothers, they're secretive, they compete to out-compete. That paints a very Tarzan type image to me. Strong, muscular and somewhat tall - but that doesn't mean they have to be extremely masculine in regards to their faces. A touch of feminity could certainly be there, and I hope it is as I also imagine them being very elegant, yet fierce. Men can be masculine and elegant - I would like this race to show that; that there can be mixes of feminine traits and masculine. A strong body but a face that isn't so 'grrrr' but can be made so with customisation - scarring, tattoos, different face morphs etc. Yet again, this is me putting some logic into things that probably shouldn't have it. I get irritated when I see a skinny kitty running around with a huge war axe with arms that look like they'd shatter from the weight from it.

What I can't imagine is the males being passed as females after puberty hits. But this is fantasy, and I know that a lot of folks out there want their small cute Viera. Heck, as long as we get the males and maybe have the best of both worlds I'd be happy. I'm interested in how they'll handle this and not so patiently waiting for the reveal. Of course, there will be no masking my disappointment if they're gender locked or the dudes look more like females and children than men, but someone will be happy and I guess that counts for something?

[Senn]

...

Who knows, they can be small, silent, lithe hunters who focus more on their agility and speed rather than muscle and strength. If you want to add a touch of reality to it, male rabbits are actually smaller than their female counterparts.

[Gwenorai]

Who knows, they can be small, silent, lithe hunters who focus more on their agility and speed rather than muscle and strength. If you want to add a touch of reality to it, male rabbits are actually smaller than their female counterparts.

That I certainly wouldn't mind. The concept art that they officially drew back in HW did show the males being slightly smaller than the females. Part of me does enjoy the speculation of course; while another part of me thinks they're just going to go off the concept art they drew and which was wildly wanted. In the end, we've got a month or so until we find out. Or someone slips up!

I'm hoping the wait is down to them showing a story like the clip or another extension of the cinematic with them in. If male Viera was to be revealed, then the jp fanfest would indeed make the most sense. Wouldn't surprise me if part of the FF12 team would be making the announcement.

[Duskane]

a few even seem pretty much spot on here.

This is perfect.....

[Senn]

That I certainly wouldn't mind. The concept art that they officially drew back in HW did show the males being slightly smaller than the females. Part of me does enjoy the speculation of course; while another part of me thinks they're just going to go off the concept art they drew and which was wildly wanted. In the end, we've got a month or so until we find out. Or someone slips up!

I'm hoping the wait is down to them showing a story like the clip or another extension of the cinematic with them in. If male Viera was to be revealed, then the jp fanfest would indeed make the most sense. Wouldn't surprise me if part of the FF12 team would be making the announcement.

Yeah, we can only wait and see. I'm really dying to know if we'll be getting male viera at all though.
I'm hoping they're really just saving the male viera reveal for the jp fanfest.
Personally, I would be incredibly happy if we had two sub-groups of viera: tall and short, but I think that's too good to be true lol

[Beckett]

In regards to this rumored lion race may I just point something out? There are rabbit breeds with catlike ears:


This particular breed is called the Lionhead and I think you can guess why. Then you have the fact that we have already seen mane-like hairstyles for the Viera and the fact that Yoshida cut off Ayumi Namae when she was about to talk about another ear customization option in addition to the two they had showcased. It is something to think about.

Also, we are heading into the Rak'tika Greatwood next expansion and they have all but stated that this is the Viera's homeland. A homeland to an xenophobic race that every male member, no exceptions, has formed the border patrol of said land for centuries with a "trespassers will be shot" policy, also with no exceptions. Odds of us not having to deal with hostile male Viera NPCs while questing in this area based on everything they have said lore wise are slim to none.

Solid reasoning. If male Viera were based on this type of rabbit, I could easily imagine the leaker mistaking them for a different race. Also, male Viera looking wildly different from the females would provide a much better reason for the devs to hold off on their reveal.