Gender locked race?

[InkstainedGwyn]

People are reading way too much into that "young elezen" thing considering it very likely was just referring to hairstyles. Even if it wasn't, it was likely just in reference that the Viera in general look like elzen already, as well as appearing to have a pretty good diversity in terms of height differences available to them (similar to how Female Roegadyn have a much larger range of heights than other races).

They've already talked about having to do extra work for potentially both their feet, ears, AND more variety in hairstyles by having optional bangs/no bangs versions of their racial hairstyles. They aren't going to pile on twice the work making some drastically different variant unless there's some other sacrifice, as in no male version or male only race at all.




Honestly, all things considered. D is probably the most likely. We have Yoshida saying before that if they'd implement Viera he would probably do a different male only race, then later they created concept art in an attempt to get a version of male Viera that he would accept and he still said they seemed "too cute" showing that he likely still wasn't sold on that idea. Combine it with lore that substantiates males being an incredible rarity (justifying why we would never even see male NPCs, meaning they don't have to even make the models.) Add onto that the complete lack of them during the race reveal, with official art showing multiple female viera, and yoshida's unwillingness to even confirm they are in the works, doesn't paint a very positive light on them being made available to players.

He has consistently shown a reluctance regarding male viera (and male bunny stuff in general). And given how they implemented Blue Mage, we know he follows through with things he talks about even if they're very old, or things that he knows would be controversial and unpopular among players.

Honestly I've been feeling as if the "young elezen" comment was getting out of control myself, but wasn't sure if someone heard something I didn't. To me, it's just as easy to hear "it's not like they're young elezen" as it is "they'll be like young elezen."

Do you remember when YoshiP said that about a separate male race? I don't want to quote it at people without a source but that's very interesting.

[Senn]

...

One reason male viera may still be a possibility is because of the amount of work that went into viera feet and helmets. Things had to be reworked. It would be a shame to not reuse the feet and helmet adjustments for males as well. Another reason could be because of past player demand for the missing genders of roe, highlander, and miqo'te. They may be aware the player base want both genders of a race.

I already mentioned the "young elezen" comment could be referring to hairstyle/ears/or something else. We shouldn't gloss over it, though.

[Shougun]

Honestly, all things considered. D is probably the most likely. We have Yoshida saying before that if they'd implement Viera he would probably do a different male only race, then later they created concept art in an attempt to get a version of male Viera that he would accept and he still said they seemed "too cute" showing that he likely still wasn't sold on that idea. Combine it with lore that substantiates males being an incredible rarity (justifying why we would never even see male NPCs, meaning they don't have to even make the models.) Add onto that the complete lack of them during the race reveal, with official art showing multiple female viera, and yoshida's unwillingness to even confirm they are in the works, doesn't paint a very positive light on them being made available to players.

He has consistently shown a reluctance regarding male viera (and male bunny stuff in general). And given how they implemented Blue Mage, we know he follows through with things he talks about even if they're very old, or things that he knows would be controversial and unpopular among players.

Definitely am prepared to see him deliver on the long haul of more things even if they're counter to what you'd think after Blue Mage lol. 5-6+ years ago "probably side content spell hunt", queue now.. Blue Mage enters as side content.

Whatever is going on they're playing really coy lol. Wonder how hard they're going to tease players at the fanfest itself. If you look at the shadowbringer website they fill in all that visual space of viera's with females:

So about Vianga, we heard you really wanted to play as Vianga male so we added female goblins to the game as a playable race!

One reason male viera may still be a possibility is because of the amount of work that went into viera feet and helmets. Things had to be reworked. It would be a shame to not reuse the feet and helmet adjustments for males as well.

Ronso also would use those features.. hahahahaha XD. (I say that out of fun, not that I think it's more or less likely).

[CoolDad]

Honestly I've been feeling as if the "young elezen" comment was getting out of control myself, but wasn't sure if someone heard something I didn't. To me, it's just as easy to hear "it's not like they're young elezen" as it is "they'll be like young elezen."

Do you remember when YoshiP said that about a separate male race? I don't want to quote it at people without a source but that's very interesting.

From 2013 (where he says they might consider a separate race): https://www.siliconera.com/2013/02/2...jg8o6pCcXIo.99

From 2015 (after showing concept art): https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the...n-sense/.91021

Somebody else pulled these out earlier in the thread so credit to them for finding these.

[RoroCookies]

Do you remember when YoshiP said that about a separate male race? I don't want to quote it at people without a source but that's very interesting.

"The issue with the Viera is that, if you look at them, they're basically humanoid save for their long rabbit ears and their heels. We already have a mostly humanoid race with animal ears in the Mi'qote. When we looked at those initial Viera concepts, it just seemed like a Mi'qote with bunny ears instead of cat ears. It simply wasn't different enough. Especially when we did the male designs… they didn't look beastly enough, they were just a little too cute. We wanted to make something that was original to the Final Fantasy series, and to do that, we decided to step away from the Viera.

I was actually strongly against showing the Viera concept art at the event we unveiled the Au Ra at. I knew that people would be like “why didn't you include them?!” [laughs] We feel we have a good thing with the Au Ra, though. If you don't like them, though, let us know and we'll take it into consideration with the next race we bring in."
From: https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the...n-sense/.91021

I think its also worth noting that he didn't want to add Viera either yet here we are several years later.
However, I feel like I'm missing another interview that touches base with this.

Edit: Person above me found it.

[Senn]

Ronso also would use those features..

Very possible.
Then I wonder what this "young elezen" variant can be. tbh I don't think it was really an "accidental" slip up.
If it's just a hairstyle or ear style, why the need to stay hushed over it?

[Shougun]

Very possible.
Then I wonder what this "young elezen" variant can be. tbh I don't think it was really an "accidental" slip up.
If it's just a hairstyle or ear style, why the need to stay hushed over it?

Well if I'm just keeping the circus going I would say because Ronso have young elezen ears, if you look Khimari ears look like Alphinud ears.



In a less "I'm having too much fun playing around with loose bits of info and trying to make a picture" feelings... I have no clue mate haha. It could be because they're going to have some smoll boi bunny, it could be because it might reveal some feature of the new helmet system they added, could be a hint to another race.

[InkstainedGwyn]

Very possible.
Then I wonder what this "young elezen" variant can be. tbh I don't think it was really an "accidental" slip up.
If it's just a hairstyle or ear style, why the need to stay hushed over it?

To add hype? To keep people guessing? If the hushed statement was something like "we're not giving you a young elezen race" they'd want to hush that up, too, if they're not willing to admit yet that there are no young/cute viera.

I don't think I'm right, I just want to caution people against making the evidence we have fit their pet theory without being mindful of the other meanings it could have.

[Senn]

...

Same, I'm just playing around with loose bits of info as well.
I'm not sure if the viera variant will have ears in that position. I think it's more likely to be in the same position as the female viera's ears.

[Crushnight]

How i be if male veira announced at Tokyo fan fest:
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How i'll be if they reveal veira are gender locked;
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