Gender locked race?

[Gwenorai]

Snip

I agree with the point regarding rank and rule. So yes Yoshida can overrule. But that does bring up another question; he's very high up, and he represents Square. Regarding something that is as touchy as gender locking a race in our times. He reverted it once and was met with universal praise. While bringing it back, that's something that isn't going to meet with approval but seen as a backwards view. Yes, he'll be sticking to his guns - but in the end, it's going to hurt his image and squares. Because yet again, it's a backward view and people will glom on that. All it takes is folks to broadcast, Twitter, Reddit, Twitch etc.

Now that backlash could be big or small, but the backlash is backlash. We only see a small amount of it regarding BLU, I've seen so much more in discords, twitter, Reddit and other social media outlets. TLDR; the forums are just a small part of it. People are screaming all over the place regarding BLU, and I imagine they will listen, they have to since the class is in such a sorry state.

I think the backlash would be considerable regarding male Viera.

• - When people wanted Viera, I imagine they assumed that the male would be included because they removed the gender lock. No one thought they'd bring it back after what happened with the original gender locks.
• - Concept art showed both male and female; meaning the idea of the males wasn't entirely off the table. Along with the comment that they wouldn't show just the females.
• - Creating lore that would have the men confined in one specific area; who are aggressive to outsiders and then have us go to that area. In regards to the story; this would give a fantastic introduction. If however, they're going to use that lore to 'destroy' one part of a race's gender. That speaks of lazy writing, complete avoidance and a way to write them off in its entirety rather than expanding and adding to the lore.
• - While it's acceptable in Eastern MMOs; it isn't so much in Western MMOs, and that's where the money will haemorrhage. Yes, this is an Eastern MMO; but it has a huge western influence. Western MMOs do not have gender locks - why? Demographic, political correctness, etc. What do I mean by this? Eastern MMOs tend to go for sex appeal; the females are attractive and hot, or cute, petite, the men are rugged and strong. It's old backwards thinking. To me at least. Times have changed. More women playing, more people wanting to stray from the norm. Take me for example; I'm a female who wants to play as a male character. This isn't even including the LBGT+ community. Or just a man who wants to play as a Viera that is his own sex.
• - Business; in the end, this is all a business. Money matters. A new race will come, that's for certain. We have Viera, and that's a lot of money in Fantasias and the likes. A lot of money. Male Viera done 'correctly' close to the female but not straying too much; more money. A race that hasn't been shown or previewed or hinted at seems like more of a gamble in regards to that income.

In the end, gender locking will always be something that takes away from the freedom of the player who is affected by it. It stings even more in an RPG - and even more so in an MMORPG as there is no hiding from the choice they made. And while we can take the lumps and deal with it - there is no reason why those who were slighted should stay silent about it.

Honestly, I can't even imagine how irritated I'm going to be if there is no male Viera, and I'm surrounded by my friends who are happily playing their Female Viera - all the while seeing 'Bara lions' and thinking, 'this is what I got instead of my male Viera.' There is no hiding from that disappointment.