Gender locked race?

[Nestama]

Eh, I don't think it's fair to bring up your own anecdote in an attempt to minimize his own feelings/opinions about this. I'm on the same boat that I would be upset if SE decides to not give us male Viera and go the gender-lock route, but I don't exactly agree with the whole "pitchforks and rage" sentiment. He's entirely in his right to unsub if he wants to.

It's more of a "I find it hard to believe you would unsub from this game unless you're bored of it, or disagree with the gameplay changes SE make" (PvP being one example). Unsubbing because a race won't have a male version is silly to me, especially if you like everything else about the game (assuming he still enjoys the game and no male Viera is the only reason he would unsub).

[redcurrant18]

It's more of a "I find it hard to believe you would unsub from this game unless you're bored of it, or disagree with the gameplay changes SE make" (PvP being one example). Unsubbing because a race won't have a male version is silly to me, especially if you like everything else about the game (assuming he still enjoys the game and no male Viera is the only reason he would unsub).

Nope. Male Viera or I leave. Race customization matters differently to everyone and I hope that at some point you eventually do get your beastman race, but right now the focus needs to be on releasing Viera without a genderlock. That's the major thing attracting me about this expansion and failing to deliver that means I'm putting this game on hold, since it wouldn't be different from other mmorpgs that genderlock key things like races and classes.

[Tsumdere]

Eh, I mean pitchforks and all that will happen regardless.
Though if we want to get anywhere with them - if there is a gender lock of course - we just start a thread, give support and do it in a manner that is both respectful and insightful. I won't unsub if we don't get Viera; I'll be disappointed but I'll still play and just stick as Hyur, or fantasia if Hrothgar looks acceptable.

I think this is most people here. I'm not known for using kind words as I always sound more heated than I really am, but really I'm not so incensed I'm going to drop my sub and demand Yoshi-P lick my boots. I would be very disappointed in him, as more evidence stacks up that he can't separate business from his personal taste (that "weird" bunny comment really gets to me), but I still really admire the man and his creative team.

I'm so excited for Shadowbringers. I love female Viera. I'm sure I will love Hrothgar (provided they aren't just Miqo'te with bigger muscles). I play the game for more than my character's looks, but that is still a very important part of the game for me. I'm still allowed to express my distaste for gender-locks on anything and any race.

[Lauront]

It's more of a "I find it hard to believe you would unsub from this game unless you're bored of it, or disagree with the gameplay changes SE make" (PvP being one example). Unsubbing because a race won't have a male version is silly to me, especially if you like everything else about the game (assuming he still enjoys the game and no male Viera is the only reason he would unsub).

I don't like gender-locking races in principle. I can understand why it would be enough to drive someone to unsub.

[ErysNight]

I don't like gender-locking races in principle. I can understand why it would be enough to drive someone to unsub.

Honestly, unsubbing is the only way to really get SE's attention. Even if it's only for a couple months it's the most powerful tool consumers have.

[Lauront]

Honestly, unsubbing is the only way to really get SE's attention. Even if it's only for a couple months it's the most powerful tool consumers have.

Yup, but that's the course Redcurrant is proposing to take. For me, it's not something that would push me over the tipping point, but I think it's a very negative design direction. Even BDO is starting to shy away from the gender locks.

I don't even mind the fact that the devs imbue the game with their more traditional Japanese mindset... I honestly find some of the "progressivism" in the US market to be cheapen games, as it's not what I turn to fantasy games for. However, I don't see how gender-locking Viera and introducing Hrothgar fits into this all, especially when they caved in and gave bunny outfits to both genders. At least with male Viera, they have full artistic direction so as to avoid making them cutesy. Why is it an issue now, after you can design very cutesy catboys with bunny ears? Hence, I don't take the 2013 remarks by Yoshi-P particularly seriously as an objection to male Viera.

I think if they are introducing Hrothgar, they will end up having to later on put in both genders. If that's the intention and they will simply "complete" each race later on in time, I've no real issue with it.

[ErysNight]

Yup, but that's the course Redcurrant is proposing to take. For me, it's not something that would push me over the tipping point, but I think it's a very negative design direction. Even BDO is starting to shy away from the gender locks.

I don't even mind the fact that the devs imbue the game with their more traditional Japanese mindset... I honestly find some of the "progressivism" in the US market to be cheapen games. However, I don't see how gender-locking Viera and introducing Hrothgar solves this problem, especially when they caved in and gave bunny outfits to both genders.

Honestly, with the number of documented times they've talked about development cost constraints (SE treats FFXIV as a cashcow and draws a ton of profit from it without giving them much of an increased budget for development), why even make a second race? It has to be considerably easier to just make male and females, avoid all the ire from the vocal minority and develop gear for the male counterpart to the females.

So I am really interested in their reasoning at this point. I need the JP fanfest now lol.

[Lauront]

Honestly, with the number of documented times they've talked about development cost constraints (SE treats FFXIV as a cashcow and draws a ton of profit from it without giving them much of an increased budget for development), why even make a second race? It has to be considerably easier to just make male and females, avoid all the ire from the vocal minority and develop gear for the male counterpart to the females.

So I am really interested in their reasoning at this point. I need the JP fanfest now lol.

To be fair to them, they do re-invest in it; they quadrupled the budget for SB if memory serves, and I imagine ShB will benefit from an increased budget, too. The fact that Yoshi-P felt he could even mention a graphics overhaul on the panel with Ayumi (albeit they're still holding off on committing to this) makes me think he's confident the game will get continued funds as long as it makes SE money. So much so that they aren't even considering talk of another MMO just yet.

As for why they would toy with two races, it could just be that they see it as a good marketing tool to attract new players, especially nostalgic WoW players. I'm not yet 100% convinced about whether Hrothgar will be included, and I am sure if they are they will keep the design tame, but I could see it being a handy tool to draw more players. They have the opportunity to figure out why people don't play Roegadyn as much and factor it into their design.

[ErysNight]

To be fair to them, they do re-invest in it; they quadrupled the budget for SB if memory serves, and I imagine ShB will benefit from an increased budget, too. The fact that Yoshi-P felt he could even mention a graphics overhaul on the panel with Ayumi (albeit they're still holding off on committing to this) makes me think he's confident the game will get continued funds as long as it makes SE money. So much so that they aren't even considering talk of another MMO just yet.

As for why they would toy with two races, it could just be that they see it as a good marketing tool to attract new players, especially nostalgic WoW players. I'm not yet 100% convinced about whether Hrothgar will be included, and I am sure if they are they will keep the design tame, but I could see it being a handy tool to draw more players. They have the opportunity to figure out why people don't play Roegadyn as much and factor it into their design.

Source for quadrupled budget?

[Theodric]

I like cats. I want to play a big, beefy cat man.

By all means, add male Viera too - my beefy cat man will need something to chase around!