Male Viera as a playable character! show your support

[sylanxi]

In terms of concept art, sure. But unless there's already a floating character model somewhere around in Square's vault, it's highly unlikely they're going to go out of their way to create a brand new model for male Vieras. As well as making them fit every single piece of equipment, create new animations, etc.

Why is it less likely than doing the exact same thing for Miqo'te?

[Sephaul]

Why is it less likely than doing the exact same thing for Miqo'te?

Realistically, if there isn't a character model already created for a male Viera and if there isn't a similar body type from existing races that they can edit to make the male Viera possible while keeping the race unique, do you think they have the time to make sure every single piece of armor, weapon, and animation will work properly for the character model? Do you have any idea how much time and money that would cost to do? I'm all for a male Viera, but honestly the developers don't need that kind of stress. Plus I don't think everyone is going to be happy with a world full of nothing but male Vieras. Jokes aside, from a business standpoint, I don't think the development team has the creation of male Vieras on their schedule.

[Chained_Icarus]

Realistically, if there isn't a character model already created for a male Viera and if there isn't a similar body type from existing races that they can edit to make the male Viera possible while keeping the race unique, do you think they have the time to make sure every single piece of armor, weapon, and animation will work properly for the character model? Do you have any idea how much time and money that would cost to do? I'm all for a male Viera, but honestly the developers don't need that kind of stress. Plus I don't think everyone is going to be happy with a world full of nothing but male Vieras. Jokes aside, from a business standpoint, I don't think the development team has the creation of male Vieras on their schedule.

Personally, like a lot of others, I'd base it on Alphinaud's body. Make a smaller male to go with the larger females. It'd fit their lore too - If they're reclusive and deadly stalkers that lurk in their own woods, being a tall lanky boy or a big muscle man would be counter to that. Being small but fit and agile would fit quite well.

[J-Reyno]

Personally, like a lot of others, I'd base it on Alphinaud's body. Make a smaller male to go with the larger females. It'd fit their lore too - If they're reclusive and deadly stalkers that lurk in their own woods, being a tall lanky boy or a big muscle man would be counter to that. Being small but fit and agile would fit quite well.

I'd be okay with this, but I'd also be okay with a body type similar to Omega M. Lean and toned. Lithe but deadly.

[sylanxi]

Realistically, if there isn't a character model already created for a male Viera and if there isn't a similar body type from existing races that they can edit to make the male Viera possible while keeping the race unique, do you think they have the time to make sure every single piece of armor, weapon, and animation will work properly for the character model? Do you have any idea how much time and money that would cost to do? I'm all for a male Viera, but honestly the developers don't need that kind of stress. Plus I don't think everyone is going to be happy with a world full of nothing but male Vieras. Jokes aside, from a business standpoint, I don't think the development team has the creation of male Vieras on their schedule.

tbh the Elezen male body type isn't far off what a lot of the fanart is depicting Viera dudes to look like, especially since the DNC vid shows a fem!Viera with flat feet. It's not identical to the concept art (but when is the finished product ever?) but it'd easily satisfy the demand.

And yes, I know this stuff takes developer time and effort. I'm not saying I want male Viera immediately right now same time as the females, announce it yesterday or I quit. I'm saying at some point, when it's doable. This is something the players want, and I know several people personally who are boycotting optional purchases of all kinds and downgrading their subscription in protest, so not providing what people want in this case is damaging profits, even if only marginally. Think of all the money SE will make if they bring in male Viera, and all of us who've been waiting suddenly buy fantasias to switch over.
Honestly you talk about business, but completely discounting the idea the way you are doing is actually really daft from a business sense. If SE know anything about business (and they definitely do), (and assuming that the issue with M!Viera isn't IP integrity issues, which is something else entirely) they're probably keeping their options open.