Gender Locks Have Revealed the Worst in Players.

[Ilan]

First, at this point, there are more posts complaining about people dragging real-world issues into the game that I've seen than people actually doing that thing. Second, you cannot separate media from the real world, as the real world informs its creators and thus, its creation. That then informs the experiences and perceptions of those who consume it. If we didn't bring up how politics or other real-world issues affect our media, we'd probably still be seeing things like Coal Black or the like. That being said, this is nothing near that, and I do agree that those few people accusing the devs of being homophobic or sexist are either disingenuous, hyperbolic, or misinformed. However, those attacking people asking for other genders and accusing them of being childish, or snowflakes, or what have you, are just as bad and just as unhelpful.

I haven't followed this trend until I got into the game recently, but from what I understand, people have been asking for Viera and a beast race for a hot minute. Concept art, a poll, and the subsequent reveal of Fran probably just fanned those flames. I can't speak for others, but for me, when it comes to MMOs, I honestly don't care about classes as long as there's at least one I enjoy (and not genderlocked), with combat that's challenging enough. Because of this, I don't have much of anything to say about that. Plus their explanation was more than understandable to me. If I was a healer main, I'd probably be a bit more passionate about the subject though. People do enjoy RPing, which isn't wrong, and glamour is a huge part of end game. I mean, this MMO is the only one I've played that literally has a feature dedicated to taking better screenshots. So I don't think looking at one's character goes against the dev's idea of the game.

I keep seeing comments complaining about all the accusations against the devs, when those comments seem to be in the minority. I also keep seeing comments about how race and cosmetics aren't important, despite being part of a game in which one common phrase is "Glamour is end game." Finally, you mention people not knowing what the words "homophobic" or "sexist" mean. I don't know you, so I won't presume to tell you that you don't either. However, there IS a discussion to be had about how men and women are portrayed in media and how that can affect the wider society. While the devs' intentions were good, from what I read, I think that discussion still has a place in this instance. I just wish it could happen in a more productive way.

So you are telling me that its fine to compare a fantasy game, with nothing related to our real world, with the real world? Sorry but that doesn't work for me because i can differentiate between fantasy games and real world things.

Yes people wanted the viera and a beast race but if the developers decide for what reason ever, which is most of the time lore or in this case the time they had, to lock the genders there is no point in starting a riot and insult the dev's like it has be done. I wonder what they would do if they would start other mmo's because there are a lot that have genderlocks and even racelocks and no one there cares one bit. I'm not touching the topic of RPing or the glamour endgame because most people would take offense in what i would've to write, even if i'm not against it.

Yes there is a discussion about how men and women are portrayed in media and the problem with games does only exist if people are not capable of seperating a fantasy world from the real world.

[xbahax92]

With Male Viera it's prob people thirsty for ERP. I mean ... it's the most logical train of thought. It's where the Sexism/ Homophobic non-sense stems from.

So... Every player who voted for a Viera race wanted bun girls only for ERP? Look how they ended up. They do not look mysterious and like fierce warriors of the wood (based on the trailer). Its kinda harsh implying these things on male Viera, while the same can be said about female Viera.

Lord, that's a lotta ass.

That indeed is fanservice as well and I can imply people wanted them solely for ERP.

[ScarboroughFairy]

Look how they ended up. They do not look mysterious and like fierce warriors of the wood (based on the trailer). Its kinda harsh implying these things on male Viera, while the same can be said about female Viera.

They do if you played any of the previous games that featured them, 12 especially.



Lord, that's a lotta ass.

[Blokeymon]

I know it's been suggested that it's homophobic or sexist because "straight men have been given an attractive female-only race to ogle at", but one of my female FC members is gay, and she's super-stoked to have female-only Viera to lust over, so how would the pro-male Viera party safely hate on her without becoming that which they're accusing others of being?

[ScarboroughFairy]

I know it's been suggested that it's homophobic or sexist because "straight men have been given an attractive female-only race to ogle at", but one of my female FC members is gay, and she's super-stoked to have female-only Viera to lust over, so how would the pro-male Viera party safely hate on her without becoming that which they're accusing others of being?

The same crowd that insists the Viera women are straight men ogle-bait get real silent when you point out that lesbians exist.

[Acesfool]

As I've said in other threads, you will never convince me that you ever really liked FFXIV if you're willing to unsub over just no male viera. I also agree with those who have pointed out that if it was only the hrothgar that were genderlocked there wouldn't be near as much outrage, if any at all. Go ahead and call me a white knight, I don't care. I know the truth of it all and there are plenty of issues that I have spoken out about with this game. Yes, glamour and RP are a big part of any MMO. But the undeniable fact is they do not in any way hinder gameplay. There is no dungeon, raid, quest, story, craft or gathering that you can't play through because there are no male viera.

Does that mean I believe people aren't allowed to want and even request male viera? No, not even close. I simply hope SE calls the bluff of those threatening to unsub over it.

[stormygabe]

So you are telling me that its fine to compare a fantasy game, with nothing related to our real world, with the real world? Sorry but that doesn't work for me because i can differentiate between fantasy games and real world things.

Yes people wanted the viera and a beast race but if the developers decide for what reason ever, which is most of the time lore or in this case the time they had, to lock the genders there is no point in starting a riot and insult the dev's like it has be done. I wonder what they would do if they would start other mmo's because there are a lot that have genderlocks and even racelocks and no one there cares one bit. I'm not touching the topic of RPing or the glamour endgame because most people would take offense in what i would've to write, even if i'm not against it.

Yes there is a discussion about how men and women are portrayed in media and the problem with games does only exist if people are not capable of seperating a fantasy world from the real world.

Yes, I am saying it's fine to compare fantasy to the real world. I already explained why.

I seriously don't think most people are insulting the devs over this. Barring the few who are, OP of this thread included, most people are simply saying things like "I want male viera/female hrothgar." There are just as much if not more edgy edge lord types insulting those who are asking for that. I can't speak for others, but I personally avoid MMO's like BDO and Tera in part because of gender locks. I also think you're past the point of offending anyone with what you're trying to say. This is the internet. Expressing any opinion is bound to upset someone.

No, the problem is much more than people not separating fantasy from reality. Again, I've already explained why.

[LordTiberiusRex]

I think Flat Chest had the right of it earlier in the thread.

A lot of the fiasco is resulting around one subculture getting more attention than the other subculture, and the "unrepresented" subculture is lashing out. There was even an earlier 2013 (?) interview that stated that Male viera weren't really planned anyway: https://i.redd.it/ca1q5hg9ntn21.png

Don't think devs are sexist, or even homophobic. If anything, based on what the in-game world has set up, it's mainly racism that's an issue among the IN-GAME (keynote: IN-GAME) characters. For example:

Gay marriage? A-OK.
Having multiple relationships at once? Go right ahead.
Interracial relationships? Looked down upon.
A combination of two or three of these? Probably ok, honestly.

[Halivel]

There was even an earlier 2013 (?) interview that stated that Male viera weren't really planned anyway: https://i.redd.it/ca1q5hg9ntn21.png

Well, considering last Q&A inteviews, they thought about male Vieras for recent expansion, planned (since Yoshi has an idea how they would look if they would do them) but just didn't have enough time for two full races. People asked for beastful race, but asked about Vieras too (and even longer) so recent decision was kind of "win win". Also, implementing missing gender can be easier in terms of adjusting headgears (cause I'm sure they are going to work on them for male Hrothgars and female Vieras, just we will be unable to use them at start of expansion), because they most likely will be similar to their counterparts in proportions.

[Tsumdere]

The same crowd that insists the Viera women are straight men ogle-bait get real silent when you point out that lesbians exist.

I am a lesbian and I still think its terrible. °~° Pro-male Viera people arent a hivemind of people who lust over men.