Would you rather have had Male Viera or Hrothgar?

[Aramina]

No interest in Viera at all, so Hrothgar.

[Yllania]

Plot twist, female Hrothgar. No males ones though. My dream, my rules.

[pclarkson85]

The fact people even care about this blows my mind.

[Kirajah]

I'd personally have played male viera.

On which I'd "want" though. I'd want the one more people would actively play. Right now I'm convinced that Hrothgar would definitely have a much less active playerbase than male Viera would based on the play numbers for Male Miqote, Roe, Male Au Ra, Elezen etc. But we'll never really know for sure.

I hope Im wrong and Hrothgar have a very active playerbase, they look very cool.

I plan to play as a Hrothgar. I've said it before that I would have loved to play as a buff tiger woman, but we'll see if that becomes a reality. Male will do until then, I'm not a stranger to playing male characters.

[van_arn]

The fact people even care about this blows my mind.

I'm more impressed this "rigorous scientific strawpoll" will be cited for years as conclusive proof that we need yet another catboy-adjacent, when the poll is already overruled; the decision is already made.
owo whats dis

Although these second and third points are in conflict, we nevertheless felt that it was in the best interests of our players to try and satisfy both demands. We understood that some players would be upset if they were unable to use their preferred gender, but even so, after much internal discussion, we decided this approach was the best way to improve the overall game experience.

I want to be clear that this does not mean it will eventually happen, and that I cannot make any promises at this time. I hope you will understand and bear with us.

Concerns have been anticipated, and the fallout has been considered acceptable in exchange for what the Hrothgar offer. This door is shut for so long it doesn't matter what anyone thinks now.

[Taybat]

I've been wanting Viera ever since I've played the game and when I saw those concept designs. I knew we would get them eventually. I would've never guessed that they would've gender locked them

[Taybat]

I've been wanting Viera ever since I've played the game and when I saw those concept designs. I knew we would get them eventually. I would've never guessed that they would've gender locked them

That said I am willing to except Hrothgar. But they NEED both genders as well. I agree a beast race is very much needed in the game

[Burningskull]

Where is the option of "I would have rather had one race two genders?" Be it Viera or Hrothgar. That's what I would have wanted.

[Allegor]

Hrothgar, definitely. At least they're a unique race instead of another not-Hyur with ears, even if they share skeletons with Roes. That said, male Viera would've definitely been more popular, even when the players can't agree on a general look for them (short and cute vs tall and beautiful vs tall and manly).

[WhiteArchmage]

I'm more impressed this "rigorous scientific strawpoll" will be cited for years as conclusive proof that we need yet another catboy-adjacent, when the poll is already overruled; the decision is already made.

It actually won't, and there's an even more in-depth poll about ShB anticipation regarding the missing genders. Even taking into concern the limited data from the Forum users (and reddit since that one was shared there as well), a decent sample size is enough to gauge interest. And it doesn't need to be a "majority" of the players, just "enough" to justify the expenses (in the very same live letter you're quoting, Yoshi even says:

Character creation is about providing players with options, and while there’s no telling how many people will utilize these options, we also believe that there is value simply in having them exist—in empowering people to fill the world with greater variety.

Concerns have been anticipated, and the fallout has been considered acceptable in exchange for what the Hrothgar offer. This door is shut for so long it doesn't matter what anyone thinks now.

You have interpreted Yoshi's words to mean a final "no" when it really is a non-commital non-answer.

As you play through Shadowbringers, you’ll learn that both male Viera and female Hrothgar exist. While you won’t meet any in person, if we developers can find a way to address the various problems which are preventing us from implementing them, then perhaps someday you’ll be able to see them for yourself. I want to be clear that this does not mean it will eventually happen, and that I cannot make any promises at this time. I hope you will understand and bear with us.

Right before the part you bolded, even. It's not saying yes, but the door is not "shut" so we can still show our support.