Quote Originally Posted by GenBroadaxe View Post
That's the thing though. They did prioritize their vision and that vision included something for folks who wanted a fan service race and a beast race. They've explicitly said that and since Fran is the "iconic viera" at this point, it make sense to make the race female if they only had the time and resources to make one option for it and hrothgar. I doubt there was sitting and greedily rubbing hands together in some conspiracy to sell fantasia and let's be honest, the viera starting outfit isn't any worse then the mi'quote thigh highs, mini skirt, crop top look. Folks who want their characters to dress skimpy are gonna do it regardless of what race they're playing.
It'd be silly to think that cash is not a part of the equation here regardless of what was done and said. No one is intentionally being greedy, but above all else, what needs to be remembered is that SE is a business and revenue is demanded from each and every project decision. Yes, savage raids can be called revenue because it is content that keeps players playing and paying a sub. A business cannot survive on pure fan service, but female viera (in all its obviousness) is a smart fan service business move as is male Hrothgar (with the dying WoW playerbase). Female Viera will appeal to those who play female characters and female viera diehards. Male Hrothgar will appeal to WoW players who are looking for another MMO to devote their time to. Fantasia sales will be (one hopes) tremendous.

We can all sit here deluded by the idea that SE does nothing for the sake of money, but at the end of the day it is a business. It has employees. It requires ideas that motivate income.