Lack of voice acting is really hurting the emotion of the story

[Edax]

If SE did invest more money into FFXIV, those funds could be used to address pressing issues like inventory space, or adding a fifth or sixth encounter for Eden. Putting resources means something else either loses out or doesn't benefit.

As for SWTOR. Considering the sheer amount of money invested (half a billion dollars), it did nowhere near expectations. And if I recall, it several years before consistently turning a profit. They didn't abandon the subscription model without reason, after all. That isn't to say voice acting was the cause but rather they invested into the wrong things.

Perhaps, but admitted I ended up far more invested into the SWTOR story then I ever was with FFXIV.
FFXIV may definitely be a better financial model, but it suffers in the story department for it. For the sake of SE making more money for themselves, they made the right call.

[ForteNightshade]

Perhaps, but admitted I ended up far more invested into the SWTOR story then I ever was with FFXIV.
FFXIV may definitely be a better financial model, but it suffers in the story department for it. For the sake of SE making more money for themselves, they made the right call.

Which is perfectly fine but also entirely subjective. I found Shadowbringers captivating from start to finish. And the absence of full voice acting didn't ruin that. Suddenly adding a voice to our character—one which may not resonate with our own canon—has a much higher chance of hurting the story. It'd be one thing if XIV started with full voice acting but adding it now would likely be more jarring than anything else.

[Edax]

Which is perfectly fine but also entirely subjective. I found Shadowbringers captivating from start to finish. And the absence of full voice acting didn't ruin that. Suddenly adding a voice to our character—one which may not resonate with our own canon—has a much higher chance of hurting the story. It'd be one thing if XIV started with full voice acting but adding it now would likely be more jarring than anything else.

I kind of agree it's too late to introduce a voice actor for WoL. Too many people would complain I would think.

I think the other problem I have with the silent protagonist is that the WoL just doesn't have enough effect on the plot. The WoL doesn't get to make enough decisions that matter or have enough choices for the sake of roleplay. The WoL is just too passive in cutscenes in my opinion. If people want to roleplay a personality, they basically have to headcanon it because the ability to express it in cutscenes is just simply not there. You could basically replace a cardboard cutout of the WoL in most cutscenes and lose almost nothing.

All the personality seen from the WoLs in the original trailer is just not an option in this game. You can't exactly be a fiendish rogue like the Miqo'te in the trailer.
https://youtu.be/opQjN74Meec?t=52