Male Viera as a playable character! show your support

[Lauront]

I tend to agree with that mentality. I don't think they should forsake improvements simply because some people have become attached to the existing models, especially where there is a high cost going into the continued maintenance of said models and these are not played at adequate levels to justify that cost based on current design, and only a subset enjoy their current iteration enough to resent any changes made.

The bigger issue is whether improving the design will shore up the number of people using it to the point of making the investment worthwhile - it might not always. Maintaining two sets of models at once would likely prove costly for SE given the troubles they already face in the work entailed through the addition of new assets.

It would be remarkably bad business sense unless they could increase revenues enough in the process to offset the costs and achieve even higher profitability in the process. A rather big ask.

[Mochamonarch]

being from a rival site of Neopets with a large userbase.

That bar is not high, friend. I jest.

Snip.

Sure they can do what they want, they're free to, just like how I'm free to say what I want. But freedom of choice does not mean freedom of consequence, and Neopets made some horrible business choices with said freedoms. Considering the overhaul was a means to get people to buy cash shop items (ie getting money), it seems a bit foolish to swing a bat at the bee's nest and then ask for honey afterwards. But it doesn't matter, the game is dying/dead and I haven't touched it in years.

In relation to Squeenix, they don't seem like the kind of company that would pull something like that. if anything, I could see them dragging their feet and trying to make the models last as long as they possibly can before updating them. If they think M!Viera and F!Hrothgar were too hard, oh man.

Or, you know. They could just end the world again.

[Gwenorai]

Considering how old this game is now, and how other MMOs are more visually pleasing. FF14 is certainly in need of a graphic overhaul and in dire need of the CC being overhauled, that's not something that can really be denied. Especially with ShB being voted as the top game of this year so far.

Reddit Post Regarding ShB being top game. Note; this is reddit. Look at your own peril.

Snip

Of course, I'm not exactly defending their business or what they did. I'm just saying they are in full right to do what they did at that time. Just like any dev can make an improvement in textures/graphics and QL improvements if it's an improvement on the game.

Square can certainly go ahead and drag their feet, but in the end, that's only going to start the haemorrhaging process as people leave. SWTOR had similar issues where they haven't updated their games base models etc. So you have a mix of old and new textures that don't match and of course, it's ugly. Your character looks like hell compared to NPCs who were introduced in later expansions. They can't ignore that. So either they update, or keep things at a constant. Which they won't. Hrothgar and Viera already look better in quality compared to any of the other races.

[Zanarkand-Ronso]

He actually did comment on his qualifications and employment history, here.

As to whether someone needs to work specifically for SE to express doubt on what Yoshi is saying, as opposed to having experience with other firms... I believe the former is setting the bar so high as to be nearly impossible to surmount, given how small a sample of the population that is, nevermind how much smaller the subset willing to comment on the matter.

Neat. Now if only he did Full Blown animation then Id say they'd be living most of our High-School Dreams. Also a name would be nice so I can cross-reference.
And I still think working with SE itself has more merit then working with X other Firms, because I'll bet there is at least one variable here that could be different. And id rather know What goes on with the Dev Team itself, not what COULD be going on based on other companies. There of course will be similarities, but I doubt all Studios work the same.

[Lauront]

Or, you know. They could just end the world again.

He keeps joking about it.

I am somewhat encouraged by the answer he gave during the guest meetings - whilst he considered having multiple body types (in light of the ShB trailer showing these for Miqo'te) infeasible for player characters, he did say they wanted to challenge themselves in regards to character customisation.

Of course, how that would play out in practice, if at all, is unclear, but the desire is there, at the least.

Considering how old this game is now, and how other MMOs are more visually pleasing. FF14 is certainly in need of a graphic overhaul and in dire need of the CC being overhauled, that's not something that can really be denied. Especially with ShB being voted as the top game of this year so far.


Reddit Post Regarding ShB being top game. Note; this is reddit. Look at your own peril.

Certainly if they want to increase on 5.0's performance, they're going to have to bite the bullet at some point. It's not just other MMOs that compete with the game but other games in general and even other uses of your time in addition to that.

[Theodric]

I'd rather not see the character models held hostage by those who cannot adjust and who 'need' a very specific look to be content. I'm sure even if the models were updated and free fantasia was handed out, most people would be able to find something that appealed to them - especially if there was a grace period where tweaks were free of charge for a fortnight.

To me it's no different to job changes. If the jobs were never changed for the sake of the players who like them as they are then there would be a lot of stagnation. Admittedly the development team are very stubborn about doing things a specific way such as how housing has been handled, though in regards to certain matters they can't stall forever.

One way or another some form of enhancement to character customisation is going to be required. It's just a shame there isn't more direct competition from rival MMO's at the moment to encourage it to happen sooner.

[StrongBear]

In terms of updating old races I always thought things like muscle definition sliders, more customization options etc could at the very least be introduced by adding third clans.

Elezen do need slightly bigger heads though.

Since females have a breast slider, what about a pec slider for males? I don't think I've seen a game with that.

[Mochamonarch]

he did say they wanted to challenge themselves in regards to character customisation.

Turns out the challenge was "How little customization options can we get away with before people start unsubbing."

I'd rather not see the character models held hostage by those who cannot adjust and who 'need' a very specific look to be content. I'm sure even if the models were updated and free fantasia was handed out, most people would be able to find something that appealed to them - especially if there was a grace period where tweaks were free of charge for a fortnight.

I feel like the "safest" option for them would be to simply make an HD version of the models they currently have. it updates them without "rocking the boat" too much. Though if they did make some tweaks here and there, that would be fine, it would probably be something they would slip in under the radar and hope nobody notices. As long as they keep the cute feminine boy face options I don't give a single care in the world what they do with the 9 polygons that make up their models.

Since females have a breast slider, what about a pec slider for males? I don't think I've seen a game with that.

For what it's worth, Saints row gives you a bulge slider.

[Gwenorai]

Snip

To be honest, its competition right now that can give FF14 a run for its money is ESO, but due to the differences in play style - well there's the issue. I still believe the whole 'Best game of the year - so far' is something that they should eyeball and take into consideration and not just go 'well we did that with it being in this state, everything is fine.' Hopefully, the suits give Yoshida an increase in budget.

So it boils down to, the game being overhauled in regards to graphics and CC etc. They don't bother at all overhauling and are just waiting for the end of this games life to make another MMO with up to date graphics that is more than likely to have the same playstyle as ESO or a Destiny clone, but with moogles.

Blah blah blah, Square, your game is earning top dollah. Add in the missing genders. You're not an indie dev.

For what it's worth, Saints row gives you a bulge slider.

I want this. ESO didn't let me edit the downstairs but at least I could edit everything else. Least I have cyberpunk to be an degenerate in ... A degenerate spoilt for choice due to that awesome character creator. Ayyyyyyyyyy

[Mochamonarch]

I want this. ESO didn't let me edit the downstairs but at least I could edit everything else. Least I have cyberpunk to be an degenerate in ... A degenerate spoilt for choice due to that awesome character creator. Ayyyyyyyyyy

I heard hushed whispers of a mod that gives such a thing, with physics. But yeah, I feel like ESO is the peak of character creation, it's like The Sims levels of detail, possibly even moreso. You can make any aesthetic of man or woman you wanted, total creative freedom. Shame the game is like watching paint dry. but I would kill for something even an inkling similar to that in 14. Heck, even GW2 lets you get fairly detailed.

Squeenix, let me give my men bulges you cowards.