Male Viera as a playable character! show your support

[Iscah]

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), 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.

I'm fairly sure that's just in regards to NPC designs, where they can do things that are beyond the reach of players.

Now that we've actually got the game and can poke around at its data (thankyou Garland Tools), the two really unusual character designs are the "fat cat" Miqo'te such as Dulia-Chai, and Ran'jit who seems to be a Highlander-cross-Xaela, as far as I can guess?

I was curious to see exactly how they were doing it at an underlying level, and expected something like all the Garleans technically being Elezen... but as it turns out, neither of them are programmed as normal NPCs. They're derived from standard models and animations (Dulia uses Lalafell emotes!), but their character data doesn't show the appearance or equipment information that is available all normal NPCs. And it isn't that the site hasn't updated the information yet for those characters, as it's available for others in the same zone.

[Lauront]

It is with regard to NPC designs - I forgot some words in there - should read "whilst he considered having multiple body types (in light of the ShB trailer showing these for Miqo'te) infeasible for player characters". So my bad, edited it in.


Basically he more or less ruled that option out but said they are looking at ways to improve body optimisation.

Hopefully, the suits give Yoshida an increase in budget.

Isn't he one of them now?

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.

Based on interview commentary he gave, it wouldn't even be the same type of MMO as this, but something more in the MOBA direction. They spoke of "perfecting" this one. You would hope "perfecting" would include graphics/CC improvements but it remains to be seen.

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

Even the presence of a bulge (a la Overwatch) as opposed to a flat pack would be welcome! As Theodric says, it's part of how the male anatomy interacts with tighter outfits... flatpacks down there just look odd. Sliders veer into murkier territory given that they draw attention to the feature, but for a game like Saint's Row (or I guess Cyberpunk?) the age rating may allow for it.

[Theodric]

Squeenix, let me give my men bulges you cowards.

It doesn't even need to be a slider. Just actually present. Overwatch does it tastefully - on certain costumes you can see that McCree and Soldier: 76 are packing a decent amount of heat. It isn't even particularly lewd, just a consequence of a male's natural form combined with the realistic tightness of certain outfits.

[AnakhaSilver]

The reason you're not getting a graphics overhaul is it's a lllloooooot of work, btw. Just as a heads up.

[Lauront]

I wouldn't go so far as to it being a case of "will" not (because it's not set in stone) but I agree, they have stated it is a lot of work.

[AnakhaSilver]

I wouldn't go so far as to it being a case of "will" not (because it's not set in stone) but I agree, they have stated it is a lot of work.

I mean, even if you logic it out, you realize how much work it is. They would have to remake all the assets--time I'd rather they spend on new things than retexturing old things.

[Lauront]

That just gives me one part of the equation - costs, based on the current limitations they are faced with, which he even goes to comment on himself. It does not give me the other - anticipated increase in revenues relative to not implementing the feature. The logic that is relevant here is the profit formula, not just the costs... and those in turn are not necessarily fixed based on what he said.

[SturmChurro]

I don't see them ever doing a big overhaul, and have it kind of like WoW where certain thing are updated and older assets aren't. For example, I could see them updating character models (textures, quality), but not low level zones. New effects, etc.

It's doubtful they would actually add third clans, those would be effectively a new race. I do see them adding more options if possible like tattoos, faces, features, and facepaint. That is the extent I could see them go with it. Definitely not body sizes, rather types.

[Komarimono]

I think it really would related to their profits. FFXIV is a lovely game, but I'm not sure how to check their profits and returns like we could on other MMO's. But for costs, they can be massive. Largest example would be the various world and model remakes Word of Warcraft went through. The smallest one, being the Character Models at Warlords of Draenor launch, that cost hundreds of millions to accomplish due to the time frame they had combined with all new mesh, skeleton, animation, and textures.

Don't know about you, but Blizzard pulled it off since they were still swimming in money. I've no idea if SE could even pull it off.

And a video I found, that actually shows the changes. Surprised one was out, but should help people understand some. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODO8SPvv4Uk

And another edit, turns out they had been working on models, textures, everything, mid Mists of Pandaria, so they had nearly two years. Boy that is expensive though...

[Lauront]

I don't see them ever doing a big overhaul, and have it kind of like WoW where certain thing are updated and older assets aren't. For example, I could see them updating character models (textures, quality), but not low level zones. New effects, etc.

It's doubtful they would actually add third clans, those would be effectively a new race. I do see them adding more options if possible like tattoos, faces, features, and facepaint. That is the extent I could see them go with it. Definitely not body sizes, rather types.

I guess we all have different things in mind, but the character texture quality upgrade would be the big overhaul here according to that interview I linked. Otherwise, I agree with your post, it's likelier to touch on the areas you mention should it happen.