[U]nstylish: Lack of Effort in Viera & Hrothgar Hairstyle Releases

[Midareyukki]

At least Hrothgar get a properly placed headband (even though they had to sacrifice their ears for it). But the bigger problem: of all the hairstyles to release for Hrothgar, this was seen as a fitting choice? For a race often given the excuse, "Xyz is done to keep the race more bestial," this is about as "bestial" as a Loporrit space café or Namazu accounting firm.

How much you want to bet they'll look at that comment, see Loporrit Space Café and awkwardly stare at that abandoned place in Ultima Thule? Because it frankly looks like something they can do.

In conclusion, Viera and Hrothgar are both playable races. If hairstyles for these races are going to be managed (or mismanaged) like this, both races might as well be given access to everything: every hairstyle and every piece of headgear (where it applies). At least let us experience the options other races are entitled to. Race-specific hairstyles should be a feature built alongside other unlockable hairstyles, not as a replacement for them.

Going by images of modded Hrothgar and Viera, the headgear really only needs a bit of tweaking to work. It would take some time, it would take some effort. But not only is it doable, the very bare minimum works just fine. Which makes me wonder. Square naturally doesn't want to care about mods, but have they actually seen what modders have done? It works. Mild tweaking here and there, naturally, but even some mods clip and they're not as gaudy or cumbersome to look at like what they revealed.

This is whats hurting me the most. I though this dev team were supposed to be the ones whom prioritize on always listening to player feedback. Its what gotten them out of the hellhole that was 1.0
What happened? Did they just get super complacent from success?

That's the thing, isn't it? They were a team that listened. But the way they presented those things and the subsequent silence, coupled with all that's happened the past 3 years and the minor flaws that keep piling up throughout the game? The past tense is starting to weigh down harder and harder. I don't know if it's complacency in the face of success, or if they know their community is so used to forgiving them and being understanding that this gets to pass.
Edit: Or it could be what I saw in another thread. Player retention and competition are no longer their focus. They are under no pressure to listen to their players anymore. Or you know, a combination of all 3.

No one will forget that a portion of the dev team allegedly worked behind Yoshida's back to give people head gear. But how long will that good faith last? 3+ years was more than enough time for them to get their priorities straight in the face of so much feedback. And BD3 saving 1.0, ARR and the cool writing from then on only made so much good will to carry them so far. It's dwindling. And it's dwindling fast with decisions like these.