One of, if not THE, main thing(s) that makes FF14 stand out against other MMOs..is its artwork. The level of detailing the developers have put into the design is beyond respectable; its breathe taking. As an example, when's the last time you took a stroll through Haukke Manor? Go into the final bosses room and take a look at the items on the desk (HM) Take a look in the kitchen and check out just how detailed the plates are. Observe that there are bloodstains on the carpet. While many of these details might be lost to some, for those of us who fancy the lore down to the last morsel, its visual gold. My point is, since the devs wish to bestow upon us such lush, imaginative enviornments, foes, and friends, wouldnt it be understandable that we'd want to respond with our own expressions?
The glam system is obviously our number 1 tool of self exprssion (even over char creation, which I'll touch on afterwards) Line up 20 beautiful Miqo's..or lalas..w/e your poison...in a row. What is it that makes one stand out from the other?? The glamour. One's a heroic pld with bright red armor, the others a sexy Global Library Secretary Healer with black glasses and a pair of..(I really luv my wife >_>) Point is, its the glams that add the individuality.
Another way of putting it. How many of you would run an instance multiple times for a piece of marginally more useful gear? After the 2nd or third time..youre probably sick of the dungeon. On the other hand, how many would run same said dungeon over and over if you knew there was a piece in there that fit your character juuuust right? That sword that goes so well with the armor, those gloves that make the robe all the more regal, etc? As an artist, Ive been amazed at some of the combinations Ive seen people come up with (this past week Ive seen Optimus Prime working on his mch relic weap in Corenthas, Super Mario and Luigi lalas slap boxing while waiting for Seal Rock, and Wonderwoman (miqo) doing the gold dance i Idylshire) and its had me wondering, if people can do stuff like this with the limited lams we have, what would happen if Yoshi really realized the potential not being capitalized on here? As such:
...please, please, please expand on the glamour system. The excuses Ive heard for keeping the restrictions on cross class glams are pathetic (if, as a newbie, seeing a healer running around with drg armor horribly confuses you, you'll probably commit suicide after your 1st HM titan encounter..the majority of gamers just arent that stupid) I can't count the number of times while playing mnk I wanted some heavy pld armor or while playing brd some of those elegant mage robes. I would even go so far as to say let us cc weapons too (tell me a pld wouldnt love to use the i110-180 PvP drk swords with 1 hand) though that'd probably be pushing it. Either way..2 ideas:
1. Let at least SOME pieces of gear have at least 2 dyable choices. As well, add more 'texture' dyes (the feel of Metalic Red vs Blood Rose Red is quite different visually)
2. (and this opens up a whole new world) make use of the second hand/ shiled slot!!! As mnk or drg for example, would love to be able to use that slot to equip say a (purely for glamour only) sword, a stylish chain, an old-fashioned rifle, etc. Another post on here mentioned wings. Perhaps an exagurated tail, an extra pair of horns (would luv this) or as a mage, a pair of floating orbs around you. I understand the ol 'personal character data limitations' arguement but I can't see at least some of these things being possible.
Character Creation Additions
Considering how many people I know personally who buy a fantasia every other week, it seems the desire for character altering is a pretty comman thing. Lala one week, Aura the next. And since people seem to enjoy it and are willing to actually spand rl money for it, why NOT enhance the experience? More creative options! Would I like to see a certain perimeter which I won't name go up to 150-200% percent? Yes. Hell yes.*shrug* But you get the point. Play off of/build upon each race's characteristics. As things are currently, I couldnt tell you the difference between a Hellsguard and Seawolf Roe or a Duskwright and ..forget the other name..woodsomething?) Elv. Play upon this. Let Auras increase their horn sizes. Give Highlander males the option for twice as many tatoos. Let keepers of the Sun Miqos tails light up during the day (optional) while the moon kitties do it at night. LET ROES HAVE THEIR TAILS BACK DAMMIT (if they choose) And for godssake, maybe at LEAST give Dunesfolk lala females....uh....t-the option to increase biceps or s-something. In other words, give us more options to establish the distinctions between races as well instead of just species. Then again, like the hairstyle quest, doesnt even have to be a default option. As a Roe, picture going on the quest : 'A Tail of Ancient Memories, to unlock the long lost galka tail from another place and time (dammit I swear we're still on the same planet as Vanadiel!!) or as a lala 'Overnight Magic' to grow 2-3 inches ..in one way or another. Hell, get really crazy with it and give Miqos the quest "An Outlaw's Star' and the ability to transform into a full cat/tiger.
This post is just to really show that rpgers luv individuality, those little things that say in the whole group 'THIS BE ME!!", things that some of us are willing to go to hell (or 100 floors up a new Nyzul isle hint hint) for. Will only make the game that much more enjoyable.