What is with this game and half-naked women as bosses?

[Roukiz]

I mean, I understand the myriad reasons as to why this is.

Yet I must ask, is it really such a difficulty, or near impossibility for Hydaelyn to harbor
(more) bosses that are perhaps male eye-candy?

I do realise this may be a revolutionary perspective for many, including the development team,
but still hope for a day in which equilibrium may be found for all scantily clad entities whom wish to see my demise.

Thank you.

[Jas710]

Well, the bar was immediately raised to an unattainable standard with Titan's biceps and exposed groin.

[Zojha]

When I'm through with my enemies, they all tend to look like a lump of hacked meat in various colors anyway, so I don't care that much how they looked before that.

[Valkyrie_Lenneth]

I mean, theres tons of dudes without shirts on, muscles exposed in all their glory. Its not just females.

[tjw]

I mean, theres tons of dudes without shirts on, muscles exposed in all their glory. Its not just females.

I'm fishing for a point here, but what I think Roukiz is referring to are the more 'humanoid' bosses. As a note that's related, most humanoid female bosses retain a mostly female figure with enhancements, whereas the male humanoid bosses typically have exaggerated limbs, muscles etc. I'll use the primals and eikons as an example, but as a whole, it does perpetuate throughout the game in other duties.

In the primal category, the more humanoid bosses are Garuda, Titan, Ramuh, Shiva, Ravana, Thordan, Sephirot and Sophia. All of females (Garuda, Shiva, Sophia) all have very nicely developed feminine figures, which would not be strange to see in modern day society (excluding feathers, icicle hair etc., just speaking of the figure) [as a note, all three are...I don't like the term half-naked, so let's say display their assetts very well]. However, of the males, the only ones who retains a humanoid form which would be acceptable in society are Thordan and Ramuh, and both are disguised behind robes, heavy armour and a majestic beard. The masculine figures of Titan, Ravana and Sephirot are more alien than normal, with additional limbs, skin tone, exaggerated muscle groups. In a way, they're not relatable to human beings, despite being a humanoid figure, contrary to the female primals. That's why cosplayers so often depict Shiva, Garuda, Ramuh, and perhaps now Sophia, but rarely any of the others.

Another example will be the transformation pomanders in PotD. Of the three, two are undeniably feminine, and one is undeniably masculine. The Succubus and Kurubi both retain feminine humanoid forms, with the Succubus having extra stuff attached that doesn't detract from its humanoid figure, however, the manticore is undeniably NOT humanoid, even though it's jacked with muscles.

I haven't analysed other aspects and duties, but I surmise it'll be the same. There's no denying there's "male eye candy", but it's not humanely 'relatable'.

[Leep]

This whole game is eye candy, I love it. Don't take my candy oni-chan.

[Vaeria]

Cuz I pay a monthly subscription fee so I can watch the bosses of 4.0 in turtle necked baggy sweaters and rusty brown pennie-loafers and Titan's big brother Bruno splash concentrated century-old loin cloth essence on me.

*Looks at OP*

...always a lala.


. . .ALWAYS a lala.

[REPROBEAN_CHILD]

I'm fishing for a point here, but what I think Roukiz is referring to are the more 'humanoid' bosses. As a note that's related, most humanoid female bosses retain a mostly female figure with enhancements, whereas the male humanoid bosses typically have exaggerated limbs, muscles etc. I'll use the primals and eikons as an example, but as a whole, it does perpetuate throughout the game in other duties.
In the primal category, the more humanoid bosses are Garuda, Titan, Ramuh, Shiva, Ravana, Thordan, Sephirot and Sophia. All of females (Garuda, Shiva, Sophia) all have very nicely developed feminine figures, which would not be strange to see in modern day society (excluding feathers, icicle hair etc., just speaking of the figure) [as a note, all three are...I don't like the term half-naked, so let's say display their assetts very well]. However, of the males, the only ones who retains a humanoid form which would be acceptable in society are Thordan and Ramuh, and both are disguised behind robes, heavy armour and a majestic beard. The masculine figures of Titan, Ravana and Sephirot are more alien than normal, with additional limbs, skin tone, exaggerated muscle groups. In a way, they're not relatable to human beings, despite being a humanoid figure, contrary to the female primals. That's why cosplayers so often depict Shiva, Garuda, Ramuh, and perhaps now Sophia, but rarely any of the others.

Another example will be the transformation pomanders in PotD. Of the three, two are undeniably feminine, and one is undeniably masculine. The Succubus and Kurubi both retain feminine humanoid forms, with the Succubus having extra stuff attached that doesn't detract from its humanoid figure, however, the manticore is undeniably NOT humanoid, even though it's jacked with muscles.

I haven't analysed other aspects and duties, but I surmise it'll be the same. There's no denying there's "male eye candy", but it's not humanely 'relatable'.

One thing I would point out are that some of the female bosses (particularly the female primals) were based on historical figures within FFXIV's lore. That's most likely why Primals like Shiva, Garuda, and even Thordan look the most humanoid. Shiva was based on Saint Shiva, an Elezen, who was known as Hraesvelgr's "lover." Being known as a "lover" has an sensual connotation, which may explain why Shiva looks the way she does. In Garuda's case (based the the lore book), she's based on an Allagan commander, who gave orders to the Iksalions. The Ixali would create Garuda as a primal, not only based on this commander's image, but with characteristics they themselves have, by giving her wings and feathers. The Ixali are also naked, so that's something to consider as well lol. Also, the succubi were created from the bodies of dead women, according to the Triple Triad Card.

Sophia of the Warring Triad is no doubt based on her design from FFVI and was design to appear as an actual goddess. Sophia seems quite inspired by feminine Greek goddesses, doesn't she? In fact, figures within various religious mythologies are majorly present in all FF titles. As for Calofisteri, she's basically like Sophia: faithful rendition of a previous design, but from FFV. Calofisteri also used to be a Mhachi sorceress, which is why she's humanoid at all in FFXIV.

[Tarta]

Well Rourou (luv your vids btw), it's an perversion of an idea. It's very simple. In Fantasy, it's a logical step to bringing it a step further than the supernormal stimulus would achieve due to supernatural elements.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supernormal_stimulus
It's just like when you wrestle the one-eyed snake at night, perusing of the various online media to cheer your wrestling techniques - once the wrestling over there's a period of dare-I-call-it shame in which you will then close your various browser tabs in order of decreasing perverseness.

So you have a hunky guy - whooo what a hunk. (....Push further...) Give him glistening abs. Strong poses exhibiting strongness (....Push further...) It needs more muscles, so the glistening effect gets better. Camera pans onto ferocity and muscles (....Push further...) (....Push further...) Phlegethon (....Push further...) (....Push further...) Sephirot.

Same with a smexy lady - whooo what a babe. (....Push further...) More bust, more suggestive moves. (....Push further...) More butt. Less clothes - see that glistening skin. (....Push further...) Helicarnassus (....Push further...) Shiva (....Push further...) Sophia

In a way it's a perversion of natural things that our primate brains are still adding an additional layer of attention due to the supernormal stimulus.
In game terms, however, primals are a *perfect* representation of the supernormal Stimulus. They are the prayers/calling/faith in an idea in its most desired form. A perversion of the actual thing. So of course it would be pushing the envelope.

[kazeandi]

there is plenty of "male eye candy" in game. how comes you didn't notice?