Request to unlock Hempen set styles

[Aniya_Estlihn]

What exactly is so wrong about a little diversity? Why can we not have items that are locked to a group/ race because for them it has cultural significance? Yes the idea that my Highlander hempen gear is a important cultural item is silly and moronic... however it's also the Only thing we have not usable to all.

Restrictions are ok, not having access everything is to be expected and for some adds story to their characters. Continuing this kind of mentality just means less incentive for the art team keep trying tp make anything uniqe, why bother when everyone wants to share the same underwear?

Diversity and Exclusivity are two things that you are getting VERY confused with one another.

This is not a manner of racial diversity, this is not a matter of a lore-related piece of clothing or equipment—these are throw away sets that are either crafted undyed, or bought form a vendor that come in a default yellow dye and retain the same item icon, yet consist of different graphics depending on your race.

This is two items that have the same icon for all races, that have no racial restrictions on the item icon or description, that include no lore basis as to why they exist that somehow has six different appearances per gender, for a total of twelve different appearances for the same item.

Furthermore, the idea that there needs to be more exclusive gear is uneducated and lacks any form of common sense or reasonable thought put into it. You say that it gives the developers no incentive to create unique gear if everything is universal, but just look at how long they've said it takes for them to make ONE set that is usable by all races. Months, not weeks, not days, months. The Male Bunny suit has been in development for almost two patches now, that's half of a blasted year.

Compound that by adding more racial exclusivity wherein they not only have to make gear that is tailored to all races and model it for each, but also new models and textures for pointlessly exclusive gear that shouldn't exist in the first place for each and that takes up even more resources to create than just refitting an existing piece of gear for the other races or creating a piece that everyone can wear.

Exclusivity is a waste of time.

Diversity comes from how you use the things given to you, not from the things that are exclusive to you. Racial diversity in a digital world is unimportant unless there is an emphasis on it, of which there currently is not, and I hope to God there never will be as it will only justify more ridiculous comments like your own and compound the situation further.

This mindset that somehow either solution will lead to less creativity is simply false and lacks any real thought being applied to the situation at hand. It's time people like you stop with these kinds of comments and actually make an effort to discuss why these items need to be locked rather than just pulling a reason out of a magical hat and tossing it to the wolves, because there is no justifiable reason that anyone can give for these sets to be exclusive.

Furthermore, have you actually SEEN some of the sets?

Female Au ra look like they should only be wearing their set in a bedroom, while Miqo'te get something that could easily pass as; and often is seen in modern society and as a very popular glamour items, as a casual outfit— not dissimilar when compared to work out clothes if you will. I'd also like to point out that the designs further false stereotypes of the races as well; stereotypes that are implied rather than outright spoken, which is also another problem with them being exclusive. As many of these designs being exclusive gives this false idea that these are cultural norms for these races, when for all intent and purposes they likely just designed them that way because they wanted to.

There is absolutely no reason for them to be locked, try as you might to argue it, but you can't. That's why many of the arguments in this thread have died out whenever they are in favor of keeping the gear locked, because no one can substantiate that view without being completely blown out of the water by someone who tries to put even an inkling of thought into their responses.

This is not a topic of equality, exclusivity, equity, race or even entitlement— this is an argument for providing us with more diversity and allowing us the right to make our characters look different than some pre-concieved stereotyped gear allows us to currently be, and if that's wrong I most certainly do not want to be right.

Edit: Massive Disclaimer after someone on the previous page accused me of insulting people—
I am in no way insulting anyone here, nor is that my intent.

Saying an opinion is "Uneducated" is not attacking the person who has it, as opinions do not define a person as opinions can be shaped, reformed and changed over time. An opinion can be referred to or classified by any number of colorful adjectives one might direct at it; much any any object or subject is subjected to the same, but the holder of said opinion could very well be that of an alumni just with a bad sense of reasoning on one subject. That does not mean one is uneducated.

Referring to a comment and saying it is ridiculous does not mean I think you are meant to be a subject of ridicule, but rather your comments are worthy of scrutiny, and again...
That is not an attack on a person, but rather someone disagreeing with something you said and believe "that" statement is silly/false/stupid or otherwise. I don't know anyone who defines themselves with a single statement, and I do sincerely hope that people here realize that they can be criticized for a stupid statement without actually being called "Stupid."

Just like:
Accusing someone of idiocy is not the same as calling someone an idiot.
You can act like an idiot without being one, it's all in the context; which which some have clearly failed to understand or ever attempt to read into properly.

With my colorful language, I am hoping that people will 'try' to substantiate their opinions and that some meaningful discussion that the developers can ACTUALLY use will be on display for them to actually consider rather than this roundabout of conflicting opinions wherein no one is willing to question the others.


If you want my simple opinion that falls in line with the theme of this thread, here it is:
This is an MMO and cross-cultural relations are normal. We can buy gear from the Vath and Vanu that are based off of their actual physical appearances and no one bats and an eye despite them: 1) not being playable and 2) being a different race from our player character If that is not a problem, then nor should unlocking a generic set of gear's varied appearances for all players to use freely as they see fit.

[Sterre]

Snip.

Again, insulting other party just because they have different opinion from you is rude and pointless, no matter how you try to justify it. And yes, calling someone's opinion ridiculous and uneducated is insulting. Learn to debate without insulting others, or don't do it at all. There's way more polite ways to voice your opinion and getting your point through. Usually, if you're making a good point, you don't need to reinforce your statements with insults. Your behaviour towards people who disagree with you is hostile, and, in my opinion, not very mature.

Also, it's not up to you decide what opinions are useful and contributing to the conversation, everyone see things differently and that's why people have different reasonings for and against this topic. The best we can do is to respect everyone's opinions and suggestions, even if you don't agree with them, and wait and see what DEVs will decide.

Thank you and good day o/

[Alacran]

Diversity and Exclusivity are two things that you are getting VERY confused with one another...

I will concede that my use of the word was in error. My own view of diversity being narrow in the scope of only encompassing the inclusion of different cultural themes. however in saying that i feel Exclusivity is not inherently wrong, particularly in terms of a chosen video game avatar.

Where would this end i ask you? Why not let Dark Knight armor be used by Whit Mages, why not let Dragoons use Great Axes, is it fair that my Ninja can't use a Spear? Asking for one set an expansion that celebrates the the different races would not be the breaking point you make it out to be. It may even help should it allow for more of equal distribution of the races.

The Hellsguard Roegadyn are so very interesting, steeped in fantastic lore about their view points and beliefs, originators of the Warrior job, the believe they guard the the gates hell and use martial and magic teachings to do so. Yet all we hear of is Sharlayan scholars and the Magi wars. Why should Hellsguard not have gear that represents them and that history? There are so few Roegadyn out there as it is.

The Duskwight have lived for centuries in underground caves, one could argue there are entire cities under Erozea little mentioned and all but forgotten. The most we see being the Gelmoran ruins... Of which there are no gear sets attributed to them?


Highlanders were the first of the Hyur to reach Eorzea. Their name derives from their long tradition of building strongholds in the mountains. Compared to their Midland brethren, the Highlanders are noticeably larger in build. They adhere to the doctrine of the Twelve, and are devout followers of Rhalgr, the Destroyer. Ancient Highlander practices of tattooing and tooth filing are very much alive today. Of late, Highlanders have become an increasingly rare sight in Eorzea, their number represented almost exclusively by those who fled Ala Mhigo after its fall, and now work in other city-states as mercenaries and sellswords.

With a spiritual tradition dating back to times of yore, Highlanders are known to sport wood-carved talismans woven into their underclothes, and votive tattoos adorning their bodies. While some find Highlander aesthetic sensibilities crude, one cannot deny their uniqueness and the manner in which they evoke unadulterated strength of nature. Such ruggedness can also been seen in their preferred fare - Highlanders often dine on simple yet impressive dishes such as massive aldgoat steaks, seared perfectly to seal the natural juices. Overcooking is taboo in Highlander kitchens, to the degree that some consider them raw meat eaters.

(Great break down of Highlander culture)

...

...

I have said it before, I know i'm part of the minority here, i understand i'm on the losing side, maybe that's why i like highlanders so much.

[Reinha]

With a spiritual tradition dating back to times of yore, Highlanders are known to sport wood-carved talismans woven into their underclothes, and votive tattoos adorning their bodies.

Oh, I didn't know this. Probably because nothing in the game insinuates it... If we get more character customization I hope Highlanders will have the most (or only) body tattoo options. It's only fair since they lack options like tail size and limbal rings.

[Fawkes]

Where would this end i ask you? Why not let Dark Knight armor be used by Whit Mages, why not let Dragoons use Great Axes, is it fair that my Ninja can't use a Spear?

Early in 1.0 anyone could wear any gear. I still have a couple pieces of dated gear. I wish I had kept more of it but I didn't know glamour would be a thing back then. And they're already doing stuff like taking the Kirimu coat look from being bard only and giving it to everyone in a glamour piece, so I don't see why they couldn't do that with more gear.

With weapons being tied directly to class it's pretty obvious why different jobs can't use any weapon, they would have to remake that entire system.

[Alacran]

Early in 1.0 anyone could wear any gear. I still have a couple pieces of dated gear. I wish I had kept more of it but I didn't know glamour would be a thing back then. And they're already doing stuff like taking the Kirimu coat look from being bard only and giving it to everyone in a glamour piece, so I don't see why they couldn't do that with more gear.

With weapons being tied directly to class it's pretty obvious why different jobs can't use any weapon, they would have to remake that entire system.

What i meant in regard to the armor is the Artifact job specific gear sets. I was also in 1.0 and did indeed benefit from a very few pieces gear that i still have on some alts.

[Nicodemus_Mercy]

What i meant in regard to the armor is the Artifact job specific gear sets. I was also in 1.0 and did indeed benefit from a very few pieces gear that i still have on some alts.

A certain level of exclusivity based on iconic class/job imagery is ok. Like the blue lvl 50 class sets (from class quests) for example. But those are very specific sets designed for very specific classes based on years of iconic designs for those classes in many FF games. Race exclusivity has no logical reason behind it. Sets that are class exclusive should be the kind of gear you find in the raids or from class specific quests, not generic tome bought gear, dungeon gear, crafted gear or vendor gear.

But when you're talking about more generic gear like the hempen sets, the racial starter sets, or most of the DoW/DoM restricted gear from 1-60, exclusivity stifles creativity and diversity. For example, there's an outfit I want to put together but on a healer I can't finish it because the perfect set of boots are rog/nin only. Now these are just generic boots, not iconic class specific gear. They are just simple leather boots that go above the ankle, but below the knee, are tight, are thankfully devoid of excess ornamentation, and aren't high heeled. These boots are the Griffin Leather Boots of Scouting, generic crafted boots that don't have any logical reason to be class/specific. But nothing equivalent exists for the healing classes. Why?

As I said before, too much exclusivity stifles creativity and diversity. Even if most things can't be set to "all classes", it can't hurt to have more shared appearances between classes. A good example of this already existing in game is the Holy Rainbow Shirt of <insert affix here> of which there is one for everyone. Its the same exact model for every class, only the default colors differ (and a little dye fixes that right up). We need more gear to be like THAT. Not everything has to be like that, but much more than we currently have to be sure. And especially generic clothing items like hempen, racial starter gear, and basic footwear.