The sad state of customization

[Riardon]

Because XIV is build upon a crap code and an even more crappy engine from 1.0 with some tweaks. The job also had to be done within 2 years or so while maintaining and patching 1.0 at the same time. It is an industry miracle which happens for first time in this category. They never expected this success. They took a desperate measure to save what they could and they needed to do it fast. ARR was created. It carried some crap code from 1.0 thus the limitations. Basically some things CAN BE done but they choose to let them aside because they will need more work force and time and they can't sacrifice development time and resources from the patches and the playable content.
I just wish to see the game go forward and the graphic engine to be enhanced and improved. It's really silly we have almost NO character customization in 2017. 4 faces really? Like it's a game from 2004 or so.
It definitely needs improvement.

[Ametrine]

Midlanders have 5 faces.

Adding a couple new details to each race in a future patch verses falling back on hairstyle would be a much more appreciated alternative even if we'd need a fantasia to toy around.

ESPECIALLY a new face for everyone, but other unique race exclusive details, too, like a new tail options or different ears. Freaking body tattoos and more jewelry.

I can't see how one or two extra layers of details on a character creation level would be more strenuous on the servers than a new race entirely.

[usalia]

So all the people that make excuses for se know how game development and servers even work?
In 2.x we take it as its was a new game that se wanted to see if it work at all.2.x is over.
3.x was first expansion so we take it in a more inderstanding way. The new race helped as well.3.x is over.
In 4.0 we got nothing for customization and there was not more content that in 3.0.
So what is stoping them add more customization?
To lazy?
All the funda go in to kh3 / ff7?

[Theodric]

An update to the character creation for the existing playable races should be a priority for 5.0. I do not want to see any new playable races added to the game until we get a wider variety of options for what exists already.

We get new hairstyles with each major content patch and also with the occasional seasonal event. That's pretty great - but we should be getting other things such as new facial hair options for men and make up options for women. Many NPC's now have unique facial features that look brilliant - but we risk seeing the same problem as with in WoW where major NPC's end up looking a lot better than player characters. Hopefully it's something that is on their radar now and will be addressed in the future.

[Vidu]

So what is stoping them add more customization?
To lazy?
All the funda go in to kh3 / ff7?

They might simply just dont have the people to do it - and thats not only a question about funding, its also about finding qualified, talented people to join their team. I recall them stating that they had issues hiring because they couldnt find anyone to take the job - those might be resolved by now, not sure, but it was definitly an issue.
Its not only about the company having the money here but also about finding someone to give it to :P

So, no, we're not defending them - we said aswell that we'd like more options. We are merely explaining (or echoing the explantions that were given) why this cant happen at the moment.
Explantion is basically: not enough resscources (wether thats money, time or lack of people to work on the game) and other priorities.
Personally, I'll take a new dungeon over a new face-option any day.
...and sometimes I'm not sure if people who imply that the team is just "lazy" are actually aware what it is they're requesting and how much time and effort it would cost.

[abzoluut]

I even think 1.0's engine "copy pasted" FFXI codes. So many similarities: Elezen movement = Elvaan's, Roegadyn movement = Galka's, and so on.

I have a feeling the 1.0 team tried to be very efficient by using what was already there. However, it was in no way refreshing or worth talking about which is a shame. Who knows what this game would look like if it was build with a new engine. It actually makes me sad thinking about it because I know it would be marvelous.

This engine desaster and the poor netcode choice don't help this game. Both will be there for a long time if not as long as this game is up unfortunately.

[usalia]

.

ye but this things can and need to be fixed.

Vidu as for "its hard to find new people", for making new faces and so one its in no way hard. the things is are SE willing to hire new people and pay them a normal salary.


if we as players that do want more customization we need to make SE now of it. not looking in to why they don't make it but make it so big of a demand they do it.

[K3KW4RCHILD]

Evidently, this is a very profound subject. I suppose it's a philosophical discussion as to where ones priorities lie, but customization seems less and less relevant the more I see comparisons to (ahem, trying not to chuckle) XIV 1.0, Aion, and World of Warcraft. This thread also has a strong undercurrent of people trying to out "tech savvy" each other. Whether the decisions are philosophical or technical or both, I'm certain the XIV design team(s) are not worried about justifying their decisions to an extremely devout fan base, which is growing faster than it ever has.

[Mycow8me]

The only thing I remember remotely from letters was that it was a memory problem. Is it still a memory problem years later?

[Nicodemus_Mercy]

What I don't get is... Why is it not a problem to add hairstyles but it is a problem to add new faces?