Is it okay to use another player's character 'fantasia' as your own without asking?

[Rongway]

As long as you don't pretend to be the other person, and you don't do it to mock/harass the other person, it's "fine". It's a little lame and unoriginal but not "wrong" in any moral sense.

However, misrepresenting yourself to pose as someone else and harassment are both offenses covered by the rules.

[Rokke]

I think some looks will end up pretty similar inherently as our character creation is so limited, especially if you use one of the "popular faces", but willfully making an exact copy of someone else is kinda weird.

[Skivvy]

I've had this happen a few times, and I've gotta say it bothers me quite a bit.

The first time I noticed is when I used to post a lot on the Miqo screenshot thread. There was a player who was complimenting my character. Months later, she ends up with a cat pretty close to mine. I did a double-take the first time I saw it. There are some differences in eye color/makeup, but skin tone/features/hair style/color were the same. She's on a different server, so that helps a bit. I did wean myself off of posting there as a result.

Another time I had recently come back from a short break and returned to a friend looking like my twin (same Miqo style as above). I asked him about it, and he said that he thought it would be fine to steal my look (his words) since I was on a break.

Most recently, I had an Au Ra that my friend really liked (also happens to be my absolute favorite). He ended up making an alt that looks pretty darn close and has been playing it almost non-stop. Constantly goes on about how they looove this Au Ra, ran around naked, etc. I fantasia'd to this Lala shortly after that. :X

I mean, I get it. Options are pretty damn limited, but I still feel like I've managed to make characters that are different enough in their own ways, and it kinda sucks when someone comes out and blatantly clones you. The forum user gave it their own spin, so it was more just taking inspiration I suppose. My friends though....that was lame.

[Lilseph]

D:

Well, most of this is straight creepiness. Though, I wouldn't mind if they copy my character. I must admit it really isn't that hard -.- I'm happy with my generic Au Ra.

There was one situation, however, where I copied someone's look. My retainer's look. I was messing around with a retainer fantasia and ended up creating a character that I liked more than my character. So I swapped appareances. No ragrets.

[Fredco191]

So. Can I steal people’s Fantasias? Or do you mean “What do you think when you meet someone who looks like you”?

If someone looks like me I mostly blame the character creator for only having four face options to choose from. And then not having many options to customize them.

Now if that someone used to look different and basically turned into me the next day. I would honestly be flattered.

[Zojha]

Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.

I honestly wouldn't care so long as they don't pretend to be me. If you play any of the popular races, there's a good chance you have a clone or semi-clone running around somewhere anyway (even though I can't remember ever meeting one of my own).

[Canadane]

Remember, imitation is the highest form of flattery.
There's little to no reason to be offended.

Edit: lol Zojha you beat me to it.

[Sentaryuu]

I think it is fine to some extent. I have seen male miqotes in the past that looked close to my (male miqo look, currently fem au ra with same look) look and I've always thought it was kind of funny. However if I came across someone that looked exactly like I do, I am not sure how I would feel. Thankfully it hasn't happened yet in game. However one time I came across a Male Lala with pretty much same look on lodestone before, was probably just coincidence though and they aren't on my server.

Oh yeah forgot to say, that my character isn't at all that unique, so it is inevitable that I come across someone that looks like me. I'd be more bothered, if they used their look to harass me or pretended to be me.

[Bourne_Endeavor]

Given the extremely limited CC, it's bound to happen regardless. Personally, I'd only be bothered by it if they pretended to be me.

[DreadRabbit]

Given the extremely limited CC, it's bound to happen regardless. Personally, I'd only be bothered by it if they pretended to be me.

Have to agree with this. I mean you could spend weeks playing in character creation to make something unique, and still find a twin the moment you log in. Happened to me.

So to be honest I think it's kind of silly to be mad over the idea. I mean, how would you feel if someone came up to you and raged that you copied their character? Because there are those out there that will claim you did even if you never looked at a reference or used another player's looks as inspiration. Lose/lose situation either way if you actually worry about it.

Long post short: I think it's fine. Just don't be a jerk about it to the people you used as inspiration, as some posts have mentioned.