Character Creation Has A Race Problem

[Theodric]

Making out anyone who tries to discuss issues in a game as some kind of irrational angry straw man is both deceptive and just an overall poor argument altogether.

For the issue to be an issue in the first place the implication is that racism is at play. It isn't - because no developer is under any obligation to custom tailor their setting to cater to every possible ethnicity out there.

A great many people do not feel the need to play a character that looks and acts like they do. There's a huge difference between people suggesting something and demanding it, especially when the latter is accompanied by guilt tripping and the implication that it is somehow 'problematic' to not do exactly what they desire.

Just like how SE has no obligation to accommodate glamour options that prioritise male characters first and foremost, right?

You're right, they're under no obligation. It'd be nice, though I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. That Japanese games tend to heavily lean on female costume options over male costume options is hardly a secret at this point. Since I enjoy the game as a whole, though, it isn't nearly enough to impact my enjoyment to any great extent.

[Wiccan026]

Except no one is getting up in arms about this. No one is calling SE evil or a villain. No one is asking SE to bend over backwards or "drastically change its society". It seems like you're putting words in people's mouths in an attempt to be overly offended about people criticizing a game you like.

People bring up "hey this thing might be kinda racist, maybe we could talk about it instead of ignoring it" calmly, and then you get a bunch of irrationally angry people saying that just the act of bringing the topic up is "drastic" and that everyone who does so is only doing it because they have """""""""delicate sensibilities"""""""""".

If you don't think it's an issue, that's perfectly fine. You don't have to talk about it or join in on discussions where people are talking about it, especially considering it apparently doesn't affect you either way. That doesn't mean it isn't worth talking about or that no one should bother.

And actually, discussing this on the forums is the perfect place to bring this up. Even if nothing comes from it, this is literally the exact place where players go to voice concerns or talk about issues. This is literally what the forums were made for, I can't...

Anyways, there are many problems going on all over the world, but your refusal to acknowledge them because you, personally, can't comprehend them doesn't prove they don't exist.

Making out anyone who tries to discuss issues in a game as some kind of irrational angry straw man is both deceptive and just an overall poor argument altogether.

Even if it's not being done directly, it's being done indirectly... the words you use someone can easily misread if that's not your intent to take it in that matter.

I keep checking back and I've never seen folks reply to the ones who've posted pictures from character creation... not to mention that the OP still implies has incorrect information in it implying why the character creator is wrong.

[wondergroove]

Even if it's not being done directly, it's being done indirectly... the words you use someone can easily misread if that's not your intent to take it in that matter.

I keep checking back and I've never seen folks reply to the ones who've posted pictures from character creation... not to mention that the OP still implies has incorrect information in it implying why the character creator is wrong.

If you're intentionally misreading "hey this thing might be kinda racist, maybe we could talk about it instead of ignoring it" as calling SE a villain, that's on you for misreading anything that just brings up racism as some kind of personal attack on one's character and not just a discussion of racism existing.

[Magic-Mal]

Thankfully Japan has no obligation to bend over backwards to accommodate the every whim of foreign customers or drastically change its society to appease the delicate sensibilities of those deliberately going out of their way to be offended. I'm not suggesting that Japan doesn't have issues since every country does. Yet the official site of a video game really isn't a suitable platform to discuss such things at length.

Not having the hairstyles you want in a game's character creation isn't a case of racism at all - especially when the game's developers are free to design the inhabitants of their world as they see fit. Furthermore there's already some 'diverse' hairstyles and skin tones in the game as has been pointed out many times within this very thread.

The attempts to paint Square Enix and Japan as a whole as some kind of villain is rather offensive and deceptive. If you feel that strongly about being wronged, perhaps you should vote with your wallet...?

As a big-time supporter of male players/characters and LGBT getting equal treatment via glamour, hairstyles and representation in this game, I WILL remember this post. It says alot. Mr. "Firm advocate of nuanced antagonists, smoother official promotions for European players and more glamour options designed first and foremost with male characters in mind."

[Theodric]

As a big-time supporter of male players/characters and LGBT getting equal treatment via glamour, hairstyles and representation in this game, I WILL remember this post. It says alot.

Please elaborate, I'll admit to not catching your meaning with that statement. It is pretty late for me right now though.

[Magic-Mal]

Please elaborate, I'll admit to not catching your meaning with that statement. It is pretty late for me right now though.

I sort of took offense to your post when I thought of how much you protest for male glamours and treatment. Then you go post... everything you just said about a cause(this) different from the one you care about.

In other words, I can say everything you just said about male equality, LGBT equality, and European treatment.

[Theodric]

-snip-

I'm not taking an issue with the suggestion itself. My issue is with the way that is being framed. If FFXIV did not have any option for darker skin tones, then the weight of the argument for representation would be much heftier. As it stands, though, there are options in-game to allow for people to design a character to their personal tastes.

Where, exactly, do we draw the line? New hairstyles are added with every major patch, so there's always a chance that at least one of them will be to someone's personal tastes eventually.

The developers may or may not add more 'ethnic' hairstyles in time. We'll have to wait and see. Even if they don't, though, some do exist so it's not like they're completely ignoring them.

[MsQi]

Awesome Troll

[PaulCotton]

but if the nose and lips are slim and thin, is it really a black person? No.

You bring up an interesting topic, thank you.

However have you considered that this is a fantasy world where Africa does not exist. These people are:
Elezen.
Hyur.
Lalafell.
Miqo'te.
Roegadyn.
Au Ra.

You are right that a light skinned person with caucasian features can create a close approximation to their own appearance...
If you're looking for a character creator with many many options try Black Desert Online.

The art style here is based on anime tropes and the art of Yoshitaka Amano. African's are not commonly seen in Anime and when they are their drawn representation can appear a bit racist.

If you don't want to look like a little light skinned anime babe then make a Roegadyn or an Au Ra with some wild skin color. Create something that isn't commonly seen if you want to express your personal diversity. Create diversity in the world of Hydaelyn.

[Nandina]

You bring up an interesting topic, thank you.

However have you considered that this is a fantasy world where Africa does not exist. These people are:
Elezen.
Hyur.
Lalafell.
Miqo'te.
Roegadyn.
Au Ra.

You are right that a light skinned person with caucasian features can create a close approximation to their own appearance...
If you're looking for a character creator with many many options try Black Desert Online.

The art style here is based on anime tropes and the art of Yoshitaka Amano. African's are not commonly seen in Anime and when they are their drawn representation can appear a bit racist.

If you don't want to look like a little light skinned anime babe then make a Roegadyn or an Au Ra with some wild skin color. Create something that isn't commonly seen if you want to express your personal diversity. Create diversity in the world of Hydaelyn.

I was actually a brown skinned Au Ra at one point when I first started Heavensward is the ironic thing. I like to switch it up periodically. I never attempted to make a Hyur before so wasn't aware of the limitations until now.