Gender locked race?

[seraphmage]

Does it really matter which one was made first if the end result is the same? We could get Burmecian males and female Viera and people would still be upset at the inability to play as the missing counterpart. It's the nature of unnecessary gender locks.

^ This right here. I would rather them simply not implement Viera at all than to go to such lengths as to create a completely separate race to compensate for not making Viera males playable. It adds further insult to injury when one realizes that if they did exclude the implementation of males, it is most likely due to the producer having an odd hang-up (i.e. thinks male Viera would be "weird"). Gender locking alienates folks who want to play the race but do not wish to play a female character and it's simply unnecessary. In a game that requires a subscription to play, I believe folks have every right to be put out over this decision and to hold the development team accountable should the leaks prove true.

[Theodric]

I wouldn't consider the demand to be 'low' at all. That's a common argument, though it's worth noting that the demand only appears to be low because there's a very vocal portion of the forum community who rush to shoot down anything that isn't pushing for more of the aesthetics that they enjoy.

[Alice_Chrystal]

I wouldn't consider the demand to be 'low' at all. That's a common argument, though it's worth noting that the demand only appears to be low because there's a very vocal portion of the forum community who rush to shoot down anything that isn't pushing for more of the aesthetics that they enjoy.

I hope i don't sound condescending or mean :/ I certainly don't want to make it sound like i want to put the wishes of others down. I was just thinking about the statistics that some people posted (and what i see in the game)- and that large playerbase seems to prefer attractive races, with Miqote, Au Ra and Hyuran beeing at the top and something like Roegadyn more on the latter side. So the prospects, considering the amount of work seem to be rather grimm.

But I would be happy for you if I am wrong and you get it one day!

[Theodric]

I hope i don't sound condescending or mean :/ I certainly don't want to make it sound like i want to put the wishes of others down. I was just thinking about the statistics that some people posted (and what i see in the game)- and that large playerbase seems to prefer attractive races, with Miqote, Au Ra and Hyuran beeing at the top and something like Roegadyn more on the latter side. So the prospects, considering the amount of work seem to be rather grimm.

But I would be happy for you if I am wrong and you get it one day!

I'm not particularly set on getting a beast race. If they were added, I'd want something closer to Byakko in design - albeit without the weird arm. Something still recognisably 'human' but with fur, fangs and claws. Xaela and Raen men are monstrous in some ways yet still aesthetically pleasing enough to be considered attractive. I'd expect a potential 'bara cat' race to conform to the same designs.

If they do end up being designed to be monstrous, I won't play one myself - but I'd be happy for those who do like the aesthetic. I think they deserve a bone thrown in their direction.

[Theodric]

The other thing to keep in mind is that WoW is still a western MMO. FFXIV is still an eastern MMO at the end of the day. I can't imagine them designing a race that their primary audience isn't going to like very much just to try and attract these "WoW refugees" to the game. I mean, are they that hard up for money? :v

FFXIV is very much a hybrid between a Western and Eastern MMO in terms of aesthetics, though. Furthermore, it's tied to the Final Fantasy franchise and JRPG genre. A genre which hasn't been shy about having the occasional bestial party member. Off the top of my head:

- Freya in FFIX
- Kimahri in FFX
- Mog in FFVI
- Mareg in Grandia 2

[Lacan]

FFXIV is very much a hybrid between a Western and Eastern MMO in terms of aesthetics, though. Furthermore, it's tied to the Final Fantasy franchise and JRPG genre. A genre which hasn't been shy about having the occasional bestial party member. Off the top of my head:

- Freya in FFIX
- Kimahri in FFX
- Mog in FFVI
- Mareg in Grandia 2

That's very true, but those are single player games. I think people's perspectives are different when you're the one making the character and playing as them. The vast majority of players seem to choose the pretty/handsome races from the player census at least. There is a community that wants more bestial/"bara" races, true, but they seem to be the minority (unfortunately). I can't imagine them making a race to complement the female only viera that would only appeal to a small fraction of their audience. Sounds like a recipe for backlash.

[cicatriz313]

Anyone else kind of amazed how much a little bit of new info like a chibi art reveal for g'raha creates so much conversation in this thread lol

[Lauront]

Just to be clear, I'm not against the addition of a separate race, like the Hrothgar... if they're a real thing. It's just that I do not want to see them trying to bar adding male Viera because of it. In the end, they should be prepared to add both if they're planning such a route. The obvious solution with the cutesy male Viera issue (which we were told the concept art shown in 2015 was meant to overcome) is just not to design them in such a way if Yoshi-P thinks it's contrary to the race's spirit.

[Alice_Chrystal]

Just to be clear, I'm not against the addition of a separate race, like the Hrothgar... if they're a real thing. It's just that I do not want to see them trying to bar adding male Viera because of it. In the end, they should be prepared to add both if they're planning such a route. The obvious solution with the cutesy male Viera issue (which we were told the concept art shown in 2015 was meant to overcome) is just not to design them in such a way if Yoshi-P thinks it's contrary to the race's spirit.

I still think the one artwork is very attractive and not one bit weird or too girly I think male viera can work pretty well with a lean and masculin aesthetic. I honestly don't know myself why male viera are considered so weird.

The cute ones though are reeeaally not my cup of tea. It would be weird to me (personally) if my fierce beauty would have a tiny cutesy counterpart xD But that is just my opinion No ill will towards those who like them I personally would just prefer not to use male viera for that.


The idea with ivalician moogles is cute though! (even if i am personally not into chibi stuff...but they would be cute to look at...and kick lalafell from their thrones xD)

[Theodric]

I'd be fine with Viera men if they were closer to the lean/muscular artwork. They look fierce enough to be protectors of the forest. If they're cute, feminine or child-like then my interest would evaporate. Based on how they're described in what little we know of them it doesn't seem like those aesthetics would fit. I just don't want them to be Miqo'te but with bunny ears instead of cat ears.