Devs, can we please have a response?

[Krotoan]

They did originally plan to have both genders. They created concept art for male viera. Early plans, but still plans. Now whether they created models for them or not, who knows. Maybe they did, maybe they didn't. It would make more sense that they did make male viera models and presented them for Yoshi or whoever made the decision to say, "no, let's do an all male Hrothgar race instead."

I would make very little sense for them to do any significant investment in Male viera beyond concept art or mock-up models until the OK was given. No we don't know for sure but I can say it's highly unlikely from what I know about game development.

And, I don't know why they were surprised about the reaction, given the fiasco of genderlocking Roe and Miquote in 1.0.

Doesn't matter why.. but they were. Which implies little to no investment in the chance that they'd implement them.