should not westernize FFXIV

[Kilta_Firelotus]

to add can the warhampper dyk measuring contest stop. This is NOT a fansite

[Picoman]

I have to admit, it doesn't quite feel like a jrpg.

I agree that some areas can look a bit plain, but how exciting can you make a desert?

You can just tell that with the tools they have, they could definitely make an 'Avatar Movie' type zone that would totally blow people away. Including; ground/bushes that react to your footsteps/presence.

[NoMX]

as a anime fan, alot of anime character design is more realistic. Well compaired to say most cartoons in america. I like anime better as it touches more realistic stories. Like sailor moon vs johnny test. Kinda sad alot of western cartoonist have been trying and failing by copying that art style. Like mike the kappa.

But we're not playing Naruto Online. We're playing Final Fantasy XIV online.

And... I wouldn't say anime characters are any more realistic than scooby doo characters... Anime anatomy is WAY off, just like any american cartoon. They're made to look artificial, that's the point. The art style is what makes the show... But for games, its a different story. Honestly, going cartoon/anime-esque is a step back in progress for video games. Whats the point of having a high end machine to run a game that ripped pages straight out of a manga or cartoon? Gamers like their computers... And they like the games that make their computers inferior so they have reason to buy new parts... How many cartoonized games have you played that have tested the best PC out there? None... But realistic games on the other hand...

Edit: Btw, don't forget that anime only came around in the first place because the Japanese fell in love with Micky Mouse! So in the end, it was Japan that copied the entire animated TV show stylization, as animation as we know it pretty much started in the western world (Europe and America). And american comics tend to have a lot more realistic art styles than Japanese manga do. And no... Sailor Moon is no more realistic story wise than Johnny Test is... They're both outlandish and play on the realm of impossibilities. It's entertainment.

[Seikninkuru]

But we're not playing Naruto Online. We're playing Final Fantasy XIV online.

And... I wouldn't say anime characters are any more realistic than scooby doo characters... Anime anatomy is WAY off, just like any american cartoon. They're made to look artificial, that's the point. The art style is what makes the show... But for games, its a different story. Honestly, going cartoon/anime-esque is a step back in progress for video games. Whats the point of having a high end machine to run a game that ripped pages straight out of a manga or cartoon? Gamers like their computers... And they like the games that make their computers inferior.

wut?

/10char

[Mikita]

The graphics quality of FF14 definitely appeals to me a lot.
I like the realism of the character designs, their movements, the lighting, the textures, and all the little details that make the world feel real.

However, one thing I find strangely missing is the sense of "fantasy" that I've seen in other FF visuals.

I watched quite a few FF13 videos online and always marveled over their beauty -- where the weapons and armor were highly decorated with curves, frills, and colorful ornamentation. I know the setting is very different, with FF13 appearing to be a strange mixture of fantasy and high tech, but the style was absolutely beautiful.

FF14 designs are much more functional and mundane, which really surprised me when I started playing.

The cities have a little bit of the fantasy elements I found so appealing in FF13 videos -- with sconces, decorative building supports, and a few magical floating elements -- but overall it's still rather drab and utilitarian.

Personally, I think a little more "fantasy" would be nice. ^^

[Seikninkuru]

The graphics quality of FF14 definitely appeals to me a lot.
I like the realism of the character designs, their movements, the lighting, the textures, and all the little details that make the world feel real.

However, one thing I find strangely missing is the sense of "fantasy" that I've seen in other FF visuals.

I watched quite a few FF13 videos online and always marveled over their beauty -- where the weapons and armor were highly decorated with curves, frills, and colorful ornamentation. I know the setting is very different, with FF13 appearing to be a strange mixture of fantasy and high tech, but the style was absolutely beautiful.

FF14 designs are much more functional and mundane, which really surprised me when I started playing.

The cities have a little bit of the fantasy elements I found so appealing in FF13 videos -- with sconces, decorative building supports, and a few magical floating elements -- but overall it's still rather drab and utilitarian.

Personally, I think a little more "fantasy" would be nice. ^^

can't disagree there!

[NoMX]

I agree that fantasy elements add to the appeal of a game world... I think they did a pretty good job with it in FFXIV myself, but they definitely could have pushed it further. There's a huge difference between fantasy and unrealism. FFXI had sky, for example... The floating land of the gods... It was stylized realistically, but was a work of pure fantasy. It's only a matter of time before they add areas of this nature, I'm certain. Once there's actual endgame content we will probably see more of this... In fact, there already is some that's been made and just isn't accessible yet. An example is that there is a cave in FFXIV with a whole underground forest... It's like a subterranean ecosystem.

Some JP hacked the game and accessed the areas... It wasnt complete, but it was done enough to get a general idea of what it'll be like.

[Kilta_Firelotus]

NoMx
sorry but honestly you have no idea what your talking about with anime.
sailor moons story line was deeper then johnny test. Basic intro you saw the destruction of a kingdom and the death of their queen. And all the character getting reborn. Add the lost love that was on and off between the 2 leads, throught the sagas. And sailor moon minus the eyes had more realist tones and figures for the characters. Johnny tests is a very bright cartoon with oddly/ goofy drawn characters. There was no emotional depth just a kid and his sisters having corny adventures.

I suggest looking stuff up before typing.
Oh and this is the official site not a good idea to talk about hacking

Mik there is fantasy in ff14. Just not in the intro. And like most mmo the low lvl gear always is the less appealing. But also you gotta look at the setting too. ff13 and ff14 setting are way different. ff13 was in a high tech world floating above an even larger world. Their cloths represented in both.

[Cairdeas]

They already said they wanted to give a Western developer the tools and let them build their own FF from scratch for possibly FF15. I dunno if this will actually happen or who would actually do it. But I think it would be interesting. And forcing Tanaka to sit in on the project as an observer and or ideaman would probably give him a humbling experience he would need to retake the reins as a full producer for the FF series.

[Randis]

Edit: Btw, don't forget that anime only came around in the first place because the Japanese fell in love with Micky Mouse! .

that is not correct. Mangalike sequential art in Japan dates back several hundred years, it is deeply rooted in the culture.
There are better and more elaborates sources but that sums it up.
http://www.essortment.com/history-manga-21310.html

Disney did not invent comics and he certainly was not the one who made comics popular in japan.