Letter from the Producer LXII

[HakaseNyan]

After people spotted T'kebbe in Heavensward, we were given the opportunity to see another race's younger form (was only hyur children before). I believe many of us were happy with them including the younger modeled npcs, because it gives the world more variation and brings it further to life. However, some players then thought it'd be a great idea to be able to play as that younger type. I think there was also a request for a teenage size. Maybe players just want to be shorter, like female Au Ra's minimum height short?

[Emmanellain]

After people spotted T'kebbe in Heavensward, we were given the opportunity to see another race's younger form (was only hyur children before). I believe many of us were happy with them including the younger modeled npcs, because it gives the world more variation and brings it further to life. However, some players then thought it'd be a great idea to be able to play as that younger type. I think there was also a request for a teenage size. Maybe players just want to be shorter, like female Au Ra's minimum height short?

Shonen protagonists are usually in the 15-20 age range, so it doesn't surprise me that a sizable group wants cute bishounen teen-ish boys, I mean - look at bands like one direction and the overall obsession with cute guys in Japanese culture.
I don't blame the young ladies wanting to be a pretty-boy same as how the men like playing as a pretty girl, I mean the dudes can be Au Ra females, female Viera, female Midlander etc.
The girls have male Miqo'te and elezen, but they don't really fall in the traditionally attractive category, so I get why there is a demand and why some might be disappointed that the female player base won't get a male, version of the Viera. (I imagined they'd look like male models with bunny features, like the women but with a slider)

But with this statement I suppose those who find Alphinaud and Alisae amusing in the MSQ can rest easy that they won't be killed off! I guess because they don't want to show younger characters in pain that means Pipin, Alphinaud and Alisae now have plot armor! :P /jkjk

[JackJ]

Great read and thank you again Dev team for your hard work and dedication to a game we all love and support!

[griffinborn]

Meanwhile through Google translator:

[Tsukino]

Meanwhile through Google translator:

The Japanese name for the expansion, 漆黒のヴィランズ, is indeed "Jet-Black Villains," with "Villains" being in English. It's a really dumb name.

[Kalise]

The Japanese name for the expansion, 漆黒のヴィランズ, is indeed "Jet-Black Villains," with "Villains" being in English. It's a really dumb name.

Ehh... Jet-Black Villains isn't too bad.

At least it doesn't sound like what a 13 year old edgelord would name their DRK only FC >.>

[Vahlnir]

Ehh... Jet-Black Villains isn't too bad.

At least it doesn't sound like what a 13 year old edgelord would name their DRK only FC >.>

It sounds like it could be FF XIV's version of Team Skull. Not that it's a bad thing, I love those guys. I'm picturing a group of thugs dressed in black walking up to adventurers like hipsters and waving their arms like mad just to harass them.

[Kalise]

It sounds like it could be FF XIV's version of Team Skull. Not that it's a bad thing, I love those guys. I'm picturing a group of thugs dressed in black walking up to adventurers like hipsters and waving their arms like mad just to harass them.

Inb4 new Masked Carnivale stage xD

[Tsukino]

It sounds like it could be FF XIV's version of Team Skull. Not that it's a bad thing, I love those guys. I'm picturing a group of thugs dressed in black walking up to adventurers like hipsters and waving their arms like mad just to harass them.

I can't not think of the recurring joke-rival adventuring party in the "Tales of" series, the Jet-Black Wings (漆黒の翼).

[SorceressVal]

personally i want to say thank you to all the devs and staff that put it together and worked so hard your effort is beloved. also i want to offer a solution to the healer balancing issues you have i suggest majoring whm= as you have with large healing spells with hefty mp cost and mid sized regen with reasonable mp cost - for sch = add durability to their shielding as they are not large heal proficient and don't focus on damage equaling their healing their shielding should be on par with whm magnitude of heal - so one majors healing the other majors shielding = now for ast = since it does both its magnitude should be less then whm but more then sch for healing and less durable shields faster cast time - that will make it equal to both as a jack of all trades master of none - the next healer job could center around damage to heal =Example : lets say you name it sorcerer/sorceress = a rendition of the ffviii boss damage out would be converted to healing in by stance - this way in stance the healer can help by adding small damage and giving large heals and out of stance focus on dps - the healer would complement any of the 3 without overshadowing them as they would require the stance to heal others outside itself . Since you already have sorceress gear templates from ffviii im sure creating male ones wouldn't be as big a issue and you can simply re-purpose modified ffviii concepts to get a look for it . hopefully that helps and takes some of the stress off with developing and balancing the current - of course the particulars are under your per-view this is just a general direction idea .