Building a better Alphinaud

[Sarkany]

(Endwalker spoilers)

I think it makes perfect sense for the Garleans to switch back to a republic. They tried having an emperor. Less than a hundred years after putting him on the throne, their country is totally leaderless because everyone who could take charge is dead, brainwashed, or gone with no plan to return; the remaining population is hiding from deathbots in a subway station; and a despair-monster that used to be the emperor's uncle is brainwashing people left and right. The republic clearly had its problems, but hereditary monarchy has not made itself look very good.

I do like the idea of switching out some of the Scions for people who aren't from Sharlayan/academics/white-haired, though. A Garlean machinist might be nice, since the Scions don't really have anyone with tech skills who isn't occupied with Ironworks business, or a consistent ranged physical DPS. If you want character development for Alphinaud, I think that might be an interesting way to do it. He can keep protecting people as a healer, not a swordsman, which I feel is an important part of his character, but they could maybe get into the same character type as EW!Fordola - someone who's done some horrible things and has serious emotional issues, but is really working on being a better person.

[aveyond-dreams]

I do wonder what the average western gamer would think of FFXIV if presented with Haurchefant or G'raha Tia as the posterboys without knowing a single thing about them. I have to say I don't think they would take that much of a liking to them, especially if it's the WoW crowd they're after.

[CrownySuccubus]

I do wonder what the average western gamer would think of FFXIV if presented with Haurchefant or G'raha Tia as the posterboys without knowing a single thing about them. I have to say I don't think they would take that much of a liking to them, especially if it's the WoW crowd they're after.

Dude, the Western fanbase watches Yu-Gi-Oh and plays gacha games. A pretty catboy and elf knight are not a problem for anyone who isn't extremely insecure about their masculinity.

[tokinokanatae]

I do wonder what the average western gamer would think of FFXIV if presented with Haurchefant or G'raha Tia as the posterboys without knowing a single thing about them. I have to say I don't think they would take that much of a liking to them, especially if it's the WoW crowd they're after.

It's less the "WoW crowd they're after" and more "the WoW crowd that showed up", in which case they can tolerate G'raha and Haurchefant or leave for greener pastures. Most WoW players I've seen seem to like them just fine, though.

[aveyond-dreams]

It's less the "WoW crowd they're after" and more "the WoW crowd that showed up", in which case they can tolerate G'raha and Haurchefant or leave for greener pastures. Most WoW players I've seen seem to like them just fine, though.

Because goodness forbid they give highlanders some eyebrows or put a Snow Villiers or Gladiolus like character in the spotlight.

[tokinokanatae]

Because goodness forbid they give highlanders some eyebrows or put a Snow Villiers or Gladiolus like character in the spotlight.

Why should they bother when those characters can't even beat Alphinaud's popularity, nevermind the three I just mentioned?

[Theodric]

Why should they bother when those characters can't even beat Alphinaud's popularity, nevermind the three I just mentioned?

I thought representation was important? It sure would be nice to have more testosterone present in the game in the form of conventionally attractive male characters - especially for those of us who are drawn to masculinity for the sake of representation and/or sex appeal. Not everyone is interested in feminine or androgynous aesthetics, after all.

I know a lot of people who aren't all that thrilled by the lack of an ability to design a tall, handsome human who is muscular and with authentic eyebrows. It's one of the most common aesthetic choices in pretty much any major game.

[Lauront]

Why should they bother when those characters can't even beat Alphinaud's popularity, nevermind the three I just mentioned?

Why should they bother adding Hrothgar, by that logic?

[TaleraRistain]

I do wonder what the average western gamer would think of FFXIV if presented with Haurchefant or G'raha Tia as the posterboys without knowing a single thing about them. I have to say I don't think they would take that much of a liking to them, especially if it's the WoW crowd they're after.

1.0 was a disaster to play but they managed to bring in people well enough with Meteor on the cover of it in NA looking like he just came off a tour with his boy band.

At least Haurchie looked like he could fight.

[Sarkany]

I kind of figured appealing to the crowd that's into Manly Men was what they had ShB-and-later Thancred for. He's in his 30s, reasonably tall (5'9'', which is the 50 mark for male Midlanders) and short-haired, tanks, has a kid he wants to protect (Ryne), picks up girls, and so on. The writer preferences for this game just don't seem to lean towards slab-of-muscle Manly Man, and I don't think that's a writing flaw.