DT WoL Updates: Players want the diversity of features we once had

[Caesius]

So Dawntrail is out, the graphics update is here, and many MANY people are posting feedback that their WoL is now unrecognizable, like an uncanny doppelganger.

The devs had stated both that they would try to stay as true to the original face as possible and that there would be significant changes to our appearance, thus the offer of a free Fantasia.

We can be certain that they are aware of how upset people are and exactly the manner in which every face has changed. And as much as we'd like to see our characters look closer to how they did in 6.58, when it comes to actually adjusting the faces as they are in 7.0, their hands are tied: Anyone who uses a fantasia now, especially to go to another race, will pick out all the features as they currently appear. This means that a face which is unacceptably different to you will be a face that others will specifically gun for in the character creator. As such we need to assume that our appearance is "locked in" for the indefinite future.

However, there is one factor of the graphical update that is objectively a regression from before, and needs to be put front and center of the criticism of the graphical update:

There has been excessive homogenization of specific features across races, reducing their diversity and unique appeal.

This is a much stronger argument and criticism than saying your specific WoL changed given their offer of a Fantasia and the repeated statements that your WoL would look different.

Since they can't really go in and change everyone's faces to look how they did before without alienating those who use the Fantasia, there will have to be a different solution.

They will have to add new customization options to restore character diversity and the lost unique features.

They should already be in internal discussions to consider options, but this change will make the character creator a much more powerful tool in the long run. This is what we need to be asking for now. Given the scale of the graphical update and the time they've spent working on it, they should have made under-the-hood changes to make adding new customizations easier -- at least, that would have been the responsible goal to work toward for this update.

Keep posting about how your WoLs and even NPCs changed drastically, but remember: The goal now is not to demand a revert of your WoL's appearance, but to make it clear how important it is to you that the unique features you fell in love with years ago make their return in the future.

[Caesius]

Examples of lost unique features

• All races now use the exact same lip makeup application
• Similar to above, some mouths have actually had their geometry change in a way that completely negates their previously unique shape, such as F Au Ra face 2 mouth 1 -- the same used by Mikoto Jinba
• Again as above, Lip gap on F Miqo face 4 mouth 2 is gone -- there's definitely a theme of WoL's mouths changing drastically
• Femroes lost their colored pupils, effectively making their eyes the same as a Hyur's
• Nose ash on Hellsguard is now much more subtle, almost completely removing the "puppy nose" impression

More to be added as I find them.

[NailBach]

So Dawntrail is out, the graphics update is here, and many MANY people are posting feedback that their WoL is now unrecognizable, like an uncanny doppelganger.

The devs had stated both that they would try to stay as true to the original face as possible and that there would be significant changes to our appearance, thus the offer of a free Fantasia.

We can be certain that they are aware of how upset people are and exactly the manner in which every face has changed. And as much as we'd like to see our characters look closer to how they did in 6.58, when it comes to actually adjusting the faces as they are in 7.0, their hands are tied: Anyone who uses a fantasia now, especially to go to another race, will pick out all the features as they currently appear. This means that a face which is unacceptably different to you will be a face that others will specifically gun for in the character creator. As such we need to assume that our appearance is "locked in" for the indefinite future.

However, there is one factor of the graphical update that is objectively a regression from before, and needs to be put front and center of the criticism of the graphical update:

There has been excessive homogenization of specific features across races, reducing their diversity and unique appeal.

This is a much stronger argument and criticism than saying your specific WoL changed given their offer of a Fantasia and the repeated statements that your WoL would look different.

Since they can't really go in and change everyone's faces to look how they did before without alienating those who use the Fantasia, there will have to be a different solution.

They will have to add new customization options to restore character diversity and the lost unique features.

They should already in internal discussions to consider options, but this change will make the character creator a much more powerful tool in the long run. This is what we need to be asking for now. Given the scale of the graphical update and the time they've spent working on it, they should have made under-the-hood changes to make adding new customizations easier -- at least, that would have been the responsible goal to work toward for this update.

Keep posting about how your WoLs and even NPCs changed drastically, but remember: The goal now is not to demand a revert of your WoL's appearance, but to make it clear how important it is to you that the unique features you fell in love with years ago make their return in the future.

100 of 30 Millions aren‘t many.

[ZephyrMenodora]

100 of 30 Millions aren‘t many.

As usual, all the happy people are elsewhere and not here. Seeing tons of happy people on Twitter posting their updates.

I love my update.

[noumen0nn]

100 of 30 Millions aren‘t many.

As usual, all the happy people are elsewhere and not here. Seeing tons of happy people on Twitter posting their updates.

I love my update.

So happy for both of you. How about you go hang out there and stop wasting our time here with useless, dismissive platitudes?

[ZephyrMenodora]

So happy for both of you. How about you go hang out there and stop wasting our time here with useless, dismissive platitudes?

I hope you got over the hours of sobbing you claimed when you saw your character the last time. If this resulted in hours of crying I’d suggest getting help.

[Caesius]

As usual, all the happy people are elsewhere and not here. Seeing tons of happy people on Twitter posting their updates.

I love my update.

I'm happy with some aspects of the update and unhappy with others. I have 3 characters I consider to be my "mains" (all 3 have all 90s for DoW/M) plus additional alts so I'm not coming from a place where I'm attached to only one particular race or design.

In any case there is absolutely no reason you would be opposed to the idea of additional customization, even if those who are unconditionally happy with the changes make up a vast majority of players.

[ZephyrMenodora]

I'm happy with some aspects of the update and unhappy with others. I have 3 characters I consider to be my "mains" (all 3 have all 90s for DoW/M) plus additional alts so I'm not coming from a place where I'm attached to only one particular race or design.

In any case there is absolutely no reason you would be opposed to the idea of additional customization, even if those who are unconditionally happy with the changes make up a vast majority of players.

Options are always good. I wish you luck in your campaign. Xivs creator always felt anemic compared to more modern games.

[noumen0nn]

I hope you got over the hours of sobbing you claimed when you saw your character the last time. If this resulted in hours of crying I’d suggest getting help.

I'd suggest you keep it to yourself. Spare me your concern trolling, you creep.

[ZephyrMenodora]

I'd suggest you keep it to yourself. Spare me your concern trolling, you creep.

You got me. I actually laughed when I read you cried all through the night.