(04-29-2015, 12:30 PM)Gegenji Wrote: It was mentioned that money/resources isn't a valid arguing point (or something akin to it), but I'd have to argue that it very much does. Especially with a Triple-A title, it shouldn't be all that surprising that situation like the hated "focus group data" event that led to the Au Ra would occur. It looks like a cash grab because that's what it is - they want to sell as many copies of Heavensward as possible.
And you can't say it hasn't worked: even here on the RPC, we have plenty of excitement for it. Some people came back specifically for it. That's what they are going for. You could say the same thing about the new classes - tons of people are clamoring for DRK and MCH.
With that in mind, it is an unfortunate truth that the minority's voice will likely be left unheard. Beastly and/or burly females won't be added or able to be made beyond what already exists because too few of the player base plays them to make it look like a sound investment on SE's part. Of course, they wouldn't know how well a more monstrous or or brawny race might do, but it's a two-way street: just as  it could do well, it could just as likely be ignored by all but a few niche players.
Niche markets are not as profitable. The best I believe they can provide is the small nods here and there that they've done so far. And if there is generally positive reactions to these nods, by enough of the player base, then it starts looking more and more like a net gain for the company to invest into it more.
The issue is how to translate that into people wanting a more robust character creation system? I agree that it's lacking in several areas (where's my fat heroes?), but I am unsure of a "safe" method for them to test the waters. Especially considering the only way to adjust a character's overall shape and appearance outside of character creation is with a store-bought item.
The best I can see happening is that they add a new face or two and see how many people Fantasia into using them. I just can't see the implementation of ass sliders and the like without a very public and widespread demand for them.
So, as regrettable as it may be, we are stuck working with what we have and letting our imaginations cover for the rest. I'd really enjoy a muscle slider for Chachan, but I still somehow manage to portray that burl that doesn't actually exist on his model. And I'm content enough wit that until some large movement takes place to let SE know that the majority of the player base is wanting - and willing to pay for - a more robust character creation system.
Because I would be totally willing to add my signature to the pile.
Hi there, welcome to AAA game design where everything is about profit and trying not to drown in a sea of crap.
In all seriousness, I'd like to retread on something about FFXIV. The fact that this is a series on a second chance. Heavensward is really the first content we've seen since ARR was first developed. Yoshi-P has said that voice recording for the full 2.0 patch cycle was done before 2.1 launched. Features, ideas, story have all been done before the re-launch two years ago.Â
This is the first content shown that has been developed with the idea that FFXIV may be profitable. Even then, the plans and designs for Ishgard have been building since 1.0, five years ago. That is something that I think people lose track of during a game development cycle, all this plans and creations have been in place literally for years before they are shown.
To be blunt, game design is rarely on the same timeline as current events. It can take up to three years of real time for game development to catch up. All the concept and story work for this expansion is done, it's in production. Concepts for classes and races for the expansion after that are what are being developed now or might even already be done. MMO design is not a cut and dry process, it takes literal years to move from concept to production to launch. With as structured and consistent of a patching environment as XIV has, it's guaranteed that if Square does want to expand on it's race availability it's years out.
