Thoughts on the Au Ra?

[Berrod Armstrong]

At the very least, let's agree that the females are dainty as hell. Don't know how I feel about that personally but whatever, I already stated I'm not a fan because Bleh.

 

The daintiness does make me want to make an Jeeves-style Au Ra butler though.

 

That also swordfights because gotta protect the homeland.

 

I'll put her in a suit and everything. It'll be such class.

Dainty looking as hell, because we saw Yugiri kick ass and it wasn't at all in a dainty fashion!

[Oli!]

All aside from the tail and horn, I personally like both races in their structure. It still followed the JRPG/Japanese player appeal comparing to Western style RPG structure. (In fact, many Japanese players still are not huge fans of Western RPG games due to the way they look. 2ch was trash talking about DragonAge: Inquisition about how ugly characters looked).

 

This game was to appeal JRPG fans and mostly Japanese players and Western players who appreciate Japanese anime type of looks... but with actual promised legit proportions. (Unlike PSO2/Boobs and Soul).

 

 

This might actually be less of a visual difference and more of a gameplay difference.

 

Skyrim, one of the most Western-Looking things out there (and arguably kind-of ugly looking in general when unmodded) was apparently the first western game ever to get a perfect score from Famitsu.

 

And that's a big deal.

 

That's debatable. Skyrim from Famitsu had a high rating because of the PC version and most fans in Japan already bypassed the coding to alter their character models (Lightning from FF13 ie.) - and most of the Japanese players do love their games that they can alter the models in games. (Technically FFXI .DAT model modifications were also founded by Japanese too anyways)

 

 

 

My understanding is that the reviewers reviewed the base game, which would make all of that irrelevant.

[Warren Castille]

Books. Covers. Something...?

[Oli!]

Books. Covers. Something...?

 

 

Something something HASTY JUDGEMENT

[Oscare]

Grade-A belly rolling.

 

Also, the purely default look (in reference to Kismet's post) is used to display the race in it's barebones detail. They're probably implementing their options as we speak.

[Aldotsk]

All aside from the tail and horn, I personally like both races in their structure. It still followed the JRPG/Japanese player appeal comparing to Western style RPG structure. (In fact, many Japanese players still are not huge fans of Western RPG games due to the way they look. 2ch was trash talking about DragonAge: Inquisition about how ugly characters looked).

 

This game was to appeal JRPG fans and mostly Japanese players and Western players who appreciate Japanese anime type of looks... but with actual promised legit proportions. (Unlike PSO2/Boobs and Soul).

 

 

This might actually be less of a visual difference and more of a gameplay difference.

 

Skyrim, one of the most Western-Looking things out there (and arguably kind-of ugly looking in general when unmodded) was apparently the first western game ever to get a perfect score from Famitsu.

 

And that's a big deal.

 

That's debatable. Skyrim from Famitsu had a high rating because of the PC version and most fans in Japan already bypassed the coding to alter their character models (Lightning from FF13 ie.) - and most of the Japanese players do love their games that they can alter the models in games. (Technically FFXI .DAT model modifications were also founded by Japanese too anyways)

 

 

 

My understanding is that the reviewers reviewed the base game, which would make all of that irrelevant.

 

My understanding is that while there are majority people who appreciate what's given to us, there is always those who are unappreciative with what's given to us and are annoyed by it. But in the end it's always about 80% appreciative people and 20% complaining people and the developers disregard 20% people because most of them will always be nitpicky about it. Just like my point that I said about 2ch people.

[Oli!]

All aside from the tail and horn, I personally like both races in their structure. It still followed the JRPG/Japanese player appeal comparing to Western style RPG structure. (In fact, many Japanese players still are not huge fans of Western RPG games due to the way they look. 2ch was trash talking about DragonAge: Inquisition about how ugly characters looked).

 

This game was to appeal JRPG fans and mostly Japanese players and Western players who appreciate Japanese anime type of looks... but with actual promised legit proportions. (Unlike PSO2/Boobs and Soul).

 

 

This might actually be less of a visual difference and more of a gameplay difference.

 

Skyrim, one of the most Western-Looking things out there (and arguably kind-of ugly looking in general when unmodded) was apparently the first western game ever to get a perfect score from Famitsu.

 

And that's a big deal.

 

That's debatable. Skyrim from Famitsu had a high rating because of the PC version and most fans in Japan already bypassed the coding to alter their character models (Lightning from FF13 ie.) - and most of the Japanese players do love their games that they can alter the models in games. (Technically FFXI .DAT model modifications were also founded by Japanese too anyways)

 

 

 

My understanding is that the reviewers reviewed the base game, which would make all of that irrelevant.

 

My understanding is that while there are majority people who appreciate what's given to us, there is always those who are unappreciative with what's given to us and are annoyed by it. But in the end it's always about 80% appreciative people and 20% complaining people and the developers disregard 20% people because most of them will always be nitpicky about it. Just like my point that I said about 2ch people.

 

 

I don't really understand how that translates to the idea "maybe Japanese people aren't 100% hung up on aesthetics literally all the time every day" but ok.

 

Also I reserve my right to nitpick as a RED BLUDDED MURRICAN

[Berrod Armstrong]

All aside from the tail and horn, I personally like both races in their structure. It still followed the JRPG/Japanese player appeal comparing to Western style RPG structure. (In fact, many Japanese players still are not huge fans of Western RPG games due to the way they look. 2ch was trash talking about DragonAge: Inquisition about how ugly characters looked).

 

This game was to appeal JRPG fans and mostly Japanese players and Western players who appreciate Japanese anime type of looks... but with actual promised legit proportions. (Unlike PSO2/Boobs and Soul).

 

 

This might actually be less of a visual difference and more of a gameplay difference.

 

Skyrim, one of the most Western-Looking things out there (and arguably kind-of ugly looking in general when unmodded) was apparently the first western game ever to get a perfect score from Famitsu.

 

And that's a big deal.

 

That's debatable. Skyrim from Famitsu had a high rating because of the PC version and most fans in Japan already bypassed the coding to alter their character models (Lightning from FF13 ie.) - and most of the Japanese players do love their games that they can alter the models in games. (Technically FFXI .DAT model modifications were also founded by Japanese too anyways)

 

 

 

My understanding is that the reviewers reviewed the base game, which would make all of that irrelevant.

 

My understanding is that while there are majority people who appreciate what's given to us, there is always those who are unappreciative with what's given to us and are annoyed by it. But in the end it's always about 80% appreciative people and 20% complaining people and the developers disregard 20% people because most of them will always be nitpicky about it. Just like my point that I said about 2ch people.

Not to mention, when the nitpicky people are just caustic, short and generally impolite, there's really much less appeal to cater to them! It's sadly a trend on the anonymous interwubs.

[Aldotsk]

Not to mention, when the nitpicky people are just caustic, short and generally impolite, there's really much less appeal to cater to them! It's sadly a trend on the anonymous interwubs.

 

Even if Au Ra were not being released and Viera was good to be true, we'll have another complaints about how dainty they are. 

 

oh and also male Viera might not even have those pax on their abdomen.

[Oli!]

I don't really think it's all that nice to say that people are nitpicking and therefore unappreciative when they don't like something.

 

I appreciate the fact that I have a game and a lalafell in a Gandalf hat.

 

At the same time, I personally do not like the design of the new race. I don't think I've actively told people they should not like the new race either.

 

I dunno. That doesn't seem right to me.

[Aldotsk]

 

I don't really understand how that translates to the idea "maybe Japanese people aren't 100% hung up on aesthetics literally all the time every day" but ok.

 

Also I reserve my right to nitpick as a RED BLUDDED MURRICAN

 

We Asian people actually like stereotypical white sexy girl with modeled body, or just cute looking girls.

 

*looks at Miqo'tes*

 

In all honesty, I play female characters a lot and I do prefer aesthetically beautiful girls fighting in brutal battlefield. So that's just me. I am okay with Au Ra female being dainty. But I would not judge on a race over 30 seconds clip of just showing the pre-designed character without showing any hairstyle/tail/color/face options.

[Aldotsk]

I don't really think it's all that nice to say that people are nitpicking and therefore unappreciative when they don't like something.

 

I appreciate the fact that I have a game and a lalafell in a Gandalf hat.

 

At the same time, I personally do not like the design of the new race. I don't think I've actively told people they should not like the new race either.

 

I dunno. That doesn't seem right to me.

 

I wasn't really directing it specifically to you or to anyone in here, and if it seemed like that - I am sorry.

 

But it is true that developers usually brush off lot of customers/players who have small ratio of complaints because it seems like it's not a big deal to them.

 

*I don't really like cat people as much but there are majority who like them. It's just like that *

[Iex]

On the internet often the loudest may be in a minority. However, it is my theory, see my previous numbers post, that basically SE created a race whose appearance was traits combined of the three most popular races.

 

Hyur

Miqo'te

Elezen

 

Only by using the raw data from population on the servers can they get a relatively unbiased opinion of the general interests of the public. It isn't 100% accurate of opinions, but it is the closest they can get to giving both vocal and quiet players of the game what they want.

 

It is obvious that not everyone likes the new race appearance, but they are adding on top of the five races we already have. A sixth option that will appeal to folks... they aren't taking away anything from anyone.

[Kage]

On the concept of the female Au Ra and Aldotsk's icon reminding me..

 

I totally see a Saber vibe coming from them now.

 

I can't unsee.

 

One of them ladies is gonna rock a DRK/PLD/WAR outfit hard.

[Kellach Woods]

I don't get where "given to us" comes from though.

 

This is content part of an expansion that is SOLD to us.

 

You can like it, you can not like it, but this ain't a gift.

[Gegenji]

I don't get where "given to us" comes from though.

 

This is content part of an expansion that is SOLD to us.

 

And therefore they'll want a new race that appeals to the most people and encourage more folks to purchase the expansion. There's a whole bunch of other neat stuff that could sway folks too (the new classes, higher level caps, and other additional content), but it's not a bad plan to cover all the bases.

 

Staying "safe" and not doing anything too far from the norm is not uncommon for the Final Fantasy series as a whole, after all. And, to a lesser extent, the video game industry - stick with something you know will sell over going out on a limb and trying something new that could potentially flop.

[Kellach Woods]

Not the problem. I have a problem with this mentality that since, y'know, some of us don't like the new race we're unappreciative.

 

We're consumers. We're not always right, but we do have a right to say "this is not what I wanted." Even if 90% of people want it or something so they can pretty much ignore it. Thing is, if they don't know that some consumers don't like the new race they certainly won't take that into consideration (which doesn't mean caving in) when designing a possible 7th one.

[Naunet]

Well, according to a lot of white knights on the official forums, we should be grateful supplicants to the gracious god of SE.

 

I personally think that attitude is toxic in a consumer-producer economic relationship, but there ya go.

[Warren Castille]

Census numbers will take care of that. If no one plays the race, SE will investigate as to why. If lots flock to it, well, we don't have to like everything other people do.

[g0ne]

*comes back, thread still heated*

 

 

*quietly creeps away before anyone notices*

[Iex]

I don't get where "given to us" comes from though.

 

This is content part of an expansion that is SOLD to us.

Apologies on how direct this will sound:

 

Well, if the race offends people to much that they will not buy the expansion that includes three classes so far, 50-60, new zones, flying mounts, two new beast races, new primals, and other such things, ... uh they were just looking for a excuse not to get it or to quit.

 

Using the argument 'I paid money for this' does not belong in entertainment purchases such as this. FFXIV is not an indie game; it is not in beta. You are purchasing a product, much like a movie ticket. You go to see a movie to be entertained, there will be parts you like parts you don't, but you get them all regardless. But you only will buy it if the parts you like out weigh the parts you don't.

 

You can voice your opinion on if you like it or not. Though I honestly think you are just nitpicking my word choice. You are paying for a game; however to gauge what the players want the developers CANNOT rely on anything but raw data for a large scale thing like a race. Then the developers produce stuff they enjoy and believe the players will enjoy as well based on the data.

 

I chose to use the term 'Given' because a majority of players here will be purchasing the expansion, new race or not. They are enjoying the game with or without the new race or classes. It has already been sold to us and we are the willing buyers, because in the world of MMOs... if you do not buy an expansion you really are not making the most of your subscription.

 

((Warren worded the data part far better than I could so... yeah.))

[Edvyn]

ITT: people who play pretend on internet video games claim to be worthwhile critics, game designers, cultural analysts or whatever delusion fits their particular argument 8-)

[Gegenji]

Well, according to a lot of white knights on the official forums, we should be grateful supplicants to the gracious god of SE.

 

I kinda started skimming the thread as things got more and more heated, but it seems less and less about being grateful supplicants and more that the Au Ra has inspired angry rants about dimorphism and company laziness. Some interesting posts have come from the former (such as the in-depth comparison of the gender models across all races), but a lot of it seems to have devolved into arguments over person opinions on what the new race was "supposed" to be.

 

Everyone is entitled to their opinions. You don't have to like the new race and you're not required to play one when the expansion hits. As mentioned, if enough people don't play it, SE will most likely look into it and see about either making changes or taking a different approach with any future races.

 

However, it does seem that plenty of folks do like them and will be making one or possibly even Fantasia'ing one of their existing characters into one. AND we don't quite know what all will be entailed (hee hee, tail) with the customization. Maybe there will be a horn slider, so you can make your Au Ra lady sport a pair that'll make a minotaur blush. There could be options to add/remove more scales.

 

I'm ultimately going to hold my reservations until I get more information, but they do look pretty swank so far. Dimorphism or not.

 

EDIT: Aaaaand I took too long in compiling my thoughts, now I gotta read all these posts that popped up in the interim.

[Kellach Woods]

You can voice your opinion on if you like it or not. Though I honestly think you are just nitpicking my word choice. You are paying for a game; however to gauge what the players want the developers CANNOT rely on anything but raw data for a large scale thing like a race. Then the developers produce stuff they enjoy and believe the players will enjoy as well based on the data.

 

If you only rely on data then you're cut off from the human element. Feedback has to be taken into consideration because data doesn't have emotions, and more importantly it can't be considered prior to the fact.

 

Otherwise, why bother to seek out feedback for anything, really? Just put it out there! If it's not popular it sucks, right!?

 

Data can tell you how much, but it can't tell you why. That's why feedback's there.

 

Also, it's still not a nitpick regardless of what you think. I'd understand if the Au Ra were given to everyone regardless of whether they get the xpac or not but that's obviously not the case here. It's expansion content. I mean, they're also putting in expanded Ishgard, and quite frankly the last thing I needed is more Ishgard.

 

Still gotta pay 40$+ for it if I want the rest tho.

[Warren Castille]

I'm willing to bet dollars to doughnuts that SE's going to be closely monitoring the metrics on Au Ra, as well as everything else come 3.0.

 

Are people rolling the new race? Are they fantasia'ing? From what race? Mains? Alts? Are people doing Alexander? Are they blah blah blahing? What's the most popular blah blah blah? They've done a good job compiling census date in the past, it seems waving them off and assuming they won't look into things is a bit presumptuous.

 

If no one plays Au Ra, they'll likely look into why. If there's a lot of folks changing from the races that seem similar (elezen, hyur, miqo) they'll likely consider the new race a success. If there's not a lot of people playing Roes post-3.0, can't SE then consider that "less human" looking races aren't popular?

 

On a scale of 1-10, let's say that Hyur are 1 on the beastial scale and Roe are 7. If you make a new race and everyone flocks to the female Au Ra, who is rated 2.5 on the scale, why would anyone think "You know, the next race should be a hard 10." Elezen-with-tusks probably floats with Roe around 7, and if male Au Ra suddenly become the bee's knees, you can probably guess SE will also consider that a success. "Well, they liked this, maybe they just don't like Roe."

 

It just sounds like gloom and doom to go "SE is out of touch and will never understand without me telling them why this is bad," and when this insight is coming from the guy who doesn't like anything, you should reassess.

 

I hate it when people say it, but if you don't like it, don't buy it. Then send SE a letter why your fifteen bucks plus forty bucks is more meaningful than the fifteen bucks times plus forty bucks times thousands of happy customers. They're a game company, sure, but they're still a company. Happy consumers consume. Unhappy ones weren't going to buy anyway, so why waste the effort?

 

Now, before my personal feelings on the Au Ra get supplied for me, I'll remind everyone I'm extremely meh on them and have no intention of rolling one. I don't care. Literally couldn't care less about how they look/act/are. Curious, sure. But I don't care.