Talk to the Team: Character Visuals

[Sarsilas]

Hello everyone!

Our art team is currently at a crossroads, and we would like your blessing to figure out which path we continue down for the future.

We cannot reveal too much information regarding this project as it is in its very early, tentative stages, and we do not want to give out information we may have to go back on later. However, I will still answer questions regarding specifics that I know will not change if I can.

This currently only applies to humans, elves, half-giants, and fiends. It may apply to other bipedal races in the future, but never to dragons. Please keep that in mind with your vote.

All that being said, I propose to you a question. Please vote in the poll above to answer, and discuss in the replies.

Given the choice between these options, please tell us what you would prefer.

1. I would prefer to keep my character's design exactly as is, grandfathered into a new system, at the expense of losing more quality and greater customization options for my character. My character will still be affected by the changes on its model and small details, but I get to keep my exact old textures grandfathered in. I recognise that by choosing grandfathering, I will not get the option to redesign my character.

2. I would prefer greater options for character creation and higher quality, at the expense of having to redesign my current character. The redesign will be free to all affected characters as if you used a redesign token. You will be able to recreate your current character's design nearly exactly, but there will be minor differences. I am not required to replicate my old design if I do not wish, either.

[Kumera]

I believe option 2 will be the best choice for the future of istaria for biped races.

[Icestream]

I haven't been present for a while in Istaria, but if we do get improved character visuals, its a step in, what i believe to be, the right direction for the game in my honest opinion. :)

[Smaug]

Why would anyone vote for option 1? I don't see any positive reason for it.

[Sarsilas]

We try our absolute best not to change characters that have been designed. Even if we believe it is for the greater good, we do not want to upset our players if it is in any way avoidable.

Therefore, we wanted to ask and offer the option no matter how much we felt the majority would be one way or another. We always promise not to touch your characters, so when we do, we let you all choose.

Essentially, when it comes to changing your characters' actual design, unless it's unavoidable, we are at your bidding.

[Guaran]

Why not both?

If I understand the options correctly, option 1 is "keep my char as it is, I can't redesign it, but I am going to see minor tweak/changes/updates". option 2 is "we will need to redesign our characters with the new tweaks in place, can probably get close to the old appearance should I wish too".

Give everyone the ability to do the 1 time redesign, but for existing characters, have it "start" at, or default to, the characters' existing settings (positions on all of the sliders for everything like eyes/hair/portliness/etc). Then you can either just "accept" those options (Your option 1), or move the sliders and make changes should you choose to (your option 2), then click "accept" and done.

[pevil2000]

Agreed with Guaran, option 2 is the better one but if it's a free redesign maybe either do as mentioned or have it so it's simply a free token per character to everyone; we can choose to use it or not and when we can. So even 3 years after whatever revamp happens has occurred, maybe someone would decide they're bored with their old look and want the shiny new things.

I think I have something similar to this on one of my characters in Realm Reborn; I forget why but there was something that gave an appearance change but I didn't want to. It's annoying admittedly because each time I log in on that character it asks if I want to change appearance but the option is just there for whenever/if I ever want it.

[Quiiliitiila]

Option #2, definitely. Any, ANY update to graphics (no matter how small) is a huge step in the right direction. Risking small changes to my current character design is so worth it, I don't even consider it a risk.

[cauri_order]

been away a long time but I'd vote for #2

[Clearbrooke]

I would also be for option 2, been hoping for it for a long time. :)