Put a 5, Played SWG and after all that creation it came down to the name floating over everyone's heads. So I can take it or leave it. Less creation gives me more time to start the game.
I gave it a 4. Deep customization options are fun, but most of them get covered up by gear (as other poster's have pointed out). I'd rather see more gear options than character options.... I'd rather be able to paint a symbol on my shield than adjust the size of my nose. Look at SWG: hands down the best character customization in the genre... and every advanced character looks exactly the same because they're all wearing the same suit of heavy armor.
The only character customization option I'm really going to miss in WoW is boob size. Not because I'm a perv, but because it makes it so easy to spot the guys-playing-as-girls (they're the ones with the biggest chests).
I think its important, so I say 7. While how your character looks isnt the most important thing in game..... if your just one of 20 clones in a area (all wwearing the best armor, best sword) it kind of kills the immersion factor a bit.
"I wasnt gonna just ram it home. I was gonna lube it up and ease it in there inch by inch....like a gentleman." - Hank
Beside it being my lucky number and all ... I don't htink that character customization should be the number one thing that people look for in a MMORPG. I do however feel that it is important, just not to the extent where I need 35 different choices to have my double chin removed!
Gameplay, graphics, storyline, quests, types of npc's, PvP ... all these things seem more important to me than if I look good with 1 piercing or 5.
But, I also don't want to look like a plastic bot running around, I would like some detail and uniqueness, but it doesn't have to be 'Perfect'. Hence why I chose 7, little more than average I would say.
I voted 7, it's fairly important to me since I want there to be a bit of diversity. I remember when Eq started up I picked that blond dwarf, the first day. I swear within an hour I'd already seen like 6 different clones of myself Course nothing is worse the Lineage 2 ugh like 2 faces and 2 hairs styles, sad. SWG was very nice but nice character creation doesn't make good gameplay unfortunately. I'd rather have subpar graphics then subpar gameplay.
Character customization is only semi important, IMO. Really, it's more of a novelty, because it adds little or nothing to the gameplay. I think Blizzard understands this.
WoW's customization is good. It has enough options to keep everyone from looking like total clones -- but the real uniqueness comes from the equipment and talents you gain while playing. Just because you have alot of dials to turn before you start playing, doesn't necessarily mean you're going to be unique.
Saga of Ryzom has great character customization, however, the equipment makes (at least when I played) you look like a clone of everyone else. So your character might have a cool tattoo or big, big boobs, but it just doesn't matter once you're playing the game and you look and are just like everyone else.
I guess I don't really know what grade to give it judging from the replies I've seen on this post.
- some of you talk about the uselessness of having eye and hair customization considering most will end up with a helmet.
- some talk about the importance of good game play over in depth character customization a la CoH.
Those are both valid points. Now this being said, I it would be nice to have a little more options as far as body mass and height goes. Those are two criterias that would still be predominantly noticable regardless of which parts of your body are or aren't covered with armor.
I personnaly don't plan on wearing a helmet and I would've liked a better way to define the facial traits. Something more along the lines of SWG.
Good game play and good Character customization are not mutually exclusive. Judging from my stress beta experience, I would have to say that Blizzard has the game play down ...perhaps they can tweak the character customization a bit .... maybe not for release but perhaps a little further down the road, when they have more time and less stress.
Atleast I get to keep a unique name! Seriously, if Character customization is the most important to you in a mmorpg, then don't play WoW. It is all about the game play and how the game fits you. I personally would take game play over graphics, character customization, and everything else people whine about. It is all about the Content, feel of the game, and small touches that WoW has been doing so great with.
This is my opinion and I approve this message -- Xanthorn
Xanthorn
http://www.otsguild.com/ -- Future WoW guild upon release, check it out! If you want access, please put refered by Xanthorn on mmorpg.com. Thanks, Xanthorn.
Id like to add somthing to my last post. Id like the charcater's look do be changeble in-game like FABLE. There you can add tattoos toy our body, change your hair/beard/mustash style. And the body build. So if you are a warrior you can choose to have B I G muscels. And if you are a wissard, you can be tall, look old and have loong white beard. AND SO ON. I know it's mutch to ask, but in a SP who care about your looks rather than you? No one can se your creativity or super freaky style. So that why i did sugest the ARMOR/Social clothing thinge in my last post. And then you can put more weight on look and have more fun, rather than have the same armor for a looonge time. ANd you can't change it since you tweaked it on. So that is MY opinion.
Mozilla FireFox is the best! --------------------------------------------- Cheers! I'm out ---------------------------------------------
Cheers! I'm out :: ---------------------------------------------
I would have to say a step in the right direction for uniqueness is perhaps giving the crafters more options for customizations. Allow them to make their own signiture , customizing the look of armor,swords,bows, pouches, bags, cloaks, clothing etc.
A good idea for improving this problem could be a ingame tool which basically allows you total customization of the items look while crafting your armor,weapon, etc into its final product. Perhaps even artwork that is consistant with the world on your gear.
Or far as character customization they could do something similar to what fable did, with a few alterations. Perhaps your allowed to customize your parents look and then the game generates your appearances based on that. Also have your actions like fable did, affect the outcome of your current appearance as you grow. They could have it that the more physical feats you perform the bulkier you are and the less you get involved with the physical aspects of the game the skinnier you are.( maybe a mage would be skinnier as he relies on magic for the brunt of his assault ) Something along those lines could be a pretty cool feature implemented into the game.
But the most important aspect of a game for me is the gameplay/interface, customization is just an added bonus.
Comments
Put a 5, Played SWG and after all that creation it came down to the name floating over everyone's heads. So I can take it or leave it. Less creation gives me more time to start the game.
i put 2 becaseu even if your face looks the same or somthing you will still ahve differnt armor and class.
World of WarCraft!
World of WarCraft!
I gave it a 4. Deep customization options are fun, but most of them get covered up by gear (as other poster's have pointed out). I'd rather see more gear options than character options.... I'd rather be able to paint a symbol on my shield than adjust the size of my nose. Look at SWG: hands down the best character customization in the genre... and every advanced character looks exactly the same because they're all wearing the same suit of heavy armor.
The only character customization option I'm really going to miss in WoW is boob size. Not because I'm a perv, but because it makes it so easy to spot the guys-playing-as-girls (they're the ones with the biggest chests).
I think its important, so I say 7. While how your character looks isnt the most important thing in game..... if your just one of 20 clones in a area (all wwearing the best armor, best sword) it kind of kills the immersion factor a bit.
"I wasnt gonna just ram it home. I was gonna lube it up and ease it in there inch by inch....like a gentleman." - Hank
I chose 7. For one, that is my lucky number!
Beside it being my lucky number and all ... I don't htink that character customization should be the number one thing that people look for in a MMORPG. I do however feel that it is important, just not to the extent where I need 35 different choices to have my double chin removed!
Gameplay, graphics, storyline, quests, types of npc's, PvP ... all these things seem more important to me than if I look good with 1 piercing or 5.
But, I also don't want to look like a plastic bot running around, I would like some detail and uniqueness, but it doesn't have to be 'Perfect'. Hence why I chose 7, little more than average I would say.
I voted 5 because it's somewhat important but it's still far from the most important thing in a game...
I voted 7, it's fairly important to me since I want there to be a bit of diversity. I remember when Eq started up I picked that blond dwarf, the first day. I swear within an hour I'd already seen like 6 different clones of myself
Course nothing is worse the Lineage 2 ugh like 2 faces and 2 hairs styles, sad. SWG was very nice but nice character creation doesn't make good gameplay unfortunately. I'd rather have subpar graphics then subpar gameplay.
visit us at www.Firstguild.com
Character customization is only semi important, IMO. Really, it's more of a novelty, because it adds little or nothing to the gameplay. I think Blizzard understands this.
WoW's customization is good. It has enough options to keep everyone from looking like total clones -- but the real uniqueness comes from the equipment and talents you gain while playing. Just because you have alot of dials to turn before you start playing, doesn't necessarily mean you're going to be unique.
Saga of Ryzom has great character customization, however, the equipment makes (at least when I played) you look like a clone of everyone else. So your character might have a cool tattoo or big, big boobs, but it just doesn't matter once you're playing the game and you look and are just like everyone else.
I guess I don't really know what grade to give it judging from the replies I've seen on this post.
- some of you talk about the uselessness of having eye and hair customization considering most will end up with a helmet.
- some talk about the importance of good game play over in depth character customization a la CoH.
Those are both valid points. Now this being said, I it would be nice to have a little more options as far as body mass and height goes. Those are two criterias that would still be predominantly noticable regardless of which parts of your body are or aren't covered with armor.
I personnaly don't plan on wearing a helmet and I would've liked a better way to define the facial traits. Something more along the lines of SWG.
Good game play and good Character customization are not mutually exclusive. Judging from my stress beta experience, I would have to say that Blizzard has the game play down
...perhaps they can tweak the character customization a bit .... maybe not for release but perhaps a little further down the road, when they have more time and less stress.
Oh ... and I'd like to see chat bubbles too!
_______________________
SWG - droid engineer (retired)
CoH - Electric Lama - Lvl 25 Blaster
WoW Stress Beta - Kame - Lvl 16 Night Elf Hunter (brutally killed)
_______________________
SWG - droid engineer (retired)
CoH - Electric Lama - Lvl 26 Blaster(retired)
WoW - Kame - Lvl 60 NE Hunter
Server: Zul'jin
Guild: Crash Test Bunnies
My vote: 5
Character customization is somewhat important but not a factor that'll keep me from playing.
Atleast I get to keep a unique name!
Seriously, if Character customization is the most important to you in a mmorpg, then don't play WoW. It is all about the game play and how the game fits you. I personally would take game play over graphics, character customization, and everything else people whine about. It is all about the Content, feel of the game, and small touches that WoW has been doing so great with.
This is my opinion and I approve this message -- Xanthorn
Xanthorn
http://www.otsguild.com/ -- Future WoW guild upon release, check it out! If you want access, please put refered by Xanthorn on mmorpg.com. Thanks, Xanthorn.
Xanthorn
http://www.otsguild.com/
Id like to add somthing to my last post. Id like the charcater's look do be changeble in-game like FABLE. There you can add tattoos toy our body, change your hair/beard/mustash style. And the body build. So if you are a warrior you can choose to have B I G muscels. And if you are a wissard, you can be tall, look old and have loong white beard. AND SO ON. I know it's mutch to ask, but in a SP who care about your looks rather than you? No one can se your creativity or super freaky style. So that why i did sugest the ARMOR/Social clothing thinge in my last post. And then you can put more weight on look and have more fun, rather than have the same armor for a looonge time. ANd you can't change it since you tweaked it on. So that is MY opinion.
Mozilla FireFox is the best!
---------------------------------------------
Cheers! I'm out
---------------------------------------------
Cheers! I'm out
::
---------------------------------------------
I would have to say a step in the right direction for uniqueness is perhaps giving the crafters more options for customizations. Allow them to make their own signiture , customizing the look of armor,swords,bows, pouches, bags, cloaks, clothing etc.
A good idea for improving this problem could be a ingame tool which basically allows you total customization of the items look while crafting your armor,weapon, etc into its final product. Perhaps even artwork that is consistant with the world on your gear.
Or far as character customization they could do something similar to what fable did, with a few alterations. Perhaps your allowed to customize your parents look and then the game generates your appearances based on that. Also have your actions like fable did, affect the outcome of your current appearance as you grow. They could have it that the more physical feats you perform the bulkier you are and the less you get involved with the physical aspects of the game the skinnier you are.( maybe a mage would be skinnier as he relies on magic for the brunt of his assault ) Something along those lines could be a pretty cool feature implemented into the game.
But the most important aspect of a game for me is the gameplay/interface, customization is just an added bonus.