I like a lot Wildstar characters for how nicely they blend in with the setting and environment. It's also not just "cartoony", there is every detail in the avatar. It might not be realistic, but it's beautiful.
For realistic style I love Dark Souls saga (Bloodborne included). That dark gothic realism never gets old.
My opinion is my own. I respect all other opinions and views equally, but keep in mind that my opinion will always be the best for me. That's why it's my opinion.
Originally posted by KaitarBesh Oh EVE, now THAT'S a great character creator. I could play around in that one for hours. THAT'S the type of customization MMOs -should- have and there's NO EXCUSE not to with today's technology. Instead, people think GW2 is somehow stellar. I guess it is if you like bland, boring, blase' super model faces that all look exactly the fricken same. Then again it's my understanding most folks enjoy exactly that, which is why sub-par is accepted in the gaming industry these days.
You don't have to post again that you can't accept the fact that most people think Gw2 is better. We're not talking about character creator here. We're talking about character models which includes animations etc. There is no other mmo with better character animations then Guild wars 2 out there. We get it you hate Gw2. Now wait a little then come here and post the same thing over again...
I wish Blizzard would have known the importance of character models sooner than 10 years.
I love the new World of Warcraft models I just wish we would have gotten them at least 5 years ago. Ahh, at least in 2024 we can look forward to another upgrade.
I love everything as long as its fuzzy, wuzzy, furry , cute and adorable . Also to has 900% more better fur graphic than the rest of the games out there.
I think lots of people are confusing "character design" with "character creation". Character design goes beyond just the creation of the player controlled characters, includes de whole design and ideas behind all the characters in a game/movie.
Does this character look like it fits in this game world?... Does it work within the physics (or magic or whatever) of that world?... Does it look or act out of place?... is it too detailed with respect of the rest of the world and/or characters?... or maybe not detailed enough?... is its outfit good for the setting?... too revealing?... not revealing enough?... those are the kind of things character design deals with.
Using GW2 as an example, just because it's the only one I've played out of the ones mentioned in the article, I do believe that the character design is great. Characters look like they fit perfectly into their world, with its own rules and limitations. Characters that have mostly the same proportions (humans and sylvari, for example) still move different from each other, a small asura doesn't look out of place next to a huge norn or charr, and even small details like the charr running on all four when not using their hands (to hold weapons, for example) or the little tumble that the asura do when stopping after running (characters run at the same speed, but because of their size, asura look like they're running much faster so when they stop they tumble forward like they almost lose equilibrium).
However, when it comes to character creation, I fully agree that I would like for it to be more versatile, mainly I'd like the option to be able to create an actually ugly human, or even a fat character (though there's one norn body type that a bit fat-ish), but mainly that's a pet peeve of mine in most MMOs.
I could never understand those developers that don't make character models and their animation a top priority when designing an MMO?! After all, when all is said and done, a player's avatar is the one thing that will be looked upon extensively (and therefore critiqued), far more than anything else within their game. IMHO, because just about everyone wants to be attracted to their avatar, forcing the player to look at weird unattractive character models is akin to forcing a person who is unhappy with themselves to constantly look in the mirror.
I also completely agree with your assessment of LOTRO! I am a lifetime sub to LOTRO, but play it far less than I'd like to simply because I cannot get any of my friends to play it -- they simply refuse to, all proclaiming the butt-ugly character design/models as the reason why.
One of those friends actually quoted as saying, "Why do they all run like they have sticks up their asses? And who was the moron that green-lighted this crap?!"
What makes it worse, is that LOTRO has such beautiful environments, that it makes the ugliness of the character models and poor animations stand out that much more. It's like someone taking an extremely beautiful photo of you vacationing on some beach or landscape somewhere, photoshoping you out of the photo and a puppet or stick figure into it and them telling you that it's you.
What is even more depressing is that LOTRO is such a great game otherwise! I have no question that if LOTRO had better character models and animations, it would be doing far better financially than it has been.
The fact that Turbine didn't remedy this ages ago, makes me question why? Do they underestimate the importance of this to the player, or do they not think that investing the money to improve this would be worth the cost to do so?
I'd be willing to bet that if LOTRO released an expansion updating/revamping their character models ( similar to what WoW did with WoD) and advertised it, "Hey we've got new character models!", people would flock to the game.
As it is now, I know so many people that stay away from LOTRO because the current models, like you said, "resemble something that came from an alien child’s imagination rather than real people".
It's a shame really as LOTRO has one of the most desirable IPs and is a great game for the most part, if only it wasn't so flawed in this department. A major blemish on an otherwise potentially excellent game.
I agree nearly on all aspects. Particularly about LOTRO. Real abomination and main reason not playing it. Otherwise I'm particularly happy with Wildstar, Wow, Swtor, Gw2, ...
I guess the author had a certain bias against CoH, considering at the end of the article he cites how he wishes developers didn't restrict body types.
Otherwise, I'm not sure how you don't mention that character creator when talking character design. CoH gave players the most freedom to design their own characters while still looking like it "fit" into the gameworld. And it looked pretty good for its time, too.
My favorites are ESO, Rift and ArcheAge and Star Trek Online. But none have ever been as good as the character creator in Star Wars Galaxies even at over 10 years I still dig it. Hard to make a Fat Wookie in any other MMO
Originally posted by Viper482 Warhammer Online had some sweet character models and animations. RIP, you left us way too soon.
On the first place - WAR indeed, both models and animations/mechanics wise. Pity so many interesting ideas was forgotten due to it`s financial failure. Not forever, I hope!
On the second place, WoW had excellent models etc. back in the day, followed, in my book, closely by Age of Connan.
i can agree on gw2.. just a shame that the character creation blows.. you want to make a Male character you'd best not roll any of the human like races unless you want to look like a little boy. only Norn has a somewhat adult option and just 1 from what i saw.
We are playing 3D VIDEO games,not code,so ya graphics matter the MOST.Saying it is all about the game play is fooling yourself.
The real truth is graphics don't matter that much from low end to top end because there is so little difference anyhow but they still matter when compared to nothing at all but code.Your not going to have 10 million playing Wow if it was just a MUD.
You only see the head,the body is covered in gear.Most model quality is very close to the same,so guess what is left?The textures/graphics lol.
MANY games outright cheat players,they are using 1-2 models with a different skin,fooling people into thinking there are several models.H1Z1 is the recent lol,they have 1 model,pretending to have 2.
.That is why i never liked WOW even though the graphics were in some cases mildly better than FFXI,the textures were almost NEVER better in WOW.I have seen better textures made by kids than the professionals at Blizzard make.
I have said it many times,the best character customization is in systems,not in facial sliders or adding tattoos and funny hair do's.When comes to visuals,it is all about the textures/skins NOT the models.
Never forget 3 mile Island and never trust a government official or company spokesman.
FFXIV:ARR should definitely be on the top list. It has one of the best graphics, character models, textures and animations in the mmorpg market right now, except variety since almost everyone in game looks pretty similar. However, lets not forget about FFXIV: ver 1. Version 1's visuals were astoundingly advanced way beyond its time and in my opinion still far superior to ARR. It had a more realistic yet stylized, sharp anime style compared to ARR's more action-figure, plastic, cartoonish, anime graphics. Textures in ver. 1 were also very highly detailed and character animations were far more fluid, elegant, clean, and impactful compared to ARR's more floaty, a bit messy, and hectic animations that make your character look more like a try-hard cosplayer. I just wish SE had stuck with ver. 1's visual style, but nevertheless I can't really complain about ARR as it still looks great.
Comments
I like a lot Wildstar characters for how nicely they blend in with the setting and environment. It's also not just "cartoony", there is every detail in the avatar. It might not be realistic, but it's beautiful.
For realistic style I love Dark Souls saga (Bloodborne included). That dark gothic realism never gets old.
My opinion is my own. I respect all other opinions and views equally, but keep in mind that my opinion will always be the best for me. That's why it's my opinion.
You don't have to post again that you can't accept the fact that most people think Gw2 is better. We're not talking about character creator here. We're talking about character models which includes animations etc. There is no other mmo with better character animations then Guild wars 2 out there. We get it you hate Gw2. Now wait a little then come here and post the same thing over again...
I wish Blizzard would have known the importance of character models sooner than 10 years.
I love the new World of Warcraft models I just wish we would have gotten them at least 5 years ago. Ahh, at least in 2024 we can look forward to another upgrade.
I think lots of people are confusing "character design" with "character creation". Character design goes beyond just the creation of the player controlled characters, includes de whole design and ideas behind all the characters in a game/movie.
Does this character look like it fits in this game world?... Does it work within the physics (or magic or whatever) of that world?... Does it look or act out of place?... is it too detailed with respect of the rest of the world and/or characters?... or maybe not detailed enough?... is its outfit good for the setting?... too revealing?... not revealing enough?... those are the kind of things character design deals with.
Using GW2 as an example, just because it's the only one I've played out of the ones mentioned in the article, I do believe that the character design is great. Characters look like they fit perfectly into their world, with its own rules and limitations. Characters that have mostly the same proportions (humans and sylvari, for example) still move different from each other, a small asura doesn't look out of place next to a huge norn or charr, and even small details like the charr running on all four when not using their hands (to hold weapons, for example) or the little tumble that the asura do when stopping after running (characters run at the same speed, but because of their size, asura look like they're running much faster so when they stop they tumble forward like they almost lose equilibrium).
However, when it comes to character creation, I fully agree that I would like for it to be more versatile, mainly I'd like the option to be able to create an actually ugly human, or even a fat character (though there's one norn body type that a bit fat-ish), but mainly that's a pet peeve of mine in most MMOs.
What can men do against such reckless hate?
Great article Beau!
I could never understand those developers that don't make character models and their animation a top priority when designing an MMO?! After all, when all is said and done, a player's avatar is the one thing that will be looked upon extensively (and therefore critiqued), far more than anything else within their game. IMHO, because just about everyone wants to be attracted to their avatar, forcing the player to look at weird unattractive character models is akin to forcing a person who is unhappy with themselves to constantly look in the mirror.
I also completely agree with your assessment of LOTRO! I am a lifetime sub to LOTRO, but play it far less than I'd like to simply because I cannot get any of my friends to play it -- they simply refuse to, all proclaiming the butt-ugly character design/models as the reason why.
One of those friends actually quoted as saying, "Why do they all run like they have sticks up their asses? And who was the moron that green-lighted this crap?!"
What makes it worse, is that LOTRO has such beautiful environments, that it makes the ugliness of the character models and poor animations stand out that much more. It's like someone taking an extremely beautiful photo of you vacationing on some beach or landscape somewhere, photoshoping you out of the photo and a puppet or stick figure into it and them telling you that it's you.
What is even more depressing is that LOTRO is such a great game otherwise! I have no question that if LOTRO had better character models and animations, it would be doing far better financially than it has been.
The fact that Turbine didn't remedy this ages ago, makes me question why? Do they underestimate the importance of this to the player, or do they not think that investing the money to improve this would be worth the cost to do so?
I'd be willing to bet that if LOTRO released an expansion updating/revamping their character models ( similar to what WoW did with WoD) and advertised it, "Hey we've got new character models!", people would flock to the game.
As it is now, I know so many people that stay away from LOTRO because the current models, like you said, "resemble something that came from an alien child’s imagination rather than real people".
It's a shame really as LOTRO has one of the most desirable IPs and is a great game for the most part, if only it wasn't so flawed in this department. A major blemish on an otherwise potentially excellent game.
Now, which one of you will adorn me today?
I guess the author had a certain bias against CoH, considering at the end of the article he cites how he wishes developers didn't restrict body types.
Otherwise, I'm not sure how you don't mention that character creator when talking character design. CoH gave players the most freedom to design their own characters while still looking like it "fit" into the gameworld. And it looked pretty good for its time, too.
Agreed on Wildstar, Allods and Ryzom.
Sadly, at least 4 out of the 5 games are horrible grindfests. I never played GW2, so I can't comment on that one.
My favorites are ESO, Rift and ArcheAge and Star Trek Online. But none have ever been as good as the character creator in Star Wars Galaxies even at over 10 years I still dig it. Hard to make a Fat Wookie in any other MMO
Mor
On the first place - WAR indeed, both models and animations/mechanics wise. Pity so many interesting ideas was forgotten due to it`s financial failure. Not forever, I hope!
On the second place, WoW had excellent models etc. back in the day, followed, in my book, closely by Age of Connan.
My blog:
http://www.mmorpg.com/blogs/Strayfe/
I had fun once, it was terrible.
We are playing 3D VIDEO games,not code,so ya graphics matter the MOST.Saying it is all about the game play is fooling yourself.
The real truth is graphics don't matter that much from low end to top end because there is so little difference anyhow but they still matter when compared to nothing at all but code.Your not going to have 10 million playing Wow if it was just a MUD.
You only see the head,the body is covered in gear.Most model quality is very close to the same,so guess what is left?The textures/graphics lol.
MANY games outright cheat players,they are using 1-2 models with a different skin,fooling people into thinking there are several models.H1Z1 is the recent lol,they have 1 model,pretending to have 2.
.That is why i never liked WOW even though the graphics were in some cases mildly better than FFXI,the textures were almost NEVER better in WOW.I have seen better textures made by kids than the professionals at Blizzard make.
I have said it many times,the best character customization is in systems,not in facial sliders or adding tattoos and funny hair do's.When comes to visuals,it is all about the textures/skins NOT the models.
Never forget 3 mile Island and never trust a government official or company spokesman.
FFXIV:ARR should definitely be on the top list. It has one of the best graphics, character models, textures and animations in the mmorpg market right now, except variety since almost everyone in game looks pretty similar. However, lets not forget about FFXIV: ver 1. Version 1's visuals were astoundingly advanced way beyond its time and in my opinion still far superior to ARR. It had a more realistic yet stylized, sharp anime style compared to ARR's more action-figure, plastic, cartoonish, anime graphics. Textures in ver. 1 were also very highly detailed and character animations were far more fluid, elegant, clean, and impactful compared to ARR's more floaty, a bit messy, and hectic animations that make your character look more like a try-hard cosplayer. I just wish SE had stuck with ver. 1's visual style, but nevertheless I can't really complain about ARR as it still looks great.