[Malice]

Jen, on 08 December 2010 - 02:55 PM, said:

'Based on the current system, it will be difficult to allow users to freely change the shape of the face or the body. For now, we plan to offer preset faces. Also, users will be able to add and freely place, tattoos, make-ups, and scars. We are considering whether to allow users to upload their own customized tattoos, but it may not be realized due to various issues'

This is seriously bad news for me... probably a game breaker. That may seem like an extreme reaction so early in the games development, but the immersion element is ruined for me when I have to run around a game looking at hundreds of clones of myself, all sporting the same pre-set face, like Warhammer or WOW. This kind of limitation in character customisation just isn't good enough any more - a hallmark of MMO's that are years old now, or that just lack invention.

I look at the awesome videos for Arche Age and it seems like a next generation game... totally gorgeous to look at - Then I read this interview - very disappointing, and simply not good enough for a modern MMO. The game designers should set their sights much higher - look at the character customisation in Aion, APB (admittedly, the only good thing about it) and even the new CC planned for Eve Online, which looks fantastic.

Have they mentioned Armour customisation any where yet?

Aion offered presets too, but really no two characters looked alike. When you have preset faces, you can still alter things like shapes and colors or facial features. It may not be APB customization, but it should be fine. You don't have a beautiful world like that and then tell players "oh, btw, you're all going to look alike."

And besides, which would you rather have development invested into: making yourself look different than everyone else in some micro way, or making the game fun and exciting and immersive? It's not like you're playing this to find a soul mate (I hope not), so why should it matter what you look like?

[Eligor]

Still remember RF Online, was like 21 different looks for each of the 3 races but the game was good so nobody gave a damn.