A plea to the devs regarding female armor/costume design choices

ArchivedUser

Please give female characters viable options to wear full bodied, combat practical armor.

Specifically this bit of concept armor we are teased with here on the backer. The male armor looks amazing; blue and gold themes, it looks like you can charge into battle with that on and nobody is going to stab you through any vital organs very easily. However, if the female variant is a simple dress for a female human tank, that is going to be very inconsistent and unnerving.

I would like to see this MMO not fulfill the same extremely overdone stereotypes regarding exceptionally revealing female 'plate armor' that has been overdone to death. Though I'm not against those who would like to see that fantasy aesthetic for their characters, it is in my best interest to see to it that there is viable, aesthetically pleasing options for both styles.

Specifically, can the female royalty costume have an armored version that looks more or less the same as the male version with the same amount of plate armor coverage please?

ArchivedUser

I agree, the armor should look like something that you would wear, and actually have protection. 

ArchivedUser

More Brienne of Tarth than Sand Snake, but I agree there should be a choice. Hopefully, Intrepid won't draw inspiration from ZoS as far as female armours are concerned.

ArchivedUser

she looks like a high elf mage to be honest 

ArchivedUser

I argue that armor for genders should vary by race. Orc and dwarf armor may be heavier because those races are stockier and sturdier, while elven armor may want to be lighter and more flexible in combat.

ArchivedUser

I suppose a magey tank could get away with wearing elegant garb as it would make sense, but I agree with OP, I'm ok with never seeing skanky plate again.

ArchivedUser

I think its more up to if women want that armour type and not a bunch of guys talking about the right and wrongs when we have no real way of understanding how they feel about this

ArchivedUser

True, but there'll always be women on both sides of the fence, and I think the most we can expect from Intrepid is choice. Whether they'll have the resources to be able to offer that choice is a debate for another time.

ArchivedUser

Kratz said:

True, but there'll always be women on both sides of the fence, and I think the most we can expect from Intrepid is choice. Whether they'll have the resources to be able to offer that choice is a debate for another time.

I agree. I just think people need to stop jumping on every problem and focus on what we know and what else is being added

ArchivedUser

nagash said:

I think its more up to if women want that armour type and not a bunch of guys talking about the right and wrongs when we have no real way of understanding how they feel about this

Men can absolutely have an opinion on the subject.

As a male, I do not prefer it simply because it is immersion-breaking.

Immersion in this game is something the devs have said they want to be important. Half naked characters running around (of either sex) surely breaks this goal.

This is the same rationale I carry in the transmog/hiding equipment discussions. If the options available severely break immersion then I am generally against it.

ArchivedUser

Warbacon said:

nagash said:

I think its more up to if women want that armour type and not a bunch of guys talking about the right and wrongs when we have no real way of understanding how they feel about this

Men can absolutely have an opinion on the subject.

As a male, I do not prefer it simply because it is immersion-breaking.

Immersion in this game is something the devs have said they want to be important. Half naked characters running around (of either sex) surely breaks this goal.

This is the same rationale I carry in the transmog/hiding equipment discussions. If the options available severely break immersion then I am generally against it.

I'm not saying you cant but what I was saying that its not right for us to dictate what people wear that is up to them and if the game lets them dress as a succubus then I don't see what the problem is the same with a knight in full plate it makes no difference apart from making that person happy 

ArchivedUser

@nagash Yes I agree, if the game systems allow it, then people will do it. I just hope the systems that are put in place are reasonable, to preserve immersion. If it does happen, I personally wouldn't care for it, so I would just try to avoid it when possible. Maybe some people want to RP a brothel  , just avoid the seedy part of town I guess!

ArchivedUser

I 100% agree with you, however using that image as a basis for your argument is a little strange. Those are cosmetic costumes, not real armor.

ArchivedUser

WickedWazer said:

Please give female characters viable options to wear full bodied, combat practical armor.

Specifically this bit of concept armor we are teased with here on the backer. The male armor looks amazing; blue and gold themes, it looks like you can charge into battle with that on and nobody is going to stab you through any vital organs very easily. However, if the female variant is a simple dress for a female human tank, that is going to be very inconsistent and unnerving.

I would like to see this MMO not fulfill the same extremely overdone stereotypes regarding exceptionally revealing female 'plate armor' that has been overdone to death. Though I'm not against those who would like to see that fantasy aesthetic for their characters, it is in my best interest to see to it that there is viable, aesthetically pleasing options for both styles.

Specifically, can the female royalty costume have an armored version that looks more or less the same as the male version with the same amount of plate armor coverage please?

I don't believe these were meant to be battle ready appearances, but rather royal "ceremonial" garb.  Something more befitting a court gathering of the upper echelon of society, or special event.   While the male armor does appear more like armor, I would venture to guess it's offers barely any more protection than what the fine lady is wearing in the picture.  It's far too shiny and regal for real battle, and the first tavern brawl the wearer found himself in would probably emerge with more dents and scuffs that you could ever buff out to wear to any further special occasion. 

No, I wouldn't worry about it much in that particular example.  Those are clothes for peacocks to strut their stuff down the metropolitan streets!
Take it from me, I have an eye for craftsmanship - dwarven or otherwise - and I'd sooner take 'me chances with protection from pots 'n pans in the kitchen than any 'o them shiny wearable baubles!

 

ArchivedUser

It would be nice to keep the brothel at the brothel and the battle relevant gear in battle. I'd rather look powerful than sexy when fighting. However, I can see myself being happy with either

ArchivedUser

WickedWazer said:

Please give female characters viable options to wear full bodied, combat practical armor.

Specifically this bit of concept armor we are teased with here on the backer. The male armor looks amazing; blue and gold themes, it looks like you can charge into battle with that on and nobody is going to stab you through any vital organs very easily. However, if the female variant is a simple dress for a female human tank, that is going to be very inconsistent and unnerving.

I would like to see this MMO not fulfill the same extremely overdone stereotypes regarding exceptionally revealing female 'plate armor' that has been overdone to death. Though I'm not against those who would like to see that fantasy aesthetic for their characters, it is in my best interest to see to it that there is viable, aesthetically pleasing options for both styles.

Specifically, can the female royalty costume have an armored version that looks more or less the same as the male version with the same amount of plate armor coverage please?

I think this is the third time i post that image....but here it goes again



Female Armor should be absolutely as protective looking as their male counterpart. Keep the clothing looking stuff to actual clothing and don't label it as "ARMOR"

ArchivedUser

To be honest, male armor absolutly lame in terms of real, practical protection TOO.



Like some strange hole in his stomach (one of the most vital areal in terms of wounds), and some stupid metallic... boots? How do you walk (gods forbid fight) it those? 

But this is plague of most fantasy games, their artists just know nothing about real  medieval armor and weapons, prefering just to draw "cool stuff" on level of understaning of 15 years old buys playing tabletop in basement. This is likely uncurable thing in mainstream.

And AoC, with all new ideas and good things, has very generic, mainstream art direction. Its like illustrations from dnd rulebooks, 3,5 at least. I remember them pretty well. All this useless absturd armors, oversized and silly weapons. Very typical fantasy solutions.

Thats how real royal armor look like, if you want fo fancy, golden etc:

ArchivedUser

Yeah, I appreciate options in protection and prettiness too, but the "tin can" look above just isn't going to be as popular in the face of other outfits.  It all comes down to making the armor/outfit appealing.  and there are many ways to go about this, even for tank pieces.

ArchivedUser

i've said it before, if someone wants to have protection then they should be wearing armor that actually looks like it could be armor. if someone wants to run around the battlefield in a bikini with absolutely no armor value that's their prerogative

ArchivedUser

Meh, whatever armor women will have in game is fine with me. I'll be playing a male character, so I'm good... and... my wife will be playing along side me, so I won't be looking at other women chars 

ArchivedUser

nagash said:

I think its more up to if women want that armour type and not a bunch of guys talking about the right and wrongs when we have no real way of understanding how they feel about this

*meh*
I am male and I want skimpy magic armor for some of my male characters.
Including chainmail bikinis.
The women can feel however they want.

Mages are wearing cloth armor while being hit with Fireballs and people find bikini armor immersion-breaking?
That's absurd.

All of the magic Str and Sta and Heath stats on plate armor is somehow perfectly reasonable, but not on chainmail bikinis?

ArchivedUser

Dygz said:

nagash said:

I think its more up to if women want that armour type and not a bunch of guys talking about the right and wrongs when we have no real way of understanding how they feel about this

*meh*
I am male and I want skimpy magic armor for some of my male characters.
Including chainmail bikinis.
The women can feel however they want.

Mages are wearing cloth armor while being hit with Fireballs and people find bikini armor immersion-breaking?
That's absurd.

All of the magic Str and Sta and Heath stats on plate armor is somehow perfectly reasonable, but not on chainmail bikinis?

I agree I mean is as skimpy a you can get that is pretty much see through

ArchivedUser

@le_souriceau
hey, i'm the resident medieval nerd here!

well we have to live in a world were the mainstream has no clue about real armor. So even if the armor is a farcry from real ones, a tleast they can look as if they would be somewhat protective

ArchivedUser

Yep, it can be FAR WORSE : )

ArchivedUser

My eyes!!

ArchivedUser

I think @Rumbleforge was right about you @Nagash

ArchivedUser

actually it can be even worse then that!

ArchivedUser

Kratz said:

I think @Rumbleforge was right about you @Nagash

In what way?

ArchivedUser

Enrif said:

actually it can be even worse then that!

It must be if the forums will not let you post it

ArchivedUser

nagash said:

Enrif said:

actually it can be even worse then that!

It must be if the forums will not let you post it

you don't see it?

ArchivedUser

nagash said:

Kratz said:

I think @Rumbleforge was right about you @Nagash

In what way?

When he said you had a meme for any/every post possible!