Glorious Alpha Two Testers!
Phase I of Alpha Two testing will occur on weekends. Each weekend is scheduled to start on Fridays at 10 AM PT and end on Sundays at 10 PM PT. Find out more here.
Check out Alpha Two Announcements here to see the latest Alpha Two news and update notes.
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Phase I of Alpha Two testing will occur on weekends. Each weekend is scheduled to start on Fridays at 10 AM PT and end on Sundays at 10 PM PT. Find out more here.
Check out Alpha Two Announcements here to see the latest Alpha Two news and update notes.
Our quickest Alpha Two updates are in Discord. Testers with Alpha Two access can chat in Alpha Two channels by connecting your Discord and Intrepid accounts here.
Comments
I think that’s one perspective (which clearly I agree with), but there is another growing perspective where visuals are disconnected from character power - and that’s what I’m talking about above. Just search for the FOMO threads and you’ll see.
Yeah, I'm not a huge fan of making visuals less important but honestly if even half the stuff they promised actually makes it into the game than it's not going to be a deal breaker or anything.
An overabundance of quality can really impact how special something looks. Like if everyone looks like a superhero, than no one will notice when the king walks into the room. Important figures just blend into the crowd.
My point is that if no one looks bad, than no one looks good. Like if evil doesn't exist, neither does good. Shadows can't exist without light.
If everyone looks super cool, than everyone ends up looking mediocre by comparison.
If you'd rather look decent all the time, rather than look bad and then great, than that is totally fine, but that is basically what I'm talking about.
I just personally like looking like a scuffed soldier for hundreds of hours and then eventually looking like a demigod. But if we all look amazing from the start than there is no way to improve how you look.
Ive played many mmorpgs where i looked the same at lvl 1 as i did at max level (Age of Conan, Guild Wars 2 etc) and that was really boring.
I want to see my character visually grow in power getting more powerful looking gear.
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Yes, it is. Case closed ☺️
Yeah unfortunately I don't think Ashes will ever have visual progression. It's a pretty big downside, but the upside is that they will make a lot more money, which HOPEFULLY means a lot more high quality content.
But RP should be really awesome so maybe we get narrative progression for our characters instead?
I think they'll be forced to have feminine body types and armor that matches the curves and angles, but from what we've seen so far it looks like they have pretty solid armor sets. Cloaks look especially appealing on female models, but still seems strict on forcing a petite body type.
For me personally? I think it's important, but I also think it's importance is incompatible with a cash shop, or even a transmog/glamour system.
Yeah, I just wanted to make a post so there could be some discussion about it.
Ashes will definitely trade visual progression for revenue, and as long as the means we get more content than I think the tradeoff is justified.
Oh yeah, I have no issues with accentuating curves a bit ect. I just mean the like half nude girls you see in a ton of Asian MMOs as a woman myself I just always find it incredibly offensive🤷♀️
It looks like there won't be very much revealing armor in general, and basically all the cosmetics I've seen are the same. There will probably be slutty costumes and possibly some armor sets as well, but I think for the most part it will be uncommon.
https://ashesofcreation.wiki/Costumes
However, that doesn't mean you won't get to experience your own personal visual progression. All you have to do is not buy (or equip) cosmetics.
People are very prone to urges, so it's usually pointless to make the argument that players can just act with restraint.
I except the majority of hardcore players will probably have some sort of interaction with the cash shop at some point. There is a reason that microtransactions are the most profitable form of monetization.
In my opinion personal visual progression is important. I want to work hard for a certain look or hear to look how I want to look. Also as you mention style is subjective, a few people comment saying they will have the best gear earn able in game. And thats not necessarily definitive as it’s subjective. I will say one thing though, I often like gear I worked for more no matter the style. I like to work towards things and the journey and achieving them is half the fun.
Like if two sets are very similar one bought and one earned I tend to favor the earned.
The cash shop in game is also going to be the same Fomo marketing. Kinda a moral grey predatory practice area. I’m sure some cosmetics will be constant but the best I’m sure will be rotated out to never be seen again.
I’d prefer a rotation cash shop, where cosmetics rotate out but are guaranteed to eventually come back…. One day. I don’t buy too many cosmetics or get Fomo too much but I think it’s just a healthier practice. Which I prefer if my games promote health on all levels. I think it would also save intrepid some trouble down the road.
I also know my opinion might not be the most popular in the forums. It can be a tough crowd but diversity in opinion is good. we are all invested and want this game to be great.
I get confused reading through this thread at your point. Looking cool is subjective and I think visual appeal should be obtainable. I’m not really sure as you seem more angered at missing cosmetics? Or you’re worried everyone is going to look like a main character? It’s an mmo I love looking at other players and seeing how cool everyone looks. Knowing where they got the gear if it’s legendary gear just makes that even better as you know they earned it. I think everyone should look like the main character or however they want really. I don’t get jealous of others looking cool.
I’m rambling, almost about nothing at this point, but on thing is for certain the cash shop will exist. And I’m certain that it’s going to have some very good cosmetics(or else people won’t buy them). And that’s okay. I’m not financially well off so I may miss some cool ones. And that’s also okay. But I do hope I can have a few cool looks come game time.
I agree with everything you've said.
As for my point, I never really have one lol.
My main 'point' is just getting people to talk about the idea that I'm presenting. As long as people are discussing the topics that I find interesting I'm happy.
Ashes of Creations isn't even a functional game yet, so this is the best time to be getting our thoughts out in the open for everyone to discuss.