Can we have armor sets and not outfits
I heard a while back that it’s way easier for them to make outfits as it’s one outfit fits all. More outfits means more $$$ for Anet. I agree with you though, making your characters look distinct and individual is a large part of the appeal of MMOs. Giving your character their own identity is very satisfying.
This guy seemed to think all the outfits was a good thing but as I said, I disagree. Still a good watch though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATeEVW2dEVA
(edited by Ballistic.2570)
This has been asked frequently and has been answered in the various AMAs after updates. An armor set, three weights, 5 races, two genders, takes around 9 months to create and takes 10x the effort than an outfit.
The price for a single weight armor skin is 800 gems vs 700 gems for a one size fits all outfit. Since the primary source of cash flow is the gem shop, any thing offered for sale needs to be cheap to create so it’s development cost is quickly paid off so additional sales goes into paying for the game’s development rather than the item’s development. This is likely the reason they announce in early 2015 that armor sets will only be in game rewards tied to new content, read expansion, rather than offered in the gem shop.
This hasn’t stopped them from offering individual pieces like gloves, boots, shoulder and head pieces that are universal, same piece for all races, genders and armor weights. But just look at what they are charging for those items. Extrapolate that and would you be okay with 2000 gem armor sets?
We are heroes. This is what we do!
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An armor set, three weights, 5 races, two genders, takes around 9 months to create and takes 10x the effort than an outfit.
Well, it’s obvious that they don’t put much effort into Outfits since 95% of them have clipping issues on my female Sylvari, mostly at the right arm and legs if there is a butt cape (and there are way too many butt capes). So sad. Forever waiting for more Light pants…
Extrapolate that and would you be okay with 2000 gem armor sets?
inb4 anet does this and everyone complains that the price is extortionate.
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It’s also been established that, as with many companies, ANet have a separate team working on gemstore content and “non-gemstore” content. Since the former funds the later, to a great degree, this is a good thing for y’all.
Extrapolate that and would you be okay with 2000 gem armor sets?
inb4 anet does this and everyone complains that the price is extortionate.
if they do it right i.e. make a really complex set with various effects like arcanas in dota 2 and most importantly, make the set always available for purchase from the gem store, they will cash in on them.
And I am become kitten, the destroyer of kittens
This guy seemed to think all the outfits was a good thing but as I said, I disagree. Still a good watch though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATeEVW2dEVA
Thanks for the link. I usually get my news late for this game but when I heard about the length of development time for a set of armor, I came to the same conclusion: Armors aren’t even that good (there are some exceptions) to be putting that much time into them.
Now I wouldn’t suggest converting all armor into outfits, I’d just suggest turning efforts more toward outfits than currently. Players conclude that outfits take away customization options and this is wholly false. The only way to take away custom options is to remove something (like town clothes) and so long as the current wardrobe armor exists alongside outfits, players can still create a custom look IF they can combine pieces to their liking or just don an outfit. The more outfits there are, the more options to choose from and the less likely you’ll find someone wearing the same outfit at any given time.
If we’re considering a truly healthy MMO here and not being swayed by our own bias, armors are sinking custom options (you can even blame that on having multiple races, but you’d also have to include armor weights contributing to that as well) and waiting 8-10 months for one option for your character is unhealthy and not profitable enough.
So the answer to the OP is No. Not unless we get rid of armor weight and extra races.
On the alternative, we could ask for better customibility of outfits (hiding more than just the helm but shoulder and gloves as well), more dye channels (dye individual parts of an outfit) and perhaps even allow armor gloves, shoulder and helm of armor to show through when that outfit section is hidden.