Guild Wars 2

Here’s a dumb idea stemming from a post I made about 2 years ago. Back then I was suggesting potions. But Outfits would be much better suited to the task now.

What about Cultural Outfits?

Each would be usable only by the specific race in question. Each would come with an appropriate Costume Brawl Toy.

Possibilities:

• Asura could have Cultural Outfits based on the colleges. Statics would be mechanical-looking, or robotic. Dynamics would be a wild and crazy “Rube Goldberg Device” outfit, with crazy gizmos that pop out occasionally (a cuckoo bird from his watch, etc.) Synergetics clothing would have weird, mystical particle effects (tied in to specific emotes, maybe?) Each would have its own Costume Brawl Toy.

• Charr Cultural Outfits could be tied into the Legions. Even downtime outfits would probably be militaristic. Or do we want to go fully Roman and outfit them with legion-specific togas? Most likely they’d have Legion-appropriate weapons handy for the Costume Brawl.

• Humans could maybe have Cultural Outfits designed with the six gods in mind. Dwayna outfits would be white, light blue, and/or silver and be feathery. Grenth’s followers could have clothing very at home during Halloween… maybe with a faint greenish cloud around it. Balthazarites would probably have something akin to CoF armor. (A Human-only version would have to be developed since ANet already released this god to everyone). Melandru’s children would have animal skins (Me Tarzan – you Jane!) The Lyssa outfits would be the long, sleek, alluring and graceful sort. And Kormir’s followers might have something akin to Lady Justice, complete with blindfold. All come equipped with a Costume Brawl Toy, naturally.

• Sylvari Cultural Outfits could be tied into the cycle during which they were awakened. I picture a very plain robe, with areas that you can “see into”, similar to the Legendary Greatsword Twilight. Looking closely you could see a scene depicting that time of day. Costume Brawl Toy included.

• Norn would finally be able to able to run around in animal form 24/7! (But please, ANet… make the head NOT toggleable on this one. A giant Raven with a man’s head would be just… disturbing). And even more fun… dye channels for the fur/feathers! Oh, my… did I just see a Hot Pink Bear? Their Costume Brawl Toy can be tooth and nail.

So whaddaya think? I think Outfits serve a far better purpose as “costumes” than as alternate armors. I still hold that I will never buy an Outfit if it is just pretending to be armor, but I would surely buy several of these!

I get the feeling that Arena.net has kinda abandoned the idea of racially or even armor class exclusive things at this point. I’m guessing they’ve decided the investment isn’t worth intentionally limiting your purchasing pool.

Which is a shame, because I really like that idea.

If lots of folks really like this idea, then ANet’s purchasing pool won’t be limited. It will be expanded. People will be buying Outfits for multiple races instead of buying a single outfit for every character on the account.

Why spend the resources to make 10 outfits that people will only buy 1 of when they can make 1 outfit that’s one size fits all and make just as much (if not more) profit?

I think this is the same problem that Arena.net had with the town clothes… there simply aren’t enough people willing to support a side element that robust.

One concern I can see that may need to be addressed is the Costume Brawl Toys.

First, I suggest that they be Culturally limited, just like the Outfits. You can’t give a Norn’s animal claws and teeth to an Asura character.

Second, how can you get multiple weapons if desired? Will they be available individually in the Gem Store at a reduced price? Or are Cultural Costume Brawl Toys “attached” to the Outfit so that every copy includes the Toy as part of it? Does this preclude using a different Toy? Can a Snow Leopard use the Pirate Sword?

Regardless of the mechanics, I feel that all “costume” themed Outfits require inclusion of a Costume Brawl Toy.

chemiclord.3978:

Why spend the resources to make 10 outfits that people will only buy 1 of when they can make 1 outfit that’s one size fits all and make just as much (if not more) profit?

I think this is the same problem that Arena.net had with the town clothes… there simply aren’t enough people willing to support a side element that robust.

That seems to be their thinking currently, which is so upsetting to those of us that want more armor skins.

I think Cultural Outfits (and other “costume” Outfits) are sort of a happy medium. They have shown that they can produce Outfits by the truckload. They are definitely one of the places where ANet is already spending lots of resources. But since so many Outfits look like armor, people get upset when they can’t mix ‘n’ match pieces of it with their other gear.

“Costume” style Outfits as described here would mostly not look like armor, so there would be fewer individual parts that people would scream to be able to use with their other armor.

Cultural Outfits could also be a way to introduce a few CAPES into the game, since they can be withheld from those oh-so-hard to design for Charr characters. (Sorry, Charr).

But no race could pull off a “doggy bandana” as well!

I wholeheartedly support this – especially the really specific ones like Asuran “college” outfits. Anything that helps my characters relate more firmly to the lore content would be an instant purchase.

I love idea of cultural or even class specific outfits. There is nothing more dumb then for example ele running with Balthazar’s outfit, wtf is this :/

cultural stuff? Yes. Outfits again? Nope

Basaltface.2786:

cultural stuff? Yes. Outfits again? Nope

Trust me… (or go waaaay back in my posting history and look for yourself), I’ve been vocally against Outfits since before they came out. But I think as “costumes”, they would be acceptable.

I am definitely not saying I don’t want more armor skins. I am telling ANet what they need to do in order to get me to buy any Outfits. For me it is to make special “costumes” or to make “Town Clothes”. I absolutely refuse to buy Outfits that mimic armor. The desire to “steal” a portion and use it with my other armors is too frustrating.

If ANet must make Outfits (and it appears they must), then I want to try to steer them in a direction in which they are acceptable to me.

This is interesting concept, I"ll keep an eye on this.

More Cultural Armor ideas:

• Asura – A radiation/hazmat suit. A lab coat. Surgeon’s scrubs.

• Sylvari – More “plant” styles!

• Norn – Furs! And huge furry cloaks and hoods and boots!

• Human – Simple Town clothes. Peasant. Noble. Street Rat.

• Charr – Camouflage fatigues. Army pants w/ tank top. Blacksmith (surely important to the Charr!)

Come on, guys! RPers! Imaginative folk! Spit out some ideas! Certainly there are some non-armor looks that you would like to see for Outfits! Something that armor skins can’t necessarily provide.

Don’t forget that we already have Cultrual Outfits in the game. ANet just saw fit to convert them into crappy tonics.

In the good ol’ days, every starting character received a suit of Cultural clothing upon character creation. They need to un-tonic these, and turn them into dyable Outfits. Then reinstate the policy of giving this one Outfit to every character for free.

It seems to me that the Outfit designers would dearly love to make stuff on a cultural basis. I can imagine the artist putting the finishing touches on a male and female human wedding outfit (yes, we had that in GW1). His supervisor comes to look over his shoulder at the finished product and says “Great! …now make that fit a Charr”.

The artist slumps in his seat.

While additional love across the races would be nice I have a feeling the people that work on the majority of armor/outfits prefer to working with the human models and every thing else is just part of the job they get stuck having to make a token effort on.

I really like these idea´s i think it would be really cool to have some cultural outfits, with greater ties to the personal story, maybe given norn a more shaman/hunter outfit with alot of fur and hunting trophy´s (building on their seeking glory culture). I would really like to see more outfit inspired by the humon gods. since the Balthazar outfit i´ve been hoping for a Melandru outfit. I really think this could be awesome. but i think its very unlikely. Maybe they could do like one outfit that change depending on the characters story so they could sell many of the same item. But that might be to much work.

Here is one of the earliest outfits released into GW2:

https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Cook%27s_Outfit

Each race has its own variant, which I think is excellent. You pay once and you obtain a great variety of looks to use across different races.

I think this is a better idea than having 5 different purchasable race-specific outfits.

However, as already mentioned, it is bad business strategy to put 5x the work into 1 product that costs the same as another. I think this is the reason why we haven’t seen new variants of “Cook’s Outfit”.

They’d get a better turnover if they made 5 separate outfits that any character could wear, each themed towards a particular race (a little like what Hamfast suggested a few posts up). Think a little like the current cultural armour, but toned down, more generic.

-Asuran themed: Crystal-like, cubic, similarities to circuit-boards (angular, glowing pathways spread over the armour).
-Sylvari themed: Leafy and plant-like, drawing on other plant features like bark or flower petals.
-Norn themed: Tribal patterned, draped fur, plated regions.
-Human themed: Intricately detailed and patterned, flattering yet modest. Think costumes worn by royalty from GoT.
-Charr themed: Bladed, akin to Whisper’s armour- adorned with weapons.

As pointed out in other threads, we have now been mourning Town Clothes for one year.

Please, ANet. Do something with Outfits instead of armor look-alikes. Give us some Town Clothing. Give us special event costumes. Give us unique stuff that armor can’t give us. Stop making better-looking armors that can’t be mixed and matched. You’re killing us.

And turn all those Town Clothing Tonics into Outfits. I’m still waiting.

Hamfast.8719:

Cultural Outfits could also be a way to introduce a few CAPES into the game, since they can be withheld from those oh-so-hard to design for Charr characters. (Sorry, Charr).

But no race could pull off a “doggy bandana” as well!

Would totally reroll my main as a charr for this

would MUCH rather have some 4th set of cultural ARMOR

i mean culturual armor is one of the few where it is 100% SURE it looks good on each race

and having a few more armorpieces to mix and match on charr for example that were designed for charr would be very nice

Stuff that would work well as Outfits, but not armor:

Togas!
Swimsuits!
Formal wear!

…you know – party clothing! They can and (preferably) should be culturally different.

THESE are the sorts of things Outfits should be used for.

Hamfast.8719:

Stuff that would work well as Outfits, but not armor:

Togas!
Swimsuits!
Formal wear!

…you know – party clothing! They can and (preferably) should be culturally different.

THESE are the sorts of things Outfits should be used for.

ok i agree

but all outfits that could be real armorsets should be real armorsets (or better: appear as real armorsets too)

i dont want to see Mad King Thorn Outfit as Armor ofc … such pure fun outfits and pure costume brawl outfits should stay outfits ofc

Hamfast.8719:

Stuff that would work well as Outfits, but not armor:

Togas!
Swimsuits!
Formal wear!

…you know – party clothing! They can and (preferably) should be culturally different.

THESE are the sorts of things Outfits should be used for.

I don’t disagree, outfits should be leaning towards “casual”, “party” or “evening” wear- things that I could imagine my character looking forward to changing into to get out of their uncomfortable armour.

But personally I like the armour-y outfits because I can use them on any armour weight. Plus they’re slightly cheaper than gem-store armours.

Given we have the cook’s outfit, they should probably roll the old town clothes into an outfit using same mechanic. I wouldn’t mind paying a little more for outfits like that in the future.

Jermoe Morrow.9501:

Given we have the cook’s outfit, they should probably roll the old town clothes into an outfit using same mechanic. I wouldn’t mind paying a little more for outfits like that in the future.

Yes the old original town clothes were different depending on your race. They were made into tonics and really should have been converted to an outfit. One free outfit for everyone so folks have something they can try to see how they like outfits. The skin is already in the game too, so no work for them except to change the tonic to an outfit.

I think ANet would prefer you buy gold with gems to purchase the expensive cultural armor rather than pay just $10 or so for a full cultural outfit.

Like the idea, Hamfast. Maybe even tie those to content.

Though, the first step is reverting those town clothes tonics into outfits!

And now that you mention it, MoMo, I have a bile-raising temptation to actually do that. :\ But no, I’ll just farm up some more gold for it. :P