I’d like to begin this by stating that I am aware that I probably am not aware of everything in terms of what Anet has planned for the game, why they do something one way and not the other. The following is merely my thoughts on a two items that came to my mind.
The first is the Kodan race. This race doesn’t appear to have a ton of lore so to speak, however I find the race itself extremely expressive and interesting. While we’re largely limited to human appearing races, such as the Human race itself, Sylvari whom are largely based on human design, and the Norn which are largely considered to simply be really big human (which is not the case), we have two races that are… what I’m going to call unique races. The Charr which seem to derive their many attributes and appearances from felines. The Asura is a race that I am not quite sure what you might base it’s appearance on, but unique in itself so that it does not appear human originated.
I actually think it’d be really neat to be able to play as a Kodan. I don’t think it’d be overly difficult to integrate since they have many norn placeholder animations already (which work fairly well, even if they were not to be changed). They in my opinion are much neater than the norn alternative that we are provided to play throughout the game. In truth I do not have a long elaborate argument for this point as it’s largely based on my own desire, seeing as how we can use the Kodan Tonic to be a Kodan for however long, would it truly be difficult to make Kodan a playable race in some form or another?
The second point is probably something more interesting than my own desire to see a race become playable. I’ve noticed that Anet in general has refrained from the ‘Mount’ idea that many other MMO’s have taken to doing. WoW for example has at certain level intervals, one can purchase a mount and move a little faster around the map. Honestly I don’t care for this.
I actually like that I am not slower throughout the game just because I’m lower level than someone else, or don’t have the money for a mount. I think the current system works and it’s nice. However I would by lying if I said that I didn’t love the aesthetics that come with having a mount. Not just any mount, but a sweet mount that I can stand idle and want to show my friends.
I feel like we’ve touched a similar thing in the past with the flying carpet and the flying broom. We could also throw in the little tunnel drill as well if we’re being nice. However these feel more as toys (the drill) than actual mounts.
What if Anet (yea, I’m talkin’ directly to you Anet!!!!) were to introduce an actual mount into the Gemstore. Granted this is an idea, so if they were to actually entertain the idea, they could go about it any way they desire of course. However, if it worked similarly to how the flying carpet, and broom work now (I.E. if you fall into combat, they’re removed) and are merely aesthetically pleasing… than would it be so bad?
In terms of money, you’d almost immediately make a killing on this sell just by itself, almost every RPer playing the game would throw money at the gemstore in hopes to get every mount there. Several other players, whom may simply PvP or PvE, are also likely to do so.
The game has it designed that you can customize just about everything you want to be exactly as you want it. I know I’ve changed both my armor and my dyes countless times, just because I get new ideas and like to change the scenery so to speak. If they were to come out with different ‘mount’ skins from time to time, it’s likely that they would continue making money off the very simple skin. Just look at the outfits that people will pay $10 to obtain (I myself have done so a few times).
They give you nothing, no stats… nothing more than mere appearance. In fact I think it’d be a good idea to integrate a system in which I could just buy a single piece from an armor set on the Gemstore, as in… I don’t want to buy the entire Phalanx set if I only want the shoulders!!! However, it goes to show that players love to look pretty and will pay money just to see it, even if it doesn’t help them stat wise.
What are your thoughts? Anet, what are YOUR thoughts?
