improve the variety between races

[IanYang]

Currently the body movements of Half-Elf race are exactly the same as Human race. But Half-Elf should have their own unique body movements.

Please give this game a better variety.

[Gorbadoc]

Are you talking about purely visual variety? Half Elves and Half Orcs have needed some cleaning up (actually, the Half Orc great axe animation was broken AFTER they'd been around for a couple months). The stuff that looks buggy should definitely be fixed, but I take it you're asking for something more.

I file the "something more" under "Would be nice, but it's not high on my personal list of priorities."

[Memnir]

I think many corners were cut in order to get both of the Half races done on time, animations being only one of the offenders. I still don't know how the Devs can be in any way proud of how Half-Elves look, and I'd hope they are more worried about that then animation recycling.

Then again, they're in the game - so that ship has sailed. Any changes in terms of sweeping animation or appearance overhauls are unlikely. In my debateably humble opinion, the Devs could use a refresher course in the philosophy of "measure twice, cut once." But, what do I know...

[TheSavage]

While we're at it, why do Elves and Drow have the same dances? Seriously, they evolved completely different cultures, you think their dances would be different?

[Emili]

I think many corners were cut in order to get both of the Half races done on time, animations being only one of the offenders. I still don't know how the Devs can be in any way proud of how Half-Elves look, and I'd hope they are more worried about that then animation recycling.

Then again, they're in the game - so that ship has sailed. Any changes in terms of sweeping animation or appearance overhauls are unlikely. In my debateably humble opinion, the Devs could use a refresher course in the philosophy of "measure twice, cut once." But, what do I know...
They cut it... toss it up on Lammania for preview, "attempt" to fix major issues and let the rest fly. Does make for a strange concept in the developement cycle.


While we're at it, why do Elves and Drow have the same dances? Seriously, they evolved completely different cultures, you think their dances would be different?

Drow were the first "added on" race... back at that time frame noone cared about the new emote - fact is at the time they released them they were "overpowered." The only races we had were 28 point dwarf, elf, halfling, human and "broken" WF all of which we could only have four enhancements on. The result was Dwarf and Drow Online... you were a Dwarf or Drow or often considered "Gimp." Drow were a huge success for a race at their time. People did not care about the emotes.

Even when 32 points come out... it was not until the enhancement system was expanded and they started fixing other races to actually have some decent enhancements that "Drow" got knocked down off the high end ladder.

[IanYang]

Are you talking about purely visual variety? Half Elves and Half Orcs have needed some cleaning up (actually, the Half Orc great axe animation was broken AFTER they'd been around for a couple months). The stuff that looks buggy should definitely be fixed, but I take it you're asking for something more.

I file the "something more" under "Would be nice, but it's not high on my personal list of priorities."
I mean body movements such as running, standing and several other basic body gestures.

[Freeman]

Even when 32 points come out... it was not until the enhancement system was expanded and they started fixing other races to actually have some decent enhancements that "Drow" got knocked down off the high end ladder.


Also, as more levels were added, HP became much more important, making that -2 CON on a Drow a huge drawback, particularly for any kind of melee class. As it stands, there is very little incentive to roll a Drow over a 32pt build. Between the enhancements and extra HP, it is hard to come up with a compelling reason to go with them.

[Gorbadoc]

Are you talking about purely visual variety?


I mean body movements such as running, standing and several other basic body gestures.

In other words, yes, you're looking for visual variety. I take it this change in animations would NOT correspond to a change in their gameplay mechanics? They would still cross the map at the same speed; they would just look better doing it.

I think Memnir summed it up well; corners were cut, an "adequate" set of visuals was released, and here we are, wondering whether it's more important that they fix the cut corners or get to work creating the next great thing for the game.

Or, hey, here's a crazy thought: What are DDO's profit margins currently like? Could they afford to hire more people and BOTH fix the cut corners and keep developing new stuff?

[AyumiAmakusa]

I think animations are the least problematic thing about Half-Elves.

First, fix their face.

[dejafu]

As has been pointed out elsewhere, many half-elves don't look nearly as bad when you pay attention to their avatars rather than the focus orb. So maybe a tweak to focus orbs could help ease SOME of the visual complaints without having to do a complete graphical overhaul.

That being said, the availability of Lesser Reincarnation means that tweaks to facial design options might be more of a possibility than they would have been in the past. Doing things little things like making nose and ears independent options and giving a bit more texture and definition to male half-elf features would go a long way.

As for movement, that's something that we know can be modified... female humans and halflings in particular have had things like their stationary pose and running movement tweaked over the years. Slipping in some of their own movement quirks is probably not a priority for the devs, but if it can be done without too much trouble, they should look into it when they have the chance.

[IanYang]

In other words, yes, you're looking for visual variety. I take it this change in animations would NOT correspond to a change in their gameplay mechanics? They would still cross the map at the same speed; they would just look better doing it.
I see. Thanks.

[IanYang]

First, fix their face.
Yes. They looks really......