Rare, I love your vision for the character creator but:

@capn-tonis People, like myself, are already a bit upset at the restrictions in place. Limiting it even further would likely breed more outrage. Taking something away from what is standard in all RPGs today is really a big no-no in the industry. But hey, we will see how it turns out. I for one was pretty let down by it, as I tend to spend hours creating and customizing my character to represent my style as a person and a gamer, and Rare is limiting that.

@capn-tonis Yeah, I kind of wonder how many times I will have to "click the button" to get the pirate I would have created anyhow? Or even if it will happen at all. The characters I create are pretty unique, so its pretty hard to re-create. I don't want to give it away, but my brand is rather notable, so my characters always have a distinctive look, I'll be curious to know if Rare's procedural code even supports my idea.

For the love of Mike! Why? So instead of giving me control of my characters creation I get to click randomize a thousand times until I see something that's "close enough" to what I want? Again, why? I'm rather particular about the avatars I run around with and this...grrrr...takes away player choice and ends up being another aggravating chore.

@daimyo-dorima Rare really likes making the simplest of things harder than it has to be. They really could have avoided all the criticism if they would have stuck to some standards that are common among games of this type. I understand wanting to reach out and do something different, but there is also something to be said for keeping at least a few basic things to a common standard.

@RevanJStone I like hitting the randomize button as much as the next player just to see what pops out. But I also expect to be able to select and lock-in:

• Gender
• Height
• Weight (these two are sometimes placed together under 'Build')
• Skin tone
• Head shape
• Facial features

1. Nose: shape, size, position, etc.
2. Ears: shape, size, position, etc.
3. Eyes: shape, size, position, angle, spacing, color, etc.
4. Eye brows: shape, size, thickness, position, angle, etc.

• Facial hair: style and color
• Hair: style and color
• Tattoos
• Scars
• Accessories

As I said, I'm particular about my avatars. Without those options I'm going to be stuck with one that I really don't have an attachment too and doesn't feel like me. Step one of being the pirate you want to be is pretty much a fail.

It's basically a good system. But because the choice is permanent it absolutely needs at least one of two modifications, as others have suggested.

First, it needs a candidate lock option. So if the player sees a character that might do, the player can keep that option while re-rolling the others. This allows progress toward a selection and widens the pool of options. It also prevents a player from passing on an acceptable option in hope of a better one only to be disappointed.

Keep in mind that many players will be so eager to enter the world that they will rush through character selection. So few players will sit there for 30 minutes re-rolling options.

Second, it needs filters. The character sex/gender, at the very least, because that matters to most gamers. That will streamline the process and not annoy the player with clutter while eager to start playing. Other filter options might include hair color, skin color, tattoos (if available), and size.

Just for fun, Rare could animate the characters occasionally during selection with emotes or expressions. It would be hilarious to see a drunk pirate wobbly waiting to be recruited.

It sounds lazy on Rares behalf to just put in a randomized character generator.

Skyrim is my all-time favorite game, so I understand the appeal of complete control. But honestly those of us who are not character artists commonly struggle in the fine-tuning of nose type, nose height, eyes height, eyes spacing, eyes tilt, eyes size, etc. Rare's proposed system is a nice middle ground. It just needs some tweaking.

I’m not quite sure how I feel about what’s been set in stone....

I guess ya can’t kick it until you try it.

I just hope I like it, after I’ve tried it.

I like the ability to randomize the characters - gives those who don't want to waste time with character creation something to use and get through quick - plus also lets people try different looks and see something that works - and maybe see something they wouldn't have picked before.

However, there are quite a few people who like to do their characters just right from the getgo and are very particular about it - me being one. Not being able to choose what you look like - especially since its locked into your permanent gameplay - is not a good way of "being the pirate you want to be" that has been stressed and heralded for the game.

We don't have to have tons of custom sliders or super fine details - just use whatever the randomized options uses, but let some of us that want and like to do this - choose specifics.

If there are lots of options, I don't see the "everyone will look the same" problem people are saying either.

So please Rare - I understand you want to give an option for those that don't want to mess with spending a ton of time on creation and jump in. But again there are lots that do like this part of the game, and not having the option seems like a backward step on your vision.

Good Fortune!
Marik

@lizalaroo It would be a great time to hear from Rare. Since its been a while since we had any kind of responds since the closed beta. Now with all this influx of news, some clarity would be much appreciated I think.