TL;DR:
I'll gladly pay for character customization services if I make a mistake or change my mind about a character I created.
But this is Blizzard changing my character.
I welcome the visual update, and overall the changes are looking great, but if the character is not going to look the same, then I want to decide what it looks like.
I demand a free character customization on all my lv80+ characters once WoD goes live.
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First and foremost, I have to say I really love Blizzard's initiative in updating all races' models.
Their work so far is excellent for all races (except Male Orcs, but that is my personal opinion).
However, although Blizzard has stated their goal is to make it look like the new models "feel just like the old ones, except now it'll seem as though the lens has finally focused", I can't help but fear that - with the "before / after" comparisons we've seen - we might actually get models that - although great in their own right - won't feel like our old beloved character anymore.
This is aggravated by the "Same-face Syndrome" we've seen so far in development notes.
Last, but not least, what Blizzard seems to have planned - ability to use old models - is absolutely not enough.
The texture, animations, quality - are all different. And as such it's a dishonest option.
Taking the above into consideration, Blizzard should give us a free appearance change.
How to do it?
1 - If a restriction is needed, make it only available to Level 60+ or even 80+ characters - this would mean characters with reasonable investment are elegible.
2 - For most races, only a normal appearance change.
This is no different from adding 2 options - Face and Skin Color - to the Barber Shop.
3 - For races that get drastic changes (like male Orcs, which are irrecognizable), it should include the option for gender change (and therefore name as well)
I'll gladly pay for character customization services if I make a mistake or change my mind about a character I created.
But this is Blizzard changing my character.
I welcome the visual update, and overall the changes are looking great, but if the character is not going to look the same, then I want to decide what it looks like.
I demand a free character customization on all my lv80+ characters once WoD goes live.
---
First and foremost, I have to say I really love Blizzard's initiative in updating all races' models.
Their work so far is excellent for all races (except Male Orcs, but that is my personal opinion).
However, although Blizzard has stated their goal is to make it look like the new models "feel just like the old ones, except now it'll seem as though the lens has finally focused", I can't help but fear that - with the "before / after" comparisons we've seen - we might actually get models that - although great in their own right - won't feel like our old beloved character anymore.
This is aggravated by the "Same-face Syndrome" we've seen so far in development notes.
Last, but not least, what Blizzard seems to have planned - ability to use old models - is absolutely not enough.
The texture, animations, quality - are all different. And as such it's a dishonest option.
Taking the above into consideration, Blizzard should give us a free appearance change.
How to do it?
1 - If a restriction is needed, make it only available to Level 60+ or even 80+ characters - this would mean characters with reasonable investment are elegible.
2 - For most races, only a normal appearance change.
This is no different from adding 2 options - Face and Skin Color - to the Barber Shop.
3 - For races that get drastic changes (like male Orcs, which are irrecognizable), it should include the option for gender change (and therefore name as well)